CORAL GABLES, Fla. _ It began as a fresh start to a new season for the new-look Miami Hurricanes, debuting a somewhat bolstered 2019-20 roster but one that was still recovering from how vastly undermanned last year's unit was.
Miami hung tight with No. 5 Louisville for the first 10 minutes. Then, reality struck.
The Cardinals finished the first half with a 36-10 run to pull in front and pull away from the Hurricanes as Miami fell, 87-74, in its season opener, Atlantic Coast Conference opener and first men's basketball game televised on the ACC Network from Watsco Center on Tuesday night.
Miami's frontcourt was exposed as Louisville (1-0, 1-0 ACC) outscored Miami (0-1, 0-1), 42-28, on points in the paint. ACC Preseason Player of the Year Jordan Nwora led the Cardinals with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Ryan McMahon and forward Dwyane Sutton each scored 16.
The Hurricanes were led by 18 points from junior guard Chris Lykes, but 14 of them came in the second half once the score was out of reach. Senior DJ Vasiljevic had 16, and fellow guard Kameron McGusty scored 12 in his UM debut after transferring from Oklahoma.
The Cardinals first showed the Hurricanes what they were up against during a 17-0 first-half run that transformed a 16-9 Miami lead to a 26-16 Louisville advantage. While much of Tuesday's damage was done inside, Mcmahon ignited it for Louisville with three consecutive 3-pointers.
It didn't stop there. The Cardinals grew the initial run into the eventual 36-10 swing to head into halftime leading 45-26.
As the Louisville defense stifled Miami, it became clear the night would not turn back in UM's favor when Samuel Williamson sank a three plus a foul, although he missed the ensuing free throw, with two minutes left in the first half. Williamson finished with 13 while center Steven Enoch had a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The UM deficit grew in the second half as Louisville led by as many as 32 before trimming it back down to the final margin.
Just under six minutes into Tuesday's action, UM coach Jim Larranaga made his first four substitutions, three of the players to enter being Miami's freshman class. Guard Harlond Beverly immediately displayed his ability to drive and finish at the rim, making back-to-back contested layups. Then, off a Deng Gak block, it was Beverly leading the fast break and setting up fellow freshman and forward Anthony Walker for a layup. Beverly and Walker each finished with 9.
Miami started with defensive intensity to lead 16-9 early. On Louisville's first possession, UM suffocated the Cardinals for 30 seconds to create a shot-clock violation.
The Hurricanes start their non-conference slate at home against FAU on Friday night. Their next ACC game is on Dec. 31 at Clemson.
