Tag: University of Miami

What changes should the Boston Celtics make ahead of Game 2 vs. the Miami Heat?

How can Boston change their approach on both ends of the court to tie the series up at 1-1?

What happened in Game 1 of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals series between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat? Can the Celtics get their play back to where it should be in time to stave off a 0-2 hole to start the series? And how can Boston change their approach on both ends of the court to tie the series up at 1-1?

The host of the CLNS Media “Winning Plays” podcast Brian Robb and guest Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston recently analyzed the disastrous second half in the Celtics’ Game 1 loss to the Heat and sorted through all the troubles from timeout usage to turnovers and a leaky defense.

The duo also looked at some rotation decisions and what strategic tweaks will help the Celtics better match up with Miami moving forward in the series.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics work out elite rebounding forward ahead of 2023 NBA draft

Among the best rebounders in the country with averages of 13.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, this prospect is an intriguing option for Boston’s second-round pick.

The Boston Celtics remain focused on the 2023 NBA playoffs, but the team is also monitoring and working out prospects projected to go in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft. Maximizing the roster around the margins will become an increasingly important part of how the Celtics stay competitive under the increasingly punitive rules for contenders in the league’s new collective bargaining agreement.

To that end, per the Miami Herald’s Michelle Kaufman, the Celtics are among several teams who have worked out Miami forward Norchad Omier. The 6-foot-7 forward transferred to Miami from Arkansas State last season. He demonstrated he is among the best rebounders in the country with averages of 13.1 points and 10 rebounds per game with Miami in 2022-23.

While Omier’s jumper needs plenty of work, the rudiments are there and a 3-point shot somewhere down the road is not out of the question.

An excellent defender who also logged 1.1 steals and as many blocks per game mainly in Atlantic Coast Conference play, Omier is an intriguing option for Boston’s pick early in the second round, assuming he elects to remain in the draft.

Without a promise, there is a good chance e returns to Miami to keep honing his craft in the hopes of the guaranteed money of a first-round selection.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Monday lunchtime update on Radakovich and Miami

It is an awkward day inside Clemson’s athletic department as reports continue to circulate about Dan Radakovich’s potential departure to the University of Miami. The Clemson Insider wanted to pass along the latest information we have as of 12:30 …

It is an awkward day inside Clemson’s athletic department as reports continue to circulate about Dan Radakovich’s potential departure to the University of Miami.

The Clemson Insider wanted to pass along the latest information we have as of 12:30 p.m. on Monday.

First, we can tell you that Radakovich is working in his office on Clemson’s campus. We have been told by multiple sources close to the athletic department that Radakovich, who’s been Clemson’s director of athletics since 2012, has not yet informed those that he works closely with of any plans to leave Clemson.

We know conversations have continued between Radakovich and Miami over the past few days.

A source tells TCI that Miami is focused on finalizing their plans for the football coaching vacancy and then will get back to focusing on Radakovich later in the week. Miami fired Manny Diaz earlier Monday.

We will continue to monitor this situation closely and bring you more information as we can confirm it.

Clemson coach comments on Radakovich and Miami

One of Clemson’s coaches commented on Dan Radakovich amid some reports that the Tigers’ athletic director was leaving to take the same position at the University of Miami, where he received his MBA. This morning we gave the latest information on the …

One of Clemson’s coaches commented on Dan Radakovich amid some reports that the Tigers’ athletic director was leaving to take the same position at the University of Miami, where he received his MBA.

This morning we gave the latest information on the situation.  As of the writing of this article we still do not have confirmation that Radakovich and Miami have finalized a deal.  We know Miami and Radakovich have continued conversations on Saturday.  We expect a resolution before the end of the weekend.

Following the Clemson men’s basketball team’s loss to Miami on Saturday in Coral Gables, Fla., Clemson head coach Brad Brownell was asked about the situation and expressed his support for Radakovich regardless of the direction he and his wife, Marcie, choose to go.

“Whatever he does, what he and Marcie decide, I’ll 100-percent support him,” Brownell said. “He’s been great to me and my family at Clemson. He’s an outstanding leader. He’s done a lot at Clemson. He’s really helped with the facilities. I think he’s done a lot of internal things within the department that have streamlined a lot of things to really make us run efficiently. He hires good people. He’s just a first-class, top-notch AD. Obviously, it’s why he’s been to so many places and had so much success.

“Certainly would hate to lose him if he decides to leave, but if that’s what he wants to do, I’d be extremely happy for he and Marcie. They’re great people and they’ve been extremely productive at their time at Clemson.”

Brownell also talked about what Radakovich — who has been Clemson’s AD since December 2012 and led the upgrade to many athletic facilities at Clemson — is like as an AD and how important he has been in terms of the athletic department’s development.

