Category: Miami Hurricanes

NCAA Baseball: Series preview and where to watch/stream/listen to No. 2 Clemson vs. Miami

Clemson Baseball: Here’s a look at where Clemson Tigers fans can watch, stream, and listen to this weekend’s NCAA baseball series against the Miami Hurricanes.

Entering Easter Weekend, Clemson has been the best team in the ACC — if not the best team in the country.

The Tigers’ 22-2 start is the program’s best mark since 2002 when that year’s club began the year 23-1 and ended the season one win shy of the championship game of the College World Series.

Clemson moved to No. 2 in the nation in this week’s Baseball America’s Top 25 rankings. Coach Erik Bakich’s team also moved up two spots to No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll following a dramatic three-game sweep of previously unbeaten Florida State that produced two incredible come-from-behind victories.

The threat of inclement weather postponed a scheduled Top 25 midweek matchup between Clemson and No. 20 Coastal Carolina earlier this week.

As a team, the Tigers are batting .303 with an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) of .964. Opponents are batting .238 against Clemson pitching, which boasts a 4.29 staff ERA that ranks fifth in the ACC.

Blake Wright hit six home runs and drove in 21 runs in five games last week to take home ACC Player of the Week honors. Wright was also tabbed as the Dick Howser Trophy National Player of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).

Next up for the Tigers is Miami (14-10 overall, 5-4 conference) in Coral Gables. The Hurricanes took two out of three games in series against nationally-ranked programs Virginia (No. 8) and North Carolina (No. 11) before dropping two games at Notre Dame last weekend. Miami defeated FIU, 14-7, in midweek play on Tuesday.

The ‘Canes have averaged 8.5 runs per game this season while batting .306 as a team. They’ve struggled on the bump with a staff ERA of 5.75.

Clemson will go with a different rotation for this weekend’s series due to an ankle injury to left-hander Tristan Smith. Smith (2-0, 2.55 ERA) has been the team’s best starter this season but missed his usual Saturday start against Florida State and will be out at least one more week, Bakich said.

In Smith’s place, the Tigers will go with left-hander Ethan Darden. Darden (4-0, 5.09 ERA) pitched a career-high 6 1/3 innings against FSU, allowing four earned runs and seven hits.

Matthew Marchal will make his first start of the season in Thursday’s series opener. In eight relief appearances this season, Marchal is 4-0 with a 3.55 ERA. Freshman right-hander Aidan Knaak (1-0, 4.60 ERA) is scheduled to make his seventh start in Saturday’s finale.

Series History

Miami leads the all-time head to head series with Clemson, 45-32-1. The two programs first met in 1977. Clemson defeated Miami, 11-5, in the championship game of last season’s ACC Tournament in Durham.

Where to Watch/Stream/Listen

Here’s s a look at where Clemson fans can watch, stream, and listen to this weekend’s series at Miami’s Mark Light Field.

Start Times (ET)

Thursday, 7 p.m.

Friday, 7 p.m.

Saturday: 1 p.m.

Broadcast Info

TV: ACC Network (Thursday only)

Live Stream: ACC Network Extra, ESPN+ (Friday, Saturday)

Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | ClemsonTigers.com

Miami looks to fill the gap left by Henry Parrish’s Transfer

Henry Parrish’s transfer leaves Miami searching for a new star in the backfield, with TreVonte’ Citizen and Chris Johnson poised to step up.

In the carousel of college football, where loyalty swings like a pendulum, Miami’s backfield finds itself a man short. Henry Parrish, the Hurricanes’ steadfast rusher, has thrown his cleats into the transfer portal ring, sparking a domino effect in the team’s lineup. This decision has opened a wide gap in the running back room. Led by standout sophomore Mark Fletcher Jr.

Parrish, a Miami native, had a collegiate journey akin to a nomad’s tale. Initially donning the Ole Miss jersey, he racked up respectable stats before the allure of home turf beckoned him to Miami. With 1,242 yards and ten touchdowns under his Hurricanes belt, his departure leaves a void not easily filled. He led the team in rushing the last two seasons. His knack for breaking the 100-yard barrier, including a memorable 139-yard game against Temple, showed his added value to the Hurricanes team.

