Larranaga on Burnett: "Sometimes a Coach is just looking for a Hot Hand"

Back on 12/2 when Deandre Burnett lit up Illinois for 19 big points in 24 minutes, it seemed like he was on the way to a big season.

2 games later he was a rare bright spot as he poured in a career high 21 vs Green Bay in a UM loss.

He also got hot in Miami's ACC opener, going 5-9 for 12 points to help fuel a huge comeback as the Hurricanes took undefeated Virginia to the brink in a double OT classic.

But lately we haven't seen much of the former Parade All-American.

In fact he has not played at all in the 'Canes last 2 games, wins Vs NC State and Syracuse.

I asked Miami Head Coach Jim Larranaga the reason for the absence, and as always Coach L was very forthright.

"I think it's very difficult for Deandre to go through, but it's a simple situation.  We have a lot of big guards."

"Deandre was starting a few games ago, and when I brought Manu Lecomte who had been a starter, off the bench, he had such a great game with a career high.  I just stuck with him"  Larranaga added.

"In the next game (Notre Dame) I brought in JaQuan Newton for Deandre and he had a career high. The next game (NC State) James Palmer hit some shots."

So in a nutshell, the reason for the decreased playing time is basically others playing better and it is a game to game situation.

Or as Coach L put it,

"Sometimes a coach is just looking for a hot hand."

I don't think we have seen the last of Burnett.  Even with UM's plethora of talented guards, a scorer this pure could still be valuable down the stretch.

Stay tuned.

Notes:

• Coach L also started out today's teleconference congratulating Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski on his 1,000th win, calling it  "unreal and unbelievable" accomplishment and also called Coach K a "fantastic ambassador."

• Larranaga also talked about the huge match-up this weekend between Duke and UVA, giving the Hoos the slight advantage of the two because of experience and playing at home.  The two teams meet in Charlottesville this Saturday, 1/31 at 7 PM.

Later in the day Coach L met with the media from the BUC,  the full presser below: