Sports Update Monday: Dolphins Fall Short, Canes BBall Wins Tourney & Heat Snap Streak
Defense Falters as Dolphins Lose Tough Road Game Against Peyton Manning
There was a time a three-point loss to Peyton Manning and his defending conference championship team would suggest progress for the Dolphins, and there was a momentary temptation after this loss to think things are not too bad because the offense is making strides, and Miami is by no means out of the playoff picture. But stop to consider what this 39-36 loss means. Yes, it suggests quarterback Ryan Tannehill is steadily moving in the right direction. Yes, it suggests the Dolphins can play close with a very good team — even on the road. But this game also showed Miami’s defense isn’t what players think it is and fans hope it is. This defense was carved up like a well-seasoned turkey four days before Thanksgiving.
Canes Basketball Wins Tourney
The University of Miami men’s basketball team made a statement with a road win over No. 7 Florida, followed it up with a commanding tournament win in Charleston, S.C., and pollsters rewarded the Hurricanes. UM, 5-0 for the first time in five years, is ranked No. 17 in the AP poll and No. 20 in the USA Today poll, both released Monday. The new-look Canes have just two players back from last season, Manu Lecomte and Tonye Jekiri. But junior transfers Angel Rodriguez and Sheldon McClellan have made an immediate impact. Rodriguez scored 24 points – including five three pointers – against the Gators. On Sunday, he was named MVP of the Charleston Classic, where the Hurricanes beat Drexel 66-46, Akron 79-51 and Charlotte 77-58.
Heat Snap Three-Game Home Losing Streak
So much intrigue, crammed into 14 seconds. A pair of former Connecticut stars, going 1-on-1 as if they were willing to decide it themselves. A one-point game, one team about to end a losing streak and a tip-in try that added more drama with every bounce off the rim. Luol Deng scored 26 points, Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers each added 20 and the Heat watched Charlotte miss three potential go-ahead shots in the final seconds on the way to beating the Hornets 94-93 on Sunday night and snapping a three-game home slide.