The Miami Hurricanes missed a NCAA Tournament berth again this season, despite a 19-12 record, a high profile conference and a few signature regular seasons wins (@ Duke, Florida State). Instead, UM is headed to the NIT – again – this time as a No. 2 see and hosting Valparaiso on Wednesday night, 7:30pm ET in the first round at The BUC.
The 2011-2012 season was truly one where the Canes will focus on the ones that got away as a win here or there would’ve turned UM from a ‘bubble team’ into one of sixty-four playing for it all.
An early season overtime loss at Ole Miss, followed by losses at Purdue, against Memphis and at West Virginia. Miami lost four of five games and was missing the services of center Reggie Johnson, recovering from injury, as well as DeQuan Jones, suspended the better part of the season due to the NCAA investigation surrounding Nevin Shapiro and money supposedly paid to Jones.
Johnson eventually returned. Then Jones. Late in the season, Johnson was then suspended, again, due to the NCAA investigation. In the ACC Tourney, Durand Scott was the latest victim, forced to miss a season-defining showdown with eventual ACC Champ, Florida State – a team he helped torch, 78-62, late February in Miami.
There were also the giveaway games. Two late February losses when everything counted. Miami fell 75-70 at Maryland, a game UM led by eight late in the first half, after trailing by ten early. Then, after the home upset of the Seminoles, the Canes stumbled at NC State, falling 77-73 in a must-win game.
Unfortunately this is all simply stating the obvious. Miami knows where it fell apart and knows that this could’ve easily been and eight- or nine-loss season if it capitalized on opportunities.
It’s easy to blame the inconsistencies brought on by the suspensions and injuries, as we as the dark cloud that hovered and the unavoidable distraction. Still, neither were the case in College Park or Raleigh when it was time to finish strong down the stretch.
Jim Larranaga and his Canes will have to settle for the NIT, will pray that Scott is reinstated, will close out year one and then will begin the process of gearing up for year two.
It was a step forward for the hardwood Canes this year. A sign of things to come and a belief that things are pointed in the right direction. Still, disappointing to come so close to that coveted post-season berth and to fall short. Hopefully it fuels the fire, forces growth and teaches lessons. – C.B.