Jim Larranaga ranked among 2022-23 top 25 college basketball coaches
Jim Larranaga was ranked as the 22nd best head coach in college basketball ahead of the 2022-23 season by 247 Sports. The Miami basketball program reached the NCAA Tournament Regional Final for the first time in its history in March. Miami has reloaded for the 2022-23 season after some significant losses.
Starting guards Kameron McGusty and Charlie Moore and post Sam Waardenburg have concluded their eligibility. Miami also lost backup bigs Deng Gak and Rodney Miller who seldom played last season. The Hurricanes added transfer point guard Nijel Pack and Sun Belt Player of the Year, post Norchad Omier.
Miami also signed four true freshmen in the 2022-23 class. The incoming freshmen will add much-needed size to the Miami roster. All four incoming freshmen are at least 6’6 or taller. After three straight losing seasons, Jim Larranaga seems to have turned the Miami program around again.
Miami finished the regular season 22-11, 14-6 and in fourth place in the ACC. The Hurricanes reached the ACC Tournament semifinals after a Jordan Miller buzzer-beater in overtime over Boston College. Miami had to upset second-seeded Auburn in the NCAA Tournament during their Elite Eight run.
"22. JIM LARRAÑAGA, MIAMI“Jim Larrañaga has only won one ACC championship during his tenure at Miami, but he’s built some super good teams throughout his Hurricanes tenure. From 2015-2018, Miami made the NCAA Tournament three times and won at least 21 games all four years.Larrañaga is fresh off steering Miami to an improbable Elite Eight run thanks to elite guard play and one of the best offenses in the country. Larrañaga is very open to new ideas, and Miami has embraced the transfer portal. Oh, and Larrañaga has a Final Four on his resume way back in 2006 with George Mason.Larrañaga can’t ever be counted out.”"
Issac Trotter of 247 Sports summarized Jim Larranaga and the Miami basketball program. If Larranaga can lead Miami to the Final Four he would become the 16th head coach to lead two or more programs to the NCAA Tournament semifinals. Miami can exceed the 10th seed they are projected as for the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
If fourth-year junior guard Isaiah Wong returns as expected, Omier, Pack and Wong provide Miami with a strong foundation for last season. Jordan Miller does everything well and Anthony Walker will be ready to resume a starting role. Walker started 16 of the 26 Miami basketball games during the 2020-21 season.
Next. Miami has had complete transfer portal turnaround. dark
Miami will have a more traditional look in 2022-23. The scramble defense that helped lead Miami to the Elite Eight will likely not be utilized nearly as extensively next season. Pack and Wong are the projected starting guards, Miller and Walker the likely forwards and Omier in the post. Omier is an elite low post scorer.