Miami Basketball's Opponent Review: Green Bay

#15 UM remained undefeated (8-0) after beating Illinois on Tuesday with a final score of 70-61, following up winning the Gildan Charleston Classic against Charlotte, and a win over South Alabama.

Will they be able to pull through today and send Green Bay home with a 5-3 record?

With Sheldon McClellan (G) being UM's leading scorer averaging 16 points per game, Angel Rodriguez (G) averaging 14 points per game and Miami's other projected starters Manu Lecomte (G), Tonye Jekiri (C) and Joe Thomas (F) also playing well (not to mention a deep bench that was sparked by Deandre Burnett Vs the Illini), the 'Canes are favored to remain undefeated (by 10 points according to Vegas).

Green Bay has a record of 5-2 and won the Gulf Coast Showcase championship after defeating East Carolina, Evansville and Florida Gulf Coast.

However, on Wednesday they played unranked Georgia State and lost 72-48, stymieing their momentum.

Green Bay averages 66 points per game and has a field goal percentage of 44%, as opposed to Miami who averages 77 points per game and has a field goal percentage of 50%.

Green Bay’s projected starting line-up is Keifer Sykes (G) averaging 18 points per game, Greg Mays (F) averaging 11 points per game, Kenneth Lowe (F), Carrington Love (G) and Jordan Fouse (G/F).

Sykes and Mays in particular are effective performers.  Last season the Pheonix even managed to upset eventual ACC Champion Virginia 75-72 (12/7/13).   Earlier this year they hung with Wisconsin for a half before succumbing 84-60 to the then #3 Badgers.

GB also averages five steals per game and three blocks per contest.. Both Miami and Green Bay allow 60 points per game on average and force 12 turnovers. So defensively they are similar statistically.

Offense is where UM has a distinct advantage with Miami’s three-point shooting and free throw percentages blow Green Bay’s out of the water. Miami averages 73% off the free throw line and 45% for three pointers, while Green Bay averages 64% from the free throw line and just 31% for three point shots.

I don’t see Green Bay being the team that breaks Miami’s winning streak, but we will find out as they tip-off today at 2PM in the Bank United Center.