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Miami’s offense neutralized in a 60-38 loss to Virginia

Quinn Sheehan
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Miami’s offense neutralized in a 60-38 loss to Virginia

Miami’s last two games have summarized its season perfectly.

They’re a team that can get hot instantly and go ice cold just as quickly. A furious 56-point outburst in the second half to shock Virginia Tech on Saturday showed glimpses of how great the Hurricanes can be.

Meanwhile, Monday night’s matchup against the Virginia Cavaliers showed the opposite side. The Canes managed only 38 points in their 60-38 loss to the Virginia Cavaliers, the lowest point total since joining the ACC.

Miami (15-8, 6-6 ACC) shot 29% from the field and 10% from three-point range while committing 11 turnovers in its 22-point loss.

Junior forward Norchad Omier led the scoring for Miami with 11 points on 5-11 shooting while also grabbing 13 rebounds. No other ‘Canes player made more than three field goal attempts.

Conversely, Virginia’s offense did more than enough to win as the Cavaliers shot 48% on field goal attempts, including 5-11 from beyond the arc.

Senior guard Reece Beekman paced Virginia (18-5, 9-3 ACC) in scoring as he poured in 16 points while playing an all-around great game with four rebounds and seven assists.

Although Virginia’s offense was far from explosive throughout most of the game, its defense gave the Hurricanes all sorts of issues on the offensive end, forcing turnovers and contested shots all night.

The Hurricanes began the first frame playing smothering defense as Virginia only knocked down one of its first nine field goal attempts, and Miami held a 7-2 lead six minutes in.

However, the Cavaliers quickly retaliated with a 12-0 run as Miami’s offense depleted. Virginia’s run eventually swelled up to 23-4 over 10 minutes of game time as turnovers and missed shots mounted for the Hurricanes.

Virginia used this run to take its largest lead of the half as the Cavaliers went up 25-11 with three and a half minutes remaining in the frame. Miami eventually got it down to a 12-point lead by half as the score sat at 29-17.

The ‘Canes coughed the ball up five times and only hit seven of their 25 shot attempts in the first 20 minutes. Omier, who scored seven of Miami’s 17 total first-half points, was the one sign of life on the offensive end.

Beekman and sophomore guard Isaac Mckneely led the Cavaliers in first-half scoring, who had eight and seven points, respectively. Virginia also racked up four blocks and three steals by halftime.

The second half proved unforgiving for the Hurricanes as they only hit one shot through seven minutes. Virginia went on an 11-0 run to bring the lead up to 23.

More careless turnovers killed Miami. They turned the ball over six times in only 10 minutes of second-half play, while the Cavaliers’ offense remained efficient to give them a 26-point lead halfway through the final 20 minutes.

Virginia coasted down the stretch, draining much of the clock and controlling possession to secure the easy victory.

The road gets more challenging for Miami as they will be back at home against No. 3 North Carolina on Saturday evening. Tipoff at the Watsco Center is set for 4 p.m., and the game will air on ESPN.

Bensley Joseph’s boost off the bench sparks second-half comeback, propels ‘Canes past Virginia Tech 82-74

Luke Sims
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Bensley Joseph’s boost off the bench sparks second-half comeback, propels ‘Canes past Virginia Tech 82-74

The back-to-back dunks from junior forward Norchad Omier and freshman Kyshawn George, respectively, restored Miami’s lead and restored the life in the crowd at the Watsco Center. With just under four minutes to play, UM had all the momentum, and from there, the ‘Canes never looked back as they went on to complete the comeback to win 82-74 over the visiting Virginia Tech Hokies.

“It was just us having fun out there,” George said. “Seeing my guys perform, big plays, the crowd was loud, just having fun. From down ten, battling with my guys and seeing us chip away the lead and make big plays down the stretch, it’s fun to see. I’m happy it happened.”

The Hurricanes were trailing for a large part of the game. After the Hokies took the lead with just over 10 minutes left in the first half, they held a stranglehold on the game. There was a stretch before halftime where the Hurricanes went without a field goal for the final 8:21 of the first half.

The turnover issues that plagued Miami in past games persisted. Miami finished with nine turnovers in the first half. Head coach Jim Larrañaga talked to his team at the half and made adjustments that seemed to work, given the ‘Canes only had two turnovers in the following half.

