Miami Hurricanes Basketball Consensus Top 25 2017-18

With all of the major sports outlets providing early season looks nationally at 2017-18, the Louisville Courier-Journal had their own look at the ACC Power rankings for next season.

The top three in the ACC will be perennial national powers Louisville, North Carolina, and Duke. The C-J is high on the Hurricanes after that. After a one-season absence from the top four in the conference, many expect Miami to the best of the other 11 ACC Teams next season.

Miami should have a more versatile roster in 2017-18. DJ Vasikjevic improved as this past season went on. He can be a deadly outside shooter and showed he also had the ability to put the ball on the floor.

They also discussed the importance that someone from Izundu, Huell and Miller needs to emerge up front. The Courier-Journal likes the energy and fearlessness that Lykes should provide Miami in 2017-18

Louisville Courier-Journal ACC Way Too Early ACC Power Rankings.

"4. Miami Who’s gone: W Davon Reed and F Kamari Murphy (graduation); W Rashad Muhammad and F Michael Gilmore (dismissed) Who’s back: G Ja’Quan Newton, G Bruce Brown, F/C Dewan Huell, G Dejan Vasiljevic, F Anthony Lawrence, C Ebuka Izundu, C Rodney Miller Who’s coming in: G Lonnie Walker (ranked: 19); PG Chris Lykes (63); F/C Deng Gak (130); F/C Sam Waardenburg (144) News broke on Championship Monday that Bruce Brown planned to return to school for his sophomore year after a very strong run through his freshman season. That gives Miami a fantastic backcourt of Brown, Ja’Quan Newton and incoming blue-chip freshman Lonnie Walker. Dejan Vasiljevic is a shooter, and Chris Lykes is small but fearless as a point guard who bring instant juice to the Hurricanes. The frontcourt needs someone to take a big leap. Dewan Huell seems to be the best candidate to do that while Ebuka Izundu and Rodney Miller develop."

A lot is going to be expected from the Hurricanes next season. The arrival of Walker to go with Brown gives Miami one of the most dynamic backcourt tandems in the country. Add in Newton, with Vasiljevic and Lykes off the bench and the Hurricanes are exceptional in the perimeter.

Next: Miami Hurricanes Basketball Ranked 87th All-Time

If the frontline can play to it’s potential, the Hurricanes could have a special season in 2017-18. The key will be Huell to prove he earned his status as a McDonald’s All-American.