The Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team faced yet another challenging night as they lost to the Stanford Cardinal 88-51, marking their eighth straight defeat of the season. This game, held at Maples Pavilion on January 22, 2025, showcased stark differences between the two teams, with Stanford establishing dominance early, which effectively crushed any hope of a Miami comeback.
From the tip-off, Miami struggled with its slow start, finding themselves down 25-5 within the first few minutes of the game. Despite trying to shake things up with adjustments to the lineup—putting transfer player AJ Staton-McCray on the starting roster—the changes did little to reverse the fortunes of the team. First-year player Jalil Bethea, who had recently been benched, found himself again sidelined, unable to impact the game positively.
Maxime Raynaud of Stanford was the star of the night, finishing with 28 points and 12 rebounds. His ability to shoot 10 of 17 from the field and connect on four three-pointers left Miami’s defense scrambling. Raynaud's performance not only led his team to victory but also served as a display of his talents, drawing the attention of scouts watching from the stands.
Miami's performance, on the other hand, raised several eyebrows. Their shooting percentage for the game was just 35%, and they made only two three-pointers throughout the match. Despite Matthew Cleveland's efforts—scoring 23 points and marking his sixth 20-point game of the season—his contributions were not enough to spark the team's offense early on.
The first half ended with Stanford leading 37-21, and the gap only widened as the game progressed. The Canes did manage to cut the deficit to 11 at one point, but Stanford quickly retaliated, pushing the lead back to 18 just minutes later. The Cardinal's greatest lead came at 79-40 with just over four minutes remaining, highlighting the complete control they exerted over the game's tempo.
Commentators noted the struggles of the Hurricanes were not just about scoring, but also about consistency and coaching strategies. With 13 games remaining this season, analysts suggest it would be difficult for Miami to turn their fortunes around effectively. Their numerous losses, compounded by rocky performances, have left them sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference standings.
Coach Jim Larranaga's inability to find a stable solution to the team's offensive issues means the team runs the risk of being dubbed the laughingstock of the conference. Miami’s fans, desperate for signs of improvement, hope their team can address these glaring problems before facing their next opponent, the California Golden Bears, on January 25.
The upcoming game against California presents another challenge for the Hurricanes. They will need to regroup and devise strategies to address their slow starts and improve their shooting efficiency if they wish to avoid adding yet another loss to their tally. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
With their current record standing at 4-15 and 0-8 within the ACC, the Miami Hurricanes will need to find resilience and determination as the second half of the season approaches. Their performance against Stanford has left fans wondering whether this team, once considered competitive, can salvage any pride from what has turned out to be a tumultuous season.