Miami returns home hoping to bounce back from its first loss when it hosts Elon on Thursday in Coral Gables, Florida.
After winning their first three games, the Hurricanes (3-1) lost Sunday in Jacksonville against the reigning national champion, Florida.
Miami’s revamped team held its own at times in the 82-68 loss, but a poor shooting performance (33.8 percent from the field), including 29.4 percent (5 of 17) from 3-point range, ultimately prevented the Hurricanes from pulling off the upset.
Leading scorer Malik Reneau (21.5 points per game) continued his strong start with 22 points and 11 rebounds, but he struggled with his shooting, hitting 8 of 23 from the floor. Reneau and Shelton Henderson (11.0 points per game), limited to seven points, each struggled to compound the Hurricanes’ problems.
“We weren’t at the level we needed to be,” Miami coach Jai Lucas said. “We didn’t need to do anything special. We just had to be ourselves, and we weren’t there. The movement of the game kind of drew us in, and that’s part of being in that moment for the first time.”
To get back in the win column, the Hurricanes must slow down the Phoenix (3-1), who secured their own victory Saturday by beating visiting Gardner-Webb 95-84. Elon, set to face its first power conference opponent of the season, is led by Chandler Cuthrell, who is averaging 24.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Cuthrell, the Coastal Athletic Association Player of the Week, presents a challenge to Miami’s strength, which is its frontcourt. He ranks among the top 10 scorers in the country and has scored 20 or more in each of the Phoenix’s four games.
Kacper Klaczek complemented Cuthrell in the paint, averaging 13 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Randall Pettus II (14.5 ppg) and Bryson Cokley (11.3 ppg) lead Elon’s backcourt.
“It starts with our point guard play. They make sure I’m always in the right spots,” Cuthrell said. “…They made my job easier.”
–Field level media
