Miami Hurricanes vs Florida State Seminoles Picks and Predictions January 8th 2025

Miami fighting through difficult season as it faces Florida State

Florida State reached the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 in 2021, while Miami made an impressive run to the Final Four in 2023. Despite their recent achievements, both programs face significant challenges as they prepare for an ACC clash on Wednesday night in Coral Gables, Florida.

This game presents an opportunity for both teams to reset their seasons, but it also highlights the hurdles each program must overcome to regain their former glory.

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Miami Hurricanes: Searching for Stability Amid Turmoil

A Season of Struggles

Miami (4-10, 0-3 ACC) is enduring one of its most challenging seasons in years. The Hurricanes have yet to secure a win against a major-conference opponent and suffered an embarrassing home loss to Charleston Southern, a team with a 1-7 record at the time.

The poor results underscore the need for a rebuilding effort, especially after head coach Jim Larranaga resigned on December 26. At 75, Larranaga—a revered figure in college basketball—stepped down, acknowledging that the program needed a fresh start.

Interim Coach Bill Courtney

Now, the reins have been handed to Bill Courtney, a 54-year-old interim coach and long-time mentee of Larranaga. Despite his extensive experience, Courtney faces a steep uphill battle to stabilize the team during a turbulent transition.

“We still have a whole slate of ACC games, and we have to get ready,” Courtney said. “But I hated that (Larranaga) felt he had to step down and that we as assistant coaches couldn’t do anything to fix it.”

Injury Woes and Emerging Talent

Miami’s roster has been further weakened by the absence of star point guard Nijel Pack, who is sidelined with a foot injury and illness. Pack, an elite shooter and the team’s leading scorer (13.9 ppg), is expected to miss his fifth consecutive game.

In his absence, the Hurricanes have relied on Matthew Cleveland (12.7 ppg) and Lynn Kidd (11.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg) for offensive production. Meanwhile, promising freshmen guards Divine Ugochukwu and Jalil Bethea are showing flashes of potential. Bethea, a five-star recruit, averages 7.0 points off the bench, while Ugochukwu boasts a 75.7% shooting efficiency on 2-pointers.

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Florida State Seminoles: Navigating On-Court and Off-Court Challenges

Mixed Results on the Court

Florida State (10-4, 1-2 ACC) boasts a stronger record than Miami but has faltered in high-profile matchups. Losses to teams like Florida, LSU, North Carolina State, and Louisville have dampened the Seminoles’ early-season promise.

However, the Seminoles recently showcased their offensive firepower in a 90-74 victory over Syracuse. Four starters scored in double digits, led by Jamir Watkins (19.3 ppg), who continues to shine as the team’s top scorer. Malique Ewin has also been a force, leading in rebounds (7.3 per game) and field-goal percentage (57.6%) while contributing 13.3 points per game.

Off-Court Controversies

The program’s challenges extend beyond the court. Head coach Leonard Hamilton is embroiled in a lawsuit filed by six former players, who allege he failed to fulfill promises of $250,000 in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. The legal battle threatens to overshadow the team’s on-court progress and could have long-term repercussions for recruiting and program reputation.

Hamilton acknowledges the need for improvement within the team, particularly in developing depth. “(Our depth) is not quite there yet,” he admitted, signaling a work in progress.

Contrasting Challenges, Shared Goals

Both teams face significant but distinct challenges heading into their ACC showdown:

• Miami is grappling with internal instability, including a coaching transition and key injuries.
• Florida State is contending with external pressures, including legal controversies and underwhelming performances in marquee games.

The game represents a critical opportunity for Miami to rally under Courtney’s leadership and for Florida State to build momentum in conference play.

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Keys to the Game

For Miami:

• Step Up in Pack’s Absence: Players like Cleveland, Kidd, and Bethea must contribute consistently on offense.
• Limit Mistakes: The Hurricanes need to play disciplined basketball to stay competitive against a more experienced Seminoles team.

For Florida State:

• Leverage Star Power: Watkins and Ewin must continue to dominate offensively and on the boards.
• Block Out Distractions: Maintaining focus amid off-court controversies will be crucial for sustained success.

Final Thoughts

This ACC matchup offers more than just conference standings implications—it’s a litmus test for two programs in transition. While Florida State appears to have the upper hand on paper, Miami’s unpredictable energy under a new coach and the promise of its young talents could provide a surprise factor. For both teams, this game represents a chance to start writing a more positive chapter in their challenging seasons.