Miami Hurricanes
Miami comes into the season again this year with low expectations. The media picked the Canes to be at the bottom of the league at the recent ACC Media Days eventhough they return the surprise of the conference from last season in 3rd team all-conference selection Jack McClinton. Miami was extremely young last season, and will hope that the returning players, plus their incoming freshmen, will lead to a quality season. Let's see how Frank Haith's fourth campaign will stack up.
Key Losses: Losing Denis Clemente, who was reprimanded for team violations and ended up transferring to Kansas State, was a big blow for the Hurricanes. They also lost senior point guard Anthony Harris and Keaton Copeland (28% of scoring, 18% of rebounding, 54% of assists). Lawrence Gilbert transferred to Louisiana-Monroe, as well.
New Additions: The recruiting haul for Miami was small, but solid from last season. Posts Julian Gamble will add to an already deep front court. Guard Eddie Rios will look to compete for minutes at the point immediately. Juco transfer Lance Hurdle will also provide depth to the backcourt.
Projected Lineup:
- PG- Eddie Rios (6', Fr.)
- SG- Jack McClinton (6'3", Jr.)
- SF- Brian Asbury (6'7", Jr.)
- PF- Dwayne Collins (6'8", So.)
- C- Anthony King (6'9", R-Sr.)
Key Reserves:
- PF/C- Jimmy Graham (6'8", Jr.)
- PF- Raymond Hicks (6'7", Sr.)
- SG- James Dews (6'3", So.)
- SF- Adrian Thomas (6'7", R-So.)
- PG/SG- Lance Hurdle (6'2", Jr.)
- C- Julian Gamble (6'9", Fr.)
Outlook: Again picked at the bottom of the conference, Miami feels like they can prove themselves to be, at least, a middle of the pack team. Returning the leading 3-point shooter in the league in McClinton, along with a deep, rugged front court in Collins, King, and Graham, Miami looks to be solid in those areas. If Asbury can keep improving and they can get solid point guard play out of the freshman Rios, they could have a solid year. It seems that the lack of depth in the back court could be their undoing, as McClinton and Asbury will have to average more than their 30+ minutes per game last season.
The out of conference schedule is favorable for wins, with few games against any RPI top 200 teams. The toughest tests will be Mississippi State in Starkville, and Winthrop, Penn, and St. John's at home. They will travel to Puerto Rico for Thanksgiving for a tournament that includes VCU, Arkansas, Marist, Providence, Temple, College of Charleston, and Houston.
Prediction: 4-12 Finish, 11th in ACC; 13-17 Overall.
ACC Preview #2- ClemsonACC Preview #1- Georgia Tech
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