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Miami Basketball: Preseason Practice (7/23/24)

BenjaminRivals
Miami held an open practice in its practice facility Tuesday afternoon.

Here are some observations:



Five-star Jalil Bethea (6'4" 170 pounds) is very smooth with the basketball in his hands. He sees the court very well and often attempts no-look passes that connect with precision. He also showed the ability to score at a high level by taking and making mid-range shots and three-pointers in practice and game-simulated situations. He had a massive dunk driving down the lane. Looks every bit of a five-star and I can see the freshman starting for the Hurricanes in game one.

The other freshman looked solid as Austin Swartz (6'4" 185 pounds) showed a great ability to finish at the rim in transition, making contested baskets. Isaiah Johnson-Arigu (6'7" 200 pounds) took several three-point shots in game situations and made the majority of his attempts. I came away feeling that he is highly underrated and should be in the eight-deep rotation this season.

Lynn Kidd (6'10" 235 pounds) will play a big role for this team going forward. He is faced with the task of essentially replacing Norchad Omier (transferred to Baylor) but seems to be more polished offensively than his predecessor. Several times he got into the paint and was able to make shots in the paint despite heavy contact. Kidd was great in the pick-and-roll often getting passes for his teammates for dunks.

The three returners Nijel Pack (6'0" 185 pounds), Matthew Cleveland (6'7" 208 pounds), and Paul Djobet (6'7" 195 pounds) were all solid and what you would expect from players familiar with the system. Pack made some nice shots in the mid-range and from deep per usual. Djobet was aggressive in getting into the paint and made a couple of shots, but didn't turn the ball over. Cleveland had some moments including a massive dunk where he drove into the lane.

Jalen Blackmon (6'3" 180 pounds) defended well and should see plenty of minutes because of his defensive prowess.

Brandon Johnson (6'8" 210 pounds), and AJ Staton-McCray (6'5" 195 pounds) didn't make any wow plays during practice but the potential is certainly there for both to contribute in a big way at the wing position.

Overall, Miami is a bigger team that should be able to play in a variety of ways with Yussif Basa-Ama (6'8" 195 pounds) and Kiree Huie (6'9" 220) showing that they can be rim protectors if needed.

Concerns

Miami has a ton of players who play shooting guard and small forward but the four and five positions seem to be limited to Kidd, Basa-Ama, and Huie. An injury to Kidd would significantly hurt Miami's depth inside.

There is also a question as to who will be the backup point guard. I'm assuming that Bethea will start here but will Pack come off the bench or star at the two-guard position? Or will Pack start at the one? Pack at the two will limit the Hurricanes in size and defensively, so something to watch is certainly who will be the quarterback of the second unit.
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ESPN names X factors for Miami for the 2024 season

BenjaminRivals
ESPN named X factors for college football's top 25 teams in 2024.

College Football Analyst Andrea Adelson writes...

24. Miami Hurricanes​


Receivers. We all know what quarterback Cam Ward is capable of doing, but the big question for Miami is whether he has the receivers who can make the type of big, explosive plays that have been routinely missing from the Hurricanes offense. The early returns say yes. Not only does Miami return Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, Isaiah Horton looks like an emerging star and Houston transfer Sam Brown fits in nicely. In its recent history, Miami has had some nice go-to receivers, but the depth and explosiveness down the field has been missing. That should change for the Hurricanes in 2024. -- Adelson

My Take

I believe this receiving corps will thrive under quarterback Cam Ward and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson's second season with the team. Ward is the true X-factor here because, too many times, last year's quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was not able to extend plays and improvise. It sounds simple, but that was the main factor preventing this team from getting to double-digit wins in 2023. Too often TVD would turn the football over in critical times.

Extending plays and improvising is an area in which Ward thrives, which will keep Miami on the field on offense.

I also expect the tight ends to be heavily involved in this offense in '24. If Elijah Arroyo stays healthy, look for a big year.
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Former Hurricanes make ESPN's Top 100 Athletes Since 2000

BenjaminRivals
ESPN has revealed is in the process of revealing its top 100 players since 2000.

Former Miami Hurricanes make the list:

61. Ray Lewis, football​

Key accomplishments: Hall of Famer (2018), 12-time Pro Bowler, eight-time first-team All-Pro, only player with 40 sacks and 30 interceptions since sacks became official in 1982.

Lewis redefined the middle linebacker position as a three-down defender who made plays from sideline to sideline. His ability to make teammates around him better established a storied tradition of defense in Baltimore. From 2000 to '12, the Ravens' defense ranked among the top three in the NFL in seven of the 10 seasons in which Lewis played at least six games. "Before we get to his play, Ray is the greatest leader in team sports history," said Shannon Sharpe, a Hall of Fame tight end who won a Super Bowl with Lewis in 2000. "No one is even close." -- Jamison Hensley
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99. Ed Reed, football​

Key accomplishments: Hall of Famer (2019), nine-time Pro Bowler, five-time first-team All-Pro, HOF All-2000s team, 2004 Defensive Player of the Year.

Reed was the ultimate defensive game changer of his generation. In 2004, he set an NFL record by returning an interception 106 yards for a touchdown against the Browns. Four years later, he broke his own record with a 107-yarder against the Eagles. Reed is the only player in NFL history to score touchdowns off a punt return, blocked punt, interception and fumble recovery.

"You see the safety's out in the middle of the field and have a wide-open throw on the right. The next thing you know he's intercepting it," former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "Where did he come from? It's impossible. That's what made it such a challenge. He made the impossible possible." -- Jamison Hensley
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Miami is one of the best teams in the new EA College Football Game

BenjaminRivals
The Miami Hurricanes are ranked No. 13 in the EA Sports College Football 25 video game.