For Miami, the 2023 season saw Parrish as a key contributor with 625 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 100 attempts, averaging a steady 6.3 yards per carry.

Kevin Smith, the former Miami and current Ole Miss running backs coach, adds an interesting angle to Parrish’s transfer. Smith’s brief tenure at Miami, followed by his return to Ole Miss, where he and Parrish previously crossed paths, raises questions about the influence of coaching relationships on player moves.

With Parrish’s departure, the Hurricanes are left to navigate the spring games with a depleted arsenal. The stage is now set for TreVonte’ Citizen, Chris Johnson, and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey to vie for the spotlight. The Hurricanes will need to find a new number two back and carve a new path, sprinting through the uncertainties and tackling the expectations head-on.

This summer, Jordan Lyle, a gem from Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas, is poised to join the fray. Ranked as the 15th tailback by 247Sports, Lyle’s arrival is anticipated like the first rain after a drought, promising rejuvenation and perhaps, a new era for Miami’s running back lineage.

The situation is a clear signal for the younger players to seize the opportunity. Miami’s backfield dynamics are shifting, and the upcoming season will be a proving ground for these emerging talents. As Parrish moves on, Miami’s running game is set for a new chapter, with fresh faces aiming to make their mark.

Conference realignment: Where does Clemson land in potential post-ACC world?

If Clemson University and its lawyers are successfully able to challenge the ACC’s Grant of Rights and leave the league, where would the Tigers most likely join in the next wave of conference realignment?

What happens if Clemson and Florida State are successful in their respective attempts to leave the ACC?

Does Miami, North Carolina, Duke and others follow them to one of the new “Power 2” conferences or to the Big 12?

Does the ACC continue on in a watered-down way without its biggest football powers and perhaps become a basketball-only league, à la the Big East?

Most importantly to Clemson fans and others looking at a potential/inevitable ACC collapse with a vested interest, what conference would the Tigers be most likely to join?

247Sports’ Brad Crawford and others have pondered that last question and posited that the SEC is the most likely landing spot for Clemson, if the school and its attorneys are able to break the ACC’s Grant of Rights agreement.

A potential Clemson move to the SEC would hardly come as a shock. The Tigers offer the league a lot in terms of recent on-field success — namely, they’re the only ACC program that played in the four-team College Football Playoff from 2015-2023.

Clemson would also be a natural fit in the SEC both geographically and culturally, as would another ACC school that 247Sports predicts would land in commissioner Greg Sankey’s league.

Report: Clemson attorneys “gearing up” for legal action, possible ACC split

Could Clemson be planning an exit from the ACC? In a wide-ranging report from Yahoo Sports on the state of college football Friday, Clemson leaving the ACC with several other current conference members is floated as a possibility by veteran college football reporter Ross Dellenger.

Could Clemson be planning an exit from the ACC?

In a wide-ranging report from Yahoo Sports on the state of college football, Clemson leaving the ACC with several other current conference members is floated as a possibility by veteran college football reporter Ross Dellenger.

Much of Dellenger’s story centers on College Football Playoff expansion and revenue distribution. It also mentions growing unrest by several ACC schools over their dissatisfaction with the league, including Clemson.

Last May, Dellenger reported that seven ACC schools met to discuss a possible exit strategy from the ACC. At issue was the league’s equal revenue-sharing model, which the seven schools oppose.

Clemson was mentioned in concert with Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech as schools that met during the ACC’s annual spring meetings in 2023 to discuss exploring ways to challenge the league’s grant-of-rights document in an effort to leave the conference.

Those schools, purportedly led by Florida State and Clemson, later endorsed a plan that advocated for larger payouts by the ACC to schools based on on-field performance/success in postseason play. Clemson and FSU are the only ACC schools that reached the four-team College Football Playoff from 2014-2023.

Now, months after Florida State filed a lawsuit against the ACC in open court over the school’s desire to leave the conference, Dellenger reports that Clemson has also consulted with its own attorneys to discuss legal options.

Per Dellenger’s story:

Attorneys for Clemson have spent the last several months gearing up for legal action of their own, sources with knowledge of the discussions tell Yahoo Sports.

