Lineup change not likely to change Miami basketball rotation
The recent lineup change by Jim Larranaga for the Miami basketball team is not likely to change the Hurricanes rotation according to the to Head Coach.
Larranaga spoke to Miami Hurricanes play-by-play announcer Joe Zagacki on Hurricanes hotline on earlier this week on the Miami flagship station WQAM. He discussed the Miami basketball win over Florida State, the lineup change and the upcoming game against Clemson.
Larranaga inserted Freshman Lonnie Walker into the lineup for the Miami Basketball win over Florida State on Sunday. Walker replaced D.J. Vasiljevic at guard against the Seminoles. Vasiljevic is a better shooter, but Walker is better able to create his own shot.
The Hurricanes have been inconsistent this season offensively. Walker’s insertion into the lineup was likely done because of his offensive ability. In spite of the start, Walker had his third-lowest output in minutes this season.
In his other two low output in minutes, Walker suffered injuries that kept him out of the game. The Hurricanes have to be cautious with Walker’s injuries this season after he tore his MCL in July.
Senior Guard Ja’Quan Newton also played a season-low in minutes on Sunday. Newton was held scoreless for the first time since Miami lost to Newton’s hometown Villanova Wildcats in the 2016 NCAA Sweet in 2016. He played 17 minutes against the Seminoles.
Larranaga told Zagacki that he liked the chemistry between Vasiljevic, Bruce Brown and Freshman Chris Lykes on Sunday. With a backcourt that goes five deep Larranaga is likely to keep that up throughout the season.
Brown had just his second 20 point game of the season and finished with a season-high 23 points. Freshman Lykes had the best game of his young college career. He finished with a career-high 18 points on six-of-ten from the floor and two-of-four three. He made only four of eight from the free throw line.
Vasiljevic didn’t shoot the ball well but played a good all-around game. The Sophomore from Australia finished with eight points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals in 27 minutes against the Seminoles.
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Larranaga is likely to go with matchups and game flow to decide who plays in the backcourt. Brown seems to be the one constant.
Walker thrived in the one game Brown missed. You have to wonder if the two alphas on the Miami Basketball roster can co-exist. Walker could be better coming off the bench and leading the second team.
If the Hurricanes are going to reach heights that haven’t been seen before in Coral Gables basketball those two are going to have to thrive and learn how to play together.
Brown, center-forward Dewan Huell are the three highest ranked recruits in Miami history. They all need to be playing well for the Hurricanes to make a deep run into March.
Brown and Walker have been inconsistent this season. Huell has been Miami’s most consistent player. The 6’11 Sophomore from Miami Norland High School leads the Hurricanes in scoring and blocks and is second in rebounding. He is averaging 13.9 points per game, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.
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Huell and Anthony Lawrence have started every game up front for Miami this season. Ebuka Izundu has gone a good job backing them up. Rodney Miller and Sam Waardenburg have received limited playing time behind those three.