Miami returns to Watsco Center Sunday with a chance to keep momentum rolling before the calendar flips into the ACC schedule. North Florida visits for a 4 p.m. tip on ACC Network.
Miami carries a 10-2 record on the season and sits at No. 33 in the latest NET rankings. Miami also received votes in this week’s AP Top 25, while the Ospreys come in with a 2-9 record.
On the floor, the offense continues to set the tone. Miami scores 88.2 points per game and shoots 51.9% from the field. Malik Reneau anchors the attack at 20.5 points per game, and guard Tre Donaldson drives tempo with 6.8 assists. Tru Washington supplies pressure at the point of attack, leading the team with 2.5 steals, while Ernest Udeh Jr. controls the paint at 9.4 rebounds per game.
The Hurricanes also enter with recent reason for excitement. Freshman Shelton Henderson erupted for 30 points in a 98-81 win over FIU on Dec. 16, turning a tight game into a comfortable finish after halftime. That kind of punch changes the scouting report on the Canes, especially with Miami’s wings cutting hard and filling lanes in transition.
North Florida brings a guard-led profile. Kamrin Oriol leads the Ospreys at 17.5 points and 3.7 assists per game and hits 40.3 percent from 3-point range. Kent Jackson adds 11.4 points, and Mason Lee leads the team at 4.5 rebounds. As a team, North Florida scores 79.8 points per game, shoots 34.9 percent from deep, and commits 13.7 turnovers per game.
Miami owns a 7-0 series lead in the all-time series and last beat North Florida 95-55 on Dec. 29, 2023.
Three keys Sunday
- Set the defensive tone early. Miami allows 67.8 points per game, so the Canes can turn this into a grind if they want.
- Stay attached on the arc. Oriol’s shotmaking punishes late closeouts.
- Win the possession battle. North Florida’s turnover rate gives Miami a runway for easy points.
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