Happy Thanksgiving dear reader!
Last night, the Miami Hurricanes traveled to Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports to face off against the #9 Brigham Young Cougars in the 2025 ESPN Events Invitational for game one of the Magic Bracket. Despite BYU’s flagship campus in Provo, UT being over 2,300 miles from the House of Mouse, the State Farm Field House was painted in a sea of blue and white in support of the Cougars.
During the first half, Miami had BYU on the ropes, before the Cougars inevitably took control to close out the contest. As each squad prepares to face off in their next games tonight, let’s break down just a few take aways from their head to head.
Free Throws Haunt Miami In Big Moments
The Miami Hurricanes have been one of the nation’s top offenses throughout the first 6 games of the season, averaging 92 Points Per Game. Last night, BYU held the ‘Canes to their slowest offensive performance of the season with 62 points on 37.9% FG (22.7 3PT). More concerningly, Miami once again couldn’t capitalize from the free throw line shooting 7/17 on the night (41.2%). The only ‘Cane that finished with more than one free throw make on the evening was true freshman Dante Allen, who went 2/2 from the line.
Following the loss, Miami’s first year Head Coach Jai Lucas had this to say about where his team can improve the most in the very near future:
“We got to make free throws. That’s the biggest thing.” Coach Lucas stated. “We got to get the confidence in shooting the ball, right now we’re not shooting confidently… We got to trust our work at the free throw line.”
This season, Miami has three marquee non-conference matchups that Coach Lucas continuously refers to as “Great Opportunities” (Florida, BYU, Ole Miss). Two opportunities have came and went, and Miami finished those nights with a combined 22/44 free throw makes. On the season, Miami has been 111/171 from the line (64.9%). While Miami is certainly effective from the line at the Watsco Center, things do come into question when the Hurricanes take on a hostile court.
Keba Keita Is The Future Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year
Welcome to the block party hosted by Keba Keita! Keita fortified the paint against the Hurricanes, swatting away 7 shots on the night, the most blocks by a Cougar in a single game since Shawn Bradley’s 10 vs Virginia on March 14, 1991. Outside of the blocks, Keba was a huge part in stifling Miami’s offense, as he held the Hurricane bigs to 10/21 FG.
Expect this game to be a huge confidence boost for Keba Keita, who’s shown the ability to carry momentum into each game. As the headline suggests, I believe Keita is making a strong case for a future Big-12 DPOY award when the season comes to a close.
You Simply Cannot Contain AJ Dybantsa
It was a slow first 20 minutes for true freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa, as Miami held the 6 foot 8 wing to 4 points and 1 assist on 2/9 shooting (0/2 3PT). In the second half, Dybantsa would go for 12 points on 3/5 FG, 6/7 from the line and 6 rebounds.
By now we all know that AJ Dybantsa could take over a game on any given night, but I’d say this was the truest testament to this point. While the first overall pick is probably solidified by Duke’s Cameron Boozer or Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg- every time Dybantsa steps on the court he’s solidifying his future lottery selection.
