Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Can the Miami Hurricanes make a serious run to The Final Four?

psheppard March 14th

Can the Miami Hurricanes make a serious run to The Final Four?  The Canes are ACC co-champions and have an excellent offense and are ranked in the top 15 in the nation.

Hurricanes in the infamous 5-12 matchup

The #5 seed Miami Hurricanes will go up against the 12th seed Drake Bulldogs in the Midwest Region.  The game will take place on Friday night in Albany, NY at 7:25pm on TBS and ESPN-SWFL.

The Hurricanes are scoring almost 80 points per game and having multiple players who can contribute to the team’s overall point total.

Isaiah Wong leading in scoring with 16 points per game is impressive, but it’s even more noteworthy that four Hurricanes average at least 13.6 points per game.

In addition to the scoring prowess of their guards and wings, having a player like Norchad Omier in the middle is crucial for any successful basketball team.

His ability to put up 14 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game shows that he is a dominant force on the court and a key contributor to the team’s success.

The Miami Hurricanes Omier Factor

Norchad Omier is nursing an ankle injury, as he has been a key contributor to the Hurricanes basketball team this season.

If he is not at full strength, it could certainly impact the team’s performance in the postseason.

The bottom line is if Omier can’t go due to that ankle injury he suffered last week against Duke, the Canes will have a hard time reaching the Sweet 16.  If he can go, the sky’s the limit for Miami.

Who are the Drake Bulldogs?

Drake’s strengths heading into their matchup against Miami in the NCAA tournament. Experience and fearlessness can be significant assets in the postseason.

These qualities could certainly be a tough opponent for Miami to handle. Tucker DeVries'(son of the coach) abilities are also worth noting, as having a player with pro potential is always a significant advantage for any team.

His shot fake, footwork, and readiness to shoot suggest that he is a talented player who can create opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Roman Penn, the team’s point guard, averaging 13 points and leading the team in assists, is a significant contributor to their success.

Penn’s handling and leadership abilities can control the game and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Senior guard D.J. Wilkins is also worth noting, with his impressive career record of over 300 made 3-point field goals, including 68 this season alone.

Final Analysis and Pete’s Prediction

Overall, while an early exit from the tournament wouldn’t be entirely surprising, Miami still has the talent to make a run if they can get healthy and play their best basketball.

If Drake can play up to their potential and use their experience and fearlessness to their advantage, they could certainly pull off the upset against Miami.

Pete’s Prediction:

Miami 63 Drake 60

espn page break

LET THE MAYHEM IN MARCH BEGIN

It’s time for the mayhem in March to begin. The field of 68 is set. (It should still be 64 teams. I’m old school and hate play-in games.). So today, and for several days moving forward we will have a lot of college basketball trivia during Wiki-Pete-ia on the Shemon and Sheppard Show on ESPN Southwest Florida.

The annual college basketball tournament is tricky to predict. Since it is single-elimination and spread over three weeks, a great team can go cold and a team that isn’t great can get hot. Anything can happen and it usually does. Some desperate teams will fight their way forward and surely, at least one top seed will fall! That means you: Alabama, Purdue, Houston, and Kansas.

So fill out your brackets and get ready for an adrenaline filled month. It’s also time for college basketball trivia on the Shemon and Sheppard Show. We try to stump Pete every weekday at 4:45ish with Wiki-Pete-ia. Be caller number nine at 239-337-3776 or 239-337-ESPN and play Wiki for prizes. If you are not lucky enough to be caller number nine then feel free to play at work or at home against your family and friends. Below are the questions and answers to today’s contest. Good luck!

  • 1. WHO WON THE FIRST NCAA TOURNAMENT IN 1939?

  • A: OREGON

    espn page break

  • 2. WHO WON THE SECOND NCAA TOURNAMENT IN 1940?

  • A: INDIANA

    espn page break

  • 3. WHAT IS THE TRADITIONAL SONG PLAYED ON TV AFTER THE CHAMPIONSHIP?

  • A: ONE SHINING MOMENT

    espn page break

  • 4. WHAT SPORTSCASTER FIRST USED THE TERM MARCH MADNESS ON TV?

  • A: BRENT MUSBERGER 1982

    espn page break

  • 5. NAME THE FIRST 16 SEED TO UPSET A TOP SEED?

  • A: UMBC

    espn page break

  • 6. WHO IS THE NCAA TOURNAMENT ALL TIME SCORER?

  • A: CHRISTIAN LAETTNER

    espn page break

  • 7. WHO HIT THE GW SHOT TO GIVE DEAN SMITH HIS FIRST TITLE?

  • A: MICHAEL JORDAN

    espn page break

  • 8. WHAT TEAM WON BOTH THEIR SEMI-FINAL AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES IN TRIPLE OT IN 1957?

  • A: NC

    espn page break

  • 9. WHO IS THE YOUNGEST COACH TO WIN MARCH MADNESS?

  • A: INDIANA'S BRANCH MCCRACKEN 31 YEARS OLD IN 1940

    espn page break

  • 10. NAME THE THREE PEOPLE TO WIN THE NCAA AS A COACH AND PLAYER?

  • A: BOB KNIGHT, JOE B. HALL, DEAN SMITH

    espn page break