The Miami Hurricanes basketball program hopes to rebound from its worst season in over a decade. The team won just 37% of its games, suffering its third consecutive losing season. Head Coach Jim Larranaga has an impressive 200-130 record since taking over as head coach, but the program has struggled in recent years.
Change of Heart
After initially proclaiming their intentions to move onto the NBA, guards Isaiah Wong and Kameron Mcgusty will be returning to the program for another year. The lethal backcourt duo served as Miami’s leading scorers and passers in the 2020 season. Both players also demonstrated their reliability in crucial situations, as they were named to the ACC All-Tournament team.
Transfer Time
The Hurricanes gained a big-time addition in transfer Charlie Moore. While Miami already has a loaded back-court, Moore should effectively serve as the leader of the team’s second unit. After leading DePaul University in scoring and assists, Moore left the program after an unexpected coaching change. Miami will be the fourth university that Moore attends in the past five years. In high school, Moore won the coveted title of Illinois’ Mr. Basketball and Gatorade National Player of the Year.
George Mason senior guard Jordan Miller decided to spend his final year at the University of Miami. Miller, the former Virginia class 4A Player of the Year, led George Mason in both scoring and rebounding. The 6-foot-6 wing should help establish a winning attitude at Miami, after never suffering a losing season at George Mason.
Problems in the Paint
After the transfer of center Nysier Brooks, the only center on the roster is 7-footer Rodney Miller Jr. While the veteran big-man has proven to be effective in the past, his career as a Hurricane has been plagued by injuries. Miller missed 22 games last season, playing no more than one minute in the five contests that he did partake in.