Under the guidance of first-year coach Jai Lucas, the Miami Hurricanes have surged into the upper echelon of the ACC, positioning themselves for a strong run in the ACC tournament. But as the stakes rise, the question looms: Can the Canes handle the pressure in tight games when every possession counts?
Key Areas for Improvement
Miami boasts a 21-5 record, sitting third in the ACC with a 10-3 conference mark, trailing only Duke and Virginia. They're comfortably within the NCAA tournament conversation, often projected around a 10-seed.
The Hurricanes lead the ACC in field-goal percentage at an impressive 50.5% and rank fifth in scoring with 82.9 points per game. Their prowess inside the arc is notable, hitting 58.6% of their two-point attempts, a top-20 mark nationally. Their rebounding is strong too, ranking second in the ACC in offensive boards with 12.4 per game.
However, as the ACC Tournament approaches on March 10, there are areas that need attention.
1. Free Throws
Shooting just 67.2% from the line, Miami is near the bottom nationally and last in the ACC. This could be a critical weakness come tournament time.
The Hurricanes manage to get to the line frequently, but their inability to convert is leaving crucial points on the table. Improving this could be the difference in close games.
2. Three-Point Shooting and Defense
Offensively, the Hurricanes' 33.1% shooting from beyond the arc limits their potential. They average 6.3 threes per game, which works when dominating inside and on the boards. But if an opponent can neutralize those strengths, Miami could struggle.
Defensively, the issue is compounded as they allow opponents to shoot 35.3% from deep, with 8.2 threes made against them per game. Losing the three-point battle is manageable in the regular season, but in a one-and-done scenario, it could prove costly.
3. Depth Scoring
The quartet of Malik Reneau (19.7 points per game), Tre Donaldson (16.4), Shelton Henderson (14.3), and Tru Washington (11.5) accounts for a significant portion of Miami's scoring. But what happens if one of them is sidelined by foul trouble or an off night? Beyond these four, scoring depth is limited.
Ernest Udeh Jr. is a force on the boards with 9.5 rebounds per game, adding toughness but not much scoring. Dante Allen and Marcus Allen are part of the next scoring tier, but the margin for error is thin. In March, depth can be the key to advancing.
Miami's Impressive Standing
Despite these areas for improvement, Miami's place in the ACC's top three is well-earned. Their efficient scoring, strong rebounding, and solid defense provide a high floor. However, to make a deep tournament run, they'll need to shore up free throw shooting, protect the perimeter, enhance their long-range game, and find additional scoring options from the bench.