Final Four Live Blog: Canes vs Huskies
Inside NRG Stadium in Houston, it’s the Miami Hurricanes versus the Connecticut Huskies.
This Final Four matchup should be a classic. The matchups look fantastic, the offensive statistics have unique differences, do not discount either team's defensive efforts, and both of the Canes and Huskies have simply been great during March Madness.
RELATED: Hurricanes versus Huskies game details
If you are looking for a trend to follow, UConn’s Jordan Hawkins missed Friday’s shootaround with an non-COVID illness. He was able to complete some of the shootaround today, per multiple media outlets.
If he does not end up playing, or Hawkins misses any amount of game time, it’s going to cause the Huskies issues. There’s no way to suddenly create a way to replace 16.3 points per contest, even if it's only losing that level of scoring ability for five minutes.
Hawkins has also been UConn’s go-to player for creating a shot off the dribble. His overall athleticism and creativity would be greatly missed against Miami.
As for the Hurricanes, they simply need to play their own game. Miami has more speed, more all-around ball handling, and more players capable creating their own shot. If the Canes stay the course, they will once again wear down their opposition and win the contest during the final ten minutes.
As noted in the Miami vs UConn prediction, Miami has won all four of its NCAA Tournament games with excellent play during the final 10 minutes of action. Head coach Jim Larrañaga has pushed the right buttons to get players like Midwest Region MVP Nijel Pack, ACC Player of the Year Isaiah Wong, and the Texas game's perfect shooter (20/20) Jordan Miller going in every contest. Now, collectively, the Hurricanes will have a chance to do the same again against the Huskies.
The Live Blog will get rolling at tipoff, and be sure to check in with the @AllHurricanes Twitter handle for more statistics and game notes.
Here are the game articles that led up to tonight’s game, followed by the live blog directly afterwards.
Final 4: Miami vs Connecticut Game Info, TV, Radio, Betting Odds & More
Final 4: Offensive Statistics to Know for Hurricanes and Huskies
Final 4 Defensive Statistics: Miami and UConn
Final 4 Scouting Report: UConn’s Adama Sanogo
Coach Jim Larrañaga on Historic Run at Miami
‘INCREDIBLE’ Statistics From Miami’s Rally Past Texas
Why Jim Larrañaga Was Right That More Schools Should Be Transparent With NIL
Miami Wins 88-81 Behind Miller’s 27 Points, Canes Final Four Bound!
UConn Head Coach Dan Hurley, ‘The Competitor’
Final Four Run: Canes Hit ‘Freebies’ to Survive and Advance
Live Blog
70-54 and it's all but over
Karaban with the drive and jumper in the lane, and 1
64-52 as Miller heads to the free throw line for 2.
Joseph drilled a 3 .... it's 62-52
UConn destroyed Miami's press....easy dunk for Jackson
Great pass by pack, but Omier missed the bunny....
Omier with a board and put back. 60-47
Miami not getting the loose balls, the stat below indicates.
There's 8:26 to play, #UConn leads #Miami 60-45 on the scoreboard and holds a 34-24 advantage on the boards, too.
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) April 2, 2023
A major reason has been Sanogo, but Karaban and Clingan have been good on the backboard as well. The three have combined for 21 rebounds.#MarchMadness
60-45
Clingan shut off the lane and Wong threw the pass out of bounds.
Pack steal!
Have to get going right now!
From 16:09 to 11:49, #Miami went 7 for 7 from the field. #TheU
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) April 2, 2023
58-45 with 9:48 to go. TV timeout
Miami had a chance to really dig in there....need a stop
5-0 UConn run
Wong again! 53-45
Wong....! 12-4 UM run
Note: Nijel Pack had his shoe blowout....he's literally in the locker room looking for another pair. How in the world does that happen? Not another pair?
Beverly with a 3
49-37 UConn leads with 14:18 to play
Incredible pass from Omier to Miller, layup good!
Slam dunk Isaiah Wong!
