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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: