Miami's Secret Weapon has Emerged as an Offensive Star
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CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Miami Hurricanes (19-5, 8-3 ACC) continue to surprise many around the country who are not paying attention to the team.
For those who are, there are key pieces that have grown into multiple roles throughout the season. Leading scorer Malik Reneau has been a force inside the paint but has also been a facilitator at a high level.
Shelton Henderson has been the primary ball defender against whoever's team superstar is in the closing minutes of close games.
And now, the Hurricanes have found their fourth option, in high-flying shot-blocking center Ernest Udeh Jr.
"Ernest is one of the people I'm probably on the most, and he'll probably tell you that and the team would tell you that If I if you ask him, and I had to get on him in a timeout because he was giving in to fatigue and he was getting tired," Lucas said.
"And then he came out, and he got three huge offensive rebounds right after that timeout, and he got the lob. He closed the game for us. His growth since he's been here has been amazing. There's not enough I could say about Ernest."
Udeh had his best game of the season against No. 11 North Carolina. He finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, notching his fourth double-double of the season, highlighting his ability to score with force.
Flying is an understatement. Udeh touched the sky against the Tar Heels, and alongside Reneau, both dominated in the paint. It highlighted the best of the Hurricanes.
"It's huge for us because those guys are a big part of what we do and for them it's what I expect from them because I think they're that good," Lucas said. "I believe that as a big combo there is not many that's better than them. So their impact and their stat sheet should look like this every night. I don't think the rebounding is just more effort than anything. Ernest in the second half and the last 10 minutes changed the game. That's something we have to do at all times."
How to Watch: MIami at NC State
Who: Miami Hurricanes and North Carolina Wolfpack
When: Saturday, Feb 14, 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Where: William Neal Reynolds Coliseum
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WQAM 104.3
Last Outing, NC State: The Wolfpack got obliterated on the road against Louisville, with Mikel Brown breaking a freshman record by scoring 45 points. This will be a game where they look to bounce back and prepare to down the Canes after getting run off the floor on the road.
Last Outing, Miami: The Hurricanes picked up the biggest win of their season against North Carolina. I was a well-balanced attack between the team and their defensive efforts. This also helps with where the Hurricanes are trying to be in the future.
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Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism. During his time in Starkville, he spent a year as an intern working for Mississippi State On SI primarily covering basketball, football, baseball, and soccer while writing, recording, and creating multimedia stories during his tenor. Since graduating, he has assumed the role of lead staff writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI covering football, basketball, baseball, and all things Hurricanes related.