By Kenneth Cross
The Miami Hurricanes are picked generally at No. 2 in the ACC behind Duke; however, with the talent and experience combined on this team, winning over the Blue Devils produces more likelihood than many of the pundits ascertain.
Coach Jim Larrañaga has been able to field solid recruiting classes with few injuries in the last two years which have spelled an Elite Eight two years ago and last season’s Final Four.
‘Whatever my coaching staff and I evaluate as our strengths, we try to emphasize those,” said Larrañaga. “Whatever we feel as our weaknesses, we try to limit the number of times that we expose those and try to help those characteristics improve.”
Miami and Virginia tied for the ACC regular season title last season, but the Hurricanes defeated the Cavaliers in their lone meeting and so Miami was the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament.
Although losing Isaiah Wong and Jordan Miller to the NBA’s Pacers and Clippers, Miami returns a solid post in Norchad Omier and a strong point guard in Nijel Pack. Throw in small forward Wooga Poplar and the ‘Canes have as dynamic of a Big Three as you can find in the game.
“Nijel was a natural fit (last season) because he was about the same size as Charlie (Moore),” explained Larrañaga. “Had a lot of the same skills. Great shooter, great ball handler, and great quarterback.”
Omier averaged a double-double last season with 13.1 points and 10 rebounds per evening as Larrañaga noted that he is the best rebounder in the nation.
“When you have a guy who is as good and relentless as that, you ask yourself, ‘OK, how do you help him improve at other parts of his game'” said Larrañaga.
Meanwhile, Poplar can shoot the ball from all around the floor in stroking the three. He finds his shots often with his dribble moves as he shot 47 percent from the floor last season and is a tough cover with his versatility.
Bensley Joseph will complement Poplar as Miami’s 2-guard and with his shooting ability, most opponents will have an issue with the Miami’s wings. Former Florida State Seminole Matt Cleveland, who will play well along side Omier in the post.
The movement in Miami’s program is based on the culture that Larrañaga used to build the program and get it to the level where his players stylize the team concepts. Of course this is a prime key in building a program and it getting to the Final Four or Elite Eight.
“We talked to the players about having a great attitude, a positive attitude,” explained Larrañaga. “Then the second was to make a total and unconditional commitment to be the best we could be. We wanted all our players to be role models, behave in a first class manner.”
Miami opened the season with a 101-60 domination of NJIT on Monday night behind. Poplar’s 21 points as he made five triples while Omier (20/10) and Cleveland (16/10) each had a double-double.