CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Miami followed a pretty simple formula for getting a good win, and one on the road, on Wednesday night. They got strong play inside, didn’t let Boston College get very close during a second-half rally, and played a good defensive game, resulting in a 73-64 win over the Eagles.
The Hurricanes have now won three straight on the road and five of seven overall. That came after losing six of eight to start 2011, including four straight by four points or less. The close games have at times been a problem for them, as they are 5-6 in games decided by five points or less, but Wednesday night was a step in the right direction even though the final margin was nine points.
“I think we’ve got a lot of experience from being in those close games, losing and winning some,” said junior guard Malcolm Grant. “I think we understand how to handle it now, we’re not tensing up anymore.”
The Hurricanes led throughout the game, with a double-digit lead for most of the first 30 minutes. They played a significantly better first half, shooting over 53 percent and holding the Eagles to 30 percent shooting, and also not allowing the Eagles any offensive rebounds en route to a 21-10 edge on the glass. At one point, they led by 22, and had a 38-17 lead at intermission.
Boston College started to slowly cut into the lead in the second half, but by the halfway point it was down to single digits. After Boston College got within 43-33, head coach Frank Haith leaped up in front of his bench in clear frustration and signaled for big man Reggie Johnson to get back in the game. The Eagles would get within 43-36 just after he came in, and then he showed why his coach wanted him in so quickly.
Johnson got two straight conventional three-point plays, then scored inside again after two BC free throws, and just like that Miami’s lead was back to 13 once again. They led by double digits until inside of five minutes, staving off any further BC rally.
Haith noted that they never allowed Boston College to get within one possession, as they got no closer than five in the second half. Just like they finished the first half strong after the Eagles showed some late life, the Hurricanes finished strong in the second half to pull away. Boston College has done well in close games, going 7-3 in games decided by four points or less, so they did well to not let them get any closer than they did.
Johnson had 15 points on 5-8 shooting and grabbed six rebounds. The other double-digit scorers were guards, led by Grant’s 15, and together they helped the Hurricanes post a 30-16 edge in points in the paint as the guards got inside a good amount when they weren’t making three-pointers. Miami was 7-15 from long range on the night, and once Johnson got his baskets upon returning, three-pointers started falling in a classic example of an inside game opening up chances for shooters.
“We play through Reggie, and we’re good when we do that,” Haith said. “We’re not good when we come down and take quick shots. Reggie’s an unselfish player, he’ll throw it out if he doesn’t have it, and we’ve got to play through him.”
Miami’s first half defense wasn’t all the work they did at that end. The Eagles were better in the second half, but for the game still shot below 39 percent. The Hurricanes keyed on star guard Reggie Jackson, who had 15 points but was 5-14 from the field, including 1-6 from behind the arc. With that, they didn’t allow Biko Paris or leading three-point shooter Danny Rubin to get untracked, with Rubin attempting just one shot all night.
While some kind of postseason play seems likely, Miami has a lot of work to do if they are to be an NCAA Tournament team. They can still finish 8-8 in ACC play, and starting off a regular season-ending stretch with three of four on the road with a win is a good way to begin on that quest. They entered the week with an RPI of 74. They have good wins over West Virginia and Boston College (twice), but also a loss at Rutgers and to UCF (albeit when UCF had its winning streak to open the season) on a neutral court. If they don’t finish 8-8 in ACC play, they’ll likely need to win a couple of games in the ACC Tournament. The very soft bubble will help, but only so much.
Miami started the last big stretch in a good way. They showed a formula for success, one that if followed could get them to the ACC Tournament with some momentum, and perhaps get them a needed win or two there.
