Winless Coppin State faces tall task vs. undefeated Miami

Field Level Media|published: Sat 16th November, 14:17 2024

Mar 12, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; Miami (Fl) Hurricanes head coach Jim Larranaga reacts after a foul call in their game against the Boston College Eagles in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Pick your proverbial poison.

That's what this young basketball season has been like for the Miami Hurricanes (2-0), who on Sunday will host the Coppin State Eagles (0-5).

In Miami's opener, Fairleigh Dickinson swarmed Hurricanes players who even thought about shooting a 3-pointer.

As a result, Miami attacked the rim, tying a school record for shooting percentage (66.7) while cruising to a 113-72 win. Center Lynn Kidd, making his Miami debut, scored 24 points on 10-for-11 shooting.

In Miami's second game, Binghamton double-teamed Kidd repeatedly. As a result, Kidd was held to just six points, but starting guards Nijel Pack and Jalen Blackmon scored 17 each.

"We're versatile on offense," Pack said. "We have so many weapons. Our offense, as long as we continue to keep getting better each game, with our defense, and continue to learn, we should be set."

Indeed, Pack (19.0 ppg), Blackmon (16.0) and Kidd (15.0) are Miami's leading scorers. Pack also leads the team in assists (5.5), and Blackmon is No. 1 in 3-point percentage (60.0).

Miami's other top veterans are Brandon Johnson (8.5 points, team-high 8.0 rebounds) and Matthew Cleveland (9.0 points, 5.5 rebounds).

Two freshmen also have been impressive for the Hurricanes, as Divine Ugochukwu and Jalil Bethea are both averaging 11.0 points per game.

Pack and Blackmon both played high school ball in Indiana. Yet, they had never played on the same team until this season, when Blackmon transferred in from Stetson.

Blackmon said the quality of players around him this season has improved his game. "I find it a lot easier when you're playing with such good players that can make plays for you and you can make plays for them, so I don't have to take as tough shots," he said. "I can get easier shots and can help other guys get easy shots as well."

Meanwhile, Coppin State is coached by Larry Stewart, a former NBA forward. Last season was his first as a head coach, and Coppin State finished with a 2-27 record.

As a player, Stewart led Coppin State to its first-ever NCAA Tournament (1990). Two years later, he became the first undrafted player to make the NBA's All-Rookie team.

As for his players at Coppin State, they have been clearly outmatched. So far this season, for example, Coppin State has just one player averaging in double figures as a scorer: Derrius Ward, a 6-6 shooting guard.

Ward, a fifth-year senior, is on his fifth college team. He is averaging 12.4 points this season.

Added Stewart: "Derrius has been a bright spot for us."

--Field Level Media