Some U news and other info…

With the Orange Bowl flag football finale this weekend and the old girl set to be demolished in the near future, allCanes has temporarily gotten in the memorabilia game. We’ve secured a decent amount of Orange Bowl memorabilia for our customers. The margins weren’t that great and we’re not thrilled to hear that proceeds are going to help The City of Miami pay for the demolition, but you wrote/called us and the demand for memorabilia was high… so we’re doing our part.

I know many of you are still struggling with saying goodbye to the OB. We all are. I’m also disappointed the city is using proceeds to pay for the demo, but I can’t let that stop me from owning my own piece of history. My ass was in a plastic Orange Bowl seat Saturdays in fall for the majority of my life. That chapter may be closed, but I want a memento hanging on my wall to commemorate a special part of my life.

To each their own, but for those of you like me – struggling with what the city is doing vs. owning you piece of history – go with the latter. The City of Miami is corrupt in so many ways, shapes and forms. Don’t let that keep you from nabbing a keepsake.

Those interested in checking out what OB memorabilia we’re selling, click here. Those who simply want to bitch and cry the blues, check out this classic OB memories clip on YouTube.

Some early enrollees are finally on campus after much drama and speculation. I’ve read that up to nine Canes have officially enrolled early and word is we’re talking about Arthur Brown, John Calhoun, Marcus Forston, Jacory Harris, Patrick Hill, Aldarius Johnson, Cannon Smith, Sean Spence and Jake Wieclaw.

Harris and Smith are huge, being that quarterback is this program’s weakest link. Great to see these kids getting a leg up and getting ready to battle Robert Marve for the starting spot.

Also great to see four of the Northwestern kids on campus as they can play an instrumental role in recruiting other local talent that will be visiting campus these next two weekends.

Kudos to the Miami staff, the admin and these kids for doing what they needed to do regarding getting on campus early.

Big recruiting weekend on deck and only one more to go after this. Up this weekend, Miami welcomes Thearon Collier, Taylor Cook, Brandon Harris, CJ Holton, Davon Johnson, Alonzo Johnson, Jeremy Lewis, Brandon Marti, Brandon Moore and Martavious Odoms.

Guys like Collier, Cook, Holton, D. Johnson and Marti are all but done deals for Miami. This weekend is about swaying the on the fence kids and longshots.

Obviously the top target is Harris and thankfully his Booker T. teammates Collier and D. Johnson are headed to Coral Gables with him. Not to mention other local talent who have early enrolled. These kids need to sell, sell, sell Harris on The U. Miami needs Harris on board to ease the pain of losing Patrick Johnson to LSU.

The Canes also need to re-sell Lewis on The U. Lewis has been flirting with Clemson as of late and this is the time for Miami players and coaches to lock down the defensive tackle from West Palm Beach.

Starting to hear more rumblings of Canes linebacker Allen Bailey moving to defensive end. One would assume new defensive coordinator Bill Young will be working around the clock to convince the freakish 6’4″ and 270 pound linebacker to make the switch. Miami currently has five LBs geared to sign on in a few weeks, as well as a few ATHs who could wind up playing the position as well. Bailey seems a natural for DE. Let’s hope the kid realizes this is best for all parties involved.

University of Washington Associate Athletic Director Jeff Compher is deep in the recruiting process regarding taking over as the new Miami Athletic Director when Paul Dee is officially out of office. I have no inside scoop here, nor do I really know what kind of AD Miami will land. I just pray it’s someone who knows how to fundraise as well as realize what a priority and revenue stream a successful Miami football program is around these parts.

I shelled out the $15 to watch Miami basketball go down like dogs to #5 North Carolina a few nights back. Talk about a downer. I hadn’t seen a Canes game televised since the Puerto Rican Tip Off Classic and after hearing and reading so much about this team, I wanted to see it for myself.

Sadly, the Canes are nowhere near the Tar Heels’ league and never will be. That said, this is a pretty good basketball team and playing against UNC isn’t the benchmark regarding how good this team is and can be by year’s end.

Definitely felt for Jimmy Graham as he was playing tight. The North Carolina native had a lot of mental errors that cost the Canes and at times was simply trying too hard.

That said, it was great to see basketball fever take over Miami for a night. The student section was rocking, the stadium was electric and there were even scalpers out front hawking game tickets for a program that usually can’t give tickets away.

Frank Haith has this team on the right track. He just needs to keep them focused. After starting out 14-1, Miami has now lost three straight – all in conference. The schedule also doesn’t get any easier with Clemson, at Wake Forest and at Duke all on deck. If the Canes are going to make a splash in the ACC, winning ways need to return pronto.

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