More secession attempts could send the conference into chaos. The outcomes of any Florida State or Clemson exit — can they break free of the grant-of-rights? — may chart a path for the other members of the seven, most notably North Carolina, the most attractive of the (other) programs.

Dellenger’s report noted that a date was looming as a possible turning point for the league and the seven ACC schools.

While ESPN’s contract with the ACC extends through 2036, the network has the option to opt out of the final nine years starting in 2027, a way that ESPN itself could possibly reopen the grant-of-rights, or at the very least, restructure the deal.

Could a restructured deal with uneven distribution prevent more departures? Would an ESPN opt-out swing open the door for more schools to exit?

The network must exercise the option by February 2025.

Where the seven ACC schools could potentially go, should they leave the conference, is a topic of much discourse. But in Clemson’s case, it’s hard to imagine the SEC wouldn’t be interested in adding Dabo Swinney’s program.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has thus far expressed reluctance, at least publicly, on the potential addition of new conference members after his league’s ground-shaking announcement in 2021 that it planned to add Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12. The Longhorns and Sooners will become SEC members later this year.

But that was before the Big Ten added USC and UCLA in 2022 and before Oregon and Washington joined the conference a year later amid the complete collapse of the Pac-12.

Since then, the “haves and have-nots” of college football keep growing further apart. Dellenger repeatedly underscores that in his report by reinforcing that the SEC and Big Ten are now college football’s “Power Two” conferences.

He adds that a new College Football Playoff revenue-distribution model is being floated that could widen the gap even further between the leagues by distributing “millions in additional revenue” to the SEC and Big Ten, far outweighing what the ACC and Big 12 would receive.

In a proposal socialized with administrators this week, the Big Ten and SEC would combine to earn about 58% of the CFP’s base distribution — a figure that will certainly grow in participation distribution as their individual schools earn more revenue for qualifying and advancing through the playoffs. The figure would greatly exceed the ACC and Big 12’s combined distribution number, which is expected to be around 31%. The remaining amount (roughly 10%) will be distributed to Notre Dame and the 64 Group of Five teams.

February 2025, the possible inflection date, is now less than a year away. And as we’ve learned time and again since the start of conference realignment, the whispers, rumor mills, and overall uncertainty about the future of college football are only going to ratchet up even more over the next several months.

New CB coach Chevis Jackson and Guidry’s reunion spells success for Miami

In a strategic move that’s set to upgrade the Hurricanes’ defense, Chevis Jackson reunites with Lance Guidry, promising a familiar yet innovative approach to Miami’s defensive playbook.

Mario Cristobal’s decision to bring Chevis Jackson into the fold as the new cornerbacks coach signals a clear intent: Miami is serious about upgrading its defense and adding stud recruiters to its staff.

Chevis Jackson, whose path to coaching was as serendipitous as it was successful, never initially set his sights on coaching. “I never really thought about it. It just kind of happened. I went back to school at South Alabama, wound up getting my master’s and everything,” Jackson reflected during his time at Kansas University.

He got a call from Coach Corey Raymond about a Graduate Assistant position opening up at LSU, and with Coach Les Miles still at the helm, Jackson seized the opportunity and hasn’t looked back since.

His tenure at Marshall, alongside Lance Guidry, Miami’s defensive coordinator, perfectly matched their coaching styles. Together, they elevated the Thundering Herd’s secondary to one of the nation’s elite units, boasting 17 interceptions and a third-place ranking in pass efficiency defense. Jackson and Guidry have proven to be master architects of defensive backfields, crafting strategies that not only disrupt but dominate the air game, with exotic blitzes coming from all levels of the defense.

Their record at Marshall, was lauded, and had the No. 1 third-down defense in the country and a fifth-place finish in yards per play, speaks volumes about their ability to read the game and adjust strategies on the fly, ensuring that quarterbacks and receivers alike have nightmares about facing their defense.

