Live Game Thread: Miami Basketball Vs. Kentucky

[BenjaminRivals]

Live updates and analysis here.

The tip is set for 7:30 PM Eastern.

 

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Woog Poplar starts things with a pull up jumper.

 

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Omier works his way to the rim for a bucket, definitely has stepped up his offensive game.

 

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Three pull up jumpers for Poplar, three buckets.

 

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Kentucky flop leads to an early offensive foul on Omier. He heads to the bench.

 

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Kentucky does not have an answer for Wooga. He's fouled on a pull-up jumper, missed both free throws. First misses from the line on the year.

 

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Another soft foul called on Omier. He heads back to the bench. Nightmare start for him.

 

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Woog draws another foul. Misses one of two.

 

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Miami does not have an answer for Kentucky defensively. Wildcats scoring at will. Canes trail Cats 17-11.

 

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Michael Nwoko nearly hit an unreal put-back jam. The freshman has unbelievable athleticism at 6'10"

 

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Miami on a 2:26 scoring drought as Kentucky opens up a 21-11 lead.

 

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Big three-point bucket by Kyshawn George to end the drought.

 

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Poplar gets to the line again. Makes two.

 

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George, very calm with the basketball. Not afraid of the moment.

 

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Watson's three makes it a two-point game. Canes now on a 10-2 run.

 

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Kentucky now on 2:42 scoring drought.

 

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Poplar leading the team rebounds, 4, and points, 11

 

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Impressive block by Matthew Cleveland at the rim. He's been active in this game.

 

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Bensley Joseph and Nijel Pack need to get going in this game. If they get their offense going, Miami is tough to beat.

 

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Poplar opens up the second half like he did the first half, with a bucket.

 

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Wildcats opened up a 12-point lead to start the second half. Canes have to take a timeout.

 

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Miami getting killed in the paint, 32-12, and in assists 13-5.

 

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Canes also not keeping up on the fast break, 17-7.

 

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Omier provides some punch offensively but commits his 3rd foul with 15:36 to go. He has 13 points. Canes down by 14.

 

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Miami looking out of sorts on offense and defense, down by 20

 

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Pack and Joseph are no shows in this game. Combined for 2 points.

 

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Screen and roll game really hurting Miami among other things. The Kentucky lead is 26.

 

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This may be Kentucky's year. They are shooting 65 percent and maintaining a 23 point lead with about 9 minutes to go.

 

[BenjaminRivals]

Glaring takes in this game

Miami does not have a true point guard to run the offense.

Kentucky has the athletes to run with Miami and has shown they are better in transition.

Miami is losing the assist battle and the paint points battle by a wide margin.

Canes don't have a presence inside without Omier on the floor; got into foul trouble early.

Miami needs a third scorer to step up. It can't be just Poplar and Omier. That's not enough against the best of the best in college basketball.

 

[BenjaminRivals]

 

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