Frank Haith opened his post game press conference with the same thought everyone in the room had: "What a game." He was right. No team in UM history -- at least since 1991 -- had mounted a bigger comeback than the Canes did in their 62-60 win over Maryland, rallying from 17 down with a little over 12 minutes to play.
> GAME BALL: Who else? Jack McClinton. Maybe the greatest news aside from the fact 
the Hurricanes are now 2-1 in ACC play was that McClinton showed us he's still McClutch. Although McClinton has had some pretty good games this season (he put up 27 against UConn and 24 on the road at Kentucky), tonight was the first time all we really got to see him perform like the player who comes to life late in games and tears the heart out of opponents with big shot after big shot. McClinton did it plenty through the 2007-08 season. Clemson, Georgia Tech, Virginia and St. Mary's all got a taste of it. And Miami likely wouldn't have made the NCAA Tournament without those performances. Wednesday, with Miami trailing 60-59, McClinton asked for the ball and delivered again.
> PLAY OF THE GAME: For all the big shots McClinton made, Lance Hurdle actually takes home the honors. Hurdle stripped the ball clean from Adrian Bowie with a little over a minute to play to give UM its first lead at 60-59. Hurdle finished with 10 points and three assists in 28 minutes. He also was one of the three players to hit key three-pointers during Miami's comeback. James Dews deserves a pat on the back for his eight points.
> TALKING STRATEGY: The Hurricanes didn't do anything special to aid their comeback other than hit some big shots. It was actually Maryland coach Gary Williams who deserves credit for putting together a great game-plan. Despite being undersized, he took Dwayne Collins (6 points on five shot attempts) completely out of the game by double-teaming him in the post and forcing him to pass out of it. Williams turned UM's one strength and made it irrelevant and for 30 minutes, he used his team's speed to get into the frontcourt for easy baskets.
> KEY STATS: After turning the ball over 10 times in the first half, UM cleaned up its act in the second, turning it over only twice. Other than that, Maryland dominated Miami with points in the paint (32-16), points off turnovers (14-8), and fast break points (15-2).
Great win for the Canes...life won't be easy up at Chapel Hill on Saturday night, especially with NC losing two of its past three games...if we can just keep it somewhat respectable at NC, we'll be OK...no doubt UM is an NCAA Tournament team...I'd love to see them finish in the top five in the ACC, but it won't be easy...
GO CANES!
Posted by: UMike | January 15, 2009 at 01:44 AM
Keep up the good work, Manny.
Didn't get to watch the game but I'm looking forward to Saturday and (hopefully) a good, hard fought victory up at Chapel Hill. Fingers crossed, kids. Let's show this ACC what we're about.
Posted by: CaneInLA | January 15, 2009 at 03:40 AM
Awesome game
Go Canes
Posted by: TLuv | January 15, 2009 at 04:47 AM
I had lost hope!!!! but we pulled it out!!!
Posted by: Nate | January 14, 2009 at 10:54 PM
I started watching the Heat game and came back because I thought we were going to be blown out..
Posted by: oby-1 | January 14, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Front running fans are U ? Typical
Posted by: Yeahhh We Win !!! Boooo We Lose ... | January 15, 2009 at 06:08 AM
Unbelievable! Just the kind of win we need to go on an amazing run. This could be the start of something special.
Go Canes!
Posted by: ChicagoCane | January 15, 2009 at 06:42 AM
Unbelievable! Just the kind of win we need to go on an amazing run. This could be the start of something special.
Go Canes!
Posted by: ChicagoCane
canesrule in drag
Posted by: u s u c k | January 15, 2009 at 07:56 AM
Gary Ferman (rivals) reports that OC finalists are being interviewed and a final choice is expected to be announced next week!
Anyone know more? Who? When?
Posted by: Caniac | January 15, 2009 at 08:11 AM
I had lost hope!!!! but we pulled it out!!!
Posted by: Nate | January 14, 2009 at 10:54 PM
I started watching the Heat game and came back because I thought we were going to be blown out..