Jackson’s journey from the gridirons of LSU, where he played as a true freshman in a program renowned for its defensive backs, to the sidelines as a coach, is a story of dedication, passion, and an unerring eye for the game’s intricacies. At LSU, Jackson wasn’t just another player; he was a standout cornerback, named all-SEC in 2007, and a pivotal figure for the national champion Tigers. His transition into coaching has been seamless, with stints at Kansas, Ball State, LSU, and South Alabama, where his influence on the defensive backfield has consistently elevated the play of his units.

His coaching pedigree is further decorated by his accolades off the field, including being named the 2017 MAC recruiter of the year. This speaks to Jackson’s ability to identify and nurture talent, a skill that will serve Miami well as they look to continue to strengthen their ranks with high-caliber recruits. His experience as a player, especially in the NFL with teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars, adds a layer of respect and relatability that can be pivotal in coaching young athletes.

The partnership of Jackson and Guidry at Miami is a reunion that promises to bring Marshall’s defensive success to Coral Gables. With a shared history and a proven track record, the anticipation for what this duo can achieve in the ACC is sky-high. As Miami gears up for the upcoming season, the addition of Chevis Jackson is a clear signal that the Hurricanes are not just looking to compete; they’re aiming to dominate, especially in the air.

The ACC boasts two of the top five recruiters in the nation

Two ACC coaches make the top 5 in 247Sports 2024 rankings, setting new standards for talent acquisition in college football.

In the fast-paced ACC football conference, two recruiters have emerged as the vanguards of talent acquisition, dominating the 247Sports 2024 recruiter rankings. Fran Brown, the orchestrator of Georgia’s No. 1 2024 class before taking the helm at Syracuse, and Jason Taylor. He is Miami’s defensive line coach with a Hall of Fame aura, standing out not only in the ACC but nationally for their unparalleled recruiting prowess.

Fran Brown’s journey to the top of the recruiting world is highlighted by his authentic connections with recruits and their families. His ability to forge deep, meaningful relationships was instrumental in securing commitments from top talents, including Ellis Robinson IV, Justin Williams, and KJ Bolden for Georgia’s class, which ranked No. 1. Brown’s commitment to family and his genuine approach has set a new standard, evidenced by his swift impact at Syracuse, where he assembled the best recruiting class in the modern era for the Orange in just a few months.

Jason Taylor, on the other hand, leverages his NFL legacy and coaching acumen to make an instant impact at Miami. His significant role in recruiting the best defensive line class Miami has seen emphasizes his effectiveness on the recruiting trail. Taylor’s ability to attract top talent, including flipping five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott from Ohio State, and defensive end Armando Blount from rival Florida State, speaks volumes of his influence and the trust recruits place in him.

These two recruiters, along with other notable names like Holmon Wiggins (now at Texas A&M), Frank Wilson, and Marcus Davis, who also grace the list, have shaped the future of their respective programs with relentless recruitment efforts.

Brown and Taylor understand that the foundation of a strong recruit-coach relationship is trust, built on honest communication and genuine interactions. Their success proves how important the power of authenticity is in an environment often clouded by uncertainty.

It’s their genuine nature that breaks through defenses, proving that, in the ever-evoling game of recruitment, integrity, and trust are not just game plans but the endgame itself.  In a field full of NIL deals and broken promises, it’s not just about making the pass—it’s about ensuring it’s caught with integrity.

Brad Brownell offers explanation for Clemson’s recent turnaround

Clemson won its third straight contest on Wednesday night when the Tigers defeated ACC rival Miami, 77-60, at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Clemson won its third straight contest on Wednesday night when the Tigers defeated ACC rival Miami, 77-60, at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The game was a stark contrast compared to the first time the Tigers (17-7 overall, 7-6 ACC) and Hurricanes met back on January 3 in Coral Gables. In that game, Miami scored 60 points in the second half to blow past Clemson, which would soon find itself with a three-game losing streak to begin the new year.

Those three losses dropped the Tigers out of the Top 25 polls altogether, plus several spots in various bracketology projections. For a period, it even looked like Clemson might be playing its way out of an almost sure-fire NCAA Tournament bid.

Then came an improbable victory over then-No. 3 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where the Tigers broke a trend by closing out a win in the final minutes of a game — something they’d failed to do previously in close losses to Duke, Virginia, and Georgia Tech.

