Dec 21, 2024; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Jalen Blackmon (5) drives to the basket previous Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers guard Carmelo Pacheco (1) in the course of the second half at Watsco Heart. Necessary Credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Photos Miami will intention to safe its first win below interim coach Invoice Courtney when it visits Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon in Blacksburg, Va.
The Hurricanes (4-9, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Convention) possible nonetheless are reeling from the sudden departure of coach Jim Larranaga, who stepped down on Dec. 26 after main this system to 6 NCAA Tournaments over his 13 full seasons on the helm.
Courtney, whose earlier head teaching expertise got here at Cornell from 2010-16, stated his gamers have responded effectively to the abrupt management change.
“They’ve achieved a fantastic job of actually locking in,” Courtney instructed the Miami Herald. “You assume typically when the assistant takes over, there will be a drop off or some slacks or some issues that go by the wayside, however not this group. They’ve actually been locked in and concentrated.”
Miami regarded a lot locked in whereas constructing a 32-13 lead at Boston School in Courtney’s interim debut on Wednesday. The Hurricanes, nevertheless, pale from there and fell 78-68 for his or her ninth loss in 10 video games.
Main scorer Nijel Pack (13.9 factors per recreation) has missed Miami’s final three video games with a foot damage, and his standing for Saturday stays unknown. Matthew Cleveland has stepped up with Pack sidelined, averaging 21.3 factors over his final three contests.
Former Virginia Tech heart Lynn Kidd paces the Hurricanes with 7.3 rebounds per recreation to enrich his 11.6 scoring common.
The Hokies (5-8, 0-2) will get their first crack at an unranked convention opponent after dropping to then-No. 18 Pittsburgh 64-59 on Dec. 7 and No. 4 Duke 88-65 on Tuesday.
Virginia Tech final began 0-2 in ACC play within the 2021-22 marketing campaign however recovered to complete 11-9 and win the convention match in Mike Younger’s second season as coach.
“I’ve seen sufficient of this league now. … Proceed to battle. Proceed to play collectively. Continued enchancment,” Younger stated. “We’ll win our fair proportion of video games.”
Virginia Commonwealth switch Tobi Lawal seemingly has settled in with the Hokies, as he leads the crew with 11.3 factors and 5.8 rebounds per recreation. The 6-foot-8 ahead boasts a 49 1/2-inch vertical leap that helps him play above the rim at each ends of the courtroom.
Lawal paired 19 factors with 5 boards towards the Blue Devils and hit a season-high three 3-pointers on 4 makes an attempt.
–Area Stage Media
