Charleston Classic, Round 2: Miami vs. Akron

Nov. 21, 2014 | 2:30 p.m.
TD Arena | Charleston, S.C.

TV: ESPNU
Radio: 560 WQAM 
Web: WatchESPN

— / RV Miami: 3-0 vs. Akron, 2-0

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Learn More about Your Hurricanes
Renewed Hoops  |  Homecoming: The Angel Rodriguez Story

The Game
Miami (3-0) will face Akron at 2:30 p.m. on Friday in the Gildan Charleston Classic on ESPNU.

The Series
Miami is 1-1 against Akron, with a 69-61 neutral-site win over the Zips on Dec. 23, 2010 in the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic. Miami lost to Akron, 106-80, on Dec. 8, 1956 in Ohio.

The Broadcasts
Catch the game on ESPNU with Roy Philpott and Craig Robinson making the call. Also check out the game on 560 WQAM Radio with Joe Zagacki, the Voice of the Hurricanes.

The Coach
Head coach Jim Larrañaga has a 539-370 overall record in his 31st season as a head coach. He is 69-36 in his third season at the University of Miami.

The Polls (as of Nov. 20)
USA TODAY: Miami – RV, Akron – NR KenPom.com: Miami – 31, Akron – 142

The Weather
Projected temperatures on game day: Coral Gables – 77/72. Akron, Ohio – 25/16.

Up Next
Miami continues its 11-day road trip of five games in nine days with its third game of the Charleston Classic on Nov. 21 before heading to Charlotte for a Tuesday night matchup.

Rodriguez Leads The Way Again
Junior guard Angel Rodriguez has scored in double figures in all three games this season for the Hurricanes, with 16, 24 and 15. He scored 10 straight points for the Canes between the 17:01 and 15:13 marks to open the second half, pushing the Canes’ lead to 11. For the season, he’s hit 55.0 percent (11-20) from distance.
Rodriguez is not just a scorer for the Canes, more importantly, he is a bulldog of a defender. In each of his three games at Miami, he has had at least three steals, three assists and two rebounds. The 5-11 guard also has three blocked shots on the season and took a charge with three seconds remaining against Florida to win the game. He disrupts passes and shots with his active hands and physical play. 

Jekiri Sets Career Bests
Junior forward Tonye Jekiri posted a career night in two categories in the game against Drexel. The native of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished four assists, tying his career marks. 

His 13 rebounds tied his performance at NC State on March 1, 2014. With his 13 rebounds against Drexel, Jekiri now has secured 8+ rebounds in all three games this season. Jekiri’s four assists matched his mark vs. Syracuse on Jan. 25, 2014.
Jekiri is also making a difference in the paint, blocking six shots in three games.

Stifling Defense By The Canes
From the 10:10 to the 00:49 mark of the first half against Drexel, the Canes went on a 12-0 run going ahead, 26-18. During the run Miami held Drexel to 0-9 shooting and caused four turnovers. Miami did not allow a field goal in the last 10:10 of the first half.

Bench Points Key For The Hurricanes
The Hurricanes now have recorded 20+ points off the bench in all three games this season. Against Howard and Florida, the bench players scored 25 points and vs. Drexel, 21. On opening night, Deandre Burnett (9) led the way, followed by Ja’Quan Newton (8), James Palmer (6) and Mike Fernandez (2). Against No. 7, Palmer notched 10, Omar Sherman 8, Newton 5 and Burnett 2. In the Classic, Sherman had 8, Newton 7 and Palmer 6.

UM Can Shoot It, Too
Miami is shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 46.8 percent from three while holding opponents to 36.6 percent and 29.1 percent, respectively.
Miami has hit 29 shots from long range, including 11 vs. Drexel and nine each of the first two games. Six players have knocked down a three, led by 11 from Angel Rodriguez and seven from Manu Lecomte.
Seven of Miami’s 15 made field goals in the second half were from distance, and four of 10 in the first stanza.

Road Warriors
On Nov. 16, Miami started an 11-day roadtrip that will see the Canes play five games in nine days in three states. After an in-state matchup with Florida, Miami will play three games in the Charleston (S.C.) Classic, then wrap up the road swing with a Nov. 25 matchup against Charlotte. The players will miss five days of classes, but UM traveled the academic advisor for the trip.

Canes Receiving Vote in USA Today Poll
Miami is still receiving a vote in the USA TODAY Sports Top 25 men’s basketball coaches’ poll. Miami defeated then-No. 7 Florida on Nov. 17, and will face off against five other teams in the top 25, including five in the top 10 – Duke (No. 3), North Carolina (No. 6), Florida (No. 7), Louisville (No. 8) and Virginia (No. 9) – and No. 24 Syracuse.

Rodriguez on Cousy Watch List
Junior PG Angel Rodriguez is one of 36 players listed on the watch list for the 2015 Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard of the Year Award.