Miami Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Hurricanes
By Adam Childs
Key Non-Conference Games
Nov 13 – vs Stephen F. Austin
Nov 22- LaSalle – Wooden Classic
Nov 23 – Northwestern / Fresno State – Wooden Classic
Nov 24 – Wooden Classic
Nov 28 – Rutgers
Miami’s non-conference schedule is in one word, weak. When Stephen F. Austin and Rutgers are two of your key non-conference games it does not scream tough. They do go out to California for the Wooden Classic but even that tournament is not loaded with talent. The good news for Miami is it should load up their record with wins and give them confidence going into the ACC. The bad news is it in no way gets them prepared for the loaded conference schedule that they have to endure.
Stephen F. Austin can be a tricky game and Rutgers did make a run in the Big Ten Tournament last year, so the Hurricanes can not overlook them. But if they were to lose either one of these games it would be a huge upset.
The toughest part of the non-conference will be the Wooden Classic and LaSalle could be a challenge if the Hurricanes are not ready to play, but realistically they should have no trouble against them. In the second round, they would play Northwestern or Fresno State and both can play well but aren’t to be confused for top 25 teams. If they get by either one of those they will probably have Seton Hall or Utah. Either one of those teams will be a test for Miami. To be honest, anything less than a second place finish in California would be a disappointment and they could even win the tournament.
The non-conference should give them a good record to boost their confidence, but time will tell if it will actually help them going into the ACC play.