“The players did not dribble too much,” Larrañaga said. “There’s got to be more to it than that, no. Very simply, against a team like Virginia Tech, the name of the defense is the pack. If you try and dribble through there early in the possession, you got a bunch of guys in there who will slap the ball out of your hands. That’s what happened. In the second half, we spread them out and shared the ball much better and got much better looks at the basket.”

Junior guard Bensley Joseph sank a colossal three-pointer as the crowd returned to life. This bucket gave Miami a one-point lead with just under seven minutes to play. Joseph’s defense and energy were a massive addition for UM off the bench. The 14 second-half points from Joseph were vital in Miami’s comeback.

“Shoutout to my teammates for instilling confidence in me to just come in and try and make an impact on the team,” Joseph said. “You know, fighting through adversity, we know we’ve had ups and downs all season and this month we know we need to play our best. We know we need to come together fully, just trying to be positive in the locker room, and picking each other up. Kind of knowing we’ve been here before but there’s a lot more work to do.”

The Hurricanes got a boost from a healthy Matthew Cleveland, as he contributed the first bucket on his way to 15 points, 13 rebounds, and the game-sealing dunk.

Junior guard Wooga Poplar went down with an injury two minutes into the game. While he would return, he was limited when he was out there. Poplar finished with seven points on just 1-of-5 shooting from the field.

Miami played Virginia Tech just three weeks ago in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hurricanes escaped with a 75-71 win behind a 21-point effort from Cleveland. Hokies star Sean Pedulla had 33 points the last time he played Miami. The Hurricanes held Pedulla to 21 points and forced him into uncomfortable shots.

“Having more of a focus on what (Pedulla) does best and what he’s trying to get to,” Joseph said. “The first game was at their home and he got hot and hit some shots. This one was just trying to slow him down and stop him from making easy shots.”

The win was a must-win for the ‘Canes to keep up in the ACC and maximize their chances of making the tournament. Miami is finally back to having its entire roster playing, and it’ll need it in the challenging games in the future.

Looking to turn this win into a winning streak, the ‘Canes take to the road on Monday night for a clash with ACC rival Virginia. This game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. and will be aired on ESPN.

Hurricanes’ senior bowl participants showcased their talents for the NFL

Charlotte Snoonian
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Hurricanes’ senior bowl participants showcased their talents for the NFL

Humble yet confident is characteristic of three ‘Canes who had the opportunity to play in the 2024 Senior Bowl on Saturday. Safeties Kam Kinchens and James Williams and guard Javion Cohen all performed strongly in Mobile, Alabama, as they played for the American Team but took a 16-7 loss against the National Team.

​Coached by former Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Ephraim Banda, each showed a high skill level during the week of practices and the game. Kinchens recorded three tackles and broke up a pass against Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman as he threw to Penn State tight end Theo Johnson.

​In a post-game interview with Symone Stanley on @Symonewiththesports on YouTube, Kinchens says he used the Senior Bowl as an opportunity to showcase his proper skill set and that he is confident in his instincts and ability to recognize plays heading into this year’s NFL Draft.

​“I feel like I’m versatile. I can go play closer to the ball, I can go play man coverage. Whatever the team needs me to do, I can do,” says Kinchens.

Junior safety Kamren Kinchens runs for a 28-yard return in the third quarter of Miami’s game versus Texas A&M at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023.
Junior safety Kamren Kinchens runs for a 28-yard return in the third quarter of Miami’s game versus Texas A&M at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

​He says he’s also confident in his ability to play a physical game despite hearing doubts, and his Senior Bowl stats prove he can engage that physicality. Kinchens is ranked as the No. 3 safety in the 2024 NFL Draft and the No. 53 player overall.

​Miami guard Javion Cohen shows his versatility this week as well. He has moved around a lot during the game, playing multiple positions, including guard and center. In an interview with @theleaguewinners on YouTube, Cohen says his versatility, ability to adapt, and football knowledge are skills he will carry into the next steps in his football career.

​“Knowing what the left tackle all the way to the right tackle has to do and you’re not even that position. I think that’s the most complicated part that a lot of people don’t see or understand,” says Cohen.

