TAKEAWAYS: Miami’s 88-72 Win Over UCF
Article photo of Miami's Wooga Poplar; credit to Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports.
The Miami Hurricanes look strong to start the season. The Hurricanes are now 2-0 after their 88-72 win. Here are five takeaways from the contest that will be important to note throughout the season.
1) Wooga Nation, rise up!
Say it loud and say it proud, Wooooooooga!
Wooga Poplar going 5-for-5 from downtown is difficult at any point of a college basketball season. Coming out and being this red hot, in Game 2 of the 2023-24 season, should catch one’s attention.
Poplar also made his presence felt as a driver, too. In total, He shot 6 for 8 from the floor, and his 6-for-6 from the free throw line finalizes his stat line.
There’s never been a question about Poplar’s athleticism or upside. It’s now obvious that this young man is placing all his skills together and can be a consistent scorer; one that takes over a game during critical moments.
His two big 3-point makes to fend off UCF runs prove that. Now, Miami has a player that opposing teams must scheme against, and that opens the floor for other Canes to get their shots off.
2) The ability to consistently get a hand up and defend the 3-point line helps Miami be a Final Four contender.
To win an NCAA title in the modern era, playing high-level 3-point shot defense is a must. The Canes held UCF to just 5 for 20, a paltry 25%, from behind the arc.
Miami’s best defender is without question, Bensley Joseph. However he does it, Joseph has tremendous timing to deflect passes and go for steals. His straight-up man defense is stifling as well. Joseph also performs in a scheme that works well together, and that fact leads to the prime point here.
Note the Hurricanes’ ability to slow down UCF guard Jaylin Sellers, as he missed all seven 3-point shots. With Joseph as the leader, Miami’s defense deserves credit.
3) Last season, size caused Miami problems versus specific teams and that could be the case again this season.
To be clear, UCF did not dominate in the paint. The Knights did, however, utilize their height to get shots inside the paint and out-rebound the Hurricanes.
Off the bench, UCF’s Ibrahim Diallo’s stat line includes 9 points and 4 rebounds, playing just 24 minutes. Not even a priority for the UCF offense, Diallo’s ability to use his 7-foot-frame and maneuver in the paint is something to consider for the future.
The Hurricanes must contend with Duke’s Kyle Filipowski and North Carolina’s Armondo Bacot, two massive interior players. Will Miami use double teams more? Just attempt to run them off the court after a made bucket? It will be interesting to see how Jim Larrañaga and his staff attack the size dilemma.
4) How does another team guard Norchad Omier?
Norchad Omier might be 6-foot-6? More importantly, few 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-10 interior players can run with Omier in the open court. It’s hard for them to stick with him, and now that he’s hitting jump shots as well.
Omier’s shooting brings defenders out of the paint, and that point further opens interior passing lanes for back cuts to the hoop. Indeed, Omier is one of college basketball’s most unique offensive weapons.
5) Despite the new faces, Miami’s chemistry shows promise.
The Hurricanes came away with 13 assists on offense, a solid total. Offense generally takes a little longer to assimilate a new group of players, too. Take that into account. Also, going back to the first point, Miami’s team defense is where this category truly comes into play.
Slowing down Sellers, as well as UCF’s 3-point shooting overall, is an effort that takes place with tremendous communication for working over and under screens, and when and where to switch to a different UCF player.
That point is huge for Miami’s success, especially against several ACC teams that can knock down 3-point shots in bunches. As Miami continues to gel, the upside for the Canes is really high.
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