Even with continued success, the Miami Hurricanes women's basketball team still isn't receiving the credit they deserve. With a 21-5 record, the 'Canes continue to show they can beat anyone, including a seven-point win over the reigning national champions and fourth-ranked Notre Dame.
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The Hurricanes have four wins over ranked opponents and are 9-2 in the ACC. They have won seven of their last eight games, including wins at No. 13 Syracuse, Duke, and Pittsburgh.
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With 21 wins on the season, Miami has at least two more wins, but the same or less losses than the next six teams in the AP Poll. The team doesn't get much as far as easy wins to finish the season, but they definitely have a chance to prove themselves as one of the nation's best teams.
In the last five games of the regular season, the Hurricanes face three ranked opponents, two in the top-12. Their next game will be against No. 2 Louisville on the road. If they are able to win that game, they have to be taken seriously. With the Cardinals at 10-1 and Miami at 9-2, a win here could give them a chance at the ACC title, but they would have to win out. The Irish are also 9-2 in conference play, but the Hurricanes hold the tie-breaker after beating them last week.
The Hurricanes will then travel to Blacksburg, Va. to take on Virginia Tech. The Canes beat the Hokies when they played at the Watsco Center in January, so this shouldn't be an easy game, either.
After three road games, Miami will then play two games at home against the No. 21 Florida State Seminoles, and then Georgia Tech. The Hurricanes lost to the 'Noles by four points to end January, but home-court could help swing that in the Canes' favor.
They end the regular season on the road in Raleigh against the No. 12 North Carolina State Wolfpack. If Miami can win three of these five games, I think it would be a success and end the season on a pretty solid stretch heading into the ACC Tournament.
The Hurricanes have been led this season by Beatrice Mompremier, who is averaging 16.6 points and 11.8 rebounds. She is currently seventh in the ACC in scoring average and second in rebounds.
Mompremier is helped inside by Emese Hof with her 13.9 points (21st in ACC) and 8.7 rebounds (5th in ACC) each game. She is also second in the ACC at 2.2 blocked shots per game. In their win against Notre Dame, the two combined for 39 points, 25 rebounds, and five blocks, including four swats by Hof.
With how well these two players control the paint, they always have a chance to beat any team. With rebounding and protecting the rim, they have to be one of the best duos in the country.
