The Miami basketball team will definitely lose starting guards Kameron McGusty and Charlie Moore and center Sam Waardenburg entering next season. Guards Jordan Miller and Isaiah Wong will have decisions to make. If Miller and Wong both leave, Jim Larranaga will have to replace his entire starting lineup.
Larranaga has already stated the Miami basketball program will be looking to the transfer portal to add more players as they did last season with Miller and Moore. Miami turned their program around by making the NCAA Tournament this season. The Hurricanes reached the Regional Final for the first time in program history.
Miami signed the 18th best class nationally and fifth-best in the ACC. Most importantly Larranaga is adding size to the Miami basketball roster. All four 2022 Miami signees are at least 6’6 or taller. Projecting the 2022-23 starting lineup is challenging depending on who and which positions Miami could add as transfers.
Miller is listed as a fourth-year junior. Wong is a third-year sophomore. At the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Larranaga said to expect this to be the last season for Wong at Miami. After inconsistency at times this season, Wong could use another year of college basketball. Miller is more likely to return.
Tough finish to the year but Absolutely fantastic season. A historic run.
— Joseph Zagacki (@canesvoice) March 27, 2022
Thanks @CanesHoops @CanesCoachL all that listened on this heart jolting journey. Appreciate it and especially @MrsCanesVoice @hayley_zagacki hanging on every word. Go Canes.
Miami also loses seldom-used backup center, Rodney Miller. Deng Gak who also played limited minutes this season just completed his fifth year with Miami but has one season of eligibility remaining. Gak has dealt with injuries at Miami. Gak will have the options of staying at Miami, turning pro, or transferring.
The hopeful return of guard Harlond Beverly who signed with Wong in 2019 will add experience and stability for the Miami basketball team in 2022-23. Beverly missed this season with a spinal injury. Point guard Bensley Joseph gave Miami valuable minutes off the bench this season but needs to improve offensively.
Entering his fourth season with junior eligibility in 2022-23, forward Anthony Walker is a projected starter. Walker will add more size to the Miami frontline. An athletic player at 6’9, with Walker, potentially replacing Waardenburg as the Miami post player next season, Larranaga will have to adjust the style of play.
and redshirt
who were both 2021 signees with Joseph are likely to be a part of the Miami rotation in 2022-23. Joseph averaged13.8 minutes per game, 2.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists. Joseph will have to improve on his 34.7 field goal percentage.
The Hurricanes’ likely starting point guard next season made 83.3 percent of his free throw attempts and 41.7 percent of his three-point attempts. Larranaga will likely look for a post player to replace Waardenburg and more scoring in the transfer portal. If Miller and Wong do not return the scoring is a huge question for Miami.
Larranaga will be able to build on returning the team to the NCAA Tournament this year after missing it the three previous seasons. Miami finished 2X-1X and 14-6 in the ACC after being picked to finish 12th in the conference. The Hurricanes have a bright future with the class coming in next season.