UGA MBB
Next Opponent:
Miami November 17, Nassau, Bahamas
Miami Hurricanes 3-0
Season national rankings MIA/UGA
PTS 32————178
PPG 27————248
FG% 16______320
FT% 47______231
3P% 4_______270
REB 186______174
A 37_________275
TO 264______122
A/TO 100_____274
BS 5_________211
Miami Herald: Sharpshooting Wooga Poplar living up to preseason hype for No. 12 Miami Hurricanes
“The college basketball season is only in its second week, but this much is already certain: Wooga Poplar is living up to his preseason hype. University of Miami coach Jim Larranaga and Poplar’s teammates alerted anyone who asked during the summer and early fall that Poplar, the 6-5 junior from Philadelphia, was poised to have a breakout season.
“He will leave people’s mouths open,” forward Norchad Omier said. “I think he will be the breakout player of the ACC.” “He’s phenomenal, definitely an NBA prospect,” said Larranaga. “His pull-up jump shot is as good as any NBA player.”
“Through three games, Poplar is leaving people’s mouths open with 20.7 points per game, 57.1 percent shooting, 70 percent shooting from three-point range (57.1 percent overall), and 14 three-pointers made, which is tied for second in the nation. He is a big reason the 12-ranked Hurricanes are 3-0 heading into this weekend’s Baha Mar Hoops Championships in the Bahamas, where they will play Georgia on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and either Kansas State or Providence Sunday at noon/2:30 p.m.
Poplar made all five of his three-point attempts and was 6 for 10 overall against UCF last week. On Monday against FIU, he went 4 for 6 from the perimeter and 6-of-11 overall for 18 points. He scored career highs in his first two games. Last season he averaged 8.4 points and his freshman year 2.3 points. “Wooga’s sensational,” Larranaga said after the FIU game. “He’s a tremendous scorer, tremendous three-point shooter, tremendous free-throw shooter. He can rebound. His defense has steadily improved from his freshman year. He was the leading scorer in the first game, leading scorer in the second game. He’s just that good.”
Poplar shrugs off the praise, smiles and continues to credit his teammates for finding him and having faith in him. He also continues to be one of the team’s hardest-working players, working on his shot in the early mornings and late nights. He often returns to the court after games to take extra shots. Three areas the Hurricanes need to improve on are rebounding, turnovers and Omier fouls. Despite the three victories, Miami committed 18 turnovers against UCF and 14 against FIU. The Hurricanes were outrebounded 38 to 34 against UCF and 34 to 32 against FIU.
Meanwhile, Omier, a first-team All-ACC preseason forward returning from the Final Four team, has been prone to foul trouble. He played just 24 minutes against FIU and finished with four fouls. He also had four fouls against UCF and picked up two quick ones in the first few minutes of the season opener against NJIT. “A.J. Casey and Michael Nwoko came in and played quality minutes for us when Norchad was out, but do I like him sitting on the bench next to me for half the game? No. He’s got to be more self-disciplined,” Larranaga said.
Hurricanes have a pair of big tests this weekend in the Bahamas tournament against power five competition. “We tried to schedule teams from major conferences because it bothers me that the ACC does not earn the respect that it’s had for 71 years,” Larranaga said. “We play Central Florida from the Big 12, we’re going to play Georgia from the SEC and either Providence or Kansas State, which is Big East and Big 12, and then we go to Kentucky that’s SEC. So, we’re challenging ourselves in the non-conference and we hope we do well because that’s become a major part of the (NCAA Tournament Selection) committee’s decision for at-large bids.”
