Courtside blog: Wake Forest 70, UM 68 (F)

I'm here in Winston-Salem for tonight's UM-Wake Forest game where the Canes will try to pick up their first ACC road win since Jan. 10 of last year.

As usual, I'll bring you my thoughts and observations throughout the game as time permits. Normally, we're scheduled for a live Q&A from 8 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday tonight. But I'm going to have to hold off on that for obvious reasons. No worries. I'll be handling the recruiting live Q&A from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and will even add an extended hour to make up for the hour we're losing tonight back here on the blog from 8 to 9.

So, please hold off on recruiting questions tonight. Other than the interviews I did with Brandon Harris, Taylor Cook, Tom Lemming, Larry Blustein and a few other conversations I've had with a few high school coaches, I haven't spoken to any kids. I was swamped yesterday doing the Terrell Pryor story and then my UM advance on tonight's game. The good news is, when I get back to Miami tomorrow afternoon I plan on talking to a few players of UM recruiting interest -- Corey Liuget and Tommy Streeter to name a few.

I will share this for now:
* I spoke with Liuget's coach yesterday and I think it appears real likely he's headed elsewhere despite telling a few websites UM is among his top three with Illinois and LSU. His coach told me he thinks Liuget's case to stay home hit a rough spot over the weekend wihen a friend of his was shot and killed at a 7-on-7 flag football tournament. I was told the shooting did not occur during an actual game, but in a parking lot away from the field.
* I also spoke to Jacksonville Trinity Christian's coach, Verlon Dorminey, who told me Jamie Harper intends to visit UM this weekend and he gives Miami as good a chance as any of the other finalists. You can listen to his interview it is up online already.

Alright, it's almost game-time. I've got a few things to do before tip-off. Enjoy the game.

FIRST HALF...
- 15:45 left, UM 7, Wake Forest 5: Got a unique vantage point tonight. I'm right next to the UM bench and behind the basket, about five feet from the floor. Anyway, Jack McClinton made it four three-pointers in a row -- dating back to Sunday -- when he opened the game with a made three. Good to see Jack get off to a good start. That's obviously something he hasn't done enough of lately.
- 10:27 left, UM 14, Wake Forest 10: As UM kept finding a way to turn the ball over, Wake went on a 5-0 run to take a quick 10-9 lead . The Canes answered with a James Dews three-pointer and a nice basket from Dwayne Collins in the post to take a four-point lead again. Turnovers are the story so far for UM. Wake just doesn't look good. They miss a ton of shots and doesn't seem to have a player other than 7-foot center Chris McFarland who can beat someone one-on-one. At least now anyway.
- 7:22 left, UM 20, Wake Forest 20: Wake forward Chris Skeen has killed UM in this stretch, hitting a pair of three-pointers and collecting a steal and dunk. Skeen's last three-pointer answered Jack McClinton's third three-pointer of the game which gave UM a 20-17 lead. Wake started the game 3-of-18 from the field. Dino Gaudio's team is doing a good job of nullifying UM second chances like it wanted to. The Canes have one offensive rebound so far.
- 3:37 left, Wake Forest 26, UM 24: Kyle McFarland, Wake's 7-foot center, was injured in the Clemson game and there was a chance he might miss the game. Unfortunately for the Canes, Wake had a week to rest up. McFarland has definitely caused problems for UM, which can't seem to generate much inside.
- Halftime, UM 34, Wake Forest 34: Haven't see the final numbers yet, but the Canes have to be shooting the ball well. Jack McClinton has 14 points and is 4-of-5 from three-point range. The problem is Wake is just as equally hot from long distance, hitting on 6-of-11 from three-point range in the first half.

SECOND HALF...
- 16:30 left, Wake Forest 46, UM 40: Note to Canes -- can somebody guard the three-point line? Wake connected on back-to-back three-pointers by Harvey Hale and Jeff Teague to take a six-point lead. Wake is 8-of-13 in the game. Miami can't allow that and expect to win this game.
-12:48 left, Wake Forest 50, UM 46: Wake Forest's 10-0 run put them in front. But this game is starting to get a little more testy than your average ACC game. Jimmy Graham and McFarland drew double technicals after some physical play and jawing.
- 7:34 left, Wake Forest 60, UM 58: It's turned out to be another great ACC game. Brian Asbury has done a good job here in this little spurt to keep UM in the game. He's got 11 points including the last five -- a three-point play and a jumper from the free throw line. It's all going to be about defense here over the final 7 minutes. Can Miami get stops and more importantly stop getting burned by the three-point shot?
- 3:22 left, Wake Forest 67, UM 64: Anthony King only has eight points, but he's been huge in the second half, grabbing rebounds and doing the little things to create more balance inside for the Canes. Jeff Teague is playing out of his mind for Wake Forest. He's got 27 points. And Miami needs to stop him. Jack McClinton anyone? Jack has taken two shots in the second half and has 0 points.
- :30 left, Wake Forest 68, UM 68: Miami had a chance to take the lead, but Collins missed a shot inside. Now Wake has the ball and there is no shot clock.
- :2.6 left, Wake Forest 70, UM 68: Ish Smith hits the game-winner from the same spot and the same shot he did to beat Virginia Tech on Dec. 23.