No. 10 Miami Beats Iowa State, Advances to Face No. 1 Kansas in Elite Eight

The 10th-seeded Miami Hurricanes defeated the 11th-seeded Iowa State Cyclones 70-56 in the Candy 16 on Friday at United Heart to acquire a berth in the Elite Eight for the foremost time at school historical past. 

Miami entered having gained five of its remaining six games, including wins over the USC Trojans in the foremost spherical and 2d-seeded Auburn Tigers in the 2d spherical of the NCAA tournament. 

The Hurricanes’ clutch over the Tigers used to be stunning as Auburn used to be picked as regarded as one of many teams that also can clutch the title. Miami outscored Auburn 46-29 in the 2d half of that matchup and continued that momentum into the Candy 16. 

Distinguished Performers

Kameron McGusty, Miami: 27 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST, 4 STL

Tyrese Hunter, Iowa State: 13 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK

Jordan Miller, Miami: 16 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK

Izaiah Brockington, Iowa State: 11 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL

Sam Waardenburg, Miami: 13 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 3 BLK

Gabe Kalscheur, Iowa State: 13 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL

Hurricanes’ Offense Prevails In opposition to Defensive-Minded Cyclones

The Iowa State protection had impressed by unheard of of the NCAA tournament. And while it played smartly on Friday against Miami, it wasn’t sufficient to cease an offense that has averaged 74.7 substances per game this season, in accordance with Sports actions Reference.

Miami made 26 of 56 photographs from the floor and 9 of 26 photographs from deep in the clutch.

Hurricanes guards Jordan Miller and Kameron McGusty were in particular effective against the Cyclones, combining for 43 substances, 13 rebounds and three assists in the clutch. 

This must reach as minute surprise, though, as McGusty entered averaging 17.5 substances per game, which leads the team, and Miller entered averaging 10.1 substances per game. 

After finishing 10-17 remaining season, head coach Jim Larranaga has fully revamped his team’s offense this 300 and sixty five days. Moreover McGusty and Miller, Isaiah Wong and Charlie Moore averaged double digits this season. 

Whereas McGusty and Miller had sturdy performances against the Cyclones, Sam Waardenburg additionally had regarded as one of his better games of the tournament, finishing with 13 substances, eight rebounds and five assists. 

Waardenburg’s play down the stretch helped Miami end things out in a no longer easy 2d half against a Cyclones team that wouldn’t be silenced unless the remaining whistle. 

Miami’s offense is aloof going to must be unheard of better in the next spherical. Because the opponents will get more difficult, avid gamers love Wong and Moore want to indulge in better performances than they did on Friday evening. 

Cyclones’ Offensive Struggles On Stout Show In Loss

Iowa State has been regarded as one of many most impressive teams in college basketball this season. After finishing the 2020-21 campaign with a 2-22 file, the team finishes 22-13 this 300 and sixty five days below first-300 and sixty five days head coach TJ Otzelberger.

But while Otzelberger molded the Cyclones into regarded as one of many most straightforward defensive teams in college basketball, his squad’s offense has been subpar all season.

Iowa State’s offensive struggles were on fleshy show conceal against Miami, too, because the team made appropriate form 25 of 68 photographs from the floor and 4 of 22 photographs from deep.

The Cyclones’ top scorers were Tyrese Hunter and Gabe Kalscheur, who both done with 13 substances. As compared, the Hurricanes’ leading scorer used to be McGusty, and he done with 27 substances.

Iowa State averaged 65.9 substances per game this season, which is severely low, so it be no longer basically surprising that it struggled to rating on Friday.

Going in subsequent season, Otzelberger is regularly having a expect more offensive manufacturing out of his team and avid gamers to pair with Izaiah Brockington and Tyrese Hunter.

What’s Next?

Miami will face the No. 1 seed Kansas Jayhawks in the Elite Eight on Saturday.