Rothstein’s ACC prediction:
2. Miami
Current Player Rating Miya
69 Omier 15.0 59.3 40.0 70.6 11.0 2.0
165 Pack 12.0 44.1 27.3 60.0 3.0 5.7
215 Cleveland 17.0 60.7 50.0 81.3 6.7 3.7
244 Joseph 14.0 60.9 64.3 83.3 2.3 3.7
260 Poplar 20.7 57.1 70.0 100.0 4.3 1.7
963 Casey 3.3 57.1 0.0 100.0 2.3 0.3
1361 Watson 3.3 66.7 50.0 0.0 2.0 0.3
1671 George 1.7 11.1 16.7 100.0 1.7 1.3
1797 Nwoko 3.7 66.7 0.0 75.0 1.3 0.0
Projected Starting 5 (last season’s numbers)
G Nigel Pack 6-0 184 JR 22 13.6 2.7 2.3
G Bensley Joseph 6-2 207 JR 5.3 2.1 2.0
G Wooga Poplar 6-5 192 JR 8.4 3.3 1.5
F Matthew Cleveland 6-7 200 JR (FSU) 13.8 7.4 1.8
C Norchad Omier 6-7 248 JR 13.1 10.0 1.3
Projected Bench:
AJ Casey 6-9 213 SO 0.9 1.0 0.2
Christian Watson 6-7 209 SO 1.5 0.5 0.1
Jakai Robinson 6-5 208 SO 0.6 0.3 0.1
Kyshawn George 6-6 196 FR 17.6 6.5 3.8 (Elan, France)
Michael Nwoko 6-10 240 FR Prolific Prep
Paul Djobet 6-7 193 FR 17.0 10.0 West Oaks Academy, Orlando
Key Newcomers: Michael Nwoko, Kyshawn George, Matthew Cleveland (Florida State), Paul Djobet
Key Losses: Jordan Miller, Harlond Beverly, Isaiah Wong
ACC returning scoring by percentage:
Duke 81%
Clemson 62.5%
Miami 59.7%
Miami will return Omier, Pack and Poplar as starters in 2023-24. Bensley Joseph who was the sixth man for Miami last season and Florida State transfer Matthew Cleveland are the other projected starters in 2023-24.
Miami will mostly play a four-out one in lineup again with Omier in the post.
According to NBA Scouts:
“Omier is a big-bodied PF/C who could find a role eventually in the NBA as a small-ball 5. He’s a high level rebounder who really knows how to use his frame to carve out space in the lane and gives great effort on the glass.
Does all the dirty work and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. A good screener and solid passer from the high post.
Is a solid FT shooter with decent touch from mid range. Projects as a player who will stretch out the 3pt land at some point in his career but that’s not currently a big part of his game.
It’s not just the defense, where last season Norchad Omier unlocked Miami’s aggressive pick-and-roll coverages, allowing Jordan Miller and Wooga Poplar to make plays. But it’s also the offensive initiation - Omier kickstarts a lot of 5-out sets in the middle third of the floor.”
Florida State transfer Matthew Cleveland will replace Miller on the wing.
Matthew Cleveland brings versatility that Miller provided in the last two seasons. Miami will need Cleveland to continue to improve as a three-point shooter in 2023-24. Cleveland improved from 17.5 percent on threes in 2021-22 to 35.0 percent in 2023-24.
Bensley Joseph will replace Wong in the starting lineup. Expect rising junior Wooga Poplar to take a huge step forward and become a primary scorer for Miami with Cleveland and Pack next season.
Pack the heralded and well compensated NIL transfer from Kansas State lived to his billing. Pack averaged 13.6 points per game, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, shot 44.3 percent from the floor, 40.4 percent on three-point attempts and 88.2 percent from the free throw line in 2022-23. In the NCAA Tournament Pack averaged 16.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 steal and shot 47.5, 45.5 and 90.0 percent
Miami’s depth is young:
They return 6’9 forward A.J. Casey on the inside and signed 6’10, 240-pound freshman Michael Nwoko.
From the University of Miami:
A 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward/center from Toronto, Nwoko is among the top big men in the class of 2023.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the Miami basketball program. He is a versatile big with great size, athletic ability, low-post scoring skill and a knack for rebounding the ball,” Larrañaga said. “Michael comes from winning high school and AAU programs. He has been coached and mentored well, and is on an upward trajectory. He continues to get better and is a terrific fit for our program. We are eager to welcome Michael and his family to The U.”
Nwoko checks in as the No. 106 player in the 247Sports Composite rankings, placing No. 13 among centers and No. 15 in the talent-rich state of California. He is labeled a four-star recruit, the ninth such player—of 12 total—to sign with the Hurricanes over the last five cycles.
Miami also recruited a couple of quality freshman, who grew up overseas:
From the University of Miami:
“Kyshawn George has excellent size. He’s lanky, but he has a great frame and it’s just a matter of time before he fills out. He’s a big guard whom I saw playing point guard for an entire game at 6’6,” ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony said. “You can see he has a strong feel for the game and he just really knows how to play. He can hit tough shots from everywhere; he’s got real shot-making ability. He fits Miami’s style because Coach L loves having these big, versatile guards who can handle it, pass it and shoot it. He’s almost tall enough to play the four in four-guard lineups, but he is thin so he is really a wing. He’s really fluid and smooth. The game comes very naturally for him. I am very intrigued by Kyshawn long-term.”
From the University of Miami:
“Paul Djobet is considered a four-star recruit by ESPN, which ranks him as the No. 14 player in the state of Florida. Rivals also tabs the newest Hurricane as a three-star prospect.
“Paul Djobet made his mark last summer on the circuit. He owns a great frame at 6’7 with a 7’0 wingspan,” ESPN recruiting director Paul Biancardi said. “He’s from France and has only been playing in the States for the last few years. His versatility to drive the ball past different-sized defenders is real. He possesses touch both inside and out, which makes him a creative scorer. The next step is to rebound with urgency and refine his skills. Djobet has plenty of promise and Coach Larrañaga has an uber successful track record in winning and player development.”
Key Hurricanes from University of Miami website:
Nigel Pack
“As a Third-Year sophomore (2022-23): NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Most Outstanding Player … Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List … Wooden Award Preseason Watch List … ACC Player of the Week (2/6)
Played in 35 games, missing two due to illness/injury, and started each of them … Averaged 13.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steal in 31.6 minutes per game … Shot 44.1 percent from the floor, 40.4 percent outside the arc and 88.2 percent at the line … Led Miami in 3-point percentage, made 3-pointers (82) and free-throw percentage, while placing third in scoring, assists and minutes … Placed fifth on Miami’s single-season free-throw percentage list (min. 50 FTA), sixth in made 3-pointers and eighth in 3-point attempts (213) … In ACC-only play, finished second all-time at Miami in made 3-pointers (52), fourth in 3-point attempts (120) and eighth in 3-point percentage (43.3; min. 35 3PA) … Tied for the third-most made 3-pointers in game (seven) by a Hurricane, including matching the top total in Jim Larrañaga’s tenure and posting the highest total since Davon Reed on 2/4/17 … Tied for the most made 3-pointers (five) in a half by a Hurricane since the program joined the ACC in 2004-05 … Logged the second-most NCAA Tournament single-game made 3-pointers (seven), co-second-most 3-point attempts (10) and the third-best 3-point percentage (min. five 3PM; 70.0) in program history … First player in program history to earn NCAA Tournament Region MOP honors … Ranked No. 63 in the NCAA and seventh in the ACC in total made 3-pointers, as well as No. 106 overall and eighth in the league in makes per game (2.46) … In league-only play, placed second in the ACC in 3-point percentage (43.3) and co-seventh in made 3-pointers (52) … One of 11 ACC players (14 occurrences) in the last 20 years to average 13.5 points and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 40.0 percent from deep on at least six 3-point attempts per game, as well as one of five Power Six players to do so in 2022-23 … Ranked second in made 3-pointers (15) and fifth in points (82) among all players in the NCAA Tournament … Scored in double digits 22 times, with 15-plus on 16 occasions, including in 12 of his final 18 outings, with 20-plus in eight outings, including in six of his last 14 performances with four in a five-game span and three in a row … Grabbed four-plus rebounds 10 times, with five thrice … Recorded multiple assists in 23 games, with four-plus in eight and five-plus in four … Collected multiple steals seven times, reaching three-plus thrice … Played at least 30 minutes in 25 outings, with 35-plus minutes in five of them … Led or co-led Miami in scoring nine times, steals seven times, assists six times, minutes six times and blocks once … Posted the most single-game made 3-pointers (seven) by a Hurricane and four of the six outings with five-plus makes, as well as the co-third-highest mark in steals (four) and fifth-highest total in points (26) by a Hurricane … Compiled 16 points, a season-best five rebounds and a 4-of-10 long-range clip in his Miami debut against Lafayette (11/7) … Notched 14 points in 35 minutes against UNC Greensboro (11/11) … Poured in 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including a 3-of-6 ledger from deep, against St. Francis Brooklyn (11/23), adding four boards … Recorded 16 points and three assists, shooting 7-of-10 overall and 2-of-4 from deep, at UCF (11/27) … Did not play against St. Francis (PA) (12/17) due to illness … Finished with 10 points and three rebounds in 36 minutes in the win over sixth-ranked Virginia (12/20) … In a return to his home state, logged 21 points and three steals at Notre Dame (12/30), shooting 8-of-13 from the floor and 5-of-8 from 3-point range … Logged 13 points, four rebounds and two assists at Georgia Tech (1/4) … Registered 15 points on 5-of-9 long-range shooting versus Syracuse (1/16), adding two assists and eclipsing 1,000 career points in just his 70th outing … Totaled 18 points, three rebounds and two steals at Duke (1/21), shooting 4-of-9 on 3-pointers … Posted 18 points, including 16 in the first half, to go along with five assists and two steals at Florida State (1/24), shooting 6-of-10 overall and 4-of-7 beyond the arc … Scored all 17 of his points against Virginia Tech (1/31) in a span of 5:08 late in the second half, as he shot 6-of-6 from the floor (5-of-5 from deep) to help Miami turn a three-point deficit into an eight-point lead with 2:28 to go, notching all but two of its points during that stretch … Put up 20 points, four rebounds and three assists in a win at No. 19/20 Clemson (2/4), hitting all six of his free throws to set season highs in makes and attempts … Dished out a season-best six assists and grabbed a co-season-high five boards in the victory over RV/No. 24 Duke (2/6) … Dropped 22 points against Louisville (2/11), shooting 8-of-14 from the field, 4-of-9 from deep and 2-of-2 at the line, adding two assists … Registered 23 points in the win at North Carolina (2/13), finishing 7-of-11 overall, 4-of-6 on 3-pointers and 5-of-6 at the line, tying a season high in free-throw attempts … Compiled 24 points, four assists, three rebounds and a career-high-tying four steals in a season-high 37 minutes against Wake Forest (2/18), going 9-of-17 from the floor, 4-of-8 beyond the arc and 2-of-2 at the stripe … Had 16 points and two steals at Virginia Tech (2/21) … Did not play against Florida State (2/25) due to a lower extremity injury … Scored 11 points against No. 21 Duke (3/10) in the ACC Tournament semifinals … Finished with 21 points and two steals in the NCAA Tournament opener versus Drake (3/17), shooting 7-of-15 from the field, 3-of-7 from deep and 4-of-4 at the line, as well as making the game-winning jump-shot with 60 seconds left … Tallied 12 points, three rebounds and two assists against No. 21/19 Indiana (3/19) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament … Poured in a season-high 26 points and notched two assists versus No. 2/1 Houston (3/24) in the Sweet 16, shooting 8-of-12 from the floor, including 7-of-10 from deep to set a season high in makes … Tallied 15 points and two assists, shooting 6-of-12, in 36 minutes against No. 5/7 Texas (3/26) in the Elite Eight.