Miami has an 88 overall rating in the team power rankings, which is subject to change during the season.

The Hurricanes are the third-highest-rated team in the ACC, trailing only No. 6 Clemson (90) and No. 12 Florida State (88). No. 20 Virginia Tech (87) and No. 21 NC State (87) are also in the top 25.

Miami has the 7th-best offense with an 89 rating - the highest-rated offense in the conference.

The Canes defense was not ranked.

The ten teams ranked ahead of Miami are as follows: 1. Georgia (95), 2. Ohio State (93), 3. Oregon (93), 4. Alabama (92), 5. Texas (92), 7. Notre Dame (90), 8. LSU (90), 9. Penn State (88), 10. Utah (88) and 11. Michigan (88).

The game is set to be released July 15th.

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Will Miami finally live up to the preseason hype???
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ESPN Names Sleeper Pick Player for Miami

BenjaminRivals
ESPN released a story this week naming a sleeper player for team in its preseason Top 25.

ESPN's Andrea Adelson writes...

24. Miami Hurricanes​

Sleeper pick: Isaiah Horton

Much of the conversation surrounding the Miami offense has focused on Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George, and Elijah Arroyo as natural playmakers for transfer quarterback Cam Ward. But if the spring game is any indication, keep an eye on Horton.


The third-year receiver caught six passes for 88 yards and a touchdown in the spring game and seems to have a natural connection with Ward. Coach Mario Cristobal praised Horton for having a great spring and believes his emergence gives the Hurricanes yet another skill player to rely on and keep defenses off balance. At 6-4 and 205 pounds, Horton is the type of big-bodied receiver the Hurricanes have needed in their rotation. -- Adelson

Although I agree that Isaiah Horton is a sleeper, several other players should be considered here.

Here is position by position, omitting quarterback and special teams:


Running Back

Ajay Allen may be a forgotten player in the RB room. Adding Damien Martinez to pair with Mark Fletcher creates a formidable duo in the backfield, but Allen could also make some noise this season.

Allen played eight games and started one in his first season with the Hurricanes. Last season, he averaged 5.2 yards per carry, gained 361 yards, and scored five touchdowns. Fletcher is not guaranteed to start the season at full strength, so Allen could see plenty of carries early in the season. Allen missed a few games last season due to injury and is out to prove he is better than young RBs Chris Johnson Jr., Chris Wheatley-Humphrey, and Jordan Lyle.

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Wide Receiver

Besides Horton, watch out for Shemar Kirk. From what I hear from inside the program, he is one of the more polished wide receivers, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him emerge as WR4. He is another player looking to prove himself, and 2024 could be a breakout year for the

Tight End

The entire position group seemed to be sleeping last season, so any choice can fit here. Many expect Elijah Arroyo to step up and have a significant season after battling injuries for the previous two seasons. Sophomore tight end Riley Williams can be a contributor at the position behind Arroyo and Cam McCormick.

Watch out for Elija Lofton. The true freshman was really impressive during spring, so he could be used in gadget plays and from the wildcat formation.

Offensive Line

This may be the toughest position to find a "sleeper" here. Four offensive linemen can be safely penciled in here: Francia Mauigoa, Anez Cooper, Zach Carpenter, and Jalen Rivers. The last player may be considered a sleeper, as it could be Matt McCoy, Tommy Kinsler, or Samson Okunlola to man the left guard spot.

Defensive Line

Plenty of talent here can explode on the scene in 2024. We expect Rueben Bain to duplicate his 2023 season and Akheem Mesidor to replicate his 2022 season.

Transfers Simeon Barrow, Tyler Barron, Elijah Alston, CJ Clark, and Marley Cook are all expected to be in the rotation and contribute all season long, so no one is really considered a sleeper here.

I would consider Malik Bryant a sleeper pick here. Bryant played minimally in his 2023 freshman campaign, but the official move to the defensive end should cause the Orlando native to flourish.

Linebacker

Wesley Bissainthe can be considered a sleeper on the national stage this season. The Miami native has improved year after year, with 30 total tackles in 2022 and 44 in 2023, two sacks, and an unofficial safety. If Bissainthe has a big year, he could try his hand at the 2025 NFL Draft.

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The sleepers to consider here are Raul PoPo Aguirre and Louisville transfer Jaylen Alderman. Aguirre is one of the most intelligent players on the defense, and his instincts are similar to those of starter Kiko Mauigoa.

Defensive Back

This is also a tough position group to determine a sleeper player. It is perhaps the position group with the most questions. The two defensive backs opposing players will game plan around are Daryl Porter Jr. and Mishael Powell.

But when it comes to a sleeper, there are many players to consider: Damari Brown, Myles Mooyoung, Jadais Richard, Robert Stafford, Markeith Williams, Dyoni Hill, and Zaquan Patterson.

But I believe the player to be an official sleeper here is Jaden Harris. The redshirt sophomore from Atlanta has seemed to learn much from former Hurricanes safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams and seems destined to be a difference-maker for the Hurricanes in 2024.

Who do you think will be sleeper player for the Miami Hurricanes in 2024?
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Frank Tucker, former recruiting analyst at CanesCounty.com, joins Miami staff

BenjaminRivals
Frank Tucker was hired by Miami to join its recruiting department as a recruiting relations coordinator.

His position will focus on acquiring talent for the Miami Hurricanes football program, with South Florida as the area of focus.

Tucker ran the popular social media account The Crib South Florida and was part of the CanesCounty.com staff for the last two years.
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