Here is what UM basketball fans can expect from Hurricanes coming off Elite Eight run
They won 26 games last season and came just shy of reaching the Final Four in March. The Hurricanes want more this season.
“When you’re a real competitive athlete and you reach the Elite Eight, you know what you think? `Ah, I could have gotten to the Final Four,’’’ University of Miami coach Jim Larranaga said on Thursday at the team’s preseason Media Day. “That makes you hungry. Our guys are.”
Last season, Miami was the surprise team of the ACC. The Hurricanes were picked 12th in the preseason conference poll and wound up in the Elite Eight.
This year, the secret is out. UM was picked fourth in the preseason ACC poll and was three spots from making the AP preseason Top 25. The last time the Hurricanes were in the Top 25 was 2017-18.
The team lost leaders Charlie Moore, Kam McGusty and Sam Waardenburg, but transfers Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier are expected to make an immediate impact.
Pack, a 6-foot guard, averaged 15.3 points in his two seasons at Kansas State and was one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal. His signing made national headlines because he received a two-year, $800,000 Name, Image and Likeness deal with LifeWallet.
“Nijel’s a tough scorer, he can shoot from distance and play make, too,” said guard Isaiah Wong, who is back at UM for a final season after flirting with the NBA Draft. “He’s a big help to the team. I feel he’ll bring the same energy as Charlie did.”
Returning point guard Bensley Joseph agreed: “Nijel’s a lights’ out shooter from the perimeter. He’s also a very underrated playmaker. He’s going to be very exciting to watch.”
Pack has been studying tape of Moore and trying to integrate what he sees into his game, such as getting his hands more active for steals.
“I watched film with coaches on what he did, being a transfer like me, I am trying to take things from his game,” Pack said. “He took deep threes and deep shots, and you’re going to see the same from me. I’m taking some of his defense, his anticipation, how he got steals.”
Omier, a beefy 6-7 forward known for his energy and rebounding, averaged 15.6 points and 12.2 rebounds in his two seasons at Arkansas State. He played a year of high school ball at Miami Prep and is the first Nicaraguan to play Division I basketball.
“This is my home away from home; I feel like I’m in Nicaragua,” he said. “There are so many Latin people here, Cubans, Dominicans. This isn’t like Arkansas. It was rare to hear someone speaking Spanish. Here, it’s normal to hear Spanish all over campus, which makes me feel good.”
His teammates are feeding off his energy.
“Norchad is a man among boys,” said Joseph. “He’s a force down low, a big body. He has great energy. Everyone will be in for a surprise with him.”
First-team preseason All-ACC pick Wong (15.3 points per game) and top rebounder Jordan Miller (10.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg) will lead this group. Miller said he feels “slept on” and aims to prove that he can be among the elite players in the ACC. His assist-to-turnover ratio is 4 to 1 during the off-season, so Larranaga trusts him with the ball.
Joseph is also expected to have a big impact.
“Defensively, fans will see me guarding the opposing point guard 94 feet and trying to harass ball handlers, make their lives miserable and get steals,” he said.
Wong was evaluated by NBA executives last spring and decided he could use another year to improve his game, particularly his three-point consistency.
“I just love this program, I feel comfortable here and I wanted to come back for another season and improve my game,” Wong said. “I have time to wait. The NBA’s always going to be there.”
Miami opens the season Nov. 7 at home against Lafayette.
