Two games into the Puerto Rico Tipoff, Miami’s veteran bunch is knocking down shots, converting turnovers into important baskets and romping to blowout victories easily.
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Zach Smith added 15 points for the Red Raiders (3-1), who led by six at halftime, then used a 7-0 burst to stretch the lead out to double figures midway through the second half against the Gophers (3-2). Utah got sloppy and careless and couldn’t generate an effective offense and resorted to fouling to make up some ground.
It was Miami’s disruptive defense that caused Butler the most problems during a first half in which the typically mistake-free Bulldogs committed nine turnovers and allowed the Hurricanes to convert many of them into fast-break opportunities. But you are going to have those nights. Additionally, the Hurricanes also managed 10 second-chance points, in comparison to Utah’s five points. After starting the first two games, the 6-foot-11 Stone came off the bench to go 6-for-7 from the floor with five rebounds.
Boris Bojanovsky and Devon Bookert each scored 11 and Xavier Rathan-Mayes 10 for the Seminoles, who started quickly and got out to a 12-6 lead. But the rest of the day belonged to Hofstra.
With that snub still likely bothering the Hurricanes, they seem to be on a mission this season to prove that they won’t be pushovers and that they are a team that should be held in the same regard as ACC stalwarts Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and Notre Dame. “It’s why they work so hard”.
In the championship game, Jekiri posted 12 points and 12 rebounds, along with a pair of blocks and an assist against No. 22/20 Butler.
It was 61-58 before Rider’s Kahlil Thomas misfired on the front end of a 1-and-1. After a Ware layup, MSU’s Travis Daniels missed two free throws which could have tied the game. A 3-pointer by Ready had the lead trimmed to 59-58 with 8:58 left. The Blue Devils face Georgetown in the championship game Sunday. Toddrick Gotcher chipped in 12 points and 5 assists, and Devaugntah Williams scored a team-leading 13.
Of course, that wasn’t the case a few nights ago in sunny San Juan, when Poeltl and his Utes were dismantled by a solid, deep Miami Hurricanes team, 90-66.
NO. 22 BUTLER 74, TEMPLE 69: Kellen Dunham scored 16 to help the Bulldogs (3-0) overcome 36 percent shooting and a slow start in the second round of the Puerto Rico Tipoff. Chris Reyes fared well throughout the game, but had four fouls and was no match to the more physical Jekiri. It’s about making a statement to show this team and this program can’t be overlooked anymore.
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Well, it did during his last game at the Puerto Rico tournament anyhow, when the product of Austria scored a career high 32 points against Temple in a 74-68 win to close out the Utes mostly successful sojourn down south. With upwards of 25 National Basketball Association scouts checking out the action, Poeltl may yet become the most famous Austrian since Arnold Schwarzenegger.
