MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — It's a game not lacking for storylines. Duke's Manny Diaz is about to coach against Miami for the first time since he was fired by the Hurricanes on Dec.
6, 2021. He will be facing Mario Cristobal, the man Miami hired to replace Diaz that same day. Both coaches are of Cuban descent, and both are Miami natives.
That's a lot to process. But Diaz and Cristobal are keeping it simple. To them, it's just Duke vs.
Miami. The fifth-ranked Hurricanes (8-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) face Duke (6-2, 2-2) on Saturday, a game where a Miami offense that leads the nation in scoring per game takes on a Blue Devils defense that ranks among the stingiest in the country. “This week, it’s been really about the task at hand," Diaz said when asked about balancing the emotions around his return to Miami and the game itself.
“Certainly, when the schedule comes out, you’re aware of it. ..
. I can’t predict what it’s going to be like on game day. But once the week shows up and you’re in such game-planning mode, you’re here to try to solve problems that they present.
If that's compartmentalizing, then guilty as charged.” Duke is coming off a 28-27 overtime loss to SMU last week. Miami scored on seven of nine possessions (seven of eight if one doesn't count the meaningless last play of the game) in an 36-14 win over rival Florida State that only added to the buzz around the Hurricanes.
“This city loves backing a winner," Cristobal said. "When the team.