Miami Hurricanes' coach Jai Lucas targets offensive sloppiness and missed free throws as keys to unlocking the team's true potential.
The Miami Hurricanes men's basketball squad is coming off a 74-68 victory over the Boston College Eagles on Saturday. They advance to an 18-5 overall record, 7-3 in ACC play. It was a much-needed win to gain momentum before facing the North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday. However, the lack of efficient free-throw shooting and turnovers continues to hurt the team.
They finished with 52 percent free-throw shooting against the Eagles, making 13 of 25, and committed 13 turnovers, which led to nine points.
"I worry about us," coach Jai Lucas said. "It hasn't been anything someone else has done to us to make us look bad. We turn the ball over against Cal [Golden Bears], miss free throws, and lose by one, same thing [against] Florida State [Seminoles]."
"If we can be the best version of us, I like us against anybody."
In both losses against the Golden Bears and Seminoles, the Hurricanes lost by a total of three points. In those matchups, the team combined for 70.8 percent free-throw shooting and committed 21 turnovers, resulting in 27 points.
The margin of error is thin for the Hurricanes, especially with the lack of depth.
Sophomore forward Marcus Allen will not play for the rest of the season after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a type of cancer. He's been present at games, both at home and on the road, but isn't able to suit up. The Miami native was averaging 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in eight games off the bench.
Junior guard Tru Washington missed the previous two games due to personal reasons. Before traveling to the Northeast, coach Lucas mentioned that there was no timetable for a return. Without him, the Hurricanes lose an extra ball handler and scorer. In his absence, freshman guard Dante Allen has moved up to the starting lineup.
That leaves junior guard Noam Dovrat, freshman center Salih Altuntas, and freshman forward Timotej Malovec off the bench. They don't get many touches offensively and none are considered ball handlers.
Freshman guards John Laboy II and Jordyn Kee haven't played since ACC play began.
The Hurricanes have heavily relied on their starters, especially senior guard Tre Donaldson and senior forward Malik Reneau.
It's going to be extremely important to clean up the little errors as they host the Tar Heels, who are coming off a strong victory over the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, overcoming a 13-point deficit. The Hurricanes need a standout win to boost their season resume for a spot in the NCAA tournament.
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