Spartan win not highlight of season

CORAL GABLES — It had the look of a programshifting win, but Miami basketball players were more realistic. Sure, the 67-59 beating of No. 13 Michigan State Wednesday night was big for confidence and postseason consideration, but the court-storming party can’t be the marquee moment of the season.

“It’s a big win, but it’s not the highlight of our season,” center Reggie Johnson said. “It was big. We helped our conference in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, but we still have UMass coming up. It’s definitely a big win because we beat a top-20 opponent, but we have to keep moving forward.”

Coach Jim Larranaga called it “November’s highlight, but it will be gone in a couple of days,” entering Saturday’s road game at UMass. It’ll be the last game in two weeks as the Hurricanes (4-1) break for semester-ending exams.

The Miami women’s basketball team stunned No. 6 Penn State in the BankUnited Center just 24 hours after the men’s win over Michigan State. The Hurricanes moved to 6-1 by forcing 26 turnovers, ending the Nittany Lions’ six-game winning streak.

Miami junior DEShayonGreenwas namedco-winner of the ACC’s Brian Piccolo Award along with FSU’s Chris Thompson. The award goes to the “most courageous” player in the league and is named for the Wake Forest graduate and Chicago Bear who died from cancer. Green suffered two torn ACLs, a torn meniscus and a dislocated wrist. He missed at least part of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons. Green led the team in tackles this season.