Miami Hurricanes
Head coach: Jim Larrañaga
Tenure at Miami: 13th season
Career coaching record: 725–483
Home court: Watsco Center
Starters: G Nijel Pack, G Wooga Poplar, G Bensley Joseph, G Matthew Cleveland, F Norchad Omier
Bench: C Michael Nwoko, G Carson Mastin, G Christian Watson, G Kyshawn George, G Paul Djobet, F Nick Cassano, G Jakai Robinson, F AJ Casey
Overview: After narrowly losing to Duke in a barn burner at Cameron Indoor, the Hurricanes were able to rally at home and hand the Blue Devils one of the most devastating outcomes of Duke’s season: a 22-point blowout. While Miami fell to Duke in the conference tournament semifinals, the Hurricanes got the last laugh as they made a run all the way to the Final Four. Miami’s journey was finally stopped short by eventual champion UConn. The Hurricanes’ season closed with guard Isaiah Wong earning ACC Player of the Year honors.
Miami lost Wong and Jordan Miller to the NBA Draft and forward Anthony Walker to the transfer portal. In exchange, the Hurricanes have landed transfer guard Matthew Cleveland from Florida State and gained five freshman commits. Head coach Jim Larrañaga will work to fill the absence of his two NBA-bound stars. Wong and Miller led the team in both points and assists throughout last season, so these are not small shoes for new Hurricanes to step into. Luckily for Larrañaga, Cleveland led the Seminoles last year with 13.8 points per game on 44.5% shooting and will look to translate his impressive scoring abilities to Miami’s offense. Last year, the Hurricanes led the ACC in scoring and, despite a different roster, may be set to recreate their offensive success with this year’s squad.
After its impressive NCAA tournament run, Miami has been ranked 13th in the preseason top 25 and can be expected to reproduce something close to last year’s success.
Team ceiling: Cleveland is able to replace Wong in offensive performance, coach Larrañaga’s team is an ACC tournament contender, and the Hurricanes follow up last year’s NCAA tournament success with another deep run.
Team floor: Miami never gains momentum without catalysts Wong and Miller and struggles to stay afloat in the ACC. The Hurricanes do not make it out of the first weekend of the tournament.
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