Miami needed a response after the Florida loss, and it got one in an 83-57 win over Wagner.
Henderson looked much more comfortable, the defense created running opportunities, and Miami got contributions beyond its leading scorers. The Hurricanes finished with 18 assists and shot 31/58 (53.4%) from the field. They still have things to clean up, especially from three and on the defensive glass, but this was a better night for a team that struggled to finish against Florida.
1. Henderson gave Miami the response it needed
After shooting 2/13 (15.4%) against Florida, Henderson finished with 19 points on 8/12 (66.7%) shooting against Wagner. He also had five assists, three steals and only one turnover.
The difference came inside the arc. Henderson went 8/9 (88.9%) on twos, giving Miami efficient scoring after a game where so many of those opportunities went unfinished. He also made all three free throws. The outside shot is still something to watch after an 0/3 night, but I liked that he found other ways to score and kept his teammates involved.
Miami needs this kind of production from him. He has too much ability to have the offense stall when his jumper isn’t falling.
Reneau also bounced back with 12 points on 5/7 (71.4%) shooting. The three turnovers are something to clean up, but getting efficient offense from both him and Henderson was encouraging after they combined for just 12 points against Florida.
2. The defense turned into offense
Against Florida, Miami’s turnovers became points for the Gators. This time, Miami capitalized on the mistakes it forced.
The Hurricanes finished with 10 steals and scored 20 points off Wagner’s 15 turnovers. Henderson and Cyril each had three steals, and Reneau added two. That helped Miami build a 24-3 advantage in fast-break points.
I want this team to keep finding those opportunities. When Miami can get the ball out and attack before the defense gets set, it gives its athletes room to finish. That matters even more while the outside shooting is still inconsistent.
Miami also won the paint 52-22 and held Wagner to 21/63 (33.3%) shooting. The Hurricanes scored efficiently inside while making things difficult at the other end.
3. Dante Allen gave Miami a little of everything
Allen had one of my favorite stat lines of the night. In 17 minutes, he finished with eight points, six rebounds, five assists, and a steal, with just one turnover.
He shot 2/2 (100%) from the field and 4/4 (100%) at the line. That’s a lot of productive basketball in limited minutes. Miami got scoring, rebounding, and another player who could keep the ball moving.
Gaskins also gave Miami 11 points and six rebounds on 5/8 (62.5%) shooting. After dealing with foul trouble against Florida, he stayed on the floor for 29 minutes and contributed.
Bland supplied nine points, with all three of his makes coming from deep. He went 3/7 (42.9%) from three, accounting for three of Miami’s five made threes. Miller added seven points in nine minutes. Miami will need those contributions throughout the season.
4. The shooting and defensive rebounding still need work
Miami went 5/19 (26.3%) from three after shooting 4/17 (23.5%) against Florida. Through two games, that’s 9/36 (25%).
Bland gave Miami a lift from outside, but the rest of the team went 2/12 (16.7%). I still want to see more guys become reliable threats from deep. Against teams that can make it harder to finish inside, Miami will need those shots to fall.
Wagner also grabbed 11 offensive rebounds. Miami won the overall rebounding battle 36–33, but it has to do a better job finishing defensive possessions. Giving an opponent another shot can undo a good stretch of defense.
The free throws were a positive. Miami went 16/18 (88.9%), up from 21/30 (70%) against Florida. Making those chances count is something this team can build on even while it works through the outside shooting.
Moving forward
Miami got better nights from Henderson and Reneau, created offense with its defense, and had several guys contribute around them. That’s what I wanted to see after the opener.
The next step is to get more consistent from three and finish possessions on the glass. Miami was able to build a 32-point lead against Wagner while working through those issues. I want to see the Hurricanes address them before they become the difference in a closer game.
Miami needed a response after the Florida loss, and it got one in an 83-57 win over Wagner.
Henderson looked much more comfortable, the defense created running opportunities, and Miami got contributions beyond its leading scorers. The Hurricanes finished with 18 assists and shot 31/58 (53.4%) from the field. They still have things to clean up, especially from three and on the defensive glass, but this was a better night for a team that struggled to finish against Florida.
1. Henderson gave Miami the response it needed
After shooting 2/13 (15.4%) against Florida, Henderson finished with 19 points on 8/12 (66.7%) shooting against Wagner. He also had five assists, three steals and only one turnover.
The difference came inside the arc. Henderson went 8/9 (88.9%) on twos, giving Miami efficient scoring after a game where so many of those opportunities went unfinished. He also made all three free throws. The outside shot is still something to watch after an 0/3 night, but I liked that he found other ways to score and kept his teammates involved.
Miami needs this kind of production from him. He has too much ability to have the offense stall when his jumper isn’t falling.
Reneau also bounced back with 12 points on 5/7 (71.4%) shooting. The three turnovers are something to clean up, but getting efficient offense from both him and Henderson was encouraging after they combined for just 12 points against Florida.
2. The defense turned into offense
Against Florida, Miami’s turnovers became points for the Gators. This time, Miami capitalized on the mistakes it forced.
The Hurricanes finished with 10 steals and scored 20 points off Wagner’s 15 turnovers. Henderson and Cyril each had three steals, and Reneau added two. That helped Miami build a 24-3 advantage in fast-break points.
I want this team to keep finding those opportunities. When Miami can get the ball out and attack before the defense gets set, it gives its athletes room to finish. That matters even more while the outside shooting is still inconsistent.
Miami also won the paint 52-22 and held Wagner to 21/63 (33.3%) shooting. The Hurricanes scored efficiently inside while making things difficult at the other end.
3. Dante Allen gave Miami a little of everything
Allen had one of my favorite stat lines of the night. In 17 minutes, he finished with eight points, six rebounds, five assists, and a steal, with just one turnover.
He shot 2/2 (100%) from the field and 4/4 (100%) at the line. That’s a lot of productive basketball in limited minutes. Miami got scoring, rebounding, and another player who could keep the ball moving.
Gaskins also gave Miami 11 points and six rebounds on 5/8 (62.5%) shooting. After dealing with foul trouble against Florida, he stayed on the floor for 29 minutes and contributed.
Bland supplied nine points, with all three of his makes coming from deep. He went 3/7 (42.9%) from three, accounting for three of Miami’s five made threes. Miller added seven points in nine minutes. Miami will need those contributions throughout the season.
4. The shooting and defensive rebounding still need work
Miami went 5/19 (26.3%) from three after shooting 4/17 (23.5%) against Florida. Through two games, that’s 9/36 (25%).
Bland gave Miami a lift from outside, but the rest of the team went 2/12 (16.7%). I still want to see more guys become reliable threats from deep. Against teams that can make it harder to finish inside, Miami will need those shots to fall.
Wagner also grabbed 11 offensive rebounds. Miami won the overall rebounding battle 36–33, but it has to do a better job finishing defensive possessions. Giving an opponent another shot can undo a good stretch of defense.
The free throws were a positive. Miami went 16/18 (88.9%), up from 21/30 (70%) against Florida. Making those chances count is something this team can build on even while it works through the outside shooting.
Moving forward
Miami got better nights from Henderson and Reneau, created offense with its defense, and had several guys contribute around them. That’s what I wanted to see after the opener.
The next step is to get more consistent from three and finish possessions on the glass. Miami was able to build a 32-point lead against Wagner while working through those issues. I want to see the Hurricanes address them before they become the difference in a closer game.
