Miami rode their defense to that initial 11-2 record. They were among the nation’s leaders in several categories on the defensive end. The Hurricane defense has slipped in losing four of their last five, particularly in three of the last four games.
Syracuse, Wake Forest and Duke have scorched the Hurricanes defense. The Orange shot 56.8 percent from the floor, 8-19 on three point attempts in a 70-55 victory on January 4. Wake Forest buried Miami shooting 57.4 percent from the floor and 9-19 in a 96-79 victory on January 18 and Duke reversed an abysmal first half when they scored 26 points on 28.