Highlights/Closing Thoughts: #3 Virginia 89 Miami 80 2OT

First the highlights of what was an incredible game (ACC Digital):

Some closing thoughts:

• The good of this is that Miami should have figured out how hard they need to play to compete with good to elite teams.  Hopefully they remember it, and bring it for 40 minutes from now on.

• UM needs to be smarter in key situations.  Sheldon McClellan was a man on the boards, but had a couple of bad turnovers in situations where he would have been better off pulling the ball out and setting up the offense. Tonye Jekiri also has a bad turnover or two.
  

• I still love Manu Lecomte, but perhaps it is time for him to come off the bench. Deandre Burnett would benefit from starting and would help UM's sometimes sluggish 1st half O.  Additionally it would be nice to see Lecomte be able to spell Angel Rodriguez so he does not burn out.

• Something tells us practicing FTs will be a point of emphasis this week in practice.

• Think Miami could benefit from the presence of Ivan Cruz Uceda?  We're not sure his overall game is going to light anyone up from the get, but man oh man do the 'Canes needs an extra body down low. A couple of missed FTs by the Hoos resulted in extra opportunities when UM could not snare the board.

• Lastly, I hope Hurricanes fans stand strong behind this team.  They have imperfections, but they also have a lot of heart.

Other notes (Courtesy UM)

* Angel Rodriguez had a career night finishing with a career-high 25 points. His previous career high was 24 points against Florida (11/17/14). Rodriguez aslo made a career-high with both 10 free throws made and 12 free throw shots attempted. His previous career high free throws made in a game was eight at Texas (2/23/13), when he played for Kansas State. His previous career high for free throw attempts was 11 at Oklahoma State (1/21/12) also while playing for Kansas State.

* Rodriguez scored eight straight points between the 2:53 and 1:31 in regulation to pull the Canes to within one point of the Cavaliers. Rodriguez then hit three straight free throws to with .9 seconds left in the game to tie the game at 63-63 and put the game into overtime.

* Freshman Omar Sherman finished with 13 points, tying his previous career high, which he had made on two previous occasions. This is also his third career game in double figures. Sherman also set a career-high from behind the arc with his 3 three-pointers. His previous high was 2 against Akron (11/21/14). He has now made multiple three-pointers on three occasions this season.

* Tonye Jekiri grabbed 12 rebounds and has now finished with 8+ rebounds in 10 games this season.

* With his eight rebounds, Sheldon McClellan has now secured 8+ rebounds in five games this season.

* With his two  three-pointers in the game Deandre Burnett has now made multiple three-point field goals for the fifth time this season. Burnett also scored in double figures for the fourth time this season.