Next Opponent:
Miami November 17, Nassau, Bahamas
Miami Hurricanes 3-0
Season national rankings MIA/UGA
PTS 32————178
PPG 27————248
FG% 16______320
FT% 47______231
3P% 4_______270
REB 186______174
A 37_________275
TO 264______122
A/TO 100_____274
BS 5_________211
Miami Herald: Sharpshooting Wooga Poplar living up to preseason hype for No. 12 Miami Hurricanes
“The college basketball season is only in its second week, but this much is already certain: Wooga Poplar is living up to his preseason hype. University of Miami coach Jim Larranaga and Poplar’s teammates alerted anyone who asked during the summer and early fall that Poplar, the 6-5 junior from Philadelphia, was poised to have a breakout season.
“He will leave people’s mouths open,” forward Norchad Omier said. “I think he will be the breakout player of the ACC.” “He’s phenomenal, definitely an NBA prospect,” said Larranaga. “His pull-up jump shot is as good as any NBA player.”
“Through three games, Poplar is leaving people’s mouths open with 20.7 points per game, 57.1 percent shooting, 70 percent shooting from three-point range (57.1 percent overall), and 14 three-pointers made, which is tied for second in the nation. He is a big reason the 12-ranked Hurricanes are 3-0 heading into this weekend’s Baha Mar Hoops Championships in the Bahamas, where they will play Georgia on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and either Kansas State or Providence Sunday at noon/2:30 p.m.
Poplar made all five of his three-point attempts and was 6 for 10 overall against UCF last week. On Monday against FIU, he went 4 for 6 from the perimeter and 6-of-11 overall for 18 points. He scored career highs in his first two games. Last season he averaged 8.4 points and his freshman year 2.3 points. “Wooga’s sensational,” Larranaga said after the FIU game. “He’s a tremendous scorer, tremendous three-point shooter, tremendous free-throw shooter. He can rebound. His defense has steadily improved from his freshman year. He was the leading scorer in the first game, leading scorer in the second game. He’s just that good.”
Poplar shrugs off the praise, smiles and continues to credit his teammates for finding him and having faith in him. He also continues to be one of the team’s hardest-working players, working on his shot in the early mornings and late nights. He often returns to the court after games to take extra shots. Three areas the Hurricanes need to improve on are rebounding, turnovers and Omier fouls. Despite the three victories, Miami committed 18 turnovers against UCF and 14 against FIU. The Hurricanes were outrebounded 38 to 34 against UCF and 34 to 32 against FIU.
Meanwhile, Omier, a first-team All-ACC preseason forward returning from the Final Four team, has been prone to foul trouble. He played just 24 minutes against FIU and finished with four fouls. He also had four fouls against UCF and picked up two quick ones in the first few minutes of the season opener against NJIT. “A.J. Casey and Michael Nwoko came in and played quality minutes for us when Norchad was out, but do I like him sitting on the bench next to me for half the game? No. He’s got to be more self-disciplined,” Larranaga said.
Hurricanes have a pair of big tests this weekend in the Bahamas tournament against power five competition. “We tried to schedule teams from major conferences because it bothers me that the ACC does not earn the respect that it’s had for 71 years,” Larranaga said. “We play Central Florida from the Big 12, we’re going to play Georgia from the SEC and either Providence or Kansas State, which is Big East and Big 12, and then we go to Kentucky that’s SEC. So, we’re challenging ourselves in the non-conference and we hope we do well because that’s become a major part of the (NCAA Tournament Selection) committee’s decision for at-large bids.”