Wednesday’s rematch against the Hurricanes was another example of Clemson taking control when the game was on the line.

After falling behind 54-48 just past the midway point of the second half, the Tigers would outscore Miami, 24-3, over the final eight-plus minutes.

Afterwards, Clemson coach Brad Brownell offered a fairly simple answer when asked what had contributed to his team’s recent dominance in the final minutes of games.

“Good players. It’s mostly good players making plays,” Brownell offered.

Put another way, the Tigers are simply making plays they weren’t making a month or even two weeks back. They’re shooting the ball better, getting better looks, making better passes, and putting themselves in better positions to win.

“You’ve got to get stops and then your guys have to make basketball plays. You try to put them in some (favorable) positions. We’re helping them with some plays. There are certainly some actions and things we’ve taught them to help. But at the end of the day, they’ve got to execute.,” Brownell told reporters after Wednesday’s game.

Clemson made 13 3-pointers in its win over Miami. That was a far cry from the Tigers’ contest against Virginia 10 days earlier after Brownell had bemoaned that the team had been having some woeful shooting nights in their own arena.

Against Virginia, Clemson made only 35 percent of its shots. Against Miami, they made 44.6 percent. And against Syracuse last Saturday, they connected on 61 percent of their shots.

Those numbers may not last, but the Tigers have started to regain their poise and show the things that got them out to an 11-1 start and playing like one of the biggest threats in the ACC.

“You look like a good coach when guys make shots. When we miss them and it doesn’t turn out well, there’s not a lot of difference sometimes. You just keep trying to put your guys in position to be successful and give them confidence to finish plays,” Brownell said.

Clemson returns to action Saturday when they it hosts NC State. The game is a scheduled 7:45 p.m. EST. tipoff and will be broadcast regionally by the CW Network.

Clemson closes out Miami, 77-60, for third straight win

Chase Hunter scored 20 points, and Clemson won its third straight in a 77-60 win over Miami on Wednesday night at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Chase Hunter scored a season-high 20 points and made five 3-pointers, and Clemson won its third straight in ACC play with a 77-60 victory over Miami at Littlejohn Coliseum Wednesday.

Both teams traded a pair 9-0 runs in the second half before Clemson pulled away. The Tigers (17-7 overall, 7-6 ACC) throughly dominated the Hurricanes (15-10, 6-8) down the stretch after leading just 31-30 at halftime and after trailing by six at one point in the second half.

Hunter broke a 57-all tie with his fourth 3-pointer of the night with 5:44 to play to put the Tigers ahead for good. PJ Hall added a 3-pointer with just over a minute left to run the Tigers’ lead to 74-60.

The game was well in hand even before then.

All told, Clemson closed the game on a 24-3 run over the final 6:45 of play. It was the third straight night in which the Tigers took control of the final 10 minutes of action.

“That was an incredible last 10 minutes,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said after his team’s win. “Incredible shot-making but good defense (too). I’m proud of our guys. We only had one turnover in the second half and 18 assisted baskets.”

Joe Girard added 18 points and Hall finished with 13 to give the Tigers three players in double figures for the night.

Then there was Hunter, the fifth-year senior who closed out the Tigers’ scoring when he sank his fifth 3-pointer of the game with 20 seconds to play. Hunter had 12 points in the second half.

“I’m so happy to see him shoot the ball like that in a big game when we needed it down the stretch,” Brownell said of Hunter. “They were doing a really good job of packing it in and it was really hard to get the ball to PJ and to Ian Schieffelin, so our guys had to make some shots from the perimeter.”

Clemson finished with 13 baskets from beyond the arc. Norchad Omier led Miami with 18 points. Nigel Pack played 25 minutes and was held scoreless in a game for the first time in his four-year career.

All told, Miami scored just three points over the final nine-plus minutes of play. Matthew Cleveland’s 3-pointer with 9:50 left gave the Hurricanes a six-point lead — their largest of the night — at 54-48. Clemson closed with a 24-3 run from there.

