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What to Watch: Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 15 Florida State Seminoles

Coming off its biggest win of the season, the Canes look to keep the storm churning against their ‘dearest’ rivals.

By FialkowPUNCH
NCAA Basketball: Miami at Florida State Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017

Game Time: 8 p.m

Location: Watsco Center — Coral Gables, Fla.

Broadcast: ACC Network, WQAM560

Stream: WatchESPN

All-Time Series: Miami trails 34-43, 27-12 at Home

Current Streak: Miami won 3

The last time these two teams met, the circumstances surrounding both the Miami Hurricanes and the Florida State Seminoles were nearly the polar opposites as they stand tonight.

Last February, the Canes were ranked No. 12 in the nation and heading into the rivalry matchup with a 20-4 record, 9-3 in the ACC. Florida State (then 16-9, 6-7 ACC) was on its way to a 20-win finish while Miami had its sights set on a Sweet Sixteen appearance — an eventual loss to the Villanova Wildcats, who won the whole damn thing. Canes won 67-65.

This time, it’s the Noles making noise on the national stage, holding an 18-4 record and a top-15 ranking. However, they’re coming off of back-to-back ACC losses, while we’re (hopefully not) still celebrating our Tar Heel domination.

Bruce Brown is hot. The freshman tallied a career-high 30-points (added to his five assists, four rebounds, two blocks and a pair of steals) against UNC. A Cane hadn’t dropped 30 since Durand Scott in March 2013. That’s more than a three years ago, so in other words, too long. Brown continues to improve day by day. He’s really freaking good.

You know what else is really freaking good? The Hurricanes at home. Almost unbeatable, even. Twenty-three wins in their past 24 home contests, and a 10-1 mark this season. We lost just one game at the WAT throughout the entirety of last season.

Time for the defense to strap up once again and rebound. Miami had a 41-36 rebounding advantage against UNC, the then-No. 1 rebounding team in the NCAA (45.9 per game). We also held a North Carolina team, then No. 4 in scoring per game (89.4) to a 62 point total, their lowest of the season.

Hopefully, the Canes will knock down more than one field-goal in the final five minutes of tonight’s game, a feat they impressively accomplished the last time the two squads met. The Canes still won, though, which is an even more remarkable feat.

That’s it for now.

Larra-Legend is coaching his 1,000th game of his career. Cheers.

Analysis after the game.

-@JFialkow7