Rothstein’s ACC prediction:
2. Miami
Current Player Rating Miya
69 Omier 15.0 59.3 40.0 70.6 11.0 2.0
165 Pack 12.0 44.1 27.3 60.0 3.0 5.7
215 Cleveland 17.0 60.7 50.0 81.3 6.7 3.7
244 Joseph 14.0 60.9 64.3 83.3 2.3 3.7
260 Poplar 20.7 57.1 70.0 100.0 4.3 1.7
963 Casey 3.3 57.1 0.0 100.0 2.3 0.3
1361 Watson 3.3 66.7 50.0 0.0 2.0 0.3
1671 George 1.7 11.1 16.7 100.0 1.7 1.3
1797 Nwoko 3.7 66.7 0.0 75.0 1.3 0.0
Projected Starting 5 (last season’s numbers)
G Nigel Pack 6-0 184 JR 22 13.6 2.7 2.3
G Bensley Joseph 6-2 207 JR 5.3 2.1 2.0
G Wooga Poplar 6-5 192 JR 8.4 3.3 1.5
F Matthew Cleveland 6-7 200 JR (FSU) 13.8 7.4 1.8
C Norchad Omier 6-7 248 JR 13.1 10.0 1.3
Projected Bench:
AJ Casey 6-9 213 SO 0.9 1.0 0.2
Christian Watson 6-7 209 SO 1.5 0.5 0.1
Jakai Robinson 6-5 208 SO 0.6 0.3 0.1
Kyshawn George 6-6 196 FR 17.6 6.5 3.8 (Elan, France)
Michael Nwoko 6-10 240 FR Prolific Prep
Paul Djobet 6-7 193 FR 17.0 10.0 West Oaks Academy, Orlando
Key Newcomers: Michael Nwoko, Kyshawn George, Matthew Cleveland (Florida State), Paul Djobet
Key Losses: Jordan Miller, Harlond Beverly, Isaiah Wong
ACC returning scoring by percentage:
Duke 81%
Clemson 62.5%
Miami 59.7%
Miami will return Omier, Pack and Poplar as starters in 2023-24. Bensley Joseph who was the sixth man for Miami last season and Florida State transfer Matthew Cleveland are the other projected starters in 2023-24.
Miami will mostly play a four-out one in lineup again with Omier in the post.
According to NBA Scouts:
“Omier is a big-bodied PF/C who could find a role eventually in the NBA as a small-ball 5. He’s a high level rebounder who really knows how to use his frame to carve out space in the lane and gives great effort on the glass.
Does all the dirty work and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. A good screener and solid passer from the high post.
Is a solid FT shooter with decent touch from mid range. Projects as a player who will stretch out the 3pt land at some point in his career but that’s not currently a big part of his game.
It’s not just the defense, where last season Norchad Omier unlocked Miami’s aggressive pick-and-roll coverages, allowing Jordan Miller and Wooga Poplar to make plays. But it’s also the offensive initiation - Omier kickstarts a lot of 5-out sets in the middle third of the floor.”
Florida State transfer Matthew Cleveland will replace Miller on the wing.
Matthew Cleveland brings versatility that Miller provided in the last two seasons. Miami will need Cleveland to continue to improve as a three-point shooter in 2023-24. Cleveland improved from 17.5 percent on threes in 2021-22 to 35.0 percent in 2023-24.
Bensley Joseph will replace Wong in the starting lineup. Expect rising junior Wooga Poplar to take a huge step forward and become a primary scorer for Miami with Cleveland and Pack next season.
Pack the heralded and well compensated NIL transfer from Kansas State lived to his billing. Pack averaged 13.6 points per game, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, shot 44.3 percent from the floor, 40.4 percent on three-point attempts and 88.2 percent from the free throw line in 2022-23. In the NCAA Tournament Pack averaged 16.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 steal and shot 47.5, 45.5 and 90.0 percent
Miami’s depth is young:
They return 6’9 forward A.J. Casey on the inside and signed 6’10, 240-pound freshman Michael Nwoko.
From the University of Miami:
A 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward/center from Toronto, Nwoko is among the top big men in the class of 2023.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael to the Miami basketball program. He is a versatile big with great size, athletic ability, low-post scoring skill and a knack for rebounding the ball,” Larrañaga said. “Michael comes from winning high school and AAU programs. He has been coached and mentored well, and is on an upward trajectory. He continues to get better and is a terrific fit for our program. We are eager to welcome Michael and his family to The U.”
