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Miami basketball success in Wooden Legacy could be vital to NCAA Hopes

By Alan Rubenstein

BLACKSBURG, VA - FEBRUARY 3: Miami Hurricanes players stand during the national anthem before the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum on February 3, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - FEBRUARY 3: Miami Hurricanes players stand during the national anthem before the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum on February 3, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images) /
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If the Miami basketball program hopes to earn a fourth straight NCAA Tournament bid for the first time in 2019 success in the Wooden Legacy in November could be vital.

The Miami basketball team’s appearance in the 2018 Wooden Legacy could be vital to their success later in the 2018-19 season. Miami has not scheduled a very challenging non-conference slate over the past few seasons.

Last year the Hurricanes most challenging non-conference games came in the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu and at Minnesota in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Their only non-conference win over a Power Five school in 2017-18 was at Minnesota.

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    • Because they lost to New Mexico State in the Semifinals in Hawaii, Miami did not play one school from a Power Five Conference in the Diamond Head Classic. The only other team from a Power Five Conference at the Diamond Head was eventual champion USC.

    Miami did have wins over Hawaii and Middle Tennessee State in Honolulu. The Blue Raiders finished the 2018 season 30th in the RPI, one spot behind the Hurricanes. Miami’s non-conference strength of schedule last season was 83rd in Division I.

    With a team that has had little experience together, playing well in the Wooden Classic could prove vital to their NCAA Tournament hopes. The Hurricanes might need to stack some wins together early in the season.

    Guards Miles Wilson and Zach Johnson are entering their first seasons playing on the Miami basketball team.

    Wilson redshirted last season after playing his Freshman year at Mount Saint Mary’s. Johnson is a Graduate Transfer from Florida Gulf Coast.

    Miami also added Wyoming transfer, Anthony Mack. Mack is attempting to get a waiver that will allow him to compete this season. He sat out his Freshman season this past year with the Cowboys because of concussions.

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