Game 25: Miami

We all had five days to stew over the loss, but now it's game time again. Today's opponent is Miami and begins a two-game stretch where we should be able to develop the bench.

Miami is 8-12 and 1-4 in the ACC. They beat Clemson by 5 and lost to LSU (11), Duke (12), Georgia Tech (3), Virginia (11) as far as common opponents go.

Miami scores 64.5 points per game and allows 62.5. The most they have allowed is 84. They are outrebounded 38.5 to 38.1. They shoot 39.4% from the floor and 32.6% from behind the arc, while their opponents both shoot better than that. The Hurricanes shoot 60% from the free throw line. Interesting fact of the day: Miami has played in front of 14,000 fans total (that's including home and road games). Our last two home games were in front of 25,000 combined.

Miami is led by Maurita Reid. She leads the team in points (16.5), rebounds (5.8), steals (81) and shot attempts (292). Shut her down you shut the team down. She shoots roughly 40% from both inside and outside the arc and will use quickness to get to the bucket. Albrey Grimsley is second on the team in scoring at 8.8 and leads the team in assists. She will shoot outside but prefers to stay closer to the bucket. Epiphany Woodson is fourth on the team in scoring at 6.4. She will spot up and take the three and shoots 30% from there, but shoots 59% from the foul line. Carla Williams is the lone post player in this offense and averages 6.0 ppg. She only grabs 4.4 rebounds per game, shoots 47% from the floor and doesn't take 3s. Charmaine Clark is their fifth starter and is a guard/forward. She has taken 16 threes this year and only made 1. She is essentially in there to shot block. Off the bench their scoring threat is LaToya Cunningham, who is third on the team in scoring. She also likes to shoot the 3. Diane Barnes will give Williams a rest in the post.

This game should be over at halftime and if it's not I hope it's because Kat, Drey, Jade and Ashleigh have seen extended minutes. I would prefer all four didn't play at once, because they need to be worked into the rotation for us to go deep in March. Jade should have a big game today due to the lack of post presence by Miami.

This is what I want to see today:
1) Smiles on the faces of Jade and Kristi. I sure miss those.
2) None of the starters playing more than 30 minutes. They need some rest.
3) A Big line up featuring three post players, Marissa and either KT or Kat at the 1
4) A complete game.
5) Ashleigh Newman hitting a three-pointer.

Also, I completely forgot, but thanks to Chris for pointing it out. Crystal needs two points for 2,000. Looks like she will be getting another commerative ball (I wonder what she does with them all?). Also, Kristi is two assists away from 500.