Posted by: oby-1 | January 14, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Front running fans are U ? Typical
Posted by: Yeahhh We Win !!! Boooo We Lose ... | January 15, 2009 at 06:08 AM
Are you surprised? Welcome to Miami, where 90% of the fans are nothing but front-runners. Why do you think no one goes to the Marlins games but once they get in the playoffs, you can't find a ticket. Same with the Heat, Dolphins, etc. In 2002, the year after the National Title, the Orange Bowl was packed for every single game. I wonder why that was. Aside from a very few die-hards, South Florida fans are pathetic and an embarrassment.
Posted by: Kenny D | January 15, 2009 at 09:08 AM
http://www.allcanes.com/blog/
Gave me goosebumps, its what the U FAMILY is all about.
CANES!!!
Posted by: IraqiCane | January 15, 2009 at 09:08 AM
Gary Ferman (rivals) reports that OC finalists are being interviewed and a final choice is expected to be announced next week!
Anyone know more? Who? When?
Posted by: Caniac | January 15, 2009 at 08:11 AM
______________________________________________
Are you serious? We just came back from a 17 point deficit to win the game. We needed this game real bad. If we would of lost, we would of been 1-3 in the ACC after the UNC game. We would of not had the confidence we needed to go on the road and win in the ACC. In a matter of 12 minutes the whole outlook of our season changed. We have the confidence. And here you go talking about the OC again. Just stop already. People constantly ask Manny whats going on with the OC. Everyone knows that when he hears something he will report it. Talk about the basketball team, they deserve it.
Posted by: Troy | January 15, 2009 at 09:19 AM
Get over it Troy, the game was great last night...but I now want to know about the OC. If you don't like it, go elsewhere.
Posted by: Caneiac | January 15, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Great game! That's how U erase a 17 point deficit.
Also,
Aside from a very few die-hards, South Florida fans are pathetic and an embarrassment.
Posted by: Kenny D | January 15, 2009 at 09:08 AM
I'm a die-hard fan with a family, can U afford season tickets to the Fins, Canes, Panthers, Marlins and the Heat???? Didn't think so! That's why you have to pick and choose, we don't live in N. Florida, where you only have your college teams.
Go Canes!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Cane-ex | January 15, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Seriously man,Troy's right there's more to Canes sports than just football. Huge win for the Canes, it looked like there was no way. Miraculous!
Posted by: MRA | January 15, 2009 at 10:21 AM
MRA, I completely agree that it was a huge win...it was awesome! But that doesn't mean I can't ask about the OC.
Posted by: Caneiac | January 15, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Posted by: Cane-ex | January 15, 2009 at 10:21 AM
DITTO!!!
They act like the only thing to do in So Flo is cow tipping. Sorry, but that belongs in Alachua County!!!
What OC? Who's Bryce Brown? LOL
Posted by: 360Cane | January 15, 2009 at 11:12 AM
I'm a die-hard fan with a family, can U afford season tickets to the Fins, Canes, Panthers, Marlins and the Heat???? Didn't think so! That's why you have to pick and choose, we don't live in N. Florida, where you only have your college teams.
Go Canes!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Cane-ex | January 15, 2009 at 10:21 AM
People like you are very few. The majority don't go unless it's a big game or the team is in the playoffs. This is an event town and you know it.
Posted by: Kenny D | January 15, 2009 at 11:19 AM
IraqiCane,
Great Post!
Posted by: TexasCane | January 15, 2009 at 11:38 AM
anyone know if there is a broadcast or blog reporting vernon's decision at 12:30?
Posted by: Caneiac | January 15, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Get over it Troy, the game was great last night...but I now want to know about the OC. If you don't like it, go elsewhere.
Posted by: Caneiac | January 15, 2009 at 09:59 AM
______________________________________________
Why dont you go elsewhere? You know, like one of Manny's football blogs. Then you can talk about the OC all you want. If you truly care about the basketball program though you want people talking about them. The basketball program won't get any attention and grow if we have people like you constantly asking football questions on a basketball blog. Obviously, I care just as much about the OC position as you do. But I just want the basketball team to get the reconition they deserve. When one person talks about football it becomes a complete football blog.
Posted by: Troy | January 15, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Awww, Troy got his panties in a bunch. I don't mind you talking about basketball at all. I just mind you complaining about me talking football. So once again, get over it and just talk about basketball while I talk about football. End of story.
