Game 18: at Miami (Fla.)

For the first time in nearly a month, the Terps hit the road to take on the Hurricanes of Miami. The Terps are 5-0 on the road this season and have won six in a row on the road dating back to last season. This is our only meeting with Miami and have taken 3 straight from them. The game can be heard on the radio via Miami's WVUM or watched via ACC Select

Miami enters the game with a record of 9-8 and losers of three consecutive. They are 0-2 in conference having lost to FSU and Duke. The Hurricanes are 7-1 at home with the lone loss being to Auburn in their last home game. Our only common opponent is Mississippi, which they lost to 82-64.

Miami is averaging 70.1 ppg, while allowing 67.9 ppg. 83 is the most they have given up in a game. They shoot 41.1 percent from the floor and 30 percent from behind the arc. Miami grabs 40+ rebounds a game and still has a negative rebounding margin. They turn the ball over 19 times a game, but also generate about 10 steals per contest. Nothing really jumps out at me in their stats because of their level of competition. Looking back to last year's game, they like to run the ball up and down the court and create offensive off their turnovers. They have some height on the roster, so I don't understand the obsessive with sudden offense.

For a scouting report on Miami, just call anyone that played Monroe CC two years ago as second year head coach Katie Meier essentially recruited the guards off that team to run the Hurricanes. First is 5'2 senior PG Renee Taylor, who is lightening fast and shoots whenever she wants(remind you of another guard in the ACC?). Taylor has attempted 78 more shots than the next person on the team and 67 more threes than the next person. She rarely passes the ball and doesn't have that many rebounds. Her backcourt mate is Maurita Reid. She is second on the team in points, shots, three-pointers and rebounds. She leads the team in steals. Miami really has no post presence. Their best post player last year was Denison and she came off the bench one game. She leads the team in rebounds, but in their two ACC games has hardly any points. Carla Williams, 6'4 center, has been their post player off the bench.

Keys to the Game

Rebound the ball. If we get outrebounded, it means we spent too much time on South Beach or we made every shot we took and had limited opportunities on the other end.

Establish the post. Jade, Laura and Crystal should all have at least 10 points.

Shut down one of the guards. We won't be able to stop both as Taylor is quick,so I would suggest Reid. She tends to do more than just score and Taylor will shoot no matter what the situation.

Don't try and keep pace. Just because they want to run doesn't mean have to run. Get in our offensive sets and win the way we have for 23 straight games.

Put the game away. After we make our run, which we all know will happen, don't let up. We blew a 13-point lead last year and I don't want to see that happen again.

Opponents in Action
Virginia Tech and UNC Greensboro square off
Georgia Tech and Duke square off

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Tuesday's Opponents' Results
Middle Tennessee beat Florida International, 86-52
George Mason beat Brown, 73-50
Temple beat St. Joe's, 59-53
George Washington beat Richmond, 57-50