Miami - St. Marys Preview

South- Round One
Miami Hurricanes (7) Vs. St. Mary’s Gaels (10)
Friday, March 21 @ 12:30 pm
Betting Line From Bookmaker: Miami -1

It was not expected that the Miami Hurricanes (8- 8 ACC, 22- 10 overall) would start their season 12- 0 or that they would win 22 games. But they did, finishing fifth and not last in the ACC. Along the way, they beat Duke, Clemson and Virginia Tech. It has been six years since the Canes have been to the Tournament, so this berth is a true victory.

One reason for the Hurricanes’ success is Jack McClinton (17.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.6 APG). McClinton lead the league in three-point field goals made, three-point field goal percentage and free- throw percentage. He misses his frees less than 10% of the time. At guard, sophomore James Dews (10.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, .372 3-PT%), who also misses less than 10% of his charity throws, is a solid player. Forward Dwayne Collins (8.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG), a sophomore, is the clubs’ leading shooter, hitting 56% from the floor.

St, Marys’ Gaels (12- 2 WCC, 25-6 overall) finished just behind the WCC’s perennial first-place team-- Gonzaga. The clubs’ 25- 6 record and split of the season series with the Zags earned the Gaels a trip to the Big Dance.

There are three main performers on the team. Freshman guard Patrick Mills (14.5 PPG, 21 RPG, 3.4 APG), who offers better than average field goal shooting (.757), cranks out points every game and devotes himself to making things happen. Forward Daimon Simpson (13.6 PPG, 9.5 RPG) and center Omar Samhan (10.6 PPG, 7.3 APG) are first and second in rebounds. Simpson, however, is averaging 3.1 turnovers per game and must control the ball more carefully. If St. Mary’s up-tempo game can be slowed down, they can be beaten.

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