Miami basketball guards Nijel Pack who is transferring from Kansas State and Isaiah Wong are ranked 16th and 18th among returning players nationally for the 2022-23 season by The Field of 68 website. Pack and Wong are the fifth and sixth-ranked guards on the list. Only Houston has a higher-ranked backcourt.
Houston, Miami and North Carolina are the only programs nationally with two players ranked in the top 20 by Field of 68. Pack transfers to the Miami basketball program after averaging 17.4 points per game, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists while being named first-team All-Big XII. Wong is one of the best returning guards in the ACC.
Wong averaged 15.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 2.3 APG last season earning third-team All-ACC. Wong averaged 15.75 PPG, 4.25 RPG, and 2.25 APG in the four Miami NCAA Tournament games. Pack and Wong should play off each other well. Wing Jordan Miller provides Miami with three good outstanding perimeter players.
Miami has the personnel on its 2022-23 roster to be able to continue their scramble defense. The addition of Sun Belt Player of the Year Norchad Omier in the post will provide Miami the low post presence they did not have last season. Forward Anthony Walker will likely start up front with Omier to give Miami more size than last season.
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Pack and Wong should be one of the highest-scoring backcourts in the ACC during the 2022-23 season. Jim Larranaga has been known for having a guard-oriented system throughout his Miami tenure. Miami will have a deep backcourt behind Pack and Wong. Harlond Beverly returns after sitting out last season with a back injury.
Bensley Joseph and Wooga Poplar return for Miami after receiving valuable minutes as backup guards in 2021-22. Jakai Robinson adds depth on the wing after redshirting as a true freshman in 2021-22. Miami should be a contender in the ACC next winter after finishing fourth during the 2021-22 season.