It has been a rough season for the Miami Hurricanes (14-14, 4-13). A new head coach, Tricia Cullop, was brought in to turn the program around. She possesses a very successful track record as HC of Toledo for sixteen years.
Only a single starter, senior Jasmyn Roberts, returned from last season. HC Cullop has gone with a veteran rotation of seven players that play 17.5 to 34.8 minutes per game. She brought in four grad transfers and one senior transfer to add to her returning senior. These six players make up the starting lineup and the sixth "man" off of the bench.
3209f521-miami-team.pdf
Surprisingly, the Hurricanes succeeded right away in their non-conference games with a 10-1 record. Their only loss was to Vandy of the SEC. Miami actually opened ACC play with a road victory at Pitt, 62-56, to begin 11-1. Thereafter, it was like the team played two different seasons with the step up in ACC competition too much to handle. After the opening win at Pitt, they floundered in the conference with only 3 wins in 16 games.
Today, several of these players might be participating in their final college game and I'm sure that they would like to go out with a bang. It would mean a lot to this group if they could upset Cal and end up with a winning overall record of 15-14. It's also Cal's senior day with half (7) of its roster taking part in senior ceremonies. Emotions should be running high at 2 pm this afternoon.
06d67f-acc-stats-10.pdf
The story of the abrupt turnaround in ACC play has been a weak defense. The Hurricanes have been outscored by close to ten points on average. The Stanford game last Thursday night was typical. Both teams shot over 50% for the game and the halftime score was 45-44. In the second half, Stanford asserted themselves and ran away from visitors. The Cardinal hit 14 three-pointers on the night to separate from their opposition. The Cavinder twins were the two top scorers for the Hurricanes w/ 35 points combined or 51% of their offense.
The Cavinder twins transferred from Fresno State to the state of Florida two years ago. Haley & Hanna are familiar with playing well against both Bay Area schools while at Fresno State. Three seasons (2021-22) ago, Fresno State visited Cal in Berkeley. The Cavinders went off that day for 42 combined points or 58% of the Bulldog's offense. Haley scored 24 and Hanna added 18. I remember that game well and it really felt like those two sisters were in control. The twins have a sixth sense of communication between them and Hanna is an excellent passer to Haley instantaneously in anticipation of her moves such as back-door plays, etc.
Women's Basketball University of Miami Athletics
I will briefly highlight Miami's seven player rotation:
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Haley Cavinder (#14) is a 5-6 combo guard that is the #1 offensive threat with 18.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. She is tops in threes made w/ 45 and also leads the team in assists (4.67/g). Haley is 3rd in steals (24). Cameron Williams (#44) is a 6-3 PF grad transfer from Michigan. She leads the team in rebounding with 7.1 and is 2nd in scoring w/ 11.7 points per game. The #3 scorer is the returning senior 5-10 SG Jasmyn Roberts (#4) who averages 10.0 points and is the team's top defender with 42 steals. She also is 4th in treys (22).
The other grad transfer post is 6-5 Natalija Marshall (#21) from Notre Dame. Marshall is the top shot blocker w/ 16. She adds 7.8 points to the offense and 4.7 boards on average. She is 3rd in treys with 28! The point guard, 5-6 Hanna Cavinder (#15), is key to this offense! Hanna contributes 4.18 assists and 7.0 points to the offense. She is 5th in three-pointers with 20 & 4th in steals (21).
The sixth "man" is a 5-11 senior transfer SG from Mississippi State, Darrione Rogers (#8). Rogers is the designated three-point specialist on the Hurricanes with 41 and is the most accurate (39%) threat. Highly rated freshman, Ahnay Adams (#5), has found a role as "instant energy" off of the bench and has become a defensive specialist with 30 steals. ESPN HoopGurlz rated her the #37 prospect in the nation. Adams is another 5-6 PG stereotype of the Cavinder twins.
In summary, the Miami Hurricanes only force 12.4 turnovers per game. They are also weak in three-point defense. Cal should be able to run their offense and control the boards to triumph on Senior Day, 77-62.
