The Beast : Close Only Matters In Horseshoes

It’s frustrating, that’s for sure. Watching the Miami basketball squad fall in late game fashion as they have; it just makes you shake your head.

On one hand I always look to accent the positive. On the other, it’s hard to deny the fact that this team’s record speaks for itself. We’ve played more than a third of the conference season and Miami only has one ACC win to date. Even that lone win, (Boston College) came by the hair of their chinny-chin-chin.

We all know the ACC is a grind and even though the conference is down this year, it hasn’t become a cakewalk. The bottom line though is it’s about wins and losses. Sports is a results-driven business and the goal this year was to get to the NCAA Tournament. Anything short of that has to be seen as a let down, no matter how many games have been lost in the last possession.

I’ve had several people email, tweet, and Facebook me, trying to compare this situation to the situation in football. Sure, the big similarity is underachievement but that’s pretty much where the comparisons should end.

Randy Shannon was let go because of wins and losses, but that wasn’t the only reason. There were so many other areas where Randy was lacking, that it became impossible to make a case that he should stay. Frank Haith, is no Coach Shannon, that’s 100 % the case.

In all of the areas that Randy was lacking, Frank excels. He’s a great communicator. He does a great job of being available to fans, the media, boosters and every one else. This is a guy that wants you to get to know his kids, wants you to be a part of the program.

Coach Haith is on Twitter, he gives great chalk talks to his booster group, he’s flawless in press conferences and on the radio. He just hasn’t found the way to get his kids to execute.

Haith knows basketball. He can talk X’s and O’s with the best of them. But, remember just because the coach knows how to draw up the plays, doesn’t mean the players will go out there and get it done. I’ve always been a guy that blames the players first and the coaches second, but at some point it has to take two to tango.

The last few weeks, it’s been apparent how frustrated Frank is. While he normally has a big smile on his ace when he meets with the media, recently, you can see the sleepless nights in his eyes. I’m not the basketball aficionado to be able to put my finger on the answer. Would you like to see Reggie Johnson get more offense? Yes. Would you like to see Miami rely on the three less, and find more ways to get to the basket? Of course. I’m not the guy to tell you how to make those things happen.

Miami has a huge game against Virginia Tech, on the road this Sunday in Bleaksburg. Another ACC road loss will be devastating for this team, not just in their record – but in their psyche. It’s not too late to turn it around, but we are getting to that point.

The bottom line is this – I can sit here and tell you how great Frank is, and I really believe that, but my opinion doesn’t matter. The only person who’s opinion matters is Frank’s boss, Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt. We’ve heard Kirby talk about his expectations for this athletic department. I would say the sights are set on pretty lofty goals, not just for football or basketball, but for all sports.

Lastly, I know the announced attendance last night was over 6,000 but there weren’t that many people there and it’s a shame.

I know, I know – if they win, you’ll come, but you have to stop having that mentality. Regardless of what the record is, it’s fun going to a Canes hoops game.

How do you not wanna go see Miami host one of the biggest names in college hoops in North Carolina? I just don’t understand it. I’ve heard every excuse in the book, and I don’t want to hear it any more. Yes, the traffic is bad. I get that. I don’t care. I left my house at 5:30pm in Miramar, and made it in plenty of time for tip off.

Jim Martz, from CaneSport.com, sat next to me last night and commented how it was great that the Tar Heels were making a come back on the road. I said, “This isn’t your typical road game Jim. This is like a vacation, playing a game in a different arena.”

I’m not going to blame the fans, but I’m going to guess it’s a bit tougher to come back from double digits if you’re trying to do it with a bunch of crazy fans screaming at you, than in the opera like atmosphere that I witnessed last night for most of the game.

Hey kids, here’s a tip. When your team is on defense, you scream really really really loud. Just an idea.

IN OTHER NEWS : We’re really excited about the Inaugural allCanes/InsideTheU.com Signing Day Party at The Titanic Brewery next Wednesday from 8am till 4pm.

Come on out and enjoy Signing Day with fellow Canes fans. We’ll be checking in all day with the InsideTheU.com crew as they cover all of the recruiting day action. We’ll have food and drink specials, including $2 Hurricane Shots every time a recruit sends his fax in to The U.

The Titanic has free WiFi so you can bring your lap top and geek out with us. We’ll have free bagels and muffins in the morning (while supplies last), contests, raffles, and more. It’s really going to be a great time, so make your plans to skip work/school that day and join us at The Titanic.

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