Miami Basketball wraps up the 2007-2008 season with a 23-11 record after Sunday’s loss to No. 2 seed Texas. As the title above says, it’s hard to complain when the Canes finally found their way back to the Big Dance, won their first game and battled back so valiantly in round two.
Down 11-points at the half, Miami outscored Texas 40-32 in the second half and battled back from a 17-point deficit to pull within three, losing 75-72.
There are no moral victories in the world of sports. That’s just a cute little term people throw out there to give the loser some solace after a hard-fought battle. That said, if there were moral victories, Miami earned one on Easter Sunday.
The Canes were outmatched by the Longhorns, but never quit. A late barrage of unlikely three-pointers by Raymond Hicks in the final minutes, as well as Lance Hurdle getting it done at the free throw line. Jack McClinton was an ace behind the stripe as well and hit a few big threes of his own. Miami chipped away at the stone and simply ran out of time. Another few possessions and the Canes are in the Sweet Sixteen.
A stellar effort from coach Frank Haith and this team. A very successful year for Miami Basketball and sky is definitely the limit for 2008-2009. This team will be that much better and that much more exciting.
Check back later this week for a season recap from Kartik Krishnaiyer.
Kudos to coach Jim Morris and Miami Baseball, which continues rolling through the ACC, as well as beating up on non-conference talent. The Canes are now 18-2 and ranked #2 in the nation. Miami took the weekend series with Wake Forest, including a 23-2 drubbing. Miami was up 9-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning of Sunday’s make up game, but it was called due to weather and won’t be made up.
Miami worked Bethune-Cookman, 10-5 last night and will wrap up the two-game series at Mark Light Stadium this evening. Up this weekend, a road trip to Duke and next week, some local rivalries when Florida Atlantic rolls to The Light and then a ‘road trip’ to FIU the following day.
A great streak for Miami Baseball. Let’s hope the pitching remains strong and the bats stay hot as the ACC schedule gets tougher in April with road trips to Georgia Tech and Florida State, while Clemson and Virginia both head to Coral Gables.
On the football front, Randy Shannon and his squad are continuing with the rebuilding process. I’ve said it a few times, but I’ll reiterate it again – it’s great to see all these new names on the roster and hear about the young influx of talent having an immediate impact. It feels like it’s been forever and a day since the Canes were significant and things finally feel like they’re headed back down the right path.
Other Canes Football tidbits…
With one last week of spring practice left on the books, a final scrimmage will be held this Saturday at Lockhart Stadium at 10am, with an autograph session taking place beforehand. The session is slated to kick off at 9:15am, so get there early as long lines will interfere with a short signing session.
Glenn Cook will give up his ‘assistant coach’ duties as his sixth year of eligibility was approved, according to Shannon. Cook donned headsets last season and was seen in huddles, helping with some play calling and assisting his teammates as sort of a player/coach.
Cook will have a lot more competition at the linebacker position in 2008 than he saw in 2007 from the sidelines, but his experience is a plus as most of Miami’s talent are underclassmen with little to no game experience.
Freshman quarterback Jacory Harris is supposedly up to 175 pounds, though he still looks like he’s blow away if a stiff wind arose.
Special teams coach Joe Pannunzio has a new tight end on his roster for 2008. Former WR Daniel Adderley and his 6′ 6″ frame will line up at TE this season and compete for a starting job with Dedrick Epps and Chris Zellner now that DajLeon Farr has left the program.
If Adderley was buried on last year’s depth chart at wide out, things looked that much scarier entering 2008 as upwards of seven receivers were signed a few weeks back. Aldarius Johnson is already earning rave reviews and much is expected out of the 6’4″ Tommy Streeter as well. For Adderley to get on the field, this seemed a logical move – as discussed by fans for months now.