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All I Want for 2013 is......

2012 was a roller coaster year for Miami Hurricanes fans and sports fans in general. With the new year upon us I look ahead with a wish list of hopes and desires for the new year.

By Jerry Steinberg
Geoff Burke

Here is my wish list, in chronological order:

  • Al Golden's name to be left out of every rumor about every coaching vacancy that comes along.........
  • Shane Larkin, Kenny Kadji, Trey McKinney Jones, Julian Gamble, Durand Scott, Tonye Jekiri, Raphael Akpejori, Erik Swoope, and Rion Brown to hold things down until Reggie Johnson returns in 6-8 weeks......
  • Golden to sign just as memorable (albeit much smaller in numbers) a class as he did in 2012, including studs Alex Collins, Alquadin Muhammad, Keith Bryant, and Rashard Robinson.............
  • Big Reg to come back strong in mid February and put Mason Plumlee and Duke, the ACC, and the NCAA as a whole on notice that Hurricanes Hoops remain for real........
  • Jim Larranaga to be named ACC Coach of the year for once again overcoming more obstacles and bad luck then any head coach anywhere should have to endure in consecutive seasons. (even ESPN's Andy Katz recognizes Coach L's misfortune)......

  • An ACC Tournament that isn't dominated by biased and suspicious officiating.........
  • Miami's first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2007........
  • Dick Vitale to show UM the same love he shows Duke, even if just for a day.......
  • Durand Scott and Reggie Johnson to play the parts of Tony Skinn and Jai Lewis as the 'Canes make a George Mason-like run to the Final 4.........
  • THE NCAA TO HAND DOWN WHATEVER SANCTIONS THEY ARE GOING TO ENFORCE SO WE CAN ALL MOVE ON WITH OUR LIVES (I will stop yelling now).............
  • For said sanctions to be fair and just, based on evidence and not hearsay.........
  • Larranaga and staff to add 4 star PF Demetrius Henry to the class of 2013..........
  • Brandon McGee and Mike James to hear their name called out during the NFL Draft, and fellow seniors Vaughn Telemaque, Jeremy Lewis, Jake Wieclaw, Davon Johnson, and Dalton Botts to find their way to NFL rosters via free agency............
  • Kenny Kadji, Trey McKinney Jones, Reggie Johnson, and Durand Scott to be drafted into the NBA, and join fellow alums John Salmons, James Jones, and DeQuan Jones on NBA rosters.........
  • The madness that is conference realignment to come to a screeching halt or at least settle down.......
  • For the Hurricanes baseball team to make it to Omaha.........
  • For the football team to start out the summer with as little distraction as possible.......
  • Stephen Morris to take the next step and become an elite QB and win the Maxwell Award.........
  • Miami's defense to take enormous steps forward..........
  • Hurricanes fans go from calling for Coach Donofrio's head, to worrying about whether he will parlay the excellent play of the defense into a head coaching position in 2014.........
  • Manny Pacquaio and Floyd Mayweather to finally step into the ring and produce a fight that is as memorable and exciting as we all hoped before Juan Manuel Marquez knocked some of the tarnish off of the "Pacman." (sorry for the non sequitur)...........
  • Phillip Dorsett to catch everything thrown his way..........
  • For Shane McDermott to win the Remington Award (outstanding center)..........
  • Seantrel Henderson to reach his full potential, causing NFL Scouts everywhere to drool at the possibility of making him their LT.............
  • Anthony Chickillo, Denzel Perryman, Deon Bush, and Tracy Howard to earn ALL ACC defensive honors...........
  • For Duke Johnson to win the Heisman Trophy...........
  • And last but certainly not least, for the Miami Hurricanes football team to finish the season undefeated, and earn a spot in the new and improved 4 team playoff............

While these hopes may seem a bit ambitious, that is the beauty of a new year. We all start with a clean slate (sort of) and the possibility to make our dreams come true. Here's hoping that Hurricanes coaches, players, alums, and fans everywhere have an incredible 2013. From all of us at State of the U, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!