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Canes Hoops Recap: Canes have a Stinker in Atlanta, lose to Georgia Tech 64-54

Not the performance needed at all with three ranked teams upcoming. The upcoming stretch is now very critical.

By Austin Pert
NCAA Basketball: Miami at Georgia Tech
Ja’Quan Newton (0) reacts on the bench against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half at McCamish Pavilion
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m appalled by the way we’re playing.” That was what Jim Larranaga said. At halftime.

I wouldn't want to be in the locker room at halftime. I REALLY wouldn't want to be in the post game locker room.

In a very disappointing performance, Miami abandoned their strengths and allowed their weaknesses to magnify in an embarrassing loss in Atlanta.

After taking a 17-9 lead midway through the first half, the Jackets took a 19-11 into the intermission.

Halftime ajustements were not the answer, as Tech went on a 14-2 run midway through the second half to take a 46-34 lead.

Miami tightened the game up by scoring the next ten points and allowing many disgruntled fans to return to their TVs.

But mental and physical errors kept this team from completing the comeback. This game, especially the second half, was a microcosm of what has held this team back this season.

Dewan Huell continued his consistent performance, leading UM with 13 points. When Huell was fed the ball tonight, the Canes would go on runs and look offensively proficient. When they danced around the perimeter and jacked 3s, as was the case for much of tonight, they struggled mightily on offense.

While free throw shooting was an improved 8-11 tonight, the fact that they only shot 11 free throws is not going to get the job done. With 5:14 to go and the deficit down to four, Lonnie Walker missed the front end of a one-and-one, and remember, “A missed free throw on the front end of a one-and-one is like a turnover.”

The energy on defense down the stretch was head-scrachingly lacking. Like what was this...

Dewan Huell loses his man in a screen and cannot recover. Meanwhile, Anthony Lawrence and Bruce Brown are way too late with help while Chis Lykes’ seemingly is unaware what is developing around the basket.

Tonight was not Miami’s night. Hopefully they can rebound with three consecutive ranked teams next on the schedule in FSU, Clemson and Duke. This stretch of basketball could be what determines the rest of the season, and with what was expected this year, it is not a stretch to say that this is the most critical stretch of time in Miami Hurricanes Basketball history.