Miami Looks to Defend Top 10 Ranking vs. Boston College

Just in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past few days, here’s the reason the Canes are still undefeated in conference play, in video form:

If you haven’t been living under a rock, and are just watching the video again for fun, might we now engage in a simultaneous "WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!"? Somehow, those last 10 seconds managed to make me go "NOOOO! YESSSS! NOOO! YESSS!" in that order. It was pretty crazy. My roommate was probably not too happy when I gave him a bear hug after the Reggie Johnson tip in. But oh well.

Time to move on though, unfortunately. The Canes now face their first repeat opponent of the year in Boston College. Outside of the NC State game, the BC game was definitely the craziest of the year. The Canes were trailing 57-56 late in the game, when Durand Scott hit two free throws to put Miami up 1. After the Eagles failed to score on their next possession, Scott went to the line again and put the Canes up 3.

Then things got weird. There were 11 seconds left on the clock, and Boston College needed a 3 to tie the game. With :01 left, Olivier Hanlan fired up a prayer … And was fouled in the process, by Miami’s hero of 10 seconds earlier, Durand Scott. Hanlan bounced in the first. And he bounced in the second. Unfortunately for Eagles fans, he missed the third, and the Canes escaped Chestnut Hill with the W.

Boston College Scouting Report

In their last six games, Boston College is 1-5, with the lone win coming in their last game, which was at home vs. Clemson.

For Boston College to have a chance in this game, they’re going to need an offensive explosion out of somebody not named Ryan Anderson. The last time these two teams played, BC got 17 points from Olivier Hanlan, and 16 points from Lonnie Jackson. The problem for BC was that they only got 11 from Anderson on 4-11 shooting. Miami’s focus defensively is going to be denying Anderson from getting on a roll, so BC will need somebody else to step up and score.

As a team, the Eagles shoot 43.7% for the season. In the previous matchup against UM, they shot 43.5%. Nothing too out of the ordinary happened in that game. If BC wants to pull the upset this time around, they’re going to have to get a large uptick in production from somewhere.

Key For The Canes

Operate inside-out. Boston College does not have much size on their front line. Miami does. With the return of Reggie Johnson, the Canes now feature three players that are at least 6’10" and all have solid low post games. Miami’s primary focus in this one needs to be feeding the post and spreading the floor. Gamble, Kadji and Johnson are all very capable passers and will find the shooters if and when they are open.

Prediction

Following an emotional road victory at NC State, I expect the Canes to come out and make quick work of Boston College. The NC State game turned when Reggie Johnson got going inside, so I expect Miami to try and get him the ball early and often, because it’s going to set up the rest of the team. Final score: 72-55 Miami.