Hurricanes Arrive, Practice in Greensboro on Wednesday
March 2, 2011
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The `Canes have arrived.
Two days before their first game in this week’s Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament, No. 10 Miami had a busy day in and out of airports and arenas on Wednesday.
IMPORTANT DAYS ARE AHEAD
The second-seeded Hurricanes are one of four teams – along with top-seed Duke, No. 3-seed Florida State and No. 4-seed North Carolina – to earn a first round bye and a `day off’ on Thursday.
The `Canes (26-3, 12-2 ACC) will await the winner of No. 7-seed Boston College and No. 10-seed NC State for a second round match-up at 6 p.m. on Friday in the Greensboro Coliseum.
GETTING TO GREENSBORO
The first few players began arriving at the BankUnited Center shortly after 8 a.m. to grab some breakfast and take care of some last-minute details before heading out.
Shortly thereafter, fans, cheerleaders, members of the media and some UM staffers began gathering in front of the arena to help send the team off.
By 9 a.m., coaches, players and support staff had all boarded a bus headed to Miami International Airport.
Once there, the `Canes hopped on an American Airlines regional jet (UM’s travel party took up over half of the 50-seat American Eagle) and made the two-hour trip to Greensboro, arriving at 1:05 p.m.
A quick 10 minute drive to the Sheraton Greensboro gave the `Canes an hour to get settled in and eat some lunch before they were off to their first tourney practice in North Carolina.
COURT TIME
The `Canes spent an hour-and-a-half on the court at UNC Greensboro’s Fleming Gymnasium before heading down the street to the Greensboro Coliseum for the team’s designated shootaround time that all 12 ACC teams are allotted on Wednesday.
At the team’s practice, focus was kept primarily on fast break and defensive drills – two areas the `Canes consistently dominate their opponents. They ended practice with some spirited half court sets, where Riquna Williams and Stefanie Yderstrom stood out offensively.
“Practice went well today,” head coach Katie Meier said. “We are continuing to focus on team passing and emphasizing how much it matter to our success. It has really improved our team chemistry this year and I want to continue to make that a priority.”
The team then used their time at the shootaround getting accustomed to playing in the much larger 23,500-seat arena.
“It was great to be on the floor and back in the coliseum,” Shenise Johnson said. “It really brings back memories….bad memories. I definitely think that is motivation. We don’t want to come here and be one-and-done.
“We want to continue to be relaxed and have fun,” Johnson added. “That is what got us here.”
ON TAP TOMORROW
While so much of the team’s attention this week is on the ACC Tournament, the Hurricanes still have to remain focused on their school work. After an early breakfast, the `Canes will spend the rest of the morning in study hall continuing their regular coursework while here in Greensboro.
The team will then hold its final practice early in the afternoon before attending the NC State-Boston College game at 6 p.m. Following that game, the team will eat and then watch film to get ready for Friday.
