Miami, FL – Miami handled UL Monroe 104–79 in a game that was never really about execution or schemes, but about physical dominance and pace. From the opening half, it was clear Miami could get whatever it wanted inside, even though the outside shooting didn’t show up early. At halftime, Miami led 49–38 despite shooting just 18% from three, while UL Monroe was actually the more efficient perimeter team, hitting 47% from deep and 54% overall. The difference was simple: Miami overwhelmed them on the glass and at the rim, owning a 24–9 rebounding advantage and consistently punishing Monroe’s lack of interior resistance.
Miami played man-to-man from the opening tip, though the defensive effort wasn’t sharp. Rotations were slow, closeouts were late, and the overall energy felt muted at times—possibly a factor of the early start time. Even so, UL Monroe couldn’t capitalize enough to stay close because Miami’s physical advantages kept showing up possession after possession. Malik Reneau set the tone early, dominating inside with 16 points and 6 rebounds in the first half alone, scoring comfortably through contact and establishing deep position whenever he wanted. Miami’s ability to score without relying on the three kept them in control despite the shooting variance.
The second half followed a similar script, but Miami began to separate once the ball movement improved and open looks started to fall. About ten minutes in, the Canes had created real distance, pushing the lead through rim pressure and transition opportunities rather than shot-making difficulty. Miami did experiment with zone looks again against a lower-level opponent, but once more it proved ineffective. UL Monroe trimmed the lead to 76–62 with ten minutes left by attacking gaps and knocking down shots against the zone, reinforcing the idea that Miami’s identity is far more stable when they stick to man coverage. Once Miami reasserted control through pace and physicality, the game was effectively over.
Tre Donaldson had arguably his best all-around game as a true point guard, finishing with 18 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds on efficient shooting. What stood out most was his control of tempo. Donaldson played like a floor general, consistently putting teammates in scoring positions and letting the game come to him. When his mindset stays pass-first, Miami’s offense flows cleaner, and his scoring naturally follows without forcing the issue. His veteran presence showed, especially during moments when UL Monroe threatened small runs.
Ernest Udeh Jr. was another decisive factor. With 14 points and 15 rebounds, his size and strength completely overwhelmed Monroe’s frontcourt. Udeh plays like an old-school center, anchoring the paint, cleaning the glass, and imposing physicality on both ends. While his offensive fundamentals still need refinement, his rebounding presence and ability to control space around the rim were unmatched in this game. Miami won the interior battle comfortably, and Udeh was a major reason why.
Reneau continued to look like Miami’s most reliable interior scorer with this 22-point,10-rebound game on 10-15 FG attempts. His efficiency, comfort playing through contact, and ability to convert consistently around the rim stood out again. Miami leaned on him whenever they needed stability offensively, and UL Monroe simply didn’t have an answer for his strength and touch. When Miami needed a basket to stop momentum, the ball found Reneau.
On the other side, Renars Sondors showed intriguing traits for UL Monroe finishing with 14 points on 5-11 FG. He has good size and length, plays with controlled pace, and brought an aggressive offensive mindset in this matchup. His body control stood out, especially when attacking the basket, and his effort defensively was noticeable. The main area for growth is speed; both in decision-making and overall pace, but the tools are there for him to be a productive forward at NCAA Power 5 level.
Ultimately, this game was decided by physicality, rebounding, and interior scoring. Miami shot 60% from the field for the game and dominated the paint through Reneau and Udeh, while Donaldson orchestrated efficiently from the guard spot. Defensively, Miami still has room to improve, especially in terms of effort and consistency, but against UL Monroe, talent and strength were more than enough. The result was a fast-paced, high-scoring win that highlighted Miami’s strengths while still exposing areas that need tightening as competition improves.
This article was written by Matias Deya, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.
We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.
