Miami defeats UL Monroe 104-79
Miami Dominates UL Monroe in Statement Win
The Miami Hurricanes made a statement on Saturday night, cruising to a 104-79 victory over the visiting UL Monroe Warhawks at Watsco Center. The blowout win was a confidence booster for the Hurricanes, who have been expected to be one of the top teams in the ACC this season.
The game was a masterclass in efficiency and execution, with Miami's high-powered offense putting on a show against the Warhawks' defense. The Hurricanes shot 60% from the field, including 44% from three-point range, and made 53% of their free throws. UL Monroe, on the other hand, struggled to contain Miami's shooting, allowing them to take advantage of open looks.
Malik Reneau led the way for Miami with 22 points, while Ernest Udeh Jr. added 14 points and 15 rebounds. Tre Donaldson chipped in with 18 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds, making him a triple-double threat on both ends of the floor.
For UL Monroe, MJ Russell led the way with 18 points, but the Warhawks struggled to keep up with Miami's pace. Lavell Brodnex added 10 points and 13 rebounds, but UL Monroe's shooting woes limited their chances.
The game was never close, with Miami taking an early lead and expanding it throughout the contest. At halftime, the Hurricanes led by 11 points, but it only got worse from there. The largest deficit of the game came when Miami took a 25-point lead in the third quarter, which UL Monroe was unable to recover.
The final margin of 25 points is a testament to Miami's dominance on both ends of the floor. They outrebounded UL Monroe by 19 and held them to just 44% shooting from the field. The Hurricanes also took care of the ball, committing just eight turnovers to UL Monroe's ten.
Miami's win over UL Monroe was expected, but it was still a statement victory that shows the team is capable of beating top-level opponents. With this win, the Hurricanes take a big step forward in their quest for an ACC title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Advanced Statistics
Miami's 67.9% eFG% and 67.1% true shooting percentage were impressive, but what really stood out was their ability to dominate in the paint. They outscored UL Monroe by 40 points in the paint, with 62 of those points coming from two-point shots.
UL Monroe struggled to contain Miami's three-point shooting, allowing them to take advantage of open looks. The Warhawks' 47% three-point shooting percentage was a significant improvement over their 44% showing on the road against Florida State last week.
Rankings
Miami is ranked No. 10 in the AP Poll, and their win over UL Monroe only solidifies their position as one of the top teams in the country. The Hurricanes are expected to be a major player in the ACC Tournament, and this win gives them momentum heading into conference play.
With this win, Miami takes a big step forward in their quest for an NCAA Tournament bid. They will look to build on this momentum when they host Florida State next week.