Up close with Miami Hurricanes standout Matthew Cleveland: "I feel this is a top two team in the ACC ... we can go win it all"
The Miami Hurricanes basketball season tips off Nov. 4 against Fairleigh Dickenson, and the first conference game is Dec. 7 against Clemson. CaneSport has you fully covered throughout the season as Miami looks to return to the NCAA Tournament after a disappointing 15-17 finish last year (6-14 in ACC play). It’s a totally revamped roster from that group, with Matthew Cleveland (13.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG) and Nijel Pack (13.3 PPG, 3.5 APG) the lone main returners. Coach Jim Larranaga has added six new transfers and four freshmen.
Miami was picked to finish sixth in the ACC preseason poll, trailing No. 1 Duke (956 points), North Carolina (924), Wake Forest (800), Clemson (765) and Virginia (743). The Canes are also among “others receiving votes” in the AP preseason poll, still ranking as the fourth-highest ACC team at No. 38. That’s behind Duke at No. 7, North Carolina No. 9 and in “others receiving votes” Wake Forest is 30th with Clemson 40th and Louisville 46th.
As we kick off your 2024-25 season coverage, today we have your CaneSport TV preseason update with Cleveland.
“The main thing is just to win, whatever it takes to win,” Cleveland said looking ahead to the start of the season. “We have 10 new guys – it’s coming together. Day by day you can see us learning each other more, being more connected.”
Cleveland has elite ability but hasn’t really had a breakout year. Prior to his first season at Miami he was at FSU and had similar results with 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds in 2022-23 and 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds as a freshman the prior year.
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He looks to make his mark as a scoring force and solid defender this season.
“I feel like if you win that does a lot for you and your teammates,” he said. “When you win everyone eats. I feel wining is the easiest way to put all your abilities on display at the highest stage.”
Cleveland will mainly play the 3 this year and says he worked hard on his mental game in the offseason.
“Part of being a basketball player is maturing,” he said.
The bottom line? Cleveland says he feels this Miami team can be “very competitive” in the ACC.
“I feel this is a top two team in the ACC, in my opinion,” he said. “We put it all together, that’s right where we’ll be. All the pieces we have and how deep we are – day in and day out you see something different from everyone else. It gives me the confidence of believing that we can go win it all.
“This season will show how good our team is.”