Joseph 3!
He knocked down both but UConn right back with a 3-point shot.....Just can't get a run going.
Omier will shoot 2 after the TV timeout.
Pack end to end, lays it in....UConn up 46-28
Miami has to get the lead down to 10 by the 8 minute mark at the latest.
Poplar just had another wide open 3. Missed again. He's 0-7
44-26
He scored AGAIN....Omier looks lost.
39-24
Sanogo starts the half with a layup. Same story....
Obviously, Miami needs to come out hitting shots and playing with better chemistry. The halftime stats are awful no matter which way one looks at it. The following statistic might be the most difficult to understand:
Another 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲: #UConn big man Adama Sanogo has 13 points and 5 rebounds, while in the paint for #Miami Norchad Omier has not scored and has only 3 rebounds.#MarchMadness #FinalFour2023
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) April 2, 2023
Horrible end to the half.
Miami starters are just 6 of 28 from the floor. That's 21.4%.
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) April 2, 2023
UConn defense has been good, but Miami has been poor on offense.
Halftime, UConn leads 37-24#MarchMadness | #TheU
34-24
Pack with a MUCH NEEDED 3-point make.
32-21 UConn
Wong just can't find his jumper or inside touch.
UConn leads 27-19 and there's 3:56 to play in the 1st
Miami has to close the gap prior to half. Simply put, have to MAKE contested shots. That's it. There's no other point to make.
#Miami has gone ❄️ from the floor, missing 8 shots in a row. 4:17 to play in the half.#MarchMadness
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) April 2, 2023
Uconn has regained momentum, leads 27-19.
Wong and Pack have combined to go 2 for 9. Still Miami down only 6.
Miami ball.
Just over 5 mins to play
25-19
Sanogo with an excellent cut to the rim
23-19
The tweet below could end up being a huge point for this contest. Now, of course, things could change. If not, Miami has a great opportunity.
𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: After hitting the opening 3-point shot of the evening, #UConn's Jordan Hawkins has only shot one more time and does not look like he is close to 100% in terms of energy.
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) April 2, 2023
Something to monitor with him being sick. #MarchMadness | #TheU
21-19 UConn leads .... TV timeout
Pack 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Canes have gained an offensive rhythm!
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) April 2, 2023
They have hit 3 of their last 6.
19-16 UConn leads.
18-16
Miller put back AND 1!
18-13
Beverly....with the THROW DOWN
Joseph with a great up and under move! 16-11
𝗨𝗚𝗟𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗦#Miami is 3 of 15 for 20%, while #UConn has gone 6 of 11 for 54.5%.
— All Hurricanes (@AllHurricanes) April 2, 2023
UConn 16 Miami 9, 11:41 left in the first half#MarchMadness
Beverly with a tremendous defensive play! Steal and in for the layup. UConn up 16-9. TV timeout
Wong just made an extremely difficult jumper. 14-7 UConn
14-4 UConn with 13:10 to play.
Now 1-12. This is insane.
Miami is 1-9 from the floor. At some point soon, they MUST make contested shots.
Good defense by Miami, 14:20 to play in the 1st and Miami ball.
Sanogo bucket....11-4
Wong drilled both. 9-4 UConn
The good sign thus far for Miami's offense: Able to drive the basketball at UConn and get close to the rim.
Wooga Poplar missed, but Canes get the board. Wong will be at the free throw line for 2 after the under 16 minute timeout.
Miller scores on the goaltend by Sanogo
UConn has hit shots Miami wants them to take. Good grief.
9-0
Of course, they left Sanogo wide open right after I typed that....6-0 UConn
Note: Miami's 'D' looks like it did at the end of the last four games: ON FIRE with energy.
Miami looks alive, but need to shoot better...
Hawkins drilled that 3....
Here we go!
9:16 tipoff time.....
What a game between San Diego State and FAU.
Canes and Huskies tipping off at 8:49 p.m. ET.
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