Loud Crowd Added to Miami’s Problems Against UK

Vicky Graff Photo

Veteran Miami coach Jim Larranaga knew the atmosphere at Rupp Arena would be rowdy Tuesday night … and it was during Kentucky’s 95-73 win over the No. 8 Hurricanes.

Larranaga said his team could never figure out a way to cope with the loud crowd.

“I don’t know how many teams will (cope) when they come here. But I watched the other games and there were times in the St. Joe’s game they were able to score with them,” Larranaga said.  “(They) took the game into overtime and played really, really well.

“But there’ll be teams like that, especially if you’re big enough. And we couldn’t keep them out of the lane. I don’t know what they shot on layups and dunks, but it was far more than we’ve given up in years.”

The biggest surprise to the Miami coach about the crowd was getting booed.

“They booed me before the game. What did I do to deserve that? That’s the first time I’ve ever been booed. So tell them, you know, be polite. You know, teams are going to come in and you’re going to kick their butt, and you’re going to boo them like they’re bad people? They’re nice people. We’re nice,” he said.

Larranaga appreciates the faster style of play Kentucky is using this season but also appreciates the talent Calipari has this year and has had in previous seasons.

“I was looking at the game notes. And this was before the game, and I read the list of NBA players that he has coached here. You know, all these NBA All-Stars and stuff. So, I would say this, Cal could change his style every year. It’s going to work because he’s got so many terrific players,” Larranaga said.

“The players make the coach, and when you have as many good players as he has, he’s going to have a lot of success. If you don’t have very good players, you’re going to struggle. I’m fortunate that during my years at Miami, we’ve had a lot of good players and they’ve been able to compete at a high level.”

He believes Calipari has two more future NBA players on the roster in freshman guards Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham.

“Those guys are pretty good. I’d say those two guys are, I mean Reed ended up starting in the second half. I mean, those are two NBA guys. They’re terrific college players, but they’ll play beyond for sure,” Larranaga said.

“They can shoot it, they handle it, they share it extremely well. And I think that’s what’s impressive about Kentucky’s offense is how well they share the ball. They had 26 assists and we had eight, it’s not a good stat for us.”