Miami Hurricanes

2023-2024 Result: 15-17 record (6-14 ACC), No postseason appearance

Projected Starting Lineup

Head Coach: Jim Larranaga (14th season)

Guard: Nijel Pack (5th year)

Guard: Jalil Bethea (FR)

Guard: Matthew Cleveland (SR)

Forward: Brandon Johnson (SR)

Center: Lynn Kidd (5th year)

Key Additions

Brandon Johnson (East Carolina)

Lynn Kidd (Virginia Tech)

A.J. Staton-McCray (Samford)

Jalen Blackmon (Stetson)

Jalil Bethea (5-star recruit)

Austin Swartz (4-star recruit)

Key Losses

Kyshawn George

Norchad Omier

Wooga Poplar

Bensley Joseph

The transfer portal treated coach Larranaga well this off season, as he went out and addressed the frontcourt by adding Lynn Kidd and Brandon Johnson. Losing Norchad Omier to Baylor obviously hurts, but the new frontcourt duo may actually serve this team better on the defensive end. While neither Kidd or Johnson are known as elite defenders, it’s the rebounding boost that will serve the Hurricanes well (177th OReb%, 153rd Dreb% last season). This will also allow for Matthew Cleveland to play his natural position as a small forward, giving this team even more positional size. The weakness of this defense is certainly in the backcourt, as Nijel Pack, Jalil Bethea and Jalen Blackmon don’t profile as great defenders. Samford transfer, A.J. Staton-McCray is probably their best guard defender, but he’s not enough to move the needle for this unit.

On the offensive side of the ball there is obviously a lot of talent, starting with Pack and Bethea. This backcourt’s ability to create their own shot from the perimeter is a characteristic that not many other teams will have in this conference, but these 2 aren’t necessarily elite at creating shots for others. Miami also struggled with the ball security a season ago (192nd in TO rate), partly because they don’t have a true point guard, but the Hurricanes also dealt with a multitude of injuries. If Bethea becomes a star in the ACC these issues will be minimized, and the additions of Kidd and Johnson will bring a strong offensive rebounding presence.

While Miami may not emerge as one of the elite teams in college basketball, they should be due for a bounce back this upcoming season. The injuries they dealt with a season ago really derailed their chances of competing with the top of the ACC. I like the Hurricanes chances to be a top 3 or 4 ACC squad, as their improved physicality will serve them well.