2005 Miami Hurricanes Basketball Preview

2005 Miami Hurricanes Team Preview

The Miami Hurricanes have one of the best backcourts, one of the most solid group of rebounders, and one of the weakest scoring frontcourts in their conference. This is a team with a fine perimeter game that can’t make the most out of its inside game.

Last year at forward/center Gary Hamilton averaged 6.3 RPG and forward/center Anthony King averaged 8.0 RPG, while guard Guillermo Diaz, who averaged 18.6 PPG, pulled down 4.3 rebounds per contest and swingman Robert Hite, who totaled 17.3 PPG, grabbed 5.0 rebounds a game. He also hit 38.1 percent from the 3-point line. Add to those averages guard Anthony Harris’s impressive 4.6 RPG and 12.4 PPG, and you’ve got a dynamic ball club.

This is a team that gets a lot of chances at second shots while prohibiting other teams from doing so. But this year’s starting forwards combined for only an average of 10.4 PPG. Last year wasn’t much better with former Hurricane William Frisby adding only an average of about 3 points per game last year.
The Canes have in the past used their rebounding efforts to generate fast break points from guards Hite and Diaz. It’s been an effective strategy but Miami should not count on it working this season. Chances are opposing coaches are ready to neutralize the duo and without an inside game Miami may find itself frustrated at the hoop.

Coach Frank Haith is back for his second season as the Hurricanes’ headman. He posted a respectable 16-13 record that was good enough to get the team to the NIT. In order to parlay that achievement into an NCAA Tournament invitation, he’ll have to become more creative on offense and get his forwards the ball more often. Creating more opportunities for quality shots will result in more opportunities for wins and a better chance at Tournament play.

For more info on the 2005 Hurricanes check out the official Miami athletic site.