#16 Miami (FL)
On an absolute tear as of late, the Hurricanes went from unranked just weeks ago to a four seed in the eyes of the committee; wins over then #4 Notre Dame and #13 Syracuse will do that. Miami (FL) is now 21-5 on the season and 9-2 in the ACC, and with a game against Louisville this weekend, have a chance at the conference regular season title. Ultimately it’s about winning the games you play, but I haven’t loved how the Canes have done that.
It took a +7 fourth quarter to squeak out a win against Boston College at home. It took a +11 fourth quarter to pull away against a bad Duke team. They lost to Clemson, albeit it a much improved Clemson, at home.
Now I admit, you could use those same examples to point out that the Canes step up in winning time, and I wouldn’t have a real counter if you made that argument. I’m just worried about this team when it comes tournament time and instead of playing the bottom of the ACC, they are playing sneaky good teams in the first round like Stephen F. Austin or (Canes fans, look away) Quinnipiac.
The Canes are good, let’s not kid ourselves, but if Katie Meyer wants to make the Sweet Sixteen for the first time ever, they are going to have to find a way to be more consistent from start to finish, and bury the teams they are superior to.