Posted by: Caneiac | January 15, 2009 at 11:56 AM
BTW, I am a huge Hurdle fan. I hope this is his coming out party and he really steps up consistently from here on out...it would make the world of difference with this team! With McClinton and Hurdle playing well, opponents won't be able to just double Collins.
Posted by: Caneiac | January 15, 2009 at 12:12 PM
great bball win!! but i'm with Caneiac here, i want some football news
Posted by: Ucane305 | January 15, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Yeah...
Posted by: IraqiCane | January 15, 2009 at 12:30 PM
so.... what's the word on Vernon? Where is Manny?
Posted by: g8rh8r | January 15, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Any word on Vernon's commitment announcement?
Posted by: CanesFanStuckInNYC | January 15, 2009 at 12:37 PM
BTW, I am a huge Hurdle fan. I hope this is his coming out party and he really steps up consistently from here on out...it would make the world of difference with this team! With McClinton and Hurdle playing well, opponents won't be able to just double Collins.
Posted by: Caneiac | January 15, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Yes it would. The problem is Hurdle never does this consistently.
Posted by: Kenny D | January 15, 2009 at 12:56 PM
dude, WTH? I know this kid isn't exactly Rivals #1 overall, but Vernon would be a big "keep" or loss for Miami's momentum and recruiting rep. Why no news?
Posted by: g8rh8r | January 15, 2009 at 01:00 PM
dude, WTH? I know this kid isn't exactly Rivals #1 overall, but Vernon would be a big "keep" or loss for Miami's momentum and recruiting rep. Why no news?
Posted by: g8rh8r | January 15, 2009 at 01:00 PM
+1
Posted by: CanesFanStuckInNYC | January 15, 2009 at 01:04 PM
its official! vernon to bama
Posted by: wow | January 15, 2009 at 01:05 PM
its official! vernon to bama
Posted by: wow | January 15, 2009 at 01:05 PM
What's your source???? (though I wouldn't be surprised)
Posted by: CanesFanStuckInNYC | January 15, 2009 at 01:06 PM
ur mom
Posted by: wow | January 15, 2009 at 01:08 PM
ur mom
Posted by: wow | January 15, 2009 at 01:08 PM
Did it take you all day to come up with that comeback? Haven't heard that one since second grade. GO CANES!!!
Posted by: CanesFanStuckInNYC | January 15, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Great game for the Canes.
College Basketball is incredibly exciting.
UNC and the FSU, you gotta love playin with the big boys in the ACC.
This is an NCAA Tourney Team.
Lets Go Canes.
Posted by: deebee | January 15, 2009 at 01:14 PM
it took 2 minutes obviously! go canes
Posted by: wow | January 15, 2009 at 01:29 PM
Agreed, KennyD...he is not the most consistent. Maybe he can figure things out and play with more continuity.
As for Vernon, go Canes! Another solid pickup.
Posted by: Caneiac | January 15, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Awww, Troy got his panties in a bunch. I don't mind you talking about basketball at all. I just mind you complaining about me talking football. So once again, get over it and just talk about basketball while I talk about football. End of story.
Posted by: Caneiac | January 15, 2009 at 11:56 AM
_____________________________________________
I loosened my panties for you. It was worth a try to get people to talk about basketball more. Obviously...it didn't work. Life goes on....
Posted by: Troy | January 15, 2009 at 02:54 PM
if you wanna see the highlights of the game and the ri-DONK-ulous comeback against Maryland, they are finally available at www.raycomsports.com
Posted by: scott martineau | January 15, 2009 at 04:38 PM
what is the URL for Bryce Brown blog?
Posted by: Dr.Dan | January 15, 2009 at 08:32 PM
if you wanna see the highlights of the game and the ri-DONK-ulous comeback against Maryland, they are finally available at www.raycomsports.com
Posted by: scott martineau | January 15, 2009 at 04:38 PM
Who says ridonkulous? Nerd.
Posted by: Canes | January 15, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Join the Palm Beach 'Canes Club for the Miami/UNC gamewatch party at Bar Louie in City Place on Saturday, January 17th at 9pm!
550 S. Rosemary
West Palm Beach
'Canes drink specials provided. GO 'CANES!
Posted by: Palm Beach 'Canes Club | January 16, 2009 at 11:51 AM