Graham's presence missed on University of Miami's front line

On more than one occasion this season, University of Miami basketball coach Frank Haith has mused that teams can't just replace a player the caliber of Jack McClinton, a two-time first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference guard who now is playing professionally in Turkey.

But as the 2009-10 season has transpired, Haith has learned that his underclassmen-laden outfit could just as much use the services of a student who roamed UM's campus as recently as December.

Jimmy Graham, who was a do-it-all forward for the Canes (16-7, 2-7) before playing tight end for the football team last fall, gave Haith's bunch a hard-nosed, defensive presence in the post and hustle intangibles that this season's big men has yet to match.

``We've definitely missed a guy like Jimmy Graham,'' Haith said Tuesday. ``The energy he gave us; the rest of the team just fed off it. Taking a charge, knocking a pass away; those are winning plays. Those are plays that you miss.''

With No. 20 Georgia Tech (17-6, 5-4) and its tall, athletic front line heading to town Wednesday, Haith could use one of his forwards to do a passable Graham imitation.

With the Hurricanes needing a spark and senior Cyrus McGowan dealing with an injury, Haith started sophomore Julian Gamble at forward and freshman Garrius Adams at guard against Florida State on Saturday in Tallahassee. Although the Hurricanes lost 71-65, they were competitive throughout, and Adams and Gamble are listed by the team as projected starters for Wednesday's game.

Gamble's task will be to help slow the Yellow Jackets' front line of Derrick Favors and Gani Lawal, who are averaging a combined 25.5 points a game.

The Canes, who have dropped five of their past six games, are playing at home for just the third time in their past nine games. Five of their final seven regular-season games are in Coral Gables.

``We have the opportunity to play a great opponent . . . and a win would do wonders for us,'' Haith said. ``We can get back in this thing.''



(miamiherald.com)