“I think he’s great,” Brownell said. “He doesn’t micro-manage his coaches. He lets you do your job. He asks you how he can help and support, but he’s not in your office every week telling you who to recruit, who to schedule, and what to do. He lets us coaches coach and tries to serve in a way of mentoring and making sure you need the things to be successful. I think he’s got a great big picture of what universities need and athletic departments because he’s been doing it so long.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Latest on Radakovich and the Miami Athletic Director Opening

some reports continued Friday night that Dan Radakovich was leaving Clemson to become the athletic director at the University of Miami. The Clemson Insider spoke with a number of sources Friday night and early Saturday to get the latest. We …

some reports continued Friday night that Dan Radakovich was leaving Clemson to become the athletic director at the University of Miami.

The Clemson Insider spoke with a number of sources Friday night and early Saturday to get the latest.

We confirmed with multiple sources that the following Tweet was not accurate.

As of early Saturday morning a deal between Radakovich and Miami was not done.  Radakovich has not told his staff that he was accepting the position at Miami.

We can tell you that Radakovich was in Charlotte Friday night for the ACC dinner they have each year before the ACC Championship game.

We have been told that a decision should come in the next 24 to 48 hours by Radakovich.

If Radakovich does decide to take the job at Miami, Clemson won’t have to look far for  his replacement.  Deputy Director of Athletics Graham Neff has been groomed for the job for the past eight years at Clemson.

Clemson is doing what they can to keep Radakovich with the Tigers.

Radakovich came to Clemson from Georgia Tech three years after Dabo Swinney had already been hired as the Tigers’ head football coach by Radakovich’s predecessor, Terry Don Phillips. Radakovich has made a number of hires during his time at Clemson including Monte Lee for baseball.  He led the upgrade to many athletic facilities at Clemson.

Radakovich received his M.B.A from the University of Miami.

Stay tuned to TCI for more on this developing story.

49ers could be eyeing tight end early in 2021 draft

The San Francisco 49ers have been giving Miami’s Brevin Jordan a lot of attention in pre-NFL draft meetings.

The San Francisco 49ers’ have arguably the best tight end in the NFL at the top of their depth chart with George Kittle. Figuring out the roster behind the All-Pro has been a challenge for the 49ers though. They tried scoring Austin Hooper in free agency last year, and eventually signed Jordan Reed. It looked like they were in the hunt for a second, more dynamic option than either Ross Dwelley or sixth-round pick Charlie Woerner.

With Reed set for unrestricted free agency and both Dwelley and Woerner looking like block-first tight ends, San Francisco could look again to the draft for an additional weapon at the tight end position. They met virtually with Miami’s Brevin Jordan, one of the draft’s top tight ends, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo. Jordan also told Melo the 49ers have been in regular contact with him since their session.

With Florida’s Kyle Pitts expected to be off the board by the time San Francisco selects at No. 12 in this year’s draft, it’d behoove them to look toward Day 2 prospects instead.

Jordan is a good athlete at 6-3, 245 pounds. He posted a solid freshman campaign when he caught 32 balls for 287 yards and fourr touchdowns for the Hurricanes. He followed that with a 35-catch, 495-yard, two-touchdown sophomore season, and in 2020 as a junior had his best year with 38 receptions, 567 yards and seven touchdowns.

Consistently strong production that climbed a little each year is a good sign, but what’s most impressive about King is the variety of ways Miami used him. It’s easy to see when watching him how he’d fit into a two-tight end set for the 49ers. He can line up in the backfield, make plays after going in motion, line up in the slot, and line up out side.

He moves more like a receiver than a tight end, and he’s explosive with the ball in his hands.  Miami used him on screens, drag routes, one-on-one with defensive backs in the red zone, and on throws down the field.

There are some concerns with him as an in-line blocker at his size, although his frame looks like it still could add a little bulk. He’s the kind of playmaker San Francisco would be looking for in a tight end though. Re-signing Reed is an option, but if they don’t go that route, expect Jordan to be a popular name in connection with the 49ers as we near draft time.

Former Ohio State quarterback Tate Martell is in the transfer portal again

According to multiple reports, former Ohio State quarterback Tate Martell has entered the transfer portal again. Yes, it’s true.

Former Ohio State quarterback Tate Martell has found his way into the NCAA’s transfer portal once again, this time as a graduate transfer.

We kind of lost track of Tathan because he opted out of the 2020 season with Miami after it was announced that he’d serve a one-game suspension. Still, the thought was that he’d continue to take classes at “The U” and come back for another season.

Wrong.

The transfer portal has struck again and it appears as though Martell is shopping his services in hopes of finally getting a football career that came with a lot of pre-hype off the ground.

He first entered the mesmerizing and infamous transfer portal (don’t stare at it too long or it’ll hurt your eyes), early in 2019 after Haskins left for the NFL and rumors circulated about a guy named Justin Fields thinking about backing the U-Haul up to the banks of the Olentangy. He eventually landed at Miami but still has never been able to grab onto the playing time he’s in search of.