UP NEXT: Clemson is in a stretch of four out of five games at home. The Tigers return to Littlejohn Coliseum Saturday when they host NC State at 7:45 p.m. EST. The game will be televised regionally by the CW Network. The Wolfpack fell to Wake Forest, 83-79, last Saturday in Winston-Salem.

Hurricanes bring in ACC’s top class amid coaching turnover

Miami’s strategic recruitment has set a new standard in the ACC, promising an era of dominance.

In a whirlwind of activity that encapsulates the highs and lows of college football, the Miami Hurricanes have closed national signing day with a flourish, not only by securing the top recruiting class in the ACC but also by navigating the choppy waters of coaching changes.

The departure of secondary coach Jahmile Addae to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the loss of Alonzo Highsmith to the New England Patriots mark significant transitions within the program. Amid these changes, the Hurricanes have filled an open coaching position by bringing on board Matt Merritt as the new running backs coach.

Addae, a key figure in Miami’s coaching staff, brings his expertise in developing secondary players to the Buffalo Bills after a successful tenure with the Hurricanes. Addae’s impact was profound, notably coaching All-American safety Kamren Kinchens and contributing to the development of NFL draftees Tyrique Stevenson and DJ Ivey. His recruiting prowess, shown during his time with Georgia when he helped secure a top-three class, leaves big shoes to fill at Miami.

Amid these departures, Miami has filled a hole in the staff by hiring Matt Merritt from USF as the new running backs coach. Merritt, recognized for his role in significant team improvements and player development, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the Hurricanes’ offense. His recent accomplishments include elevating the performance of USF’s tailbacks, with notable achievements such as Nay’Quan Wright’s breakout season.

The Hurricanes also excelled in recruitment, finishing national signing day with the top class in the ACC. This marks a historic moment for Miami, which achieved the No. 1 spot in the conference in back-to-back seasons for the first time in the 247Sports era. The defensive line class stands out as possibly the best in the country. Among the eight prospects, four defensive linemen are ranked inside the top 150. The addition of talents such as Justin Scott, Armando Blunt and Marquise Lightfoot highlights Mario Cristobal’s commitment to building a powerhouse in the trenches.

Furthermore, Miami’s success in keeping local talent home is evident in this year’s recruiting class. With 14 players from the Sunshine State, including eight ranked in the Florida top 25, the Hurricanes are making significant strides in retaining top local talent.

Going into his third year as Miami’s head coach, Cristobal secured more five-star prospects than the rest of the ACC combined. He flipped notable blue chips Jordan Lyle and Justin Scott away from Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. He also finished strongly and came close to securing the No. 1 player in the country, Jeremiah Smith, who signed with Ohio State.

Back Rodney Hill switches allegiances from FSU to Miami

In a surprising twist, Rodney Hill has left his scholarship at Florida State to walk on at Miami, bringing a new dynamic to the Hurricanes’ backfield. His decision adds depth to an already strong lineup.

The Hurricanes reached into the transfer portal, securing the talents of former Florida State running back Rodney Hill. After two seasons with the Seminoles, Hill made the bold move of leaving his scholarship at FSU to walk on at Miami.

Emerging from Bulloch Academy in Statesboro, Georgia, as part of the 2022 class, Rodney Hill garnered attention as a three-star prospect. His potential was recognized by notable programs, including Texas A&M, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Kentucky, Wisconsin, UCF, Pitt, and Maryland, all of whom extended offers.

During his last season at FSU, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Hill racked up 190 yards and a touchdown, plus five receptions for 83 yards over 109 snaps, appearing in ten games. Initially, post-FSU, Hill intended to join Florida A&M under Coach Willie Simmons. However, Simmons’ shift to Duke’s coaching staff prompted Hill to reconsider, eventually finding his new football family in Coral Gables.

Miami’s 2024 backfield looks strong. Mark Fletcher, coming off a stellar freshman year with 514 yards and five touchdowns, leads the pack. Veterans like Henry Parrish and a cadre of young talents, including redshirt freshmen Chris Johnson and sophomores Ajay Allen and Trevonte’ Citizen, add depth. New signees Chris Wheatley-Humphrey and Jordan Lyle, a top-10 running back recruit, further strengthen the roster.