Fourth-year junior offensive lineman Javion Cohen blocks during Miami's game versus Bethune Cookman at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14, 2023.
Fourth-year junior offensive lineman Javion Cohen blocks during Miami's game versus Bethune Cookman at Hard Rock Stadium on September 14, 2023. Photo credit: Eric Espada, Miami Athletics

​Cohen has been working on versatility, and he knows that knowing every position’s responsibilities is the key to having a solid offensive line. He credits his high football IQ to playing at Miami, constantly studying film, and always preparing.

​“A lot of credit to Coach Cristobal and Coach Mirabal for teaching me a lot about defenses and my amazing teammates who also are passionate about the game and passionate enough to help me learn these things as well,” he says.

​Cohen is ranked as the No. 1 offensive guard in the NFL Draft after putting on a strong and confident performance in the week of practice and Saturday’s Senior Bowl, and he is ranked as the No. 56 overall player.

​Miami safety James Williams continued the theme of versatility after playing as a linebacker in the Senior Bowl. Since the end of the Hurricanes’ regular season in late November, Williams has put on 15 lbs.

Junior safety James Williams indicates that the ‘Canes have possession in the first quarter of Miami’s game versus Clemson at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 21, 2023.
Junior safety James Williams indicates that the ‘Canes have possession in the first quarter of Miami’s game versus Clemson at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 21, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

As a linebacker during the Senior Bowl, Williams had five tackles and was the only player on the American Team with a tackler for loss. In this year’s NFL Draft, he is projected to be a fourth-round pick.

Miami Hurricanes spring golf preview

Rishj Desai
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Miami Hurricanes spring golf preview

As the spring semester picks up, the Miami Hurricanes golf team is preparing for an extremely busy spring season.

The Hurricanes’ fall season was full of ups and downs, but they have built up plenty of momentum coming into the spring. After opening the season with a ninth-place finish at the Cougar Classic in South Carolina, they placed sixth out of 10 at the Glass City Invitational in Ohio.

After two mediocre performances, the Hurricanes struggled mightily at the Ruth Chris Tar Heel Invitational. Miami finished 13th out of 14 teams competing and only had one player finish in the top 25 after the final round.

Fortunately for the ‘Canes, it seems this disastrous event was an outlier. The Hurricanes won their next two tournaments, finishing first out of 12 at the Pat Bradley Invitational hosted by FIU as well as the Hurricane Invitational. Miami won the events by 23 strokes and 10 strokes, respectively, with impressive performances from multiple individuals.

Fourth-year junior Sara Byrne practices at the Biltmore Golf Course on Jan. 25, 2023.
Fourth-year junior Sara Byrne practices at the Biltmore Golf Course on Jan. 25, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

As Miami comes into the spring, it’ll be hoping to ride the momentum of its successful ending to the fall. The ‘Canes will likely rely on redshirt junior Sara Byrne, who placed first in their previous two events. Sophomore Olivia Grønborg will also be heavily relied upon after her strong finish to the fall.

The Hurricanes competed in the UCF Challenge, which started on Feb. 4 before heading to Sarasota, Florida to compete in the Spartan Suncoast Invitational. Those two tournaments will conclude their February.

The ‘Canes will then have three events in the first three weeks of March. They will play in the Gators Invitational in Gainesville, Florida to start March, then travel to South Carolina for the Briar’s Creek Invitational. They will conclude their regular season at the Clemson Invitational.

Freshman Aada Rissanen lines up the putt during practice at the Biltmore Golf Course on Jan. 25, 2023.
Freshman Aada Rissanen lines up the putt during practice at the Biltmore Golf Course on Jan. 25, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

The ACC Championship will take place from April 18–21. The NCAA postseason will kick off on May 6 and conclude on May 8.

If the Hurricanes can successfully carry their momentum into the spring and have a strong second half of the season, they will be looking to make an appearance at the NCAA Championship from May 17–22.

UM News Briefs: Miami ranks high for STDs, Biden visits South Florida and 2023 was the hottest year on record

Rachel Petrovich
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UM News Briefs: Miami ranks high for STDs, Biden visits South Florida and 2023 was the hottest year on record

U KNOW MIAMI

Miami ranked in the top 25 for STDs

According to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Miami sits at number 16 among the national list for cities with the highest amount of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), with a whopping average of 1,221 STD cases per 100 thousand people in the city.

The most prevalent type of STD in Miami’s data is Chlamydia, with 9,080 cases recorded in 2023. Most STDs are curable and treatable, and UM provides confidential STD testing and prevention resources.

