UM Hurricanes lose 46-44 to Virginia after costly mistake; Lykes injures nose
The coronavirus scare was evident on the Watsco Center basketball court Wednesday night. During pre-game warmups, University of Miami coach Jim Larranaga and University of Virginia coach Tony Bennett approached each other for handshakes, hesitated, and opted for fist bumps.
Their assistant coaches followed suit, and the players and referees did elbow and fist bumps rather than handshakes.
Once the game began, there was contact as usual and defending national champion Virginia edged the Hurricanes 46-44. Miami was in position to win the game or send it into overtime with the score tied at 44-44 and under 10 seconds to go, but a miscommunication between Larranaga and UM freshman guard Harlond Beverly prevented that chance.
Larranaga, who thought UM forward Sam Waardenburg was fouled on the previous play, was yelling “Foul! Foul!” to the referee. Beverly thought the coach was shouting at him to foul Kihei Clark, so he did. Clark went to the line with eight seconds remaining, and made the game-clinching free throws. UM’s D.J. Vasiljevic heaved a final-second jumper, but missed.
Chris Lykes injured
In addition to losing the game, the Hurricanes may have lost point guard Chris Lykes for Saturday’s game against Syracuse – and maybe longer. Lykes, who led UM with 16 points, left the court with 12 minutes left after taking an elbow to the face. He went to the emergency room to have his nose area X-rayed and his status is unknown.
“It was one heck of a basketball game, and then I messed it up at the end,” Larranaga said. “I thought Sam got the offensive rebound and got fouled inside. And I was yelling to the referee “Foul, foul” and Harlond thought I meant for him to foul, he was listening to me, so we didn’t get a chance to defend them in that last possession. It was a terrible way to end a game we were in position to win.”
Beverly took the blame, saying he should have been paying more attention to the foul situation. “I just heard him yell `Foul’. I was my fault, 100 percent on me. I should have been more aware.”
Even Bennett felt for Beverly.
“I felt bad for him, but we had to take advantage of it,” said Bennett. “We’ll take them however we can get them. I’m not going to apologize for the victory, but it was a hard situation. I have great admiration for Coach Larranaga and his staff.”
The 22nd-ranked Cavaliers imposed their trademark Pack Line Defense, ensuring a low-scoring evening. After 13 minutes, including 5-minute scoring droughts by each team, the game was tied 9-9. At halftime, Virginia led Miami 24-23.
“It hasn’t always been aesthetically pleasing, but we found a way,” said Bennett.
The smallest man on the court, Lykes, scored 14 of Miami’s first 18 points. His night ended after being hit in the face by teammate Sam Waardenburg as they both went up for a rebound.
The tallest man on the court, 7-foot-1 center Jay Huff, scored the first 17 points for the Cavs (22-7, 14-5 ACC), and was held scoreless the rest of the game.
Miami was hoping to get back on track Wednesday after a pair of road losses at Georgia Tech and Notre Dame. They had won the previous three games, including a 102-95 triple-overtime victory at Virginia Tech.
Syracuse up next
The Hurricanes (14-15, 6-13 ACC) play their final regular-season game at home Saturday against Syracuse. It will be Senior Day, a special day for D.J. Vasiljevic, the team’s lone true senior. The Australian sharpshooter ranks third all-time at Miami in three-pointers made (262) and attempted (714). He has scored 1,231 points during his career.
“It’s been a blur,” Vasiljevic said of his four years at UM. “I remember Davon Reed taking me under his wing. Now I am trying to do the same thing with the freshman, my sister in law and best friend got here last week. Another friend is coming this week. I got emotional watching Bea (women’s team senior Beatrice Mompremier) at their Senior Day, and I know it will be the same for mine.”
Rodney Miller, a redshirt junior, said he will miss Vasiljevic.
“We’ve been here 4 years, been here together, everybody’s leaving, things go by so fast,” Miller said. “D.J. made an impact from the first day. He is one of the best shooters I’ve ever played with. I’m proud of all his accolades. I know he’s left his mark, especially the shooting records in practice. I don’t think anyone will ever break those.”
The ACC Tournament begins Mar. 10 in Greensboro, N.C.