Miami Looks to Reset Against Boston College as Defensive Struggles Mount
The calendar’s flipped to February, and for Miami, the timing of their recent slide couldn’t be worse. Once riding high on a 10-game win streak, the Hurricanes now find themselves in a bit of a tailspin, dropping three of their last five and suddenly facing questions about their NCAA Tournament trajectory. Saturday’s road trip to Boston College might not look daunting on paper, but for a team searching for answers, every game now feels pivotal.
At 17-5 overall and 6-3 in ACC play, the Hurricanes still have a strong foundation. Offensively, they’re one of the league’s most efficient units-ranking fourth in scoring at 84.7 points per game and leading the ACC in field-goal percentage at a scorching 51.1%.
That kind of firepower typically travels well. But the issue for Miami isn’t what they’re doing with the ball-it’s what’s happening when they don’t have it.
Head coach Jai Lucas, in his first season at the helm, isn’t sugarcoating it.
“We have to guard the ball better,” Lucas said. “We have to defend without fouling.”
The numbers back him up. While Miami sits fifth in the ACC in points allowed (70.1), the deeper metrics tell a more concerning story.
The Hurricanes are dead last in the conference in both three-pointers allowed per game (6.8) and opponent three-point percentage (35.4%). That vulnerability was on full display in last week’s 86-85 loss to Cal, where the Bears connected on 10 of 23 from deep.
That kind of perimeter leakage is a recipe for trouble, especially in March.
Still, there’s plenty of talent on this roster to right the ship.
Malik Reneau continues to be the engine of Miami’s offense. The versatile forward ranks fifth in the ACC in scoring at 19.9 points per game and was just named to the Karl Malone Award watch list, recognizing the nation’s top power forwards. He’s been a consistent interior force, and when he’s rolling, Miami’s offense flows with him.
Around him, the supporting cast is more than capable. Ernest Udeh Jr. is a glass-cleaning machine, tied for first in the conference at 9.9 rebounds per game.
He gives the Hurricanes a physical presence in the paint that they’ll need to lean on more as the season grinds on. Freshman Shelton Henderson has been quietly efficient, shooting 60.8% from the field-good for third-best in the ACC.
And in the backcourt, Tre Donaldson continues to shine as a dual threat, averaging 16 points and dishing out 6.1 assists per game, ranking fourth in the league. Add in Tru Washington’s 11.9 points and nearly two steals per game, and it’s clear this team has the pieces.
But the Hurricanes can’t afford to overlook Boston College, even if the Eagles have struggled mightily in ACC play.
At 9-13 overall and just 2-7 in the conference, Boston College is mired in a three-game losing streak and hasn’t won a road game since mid-November. Their most recent outing-a 67-49 loss at No.
4 Duke-was rough from the jump. The Eagles missed their first six shots, turned the ball over three times, and found themselves in a 13-0 hole before they could blink.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” head coach Earl Grant admitted. “We hadn’t experienced that all year. They hit us.”
The numbers paint a bleak picture for BC. They’re last in the ACC in scoring (67.2), field-goal percentage (40.4), assists (11.3), and three-point shooting (29.4%). Offensively, they’ve struggled to find rhythm, and their road woes have only compounded the issue.
Still, they’ve got players who can make an impact. Fred Payne leads the way with 15.1 points and 3.0 assists per game, while Donald Hand Jr. adds 14 points and five rebounds a night. Jayden Hastings, meanwhile, is a presence down low, averaging nearly six boards and ranking fourth in the ACC with 1.7 blocks per game.
For Miami, this is about more than just getting back in the win column. It’s about reestablishing their identity-especially on the defensive end.
The offense is there. The talent is there.
But if the Hurricanes want to make noise in March, they’ll need to start locking in now. Saturday in Chestnut Hill offers a chance to do just that.