Texas Basketball: 3 keys to victory vs. Miami
By Shane Black
Keep the Miami backcourt in check
One thing that stands out about this Miami team is their talent and depth in the backcourt.
Wong was the ACC Player of the Year. Jordan Miller was a Second Team All-ACC selection. Nigel Pack is averaging 19.7 points per game this tournament. That trio alone is good enough to carry you to a Final Four. Still, Coach Larranaga also has three other guards in Wooga Poplar, Bensley Joseph, and Harlond Beverly, that average 12+ minutes per game.
When one guy is cold, this offense has another five to turn to.
The Texas defense, specifically the backcourt defense, has been superb all tournament. The Longhorns have been picking up at half court, forcing passes to the wing out to 30 feet, and been generally disruptive any time the opposition tries to get into an offensive set. In the last two games, Texas held Penn State’s Jalen Pickett to 11 points and Xavier’s Souley Boum to 12. Those outputs were due to relentless pressure from the Longhorn guards.
Tyrese Hunter sets the tone on defense and will likely be matched up with Wong or Pack for most of the game. Texas must guard those two out to 28 feet, as neither are shy about taking (and making) logo threes.
Although this Miami team has one of the best backcourts in the country, I believe the Longhorns will be ready for this test. Playing against Baylor and TCU twice during the Big 12 gauntlet prepared them for this moment. More importantly, Coach Rodney Terry has made this team believe their defense can carry them to a National Championship.