Happy Monday, everybody. Hope your week has gotten off to a good start.
As it’s Monday, and plenty has gone on in the Hurricanes’ sports world, let’s get down to it….
1) The Miami Hurricanes pulled off a Houdini act in Raleigh to cap a terrific week.
It felt like it was going to be one of those games on Saturday in Raleigh. The Hurricanes fought valiantly, but a tough road win in a hostile environment seemed like it had fizzled away. After being up 69-65, the Wolfpack went on an 11-0 run to take control with a minute left.
But then, the Hurricanes flipped the script with the comeback of their season so far.
I remember thinking something like, “well, I guess I’ll see if they score here” before I turned the TV off, but Malik Renau drove and converted an and-1 to keep hope temporarily alive. Then, the Canes’ hopes spiked after a Dante Allen steal. Renau missed a three, but Tru Washington, who was about to become a hero, made a putback to draw to 76-74.
After another steal, Tre Donaldson went for the lead with a three, but missed, and State got the rebound and was fouled. But with State in a 1-and-1, it was not over. And sure enough, they missed the front end and Miami had life.
With 3.7 seconds left, NCSU fouled Washington near the corner on a three, and he got him on the hand on the follow through. It was a legit call. Washington stepped to the line and knocked down all three for the win. And credit to the Canes’ defense on the break back down the floor for staying with the State player, but not fouling, who bricked it off the backboard to end the game.
That’s a great win for Miami, and it comes on the heels (pun clearly intended) of their upset over No. 11 North Carolina on Tuesday at the Wat. That’s the only scheduled meeting this year between the schools, and Miami made the most of it.
What a week. Keep on stacking wins.
2) As far as bracketology, the Canes now sit as a 9 seed in CBS Sports’ version, but they still aren’t getting much love from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.
Lunardi hasn’t updated his bracket since before Saturday, but then Miami was the last team to get a “bye” — aka the final 10 seed. Not much love for that UNC upset. If he bumps them up to the nine line in his next version, that would be progress. They deserve it and more.
That’s where CBS Sports has Miami right now their bracket, as a nine seed.
3) Corey Hetherman deserved the Frank Broyles Award. Unfortunately, he didn’t get it.
It went to Indiana’s DC, but man, tell me a better turnaround job that ANYONE in the country did than Hetherman. He took a unit that finished the 2024 season as one of the Power Four’s worst groups and made them the most vicious defensive unit in the country by the end of the season.
And if we’re splitting hairs here, his defense held Indiana to 20, while Miami scored 21 on their defense (and yes, I’m taking one final veiled shot at he-who-shall-not-be-named’s blocking attempt on the blocked punt that ultimately helped decide the game. Sue me.)
No coach in the country did a better job than Hetherman this season, awards be damned.
4) Canes baseball did what you’d expect them to do: absolutely slug their way to a season-opening sweep of Lehigh over the weekend at the Light.
The Canes took the weekend series by scores of 13-2, 17-11, and 27-3. Yeah. They can slug. And they had a couple of guys who had particularly notable weekends. Derek Williams was named the ACC Player of the Week for his efforts. He went 8-11 at the plate with four doubles, two home runs, and six RBIs, and eight runs. NC State transfer catcher Alex Sosa went 6-10 in the first two games combined with three home runs. Yeah, it’s early and it’s Lehigh, but I feel pretty good about the offense already.
The pitching was fine except for Saturday, when starter Lazaro Collera was tagged for 5 ER in 3.2 innings. AJ Ciscar was strong in the opener, allowing one earned run in five innings with seven strikeouts and no walks.
We’ll see how things go as the schedule improves, starting on Tuesday night against UCF at home.
Go Canes!