Heat’s Duncan Robinson enjoying Michigan’s football run. Also, Erik Spoelstra on Gabe Vincent
Yes, Duncan Robinson would like to watch his alma mater play for its first college football national championship since 1997. But the Miami Heat’s sharpshooter won’t be able to.
On the same day the Michigan Wolverines take on the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Monday in Houston, the Heat will be hosting the Houston Rockets in Miami.
“I’m up in the air right now. I’ve got a meeting with [Heat coach Erik Spoelstra] about it,” Robinson joked following Wednesday’s morning shootaround held at UCLA, when asked whether he’ll skip the Heat’s game on Monday to watch Michigan play for a title. “No, obviously I’ll be in Miami. I’m excited to play, but I would have liked it to have fallen on an off day.”
Robinson started his college career at Division III Williams College before transferring to play three seasons at Michigan. He was then signed by the Heat after going undrafted in 2018 and has since established himself as one of the NBA’s top three-point shooters.
The Heat’s social media team captured Robinson watching the final moments of Michigan’s overtime win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl on Monday. While preparing to take on the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena, Robinson watched the final seconds of the game on the Heat’s bench during pregame warumps alongside assistant coach Chris Quinn before jumping in celebration when Michigan clinched the overtime victory and a trip to the national championship game.
“I’m a Michigan fan, in general,” Robinson said. “I wouldn’t call myself fair weather, but I like to be a little bit more vocal about it when things are going well than when things aren’t. But obviously, I’m a fan of Michigan. I spent a lot of time there, four years there. So it’s nice to see them doing well.”
The adversity that Michigan’s football program has faced this season stemming from an alleged sign-stealing scheme that resulted in head coach Jim Harbaugh being suspended for part of the 2023 regular season led Harbaugh to call Michigan “America’s Team.” Robinson agrees with that label.
“We’re America’s team, man,” Robinson said. “Jimmy said it best, Jimmy Harbaugh that is, America loves an underdog that’s fought through some adversity. They’ve been through quite a bit, so I think he’s right on in saying we’re America’s team.”
GABE’S SITUATION
Gabe Vincent, who left the Heat to sign with the Lakers in free agency this past offseason, will miss Wednesday’s game against his former team after undergoing surgery on his left knee last month. The hope is that Vincent will be able to return at some point this season.
Vincent has played in just five games in his first season with the Lakers, as his knee problems have limited his availability. He missed both of the Lakers’ games against the Heat this season.
“I do feel for Gabe because I know how much he puts into this game and how professional he is,” Spoelstra said. “He does everything that he needs to do behind the scenes. For him to have to get to that point for surgery, I’m sure he tried to push it off and find any other avenue to get out there and play. But he’ll be back soon. That rehab process, whatever it looks like, he’ll give every ounce and focus on getting himself ready.”
Vincent, 27, signed a fully guaranteed three-year contract worth $33 million to join the Lakers this past summer after spending the previous four seasons with the Heat.
CHANGE IN PLANS
The NBA on Wednesday dropped the Heat’s Feb. 27 road game against the Portland Trail Blazers from TNT’s national schedule.
The game was put on the initial national television schedule in August amid Blazers icon Damian Lillard’s then-unresolved trade request to the Heat. But Lillard was instead traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Heat-Blazers matchup in Portland will now air on Bally Sports Sun.
This story was originally published January 3, 2024 at 4:57 PM.
