Keys to Victory: Miami vs UCF
How can the Miami Hurricanes put the clamps down on the UCF Knights and win tonight’s basketball game going away? Here are the Keys to Victory for the Canes.
1) The Hurricanes must slow down UCF guard Jaylin Sellers.
The 6-foot-4 and 195-pound Jaylin Sellers, who transferred to UCF from Ball State, has started hot. He went for 23 points versus Florida International. Part of his repertoire is shooting from downtown, but he was only 1 of 4 from behind the arc in that first game.
It did not matter because he was able to get his shot off in transition and also make plays in the lane, and that’s very concerning if he’s able to penetrate into the paint against the Canes.
That being the case, each of Bensley Joseph and Nijel Pack needs to communicate with their teammates for ball screens, down screens, and the like. If not, Sellers could get hot and create problems. Make him earn his points.
If Sellers goes bonkers from downtown tonight with a hand in his face, tip your cap to him. On the other hand, by the game’s end, he cannot be a player who created havoc by getting elbow jumpers and shots near the rim. Those types of plays would also open up offensive rebounding and dish-offs for layups and dunks.
2) Miami must do what it always does, and that’s fastbreak basketball!
Let’s not overcomplicate things! Miami dropped 101 points during its first game, and very few teams possess the athleticism and firepower of the Hurricanes.
Norchad Omier, Matthew Cleveland, and Wooga Poplar are three of the best finishers in college basketball, so they should see plenty of chances tonight. There are different ways to make it happen, too.
Whether a turnover or rebound, get the ball up the basketball court quickly, be unselfish by passing to the open shooter, and then watch the scoreboard light up!
3) Defend the 3-point line without fouling.
UCF is not going to dominate Miami down low. Shooting the 3-ball, however, can be problematic if the Hurricanes allow it to be; that includes not committing unnecessary fouls.
If Miami can hold UCF to under 35% from behind the arc, the chances of winning this basketball game are quite high. Keep an eye on how the Canes defend Sellers, but also watch out for UCF guard Darius Johnson. He can flat-out shoot the basketball.
2023-24 Miami Hurricanes Basketball Schedule
Engage with AllHurricanes
Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.