Hours after learning the NCAA declared Dewan Hernandez ineligible for the season, the shorthanded University of Miami men’s basketball team shook off the bad news, played its best game of the season, but fell short 87-82 to 18th-ranked North Carolina State in their conference opener.
The Hurricanes led by 10 with nine minutes to go, much to the delight of a louder-than-usual Watsco Center crowd that included newly-named head football coach Manny Diaz, who received a rousing ovation when he was shown on the scoreboard.
But things began to unravel midway through the second half.