The Miami basketball team has opened the 2022-23 season ranked 28th in the Associated Press Top 25. Technically Miami is the third highest-rated team outside the Top 25 under others receiving votes. Miami opens the season with an exhibition game versus Indiana University of Pennsylvania on October 30.
The Hurricanes begin the regular season on November 7 versus Lafayette. Both of those games are at the Watsco Center. Wing Jordan Miller and guard Isaiah Wong are the two returning starters for Miami. Kansas State transfer guard Nijel Pack and forward Norchad Omier who transferred from Arkansas State will also start.
Fourth-year junior forward Anthony Walker is expected to be the fifth starter for Miami. Head coach Jim Larranaga stated at ACC tipoff last week that Miami will play small ball again this season. Larranaga did not specify if Miami will start three guards and Miller again or if that refers to the scramble defense.
Miami was 16th nationally averaging 8.9 steals per game. Walker is an athletic