Nwoko checks in as the No. 106 player in the 247Sports Composite rankings, placing No. 13 among centers and No. 15 in the talent-rich state of California. He is labeled a four-star recruit, the ninth such player—of 12 total—to sign with the Hurricanes over the last five cycles.
Miami also recruited a couple of quality freshman, who grew up overseas:
From the University of Miami:
“Kyshawn George has excellent size. He’s lanky, but he has a great frame and it’s just a matter of time before he fills out. He’s a big guard whom I saw playing point guard for an entire game at 6’6,” ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Givony said. “You can see he has a strong feel for the game and he just really knows how to play. He can hit tough shots from everywhere; he’s got real shot-making ability. He fits Miami’s style because Coach L loves having these big, versatile guards who can handle it, pass it and shoot it. He’s almost tall enough to play the four in four-guard lineups, but he is thin so he is really a wing. He’s really fluid and smooth. The game comes very naturally for him. I am very intrigued by Kyshawn long-term.”
From the University of Miami:
“Paul Djobet is considered a four-star recruit by ESPN, which ranks him as the No. 14 player in the state of Florida. Rivals also tabs the newest Hurricane as a three-star prospect.
“Paul Djobet made his mark last summer on the circuit. He owns a great frame at 6’7 with a 7’0 wingspan,” ESPN recruiting director Paul Biancardi said. “He’s from France and has only been playing in the States for the last few years. His versatility to drive the ball past different-sized defenders is real. He possesses touch both inside and out, which makes him a creative scorer. The next step is to rebound with urgency and refine his skills. Djobet has plenty of promise and Coach Larrañaga has an uber successful track record in winning and player development.”
Key Hurricanes from University of Miami website:
Nigel Pack
“As a Third-Year sophomore (2022-23): NCAA Tournament Midwest Region Most Outstanding Player … Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List … Wooden Award Preseason Watch List … ACC Player of the Week (2/6)
Played in 35 games, missing two due to illness/injury, and started each of them … Averaged 13.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steal in 31.6 minutes per game … Shot 44.1 percent from the floor, 40.4 percent outside the arc and 88.2 percent at the line … Led Miami in 3-point percentage, made 3-pointers (82) and free-throw percentage, while placing third in scoring, assists and minutes … Placed fifth on Miami’s single-season free-throw percentage list (min. 50 FTA), sixth in made 3-pointers and eighth in 3-point attempts (213) … In ACC-only play, finished second all-time at Miami in made 3-pointers (52), fourth in 3-point attempts (120) and eighth in 3-point percentage (43.3; min. 35 3PA) … Tied for the third-most made 3-pointers in game (seven) by a Hurricane, including matching the top total in Jim Larrañaga’s tenure and posting the highest total since Davon Reed on 2/4/17 … Tied for the most made 3-pointers (five) in a half by a Hurricane since the program joined the ACC in 2004-05 … Logged the second-most NCAA Tournament single-game made 3-pointers (seven), co-second-most 3-point attempts (10) and the third-best 3-point percentage (min. five 3PM; 70.0) in program history … First player in program history to earn NCAA Tournament Region MOP honors … Ranked No. 63 in the NCAA and seventh in the ACC in total made 3-pointers, as well as No. 106 overall and eighth in the league in makes per game (2.46) … In league-only play, placed second in the ACC in 3-point percentage (43.3) and co-seventh in made 3-pointers (52) … One of 11 ACC players (14 occurrences) in the last 20 years to average 13.5 points and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 40.0 percent from deep on at least six 3-point attempts per game, as well as one of five Power Six players to do so in 2022-23 … Ranked second in made 3-pointers (15) and fifth in points (82) among all players in the NCAA Tournament … Scored in