Miami Hurricanes
2013-2014 Overall Rank: #133
Conference Rank: #12 ACC
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Miami is coming off of arguably its best season in school history, one which saw them get to No. 2 in the polls at one point. The Hurricanes won the ACC Tournament title and earned a two seed in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately for Miami, its run was cut short due to an upset loss to Marquette in the Sweet 16.
2012-13 Record: 29-7, 15-3
2012-13 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jim Larranaga
Coach Record: 49-20 at Miami, 519-354 overall
Who’s Out:
The big blow is the loss of Shane Larkin, who left early for the NBA Draft. However, five of last year's top six were seniors, each having played a big role, and none of them return as well. Durand Scott was second on the team with 13 points and Kenny Kadji averaged 12.9. Last year's squad relied heavily on its seniors and Larkin, and losing its top six players will be hard on the team.
Who’s In:
Due to so many players leaving, there will be a ton of new players on this year's squad. That number could reach seven if Angel Rodriguez, a Kansas State transfer is ruled eligible to play right away. The junior has two years remaining, but will have to sit out a year after transferring if he isn't granted a waiver by the NCAA. Luckily for Larranaga, the players he has brought in are quite impressive. Davon Reed and Deandre Burnett are the top two, outside of Rodriguez. Reed was a consensus Top-100 player, while Burnett was a Parade All-American after averaging 36.2 points per game as a senior. James Kelly averaged 17.9 points and 10.0 rebounds. He became the first player in Owens Community College program history to record 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 100 steals and 100 blocks in his career. Donnavan Kirk returns to Miami for his fifth and final season. Kirk transferred to DePaul after playing his freshman year at Miami. Manu LeComte comes to Miami via Belgium. The Hurricanes just picked up their third transfer, Sheldon McClellan in mid-June. However, unlike Kirk and possibly Rodriguez, McClellan will have to sit out the upcoming season.
Who to Watch:
With such little experience returning, it will be key for the new faces to play a big role. Of the returnees, Rion Brown saw the most action and he just averaged six points per game and is the top returning scorer. If Rodriguez is eligible, he will be looked at to pick up where Larkin left off. Luckily for the Hurricanes, three of the newcomers (Reed, Burnett and Kelly) know how to score, so that shouldn't be a problem. Kirk will step into the frontcourt mix and help Kelly out there. Players like Tonye Jekiri will have to step up.
Final Projection:
For the Hurricanes to make the NCAA Tournament this season, they are going to need their newcomers to step up. If Rodriguez isn't eligible, it will put a heavier burden on the new faces. The talent is there for Miami to make the tournament again, but how everyone fits in and whether Rodriguez is eligible or not will make the difference. If he isn't eligible, the Hurricanes will be a team to watch for in 2014.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
Projected Starting Five:
Angel Rodriguez, Junior, Guard, 11.4 points per game
Rion Brown, Senior, Guard, 6.4 points per game
Davon Reed, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
Donnavan Kirk, Senior, Forward, DNP last season
James Kelly, Junior, Forward, DNP last season
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.7 (114th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 60.6 (39, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.5 (66, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.0 (48, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.1 (85, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.2 (67, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 68.4 (207, 6)
Rebound Margin: 3.1 (84, 3)
Assists Per Game: 11.3 (274, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 10.7 (12, 2)
Madness 2013 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#113 Davon Reed
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