After enduring yet another difficult road loss to Florida State, the Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball team aimed to bounce back against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The matchup took place on Saturday night at the Watsco Center, where the Hurricanes fell to Virginia Tech, 81-68. The loss knocked Miami’s record to 6-21, with only two wins (2-14) in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
One of the significant challenges facing the Hurricanes was the absence of their leading scorer, Matthew Cleveland, who averages 16.3 points per game. His missing presence was felt deeply as the team struggled to find offensive rhythm. Nevertheless, junior A.J. Staton-McCray stepped up during this challenging game, contributing 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. Staton-McCray continued to shine offensively, scoring in double figures for the fourth time in five games, and reaching another milestone by surpassing 1,000 career points.
Staton-McCray was supported by additional contributions, including 16 points from senior Lynn Kidd, 12 points from sophomore Paul Djobet, and 10 points by senior Brandon Johnson. The first half turned out to be competitive, with Virginia Tech shooting at 53.3 percent from the field, closely followed by Miami at 52 percent. Miami managed to tie the game at 38 entering halftime, courtesy of a key three-pointer from freshman Austin Swartz.
Emerging from halftime, the Hurricanes gained momentum and took the lead at 48-42, fueled by another three-pointer from Staton-McCray. Unfortunately, Virginia Tech quickly countered with an explosive 18-2 run, taking control of the match at 60-50. Miami fought back with efforts from Djobet, who came alive to score 8 of his 12 points during the second half, but the Hokies’ sharpshooting from behind the arc proved too strong. Virginia Tech scored seven three-pointers after the break, allowing them to pull away decisively.
The Hokies were led by sophomore Jaydon Young, who posted his best performance of the season with 27 points, alongside senior Ben Burnham, who contributed 14 points and four three-pointers.
Looking forward, Miami's losses have mounted, and they find themselves on a three-game losing streak. On Tuesday night, the team will face the formidable No. 3 Duke at the Watsco Center. The game promises to be another tough test, and tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with national coverage on ESPN.
Duke, fresh off its 110-67 victory against Illinois, boasts considerable advantages as they prepare to take on the struggling Hurricanes, who have only managed to secure two conference victories this season. The recent history isn’t favorable to Miami, as they enter the matchup at the bottom of the ACC standings; with only two wins to show for the season, they are likely to become one of the first teams to miss the ACC tournament.
Interim head coach Bill Courtney has faced the pressure to turn things around after losing long-time coach Jim Larrañaga back in December. The Hurricanes want to end their current streak of defeats, but their path is complicated by their recent performance and the current shape of their roster, which has been hurt by injuries, most significantly the absence of star guard Nigel Pack.
While Cleveland has remained the focal point of Miami's offensive play, averaging 16.3 points and showcasing impressive shooting skills, his recent absence against Virginia Tech made it abundantly clear how much the team relies on him. Cleveland’s thrilling performances earlier this season, including scoring 32 points against Syracuse, seemed to indicate clearer pathways to success than the current state of affairs.
While Miami's defense has struggled — ranking poorly at No. 336 for adjusted defensive efficiency — the Hurricanes will need extraordinary performances to combat Duke’s aggressive offense, which takes advantage of its versatility. The Blue Devils have excelled at controlling the tempo of their games, often going on rapid scoring runs. Miami has shown vulnerability, averaging 0.52 double-digit scoring runs conceded per game. Conversely, Duke manages less than half of this figure according to advanced stats.
The upcoming match presents Miami not only with the chance to finally secure another victory but also the opportunity to shift the narrative around their season. Both physicality and outstanding individual performances from key players like Cleveland and Kidd will be pivotal. The duo’s ability to dominate inside could potentially exploit weaknesses within the Blue Devils' frontcourt, especially with its new challenges brought upon by injuries.
Miami’s ability to rise to the occasion rests on them answering the call against Duke. Failure to perform may lead to dire consequences, with intense scrutiny on how the season is unraveling for the storied program.