double digits 22 times, with 15-plus on 16 occasions, including in 12 of his final 18 outings, with 20-plus in eight outings, including in six of his last 14 performances with four in a five-game span and three in a row … Grabbed four-plus rebounds 10 times, with five thrice … Recorded multiple assists in 23 games, with four-plus in eight and five-plus in four … Collected multiple steals seven times, reaching three-plus thrice … Played at least 30 minutes in 25 outings, with 35-plus minutes in five of them … Led or co-led Miami in scoring nine times, steals seven times, assists six times, minutes six times and blocks once … Posted the most single-game made 3-pointers (seven) by a Hurricane and four of the six outings with five-plus makes, as well as the co-third-highest mark in steals (four) and fifth-highest total in points (26) by a Hurricane … Compiled 16 points, a season-best five rebounds and a 4-of-10 long-range clip in his Miami debut against Lafayette (11/7) … Notched 14 points in 35 minutes against UNC Greensboro (11/11) … Poured in 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including a 3-of-6 ledger from deep, against St. Francis Brooklyn (11/23), adding four boards … Recorded 16 points and three assists, shooting 7-of-10 overall and 2-of-4 from deep, at UCF (11/27) … Did not play against St. Francis (PA) (12/17) due to illness … Finished with 10 points and three rebounds in 36 minutes in the win over sixth-ranked Virginia (12/20) … In a return to his home state, logged 21 points and three steals at Notre Dame (12/30), shooting 8-of-13 from the floor and 5-of-8 from 3-point range … Logged 13 points, four rebounds and two assists at Georgia Tech (1/4) … Registered 15 points on 5-of-9 long-range shooting versus Syracuse (1/16), adding two assists and eclipsing 1,000 career points in just his 70th outing … Totaled 18 points, three rebounds and two steals at Duke (1/21), shooting 4-of-9 on 3-pointers … Posted 18 points, including 16 in the first half, to go along with five assists and two steals at Florida State (1/24), shooting 6-of-10 overall and 4-of-7 beyond the arc … Scored all 17 of his points against Virginia Tech (1/31) in a span of 5:08 late in the second half, as he shot 6-of-6 from the floor (5-of-5 from deep) to help Miami turn a three-point deficit into an eight-point lead with 2:28 to go, notching all but two of its points during that stretch … Put up 20 points, four rebounds and three assists in a win at No. 19/20 Clemson (2/4), hitting all six of his free throws to set season highs in makes and attempts … Dished out a season-best six assists and grabbed a co-season-high five boards in the victory over RV/No. 24 Duke (2/6) … Dropped 22 points against Louisville (2/11), shooting 8-of-14 from the field, 4-of-9 from deep and 2-of-2 at the line, adding two assists … Registered 23 points in the win at North Carolina (2/13), finishing 7-of-11 overall, 4-of-6 on 3-pointers and 5-of-6 at the line, tying a season high in free-throw attempts … Compiled 24 points, four assists, three rebounds and a career-high-tying four steals in a season-high 37 minutes against Wake Forest (2/18), going 9-of-17 from the floor, 4-of-8 beyond the arc and 2-of-2 at the stripe … Had 16 points and two steals at Virginia Tech (2/21) … Did not play against Florida State (2/25) due to a lower extremity injury … Scored 11 points against No. 21 Duke (3/10) in the ACC Tournament semifinals … Finished with 21 points and two steals in the NCAA Tournament opener versus Drake (3/17), shooting 7-of-15 from the field, 3-of-7 from deep and 4-of-4 at the line, as well as making the game-winning jump-shot with 60 seconds left … Tallied 12 points, three rebounds and two assists against No. 21/19 Indiana (3/19) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament … Poured in a season-high 26 points and notched two assists versus No. 2/1 Houston (3/24) in the Sweet 16, shooting 8-of-12 from the floor, including 7-of-10 from deep to set a season high in makes … Tallied 15 points and two assists, shooting 6-of-12, in 36 minutes against No. 5/7 Texas (3/26) in the Elite Eight.
Last edited:
