Wake Forest threw a multitude of zone packages at UM, but the Canes fended off all attempts to stunt their offense. Whether it was 1-3-1 zone, full court press or any other form of defense, the Canes found a way to penetrate into the paint or break down coverages with fluid team passing.
It was a dual effort by Miami's centers that propeled the Canes into an early lead that was sustained throughout the remainder of the game. Starting big man Julian Gamble gobbled up 13 boards, rejected three shots and recorded eight points in 28 minutes of play. Off the bench, freshman center Reggie Johnson was a dominant force down low for Miami as he recorded a personal best 22 points against one of the NCAA's toughest defensive units. Senior guard James Dews posted up 15 points followed by sophomore forward DeQuan Jones' 14 points.
In the next round, Miami faces Virginia Tech in a difficult match-up that will surely test the Canes toughness once again. Both teams secured victories against each other in their respective home courts and hold an all-time series tie of 9-9. Friday's match-up will break that tie and send the winner into the ACC semifinals to play against Duke or Virginia.
Thursday's victory marks UM's fourth time in five years that they advance beyond the first round of the ACC tourney. Another accomplishment to add to Frank Haith's legacy at The U.
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