The city’s nightlife culture, increased testing in underserved communities or increase in population over recent years may all be contributing factors to the hike in STD cases. Students can get tested through UHealth, or you can visit the CDC website to find a clinic in your area.

IN CASE U MISSED IT

Biden visits South Florida, hoping to revitalize the lost swing state

In an effort to ramp up fundraising for his 2024 re-election campaign, President Biden paid a visit to South Florida on Tuesday along with hopes to diminish the state’s Republican stronghold.

The visit included enticing wealthy donors to boost his fundraising efforts, and it also served as a potential bid to increase his Latino support in Florida, where only around half of the Latin and Hispanic population supported his 2020 campaign.

His influence on voters during Tuesday’s visit still remains in question, as the only immediate reactions were about the heavy traffic due to his quick travel between Palm Beach and Miami.

2023 was the hottest year in recorded history

As summer temperatures increase and winter weather starts to dwindle, it is no surprise that 2023 was crowned the hottest year in recorded history.

Global temperature data records go back to 1850, and last year marked the first time that temperature levels exceeded 1°C every day of the year, taking us back to pre-industrial levels.

“I’m not surprised at all that 2023 was the hottest year on record,” Lauren Novorska, a sophomore studying Environmental Science and Policy, said.

Along with an uptick in surface air temperature, global sea surface temperatures were unsettlingly high and marine heat waves are deepening in our oceans globally, impacting marine wildlife and increasing species displacement.

“Our destruction of nature has pushed our ecosystems out of balance,” Novorska said. “However, I’m still confident that scientists, policymakers, educators and advocates can come together to continue to create change.”

Hurricanes’ third-quarter rally not enough to top Florida State

Wrigley Kordt
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Hurricanes’ third-quarter rally not enough to top Florida State

Miami traveled to Tallahassee looking to defeat the rival Seminoles and bring itself to a .500 record in the ACC. But the back-and-forth matchup ended in a 75-68 Florida State victory.

The Hurricanes came into the match with the second-best defense in the ACC, allowing only 58.2 points per game. The Seminoles, meanwhile, boasted the conference’s second-best offense, averaging 81.5 points per game. But in the battle between an unstoppable force and an immovable object, Florida State’s offense came out on top.

Despite the high final score, Miami’s defense had several bright spots. The ‘Canes held Ta’Niya Latson, the ACC’s fourth-leading scorer, to 15 points on 4-for-11 shooting. In addition, the Hurricanes scored 21 points off of 17 Florida State turnovers.

However, junior forward Makayla Timpson erupted for the Seminoles, dropping a 22-point double-double in 32 minutes.

As for Miami’s offense, the second unit led the way, with sophomore guard Lemyah Hylton and junior forward Latasha Lattimore combining for 29 of the team’s 31 bench points. The duo shot a combined 85.7% from the field and finished as the Hurricanes’ two leading scorers.

Miami’s starters, however, struggled throughout the game, amassing 37 points while shooting an abysmal 32.6% from the field.

Those struggles were especially evident in the first half, as the team shot 39.4% from the field and the starters combined for a mere 15 points. The lone bright spot was Hylton, as she posted 10 of the team’s 33 first-half points.

Despite a rough first half, the Hurricanes came alive in the third quarter, scoring 24 points, including a 12-0 run. During that quarter, the ‘Canes made two-thirds of their field goal attempts, including half of their three-point shots.

But Miami failed to translate its hot shooting to the fourth quarter. The team scored a paltry 11 points, making only one three-point attempt and going 29% from the field overall.

What ultimately won the game for Florida State was its ability to take and make free throws. The Seminoles got to the line early and often, making 13 of their 17 shots from the charity stripe, including six crucial makes in the fourth quarter.

Miami, meanwhile, failed to get to the line, attempting zero free throws in the fourth quarter. Overall, the ‘Canes shot only six free throws, making four of them. The team’s inability to get to the line was especially evident given its shooting woes outside of the third quarter.

The loss knocks Miami’s conference record to 4-6, plunging the team to 10th place in the ACC.

