Miami Brought the Hype Home. Now Finish the Possession

Miami opened with a road win and enough second-half offense to make the preseason excitement feel justified. Now comes the home introduction: Bellarmine at Millett Hall, Saturday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

I want to see the same confident guards, more of Stevie Elam, and fewer possessions where Miami plays good defense before letting the opponent try again. After Tuesday’s football game, I’m also hoping the basketball team supplies some much-needed eye bleach. A comfortable home win would be a lovely treatment plan.

Offense: Spread It Out and Share It

Luke Skaljac scored 19 at James Madison, Evan Ipsaro added 15, and Elam supplied 13 off the bench. That is the appeal of this group: Miami can keep creating without asking one guard to manufacture every good possession.

I’m especially interested in Elam’s follow-up after his efficient debut. His ability to attack gives Miami another way to punish a defense stretched across the floor. Skaljac’s pull-up game remains something I want to see, too. When defenders chase the three-point line, that middle space should become an invitation.

Bellarmine opened with a 93–47 loss at Vanderbilt, committing 23 turnovers, then lost 92–69 at Indiana. Those are difficult assignments, so I’m not treating the scores as a complete scouting report. But Miami should test the Knights’ ability to defend multiple actions and recover to shooters.

H&H projections are predictions, not reported statistics.

Defense: Robbins Protects the Rim, Atlason Resets

Tyler Robbins is someone I want to watch more closely Saturday. He recorded a block in 11 minutes at James Madison, and his shot-blocking background is real: he holds Upper St. Clair’s career blocks record. Miami doesn’t need him hunting a highlight on every possession. Protect the basket, stay disciplined, and finish the play when the shot misses.

The other player I’m watching is Almar Atlason. He scored 10 in the opener, but finished 4-for-12 from the floor and 1-for-7 from three. I want a bounce-back performance, and that can start before his first shot falls: stay connected defensively, make the rotation, and bring energy that carries into the offense.

James Madison collected 16 offensive rebounds and made 14 threes. Robbins can help protect the interior, but Miami also needs its perimeter defenders and forwards to keep him from having to solve every breakdown.

H&H projections and targets are editorial predictions, not reported statistics.

Prediction: Miami 88, Bellarmine 66

I’m picking Miami’s guard play and offensive depth to create separation. The important part is how the RedHawks reach it: move the ball, take the available threes, and turn defensive stops into possessions they actually keep.

A home opener is also a chance to introduce this roster to people who followed last season’s run and are wondering what comes next. Give them pace, effort, and a reason to circle the next home date. I’d happily trade another dramatic comeback for a comfortable final five minutes.