No. 22 Miami 73, Kentucky 67…

I’m still not ready to talk basketball this time of year… but the Miami Hurricanes earned another big out of conference road win – it’s fourth straight – and it needs to be acknowledged.

This may not be your father’s Kentucky Wildcats bunch, but they’re still a quality program and it was The U’s first win against UK in four tries. A big showdown for an up-and-coming team.

Miami blew a 15-point lead against Ohio State last Tuesday, after Jack McClinton was sidelined for taking a swipe at a Buckeye. This time around, the Canes were sitting on a 21-point lead that dwindled down to four, but McClinton and crew stepped up and kept this one out of reach down the stretch.

Unlike the loss to Ohio State, Miami’s supporting cast held it together for the duration. James Dews had an 18-point effort and went 4-6 regarding 3-pointers. Lance Hurdle was the next closest Cane with nine point, which pales in comparison to McClinton’s 23.

From what little has been seen of these Hurricanes this early in the season, it appears to be McClinton and everybody else. His lack of presence cost Miami against Ohio State and these Canes are simply an average bunch if he’s not on the roster. Moving forward, other players are going to have to step up.

McClinton went cold in the second half, going 0-for-5, missing a few threes and hitting his first two-point jumper with 9:11 remaining. #33 went 2-for-8 in the second half, but did hit two clutch free throws in the final minute to help secure the win.

Miami had the luxury of holding on to a 20-point halftime lead, which won’t be the case once ACC play kicks off in the coming weeks. These Canes can’t continue to go cold when ahead by such a large margin and when McClinton isn’t hitting, someone else has to.

The difference in the waning moments this time around were free throws. Miami went 6-of-8 from the line with less than a minute to play, en route to a six-point win.

Next up, a Friday night showdown with crosstown rival Florida International.

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