The Hurricanes will head back home for their next matchup, a Thursday night bout against ACC rival Clemson. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Hurricanes men’s basketball face one of their toughest challenges in the Virginia Cavaliers

Luke Sims
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Hurricanes men’s basketball face one of their toughest challenges in the Virginia Cavaliers

The Miami Hurricanes desperately need some wins, and it does not get any easier with their upcoming game. The ‘Canes have a tall task in the Virginia Cavaliers on the road Monday night.

“Every game now moving forward is very important,” said junior guard Bensley Joseph. “Just having a 1-0 mindset. We have a tough opponent in Virginia on Monday so we have to get healthy, rest our bodies, and just get ready to play a big game on Monday in Charlottesville.”

Under coach Tony Bennett, the Cavaliers (17-5) have rattled off six straight wins and are second in the ACC. The championship pedigree of this team is as strong as ever. A trio of talented guards leads the team.

A pair of sophomore guards, Isaac McKneely and Ryan Dunn, are vital cogs in Bennett’s offense. Dunn leads the team in rebounds with 7.3 and will most likely draw a matchup with Miami’s Kyshawn George or Matt Cleveland.

Senior guard Reece Beekman leads the Cavaliers. The Wisconsin native leads the team in points and assists with 13.3 and 6.1, respectively. Beekman does a little of everything for coach Bennett and must be a focal point for Miami.

Fourth-year junior guard Nijel Pack drives to the basket in the second half of Miami’s game versus Virginia Tech in the Watsco Center on Feb. 3, 2024.
Fourth-year junior guard Nijel Pack drives to the basket in the second half of Miami’s game versus Virginia Tech in the Watsco Center on Feb. 3, 2024. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

Virginia plays a similar style to the ‘Canes. Both teams play a smaller lineup and need a true center. Dunn does much of his work in the paint while being listed as a guard. While the two teams’ size is similar, Virginia’s style is identical to that of Miami’s last opponent.

“The good part for us is that our preparation for Virginia Tech is very similar to our preparation for the University of Virginia,” said coach Jim Larrañaga. “They both run that ‘pack’ defense and they both run a lot of motion-type offense.”

Virginia’s defense is a step up from Virginia Tech’s. The Cavaliers are the 12th-best team in the country in adjusted defense. The Cavaliers like to play a very conservative and controlled style of basketball that limits turnovers and foul shots.

The ‘Canes excel in a fast-paced game, and Miami must get Virginia out of its element to control this game. Miami is finally back to total health and can run what they want in practice. This should help the pace of the game as coach Larrañaga finally has his full complement of players available.

Still, this will be a very tough test. The Cavaliers feast on turnovers and are very good at causing them. Miami has turned the ball over way too much against teams with lesser defenses than the one the Hurricanes will face on Monday in Charlottesville.

Junior guard Bensley Joseph drives down court in the second half of Miami’s game versus Virginia Tech in the Watsco Center on Feb. 3, 2024.
Junior guard Bensley Joseph drives down court in the second half of Miami’s game versus Virginia Tech in the Watsco Center on Feb. 3, 2024. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

“Virginia is a very good team. Very well-coached team. They have a lot of experience in the backcourt and the frontcourt,” said Joseph. “So, our message is just to do what we do well, sharing the ball, talking a lot on defense, and bringing that energy from start to finish. We know it’s going to be a battle playing up there; they had a long home streak, so just come in there and do what we do best and lock in and play Miami basketball, and try and get out of there with a victory.”

Tip-off for this big-time ACC matchup is set for 7 P.M. The game will air on ESPN.

All stats and data via ESPN and KenPom unless otherwise noted.

Who is Alan Dershowitz and why is he coming to campus?

Jenny Jacoby
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Who is Alan Dershowitz and why is he coming to campus?

Harvard Law professor and strong supporter of Israel Alan Dershowitz is coming to the University of Miami Campus just a month after his name was featured on the Jeffrey Epstein List – and some students are not happy about it.

Students Supporting Israel announced that they would be hosting Dershowitz on Feb. 7, 2024, for “A Conversation about Israel” last week. In the days since, students have spoken out against his presence on campus with a widespread social media campaign citing his past affiliation with known pedophile Epstein and his Los Angeles Times 1997 op-ed that supported the lowering of the age of sexual consent to 15.

“Pedophiles and victim blamers are not welcome on campus,” an Instagram post by @canesforpalestine, an unofficial student group “advocating for Palestinian liberation”, with over 70 comments said. Dershowitz has not been charged of pedophilia.

Dershowitz is most prominently known as a high-profile criminal lawyer and author of over 30 books. He has defended O.J. Simpson, President Donald Trump and was the longtime lawyer and friend of Epstein, whom he earned a non-prosecution agreement for in his initial 2008 plea agreement in the South Florida District.

He has gained further attention with the ongoing Israel-Gaza War for his active advocacy and defense of Israel. Dershowitz has authored several books on Israel’s legitimacy in the region, including his 2003 New York Times bestseller, “A Case for Israel.” It was also rumored that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought him out as a candidate to represent Israel in South Africa’s 2024 International Court of Justice case against the country.

Most recently however, Dershowitz was included in the unsealed Epstein List among more than 150 other names – including Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. The list included accusations of an underage woman, referred to as Jane Doe #3, being required to have sex with Dershowitz and testimonies that he frequently visited Epstein’s Florida mansion. Dershowitz forcefully denies these claims in a 31-minute video and has not faced any criminal charges of sexual misconduct.

“When I found out who he was, I was disgusted. Regardless of his legal career, the accusations and views on rape are gut wrenching and vile,” senior chemistry major Ainsley Hilliard said.

Dershowitz’s connection to Epstein also played out in a 2019 case brought against Dershowitz by Virginia Giuffre, a trafficking victim of Epstein, on claims of sexual assault. The allegations were later dropped in 2019 by Giuffre who stated, “I now recognize I may have made a mistake in identifying Mr. Dershowitz.”

SSI has continued to promote the conversation with Dershowitz on their Instagram, referring to Dershowitz as a “world renowned lawyer,” despite negative feedback from some students.

Students have expressed not only their frustration with SSI but with UM for approving him to speak on campus.

“While I understand people come with controversy, there has to be a line somewhere. Do we really want to listen to an accused rapist who is obsessed with false accusations, age of consent and purposefully controversial cases?” Hilliard said.

“We can bring better speakers to campus.”

UM did not comment on the matter, however, the UM Student Organization Handbook states that UM “is committed to providing a forum for free and open expression of divergent points of view by Campus speakers.”

The policy continues to state that UM has the “sole discretion” to deny a speaker if they are “deemed inconsistent with the values and mission of the University.” Without a conviction however, there are few barriers stopping Dershowitz from visiting campus.

SSI representatives did not respond to The Miami Hurricane’s repeated requests for comment about the event.

The event will be held at 8 p.m. in the Shalala Student Center East Ballroom on Feb. 7.. Students are encouraged to RSVP.

This article was edited to state “testimonies that he frequently visited Epstein’s Florida mansion” from “testimonies that he frequently visited Epstein’s private island” and to add “Dershowitz forcefully denies these claims in a 31-minute video and has not faced any criminal charges of sexual misconduct” for clarity.

What is performative representation? Find out in “American Fiction”

Vivica Dunlap
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What is performative representation? Find out in “American Fiction”
Jeffrey Wright speaks at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Westworld," at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
Jeffrey Wright speaks at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Westworld," at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons

The issue of diverse representation in film is what director Cord Jefferson tackles in his debut feature film, “American Fiction,” released on Sep. 8, 2023.

In the two-hour film, writer Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) has been told by his publisher that his writing isn’t “Black enough” and finds himself frustrated by the current publishing world.

As an act of rebellion, he writes a parody novel under a pseudonym that uses common stereotypes attached to Black culture in the U.S. — but instead of receiving hate, he becomes the next new up-and-coming writer, starting a web of lies for our protagonist that he must untangle.

Through Monk, the audience gets to question this corporate representation that he’s fighting back against. He acts as the audience’s surrogate, questioning how certain groups of people are placed into boxes so companies can profit off of false acceptance.

Biased in his own ways, however, Monk is forced to confront these assumptions through his relationships with others. As his close family and friends react to both his work and his actions toward them, he starts questioning his own perspective, creating a relationship between the literature he’s creating and his personal life.

Embed from Getty Images

Wright’s notable performance as the curmudgeonly professor grabs the heart of the audience. His romantic interest, portrayed by Erika Alexander, keeps up intellectually with Wright and weaves a mature chemistry between their characters.

Along with the leads, the film is wonderfully propped up by its supporting characters, specifically Sterling K. Brown as Clifford Ellison, Monk’s brother, and Adam Brody as Wiley, a producer interested in developing Monk’s book into a movie.

Brown gives a scene-stealing performance as he goes head to head with Monk. His carefree attitude directly contrasts Monk’s more stiff repression. Similarly, Brody provides a foil to Monk as he seems unaware of the larger institutional problems that exist, whereas Monk is entirely preoccupied by these ideas.

The script balances a wonderful line between comedy and heartfelt tones. Monk experiences his fair share of tragedies, but never feels entirely weighed down by them. Instead, his pain is always shaped by some type of humor found inside of it.

Breaking the fourth wall, the film ends by expanding the text, creating a new reading and context for the audience as they experience it.

Cord Jefferson creates a world in “American Fiction” that’s both honest and amusing as it tackles real life issues relevant to society at large.

Rating: 4.25/5

REVIEW: New “Mean Girls” is a letdown to its predecessors

Alice Reich
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REVIEW: New “Mean Girls” is a letdown to its predecessors
Photo credit: Mary Ellen Matthews

The 2024 remake of “Mean Girls” transports viewers back to North Shore High School with a fresh look and an up-to-date makeover blended with music from the 2017 Broadway musical.

The new “Mean Girls” is a movie version of the Broadway musical adaptation of Mark Water’s 2004 film. The movie was released in theaters on Jan. 12 and directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. from Tina Fey’s screenplay.

Upon arriving at high school for the first time, new girl Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is taken under the wing of cunning queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp). She welcomes her to the elite social group, the Plastics, which consists of Regina and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Woods) and Karen (Avantika).

When Cady makes the mistake of developing a crush on Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney) she falls victim to Regina’s terror. Along with her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), Cady uses her status, infiltrating the popular clique to ruin Regina.

Embed from Getty Images

“Mean Girls” is a modern-day classic held close to the hearts of every 2000s kid. This modern retelling takes everything that made the original iconic — the references, the costumes and the characters — and ruins it. There was so much potential to incorporate new technology and trends that went to waste.

To make matters worse, the movie revolves around its soundtrack, but the musical performances feel forced, disrupting the story and taking away from the plot.

No one can deny the presence that Rapp brings to the screen as Regina. Her talent goes unmatched, and other actors don’t live up to the standard she sets early on in the film.

So while the movie was entertaining and the music at times hit right, it was an anticlimactic venture that lived vicariously through the original movie and the musical.

Rating: 3/10

Joseph’s boost off the bench sparks second-half comeback, propels ‘Canes past Virginia Tech 82-74

Luke Sims
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Joseph’s boost off the bench sparks second-half comeback, propels ‘Canes past Virginia Tech 82-74

The back-to-back dunks from junior forward Norchad Omier and freshman Kyshawn George, respectively, restored Miami’s lead and life in the crowd at the Watsco Center. With just under four minutes to play, UM had all the momentum, and from there, the ‘Canes never looked back as they went on to complete the comeback to win 82-74 over the visiting Virginia Tech Hokies.

“It was just us having fun out there,” George said. “Seeing my guys perform, big plays, the crowd was loud, just having fun. From down ten, battling with my guys and seeing us chip away the lead and make big plays down the stretch, it’s fun to see. I’m happy it happened.”

The ‘Canes were trailing for a large majority of the game. After the Hokies took the lead with just over 10 minutes left in the first half, they held a stranglehold on the game. There was a stretch before halftime where the ‘Canes went without a field goal for the final 8:21 of the first half.

The turnover issues that plagued Miami in past games persisted. Miami finished with nine turnovers in the first half. Head coach Jim Larrañaga talked to his team at halftime, and adjustments were made. This led to only two turnovers in the first half.

“The players did not dribble too much,” Larrañaga said. “There’s got to be more to it than that, no. Very simply, against a team like Virginia Tech, the name of the defense is the pack. If you try and dribble through there early in the possession, you got a bunch of guys in there who will slap the ball out of your hands. That’s what happened. In the second half, we spread them out and shared the ball much better and got much better looks at the basket.”

Fourth-year junior guard Nijel Pack lays up the ball in the second half of Miami’s game versus Virginia Tech in the Watsco Center on Feb. 3, 2024.
Fourth-year junior guard Nijel Pack lays up the ball in the second half of Miami’s game versus Virginia Tech in the Watsco Center on Feb. 3, 2024. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

Junior guard Bensley Joseph sank a huge three-pointer as the crowd roared back to life. This bucket gave Miami a one-point lead with just under seven minutes to play. Joseph’s defense and energy were a huge addition for UM off the bench. The 14 second-half points from Joseph were key to Miami’s comeback.

“Shoutout to my teammates for instilling confidence in me to just come in and try and make an impact on the team,” Joseph said. “You know, fighting through adversity, we know we’ve had ups and downs all season and this month we know we need to play our best. We know we need to come together fully, just trying to be positive in the locker room, and picking each other up. Kind of knowing we’ve been here before but there’s a lot more work to do.”

The ‘Canes got a huge boost from a healthy Matthew Cleveland, as he contributed the first bucket on his way to 15 points, 13 rebounds and the game-sealing dunk.

Junior guard Wooga Poplar went down two minutes into the game. While he would return, he was limited when he was out there. Poplar finished with seven points on just 1-of-5 shooting from the field.

Junior guard Wooga Poplar shoots a jump shot in the second half of Miami’s game versus Virginia Tech in the Watsco Center on Feb. 3, 2024.
Junior guard Wooga Poplar shoots a jump shot in the second half of Miami’s game versus Virginia Tech in the Watsco Center on Feb. 3, 2024. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

Miami played Virginia Tech just three weeks ago in Blacksburg, Virginia. The ‘Canes were able to escape with a 75-71 win behind a 21-point effort from Cleveland. Hokies star Sean Pedulla had 33 points the last time he played Miami. The Hurricanes held Pedulla to 21 points and forced him into uncomfortable shots.

“Having more of a focus on what (Pedulla) does best and what he’s trying to get to,” Joseph said. “The first game was at their home and he got hot and hit some shots. This one was just trying to slow him down and stop him from making easy shots.”

This was a must-win for the ‘Canes to keep up in the ACC and maximize their chances of making the tournament. Miami is finally back to having its full roster, and it’ll need it in the challenging games going forward.

Looking to turn this win into a winning streak, the ‘Canes take to the road on Monday night for a clash with ACC rival Virginia. This game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. and will be aired on ESPN.

Miami cruises to road win over Wake Forest

Carter Lutz
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Miami cruises to road win over Wake Forest

Miami women’s basketball took care of business Thursday night against a struggling Wake Forest team in a 72-54 victory.

The Demon Deacons were able to hang around in the first half of play, but a dominant Miami second half led by a 50% shooting effort outscored Wake Forest by 15 in the final 30 minutes.

In the first 10 minutes of play, four ‘Canes put up points as Miami took a quick 16-11 lead. Jasmyne Roberts led first-quarter scorers with five points on 2-of-2 shooting and defensively added two steals and a block.

“I thought we struggled a bit in the third there to start, but I liked our looks … We got hot at the end and Shy kept us in it for a while until Jaida found her stroke,” head coach Katie Meier said.

A valiant defensive effort from Wake Forest in the second quarter helped it stay in the game. The Demon Deacons took their only first-half lead at 24-22. The Deacons shot 3-for-7 in the second quarter from behind the arc, but Miami outscored Wake Forest (4-17, 0-9 ACC) by 12 in points in the paint. The halftime score read 31-28 in favor of Miami.

Out of the gate, Miami went on a 12-3 run early in the second half and extended its lead to 12. Shayeann Day-Wilson found the hot hand as she added two threes, and Miami went into the fourth quarter with a 51-40 lead. Day-Wilson finished the game with 15 points. The Duke transfer has scored at least 15 points in five of her last six games.

Roberts’ second three-pointer of the game came early in the fourth quarter, as Miami started to pull away. Six fourth-quarter points from Arizona transfer Lemyah Hylton put the game out of reach in Winston-Salem.

“Jasmyne and Shayeann, we were riding them and I thought Latasha played great. But, it took everybody and in that fourth quarter we had some impressive numbers,” Meier said.

Miami (14-6, 4-5 ACC) had a big offensive night and a strong defensive effort from the forwards. The ‘Canes will look to use this momentum as they get into the last half of the season.

You can catch Miami back in action on Sunday when it takes on cross-state rival Florida State in Tallahassee. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m.

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