BANKUNITED CENTER -- I'll be here to provide you with thoughts and highlights as the 21st-ranked Canes take on Ohio State tonight on national TV. Miami will be a man short at point guard with Eddie Rios suspended indefinitely. Look for Jack McClinton to spend a lot more time at the point. That could hurt this team tonight against a good Buckeyes zone defense.
> The Canes come out guns blazing. UM takes five three pointers and sinks three, going on a 9-0 run behind a Lance Hurdle 3 and back-to-back McClinton threes before OSU calls time out 15:55. Ohio State loves to play zone defense. Let's see if they keep it going.
> By the way, for the first time in a long time, every seat on media row has been taken. There has to be over 20 scouts here tonight to watch this game. Randy Shannon isn't one of them. But he's watching the game not too far from us. Maybe I should ask him about Patrick Nix.
> We've played four minutes since the last time out and each team has scored two points. Ohio State can't buy a basket. The Buckeyes have started 2 of 10 from the field.
> Got to give the student section some cred tonight. They've come with some creative taunts -- and it's not even ACC season yet. They keep taunting freshman B.J. Mullens shouting "BJ's ugly!"
> In probably the most strange play I've ever seen on a basketball court. Jack McClinton hits his fourth three-pointer of the game with 10:13 left in the first half to put UM up 19-7. Then, after review, he gets thrown out of the game for a flagrant foul (not sure if it was a slap or a punch because I couldn't see it from this angle). The Canes are now down two guards.
> The loss of McClinton has invigorated the Canes. After two OSU free throws and a three-pointer cut into Miami's lead 19-12, Miami responded with six straight points behind Dwayne Collins, James Dews and Brian Asbury.
> Freshman DeQuan Jones picked up his third foul with 5:33 left in the first half. That's going to leave Miami shorthanded at guard. Jones had been rotating Dews and Hurdle at guard to stay fresh. Tonight is the night this team's depth and mettle gets tested. No Jack McClinton and short-handed against a talented Buckeyes team.
> The Buckeyes trailed 36-22 at the start of the second half, but have come out determined here early and are doing a better job getting to the rim. They've opened with a 6-2 run to pull within 38-28 with 16:58 left.
Hey Sick, season ruined? Guess the first time you didn't ace a test your education was ruined too, yes? Get real dude, and take a deep breath while you are at it. But congratulations, you apparently have never made a mistake in your life.
Posted by: Jumbo | December 02, 2008 at 10:10 PM
manny man this one stings a little but its goes away with a win sat. jack is gunna murder the net at rupp arena. this might be the most confident ive been for a canes game in a long time. if this ohio state game ends up being the reason we dont make a ncaa tourney its a lost season anyway. if we cant qualify based on our acc record then we dont deserve to go. billy gillespie better watch out for mcClinc on sat
Posted by: adam | December 02, 2008 at 10:18 PM
what the hell are you all talking about bashing mcclinton? he swatted a hand out of his face that hit him. it was a bs call brought on by the bitching from the osu coach.
the refs cost us the game on a bs penalty. 2002 ring a bell?
dont blame mc clinton, no other college player wouldve taken that crap.
Posted by: terry porter BS | December 02, 2008 at 10:26 PM
This over reaction to McClinton is ridiculous. The guy got slapped in the face by his defender, and by instinct (not conscience intent) slapped back. Cmon Miami fans. This loss sucked, but it is not that bad. What should concern everyone is that we will disapear from the national spot light for the rest of December, and that the team, including Haith, came apart w/out McClinton. It stings, but March is a long ways away. Someone needs to have a long talk with Dews and Asbury and remind them that they are upper classmen and were highly recruited.
Posted by: E11523 | December 02, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Think about how much McClinton has meant for this program recently!
Posted by: E11523 | December 02, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Manny, how was attendance today? Looked empty on national stage...were you embarrassed being there?
Posted by: McClintonapunk | December 02, 2008 at 09:45 PM
http://www.fauowlsnest.com/blog/assets_c/2008/11/Shula%20Bowl%2008-thumb-750x937.jpg
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2008/09/canes-lead-ag-1.html
greater than the 7th shula bowl featuring ill-favored florida international …
UNSIGHTLY
Posted by: green | December 02, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Let your bosses know so you don't have to cover that garbage anymore.
Posted by: McClintonapunk | December 02, 2008 at 09:45 PM
By the way, for the first time in a long time, every seat on media row has been taken.
-- manny navarro
FLOCK
Posted by: green | December 02, 2008 at 11:01 PM
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl.ro.umvsosu.pg,0,263467.photogallery
JUMPIN'
Posted by: green | December 02, 2008 at 11:31 PM
mike
you must be a heckuva a guy calling 19 and 20 year old kids garbage. is that what you call your own kids? only a miami fan could call one of their own garbage. what a fan base.who in their right mind would want to play for you people. like rich rod said go get a life.
Posted by: bunion | December 03, 2008 at 12:06 AM
This was probably the most disheartening basketball game I've ever attended.
Why we settled for 3's and didn't pound the ball inside was beyond me.
And Thad Matta can kiss my hairy ass.
Posted by: gocanes881 | December 03, 2008 at 09:21 AM