GO BEARS!
Only a single starter, senior Jasmyn Roberts, returned from last season. HC Cullop has gone with a veteran rotation of seven players that play 17.5 to 34.8 minutes per game. She brought in four grad transfers and one senior transfer to add to her returning senior. These six players make up the starting lineup and the sixth "man" off of the bench.
3209f521-miami-team.pdf
Surprisingly, the Hurricanes succeeded right away in their non-conference games with a 10-1 record. Their only loss was to Vandy of the SEC. Miami actually opened ACC play with a road victory at Pitt, 62-56, to begin 11-1. Thereafter, it was like the team played two different seasons with the step up in ACC competition too much to handle. After the opening win at Pitt, they floundered in the conference with only 3 wins in 16 games.
Today, several of these players might be participating in their final college game and I'm sure that they would like to go out with a bang. It would mean a lot to this group if they could upset Cal and end up with a winning overall record of 15-14. It's also Cal's senior day with half (7) of its roster taking part in senior ceremonies. Emotions should be running high at 2 pm this afternoon.
06d67f-acc-stats-10.pdf
The story of the abrupt turnaround in ACC play has been a weak defense. The Hurricanes have been outscored by close to ten points on average. The Stanford game last Thursday night was typical. Both teams shot over 50% for the game and the halftime score was 45-44. In the second half, Stanford asserted themselves and ran away from visitors. The Cardinal hit 14 three-pointers on the night to separate from their opposition. The Cavinder twins were the two top scorers for the Hurricanes w/ 35 points combined or 51% of their offense.
The Cavinder twins transferred from Fresno State to the state of Florida two years ago. Haley & Hanna are familiar with playing well against both Bay Area schools while at Fresno State. Three seasons (2021-22) ago, Fresno State visited Cal in Berkeley. The Cavinders went off that day for 42 combined points or 58% of the Bulldog's offense. Haley scored 24 and Hanna added 18. I remember that game well and it really felt like those two sisters were in control. The twins have a sixth sense of communication between them and Hanna is an excellent passer to Haley instantaneously in anticipation of her moves such as back-door plays, etc.
Women's Basketball University of Miami Athletics
I will briefly highlight Miami's seven player rotation:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Haley Cavinder (#14) is a 5-6 combo guard that is the #1 offensive threat with 18.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest. She is tops in threes made w/ 45 and also leads the team in assists (4.67/g). Haley is 3rd in steals (24). Cameron Williams (#44) is a 6-3 PF grad transfer from Michigan. She leads the team in rebounding with 7.1 and is 2nd in scoring w/ 11.7 points per game. The #3 scorer is the returning senior 5-10 SG Jasmyn Roberts (#4) who averages 10.0 points and is the team's top defender with 42 steals. She also is 4th in treys (22).
The other grad transfer post is 6-5 Natalija Marshall (#21) from Notre Dame. Marshall is the top shot blocker w/ 16. She adds 7.8 points to the offense and 4.7 boards on average. She is 3rd in treys with 28! The point guard, 5-6 Hanna Cavinder (#15), is key to this offense! Hanna contributes 4.18 assists and 7.0 points to the offense. She is 5th in three-pointers with 20 & 4th in steals (21).
The sixth "man" is a 5-11 senior transfer SG from Mississippi State, Darrione Rogers (#8). Rogers is the designated three-point specialist on the Hurricanes with 41 and is the most accurate (39%) threat. Highly rated freshman, Ahnay Adams (#5), has found a role as "instant energy" off of the bench and has become a defensive specialist with 30 steals. ESPN HoopGurlz rated her the #37 prospect in the nation. Adams is another 5-6 PG stereotype of the Cavinder twins.
In summary, the Miami Hurricanes only force 12.4 turnovers per game. They are also weak in three-point defense. Cal should be able to run their offense and control the boards to triumph on Senior Day, 77-62.
GO BEARS!