We’ll keep some eyeballs on this, but we hear there’s a school up in Michigan that might need a QB (wouldn’t that be fun). In all seriousness though, we’ve always wished Martell well and hope he gets what he’s looking for.

Jimmy Johnson won’t be in studio for FOX’s NFL pregame

Jimmy Johnson will be on the FOX NFL pregame, only from his home in Miami, not the studio in LA.

Jimmy Johnson is one of the familiar faces on FOX’s NFL pregame show with Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw, Curt Menefee among the cast.

The pandemic is causing the network to audible, a bit, in 2020. The 77-year-old Johnson, who coached Super Bowl winners in Dallas and a national championship team at the University of Miami, will check in from his home in Miami rather than traveling to LA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand with the news:

Lawrence Cager already tight Sam Darnold, a few other Jets

Rookie wide receiver Lawerence Cager is building key relationships with Sam Darnold and other members of the Jets.

Lawerence Cager and Sam Darnold have picked up their relationship right where it left off in high school.

Cager was signed by the Jets as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Georgia this offseason. While Cager never was Darnold’s wide receiver in college, the two got to know each other when they played together in high school all-star games. They have stayed in touch throughout the years.

“Me and him were always together. He was my quarterback,” Cager told the Jets’ website. “We built a relationship there and we’ve been friends ever since. I’ve been talking to him probably since the beginning of high school until now, so it’s been a little relationship brewing.”

Cager had thoughts of attending USC with Darnold because of how close the two were in high school. However, Cager ended up at the University of Miami and then transferred to Georgia in 2019. Now he’ll get his chance with Darnold in the pros.

“I really can’t wait to step on the field and catch a fade from him,” Cager said.

The undrafted rookie also has a couple of friends on the Jets from his college days. Cager attended Miami with TE Chris Herndon and WR/PR Braxton Berrios. Cager has been relying heavily on Herndon to prepare him for life in the NFL.

“I don’t know how many conversations I’ve had with Chris just about how to be a pro and how to attack coming in being a rookie in New York,” Cager said. “To have a guy like him, one of my best friends, I know he gets tired of it, but I talk to him all the time and ask, ‘Hey, what’s this?’ and ask him questions about special teams, the installs, stuff like that so I don’t mess it up. He came in and had a great year and he’s one of my close friends.”

Frank Gore had to overcome 2 ACL tears before becoming the model for NFL longevity

Frank Gore had multiple ACL injuries in college and was defined by them early in his career and is proving critics wrong by still playing.

There comes a time when every athlete has to call it quits, but that day has yet to arrive for Frank Gore.

The soon to be 37-year-old is entering his 16th NFL season after signing with the Jets, which will tie him for the most seasons played by a running back along with Marcus Allen. Gore is third on the all-time rushing list with 15,347 yards, a five-time Pro Bowler and has made it to the Super Bowl. Simply put, there have been few running backs as accomplished as him.

And yet, there was plenty of doubt Gore could make it in the pros, let alone defy Father Time at one of the NFL’s most bruising positions.

Gore suffered two different ACL injuries to his left knee while at the University of Miami. The first one came in March 2002 in one of the Hurricanes’ spring practices. That led to Willis McGahee becoming the starting running back for Miami that season, despite Gore beating him out for the job. The next tear came in October 2003 in a game against West Virginia.

Gore came back for his junior season, however, and put together the best year of his career. He led the team in carries (197), rushing yards (945) and rushing touchdowns (10). That was all Gore needed to put his name in the 2005 NFL Draft.

General managers had their concerns over Gore’s injury history, though. It didn’t help that his 40-yard dash time was a less-than-ideal 4.66 seconds and his weight was a tad high at 208 pounds. Gore also scored a six on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, too, which led some to believe that he wasn’t smart enough to play in the NFL.

That combination had some teams looking the other way on Gore. Five running backs were picked ahead of him by the time he was picked 65th overall by the 49ers. That included Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson, Cadillac Williams, J.J. Arrington and Eric Shelton.

“Me going through all the injuries, and then when I get to the league just hearing all the negative stuff, I set my goals and said I’ll never let a man judge me,” Gore told NFL.com. “The only man I’ll let judge me is that man up above. But I was determined to be the best in my class.”

Not only is Gore the best running back in his class, but he’s lasted longer than any of them on is way to becoming one of the best backs of all-time. Even after NFL GMs didn’t think his knees would hold up and even after he had major surgery on both his shoulders after his rookie season, Gore continued to work. Let’s not forget about the fractured hip he suffered in 2010 or the ankle injuries that he’s dealt with or the broken foot he suffered while with the Dolphins. He’s proved everyone wrong and is still playing productive football.

When Gore’s career is all done, his next stop will be Canton. When it comes to time to make his speech, he should take a minute to acknowledge all the teams that passed on him.