Texas Basketball: 3 keys to victory vs. Miami

Win the rebounding battle

I do not use the term “battle” lightly. When it comes to rebounding the basketball in this game, it will be a battle.

Miami does not play with a traditional center. Similarly to Penn State, the Canes typically run a four-out, one-in offense with Norchad Omier (6-foot-7) or Anthony Walker (6-foot-9) as their biggest guy on the court. Despite their lack of size, Miami does a terrific job of crashing the glass and rebounding as a team. In their win over Houston, the Canes split the rebounding battle 35-35 with one of the best rebounding teams in the country.

Omier is the player to look out for. He leads this team in rebounding with 10.1 per game and has 44 boards (16 offensive) in three games this tournament. He is a high-energy player who creates a lot of extra chances for an offense that will burn you on kick-out treys.

For Texas to limit Omier and the other Canes on the glass, the effort must be 110 percent every time a shot goes up. This is a game where a momentary lapse can cost you big time. If I were Coach Terry, I would commit all five players to the defensive boards instead of looking for transition leak-outs.

It is paramount the Horns do not give Miami easy buckets. One way to avoid that is to limit their second-chance opportunities.