No. 6/8 Canes Visit George Washington
Dec. 16, 2017 | Noon
Smith Center | Washington, D.C.
No. 6/8 Miami (8-0) vs. George Washington (5-5)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule | Game Notes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The No. 6/8 Miami men’s basketball team returns to action Saturday following a 10-day break, traveling to George Washington to play the Colonials at noon at the Smith Center. CBS Sports Network has the television broadcast, while WQAM 560-AM has the local radio broadcast.
One of six remaining unbeaten teams in the nation, Miami (8-0) is ranked No. 6 in the latest Associated Press Poll and No. 8 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll this week. The Hurricanes’ AP ranking is their highest since a No. 5 standing on March 18, 2013.
The game serves as a homecoming for freshman guard Chris Lykes, a native of Mitchellville, Md., about 15 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. He is the leading scorer in Gonzaga College High School history (2,266 points). Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga and associate head coach Chris Caputo also spent long stints at nearby George Mason, located in Fairfax, Va. Larrañaga led GMU as head coach for 14 years, while Caputo spent nine years there. They also guided the Patriots to the 2006 NCAA Final Four.
Miami is averaging 79.3 points per game while giving up 57.1 per game. The Hurricanes have held their opponents to 57.1 points per game and 35.3 percent shooting, each of which ranks second-best nationally. UM also is limiting its opponents to 25.7 percent shooting from 3-point range, which is fourth-lowest nationally.
Five Hurricanes are averaging 9.9 or more points per game, with eight scoring at least 5.5 per game. The Hurricanes are shooting 50.3 percent as a team, including 40.3 percent from 3-point range. The Canes shot 49.3 percent (35-for-71) from 3-point range in the last three games. Dewan Huell leads four Hurricanes in double figures at 13.1 points per game.
Miami boasts the reigning ACC Rookie of the Week, Lonnie Walker IV. He scored 26 points and grabbed seven rebounds – both season highs – in his first career start on Dec. 5 against Boston University.
Yuta Watanabe leads GW in scoring (15.1), rebounding (6.9), free throw percentage (.842) and blocks (2.3). Jair
Bolden is averaging 14.5 ppg and has reached double figures in eight games. Coming off a 74-54 loss at Penn State last Saturday, the Colonials (5-5) are averaging 67.3 points per game and allowing 70.3 points per contest.
GW has won 34 of its last 36 non-conference games at Smith Center, including a 2015 upset of then-No. 6 Virginia.
Miami and GW have met four times previously, with the Colonials owning a 3-1 series edge. As part of this home-and-home series, UM won 72-64 last season in Coral Gables.
In the midst of six straight games away from home, Miami heads to the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Dec. 22-25 for three games, opening against the host school, Hawaii.
The Canes’ next home contest is Jan. 7 against Florida State. Fewer than 50 season tickets are still available to purchase beginning at only $210. Call 1-800-GO-CANES.
To keep up with the University of Miami men’s basketball team on social media, follow @CanesHoops on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
