CANES GET KEY WIN AT VIRGINA
Submitted by Brandon Odoi on Fri, 02/27/2009 - 19:03
There is no doubt that the Miami Hurricanes (currently 17-10, 6-8) have much work to do if they are to finish the season with four straight wins and gain a (19-10, 8-8) record. However, they took the second step toward reaching that goal on Thursday night on the road against the Virginia Cavaliers with a 62-55 win.
The 19-10 mark, coupled with at least one Atlantic Coast Conference tournament win would make a compelling case for Miami to receive an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. The Hurricanes boast notable wins over #14 Wake Forrest, #25 Florida State, two wins over Boston College and a win on the road at Kentucky. All four of those teams figure to be heading to the tournament.
An encouraging sign in the win over Virginia is how it happened. Miami was able to use defense via tough zone play to overcome a quiet night from senior stud Jack McClinton. He finished the game with only 11 points, though he hit several critical baskets with less than three minutes to go in the game to seal the win.
Next up for the Hurricanes is road match up with Georgia Tech in Atlanta, the ACC’s worst team. Miami will close out the season at home on senior day in a game against North Carolina State. They’ll need the emotion surely to be present honoring Jack McClinton’s last game in Coral Gables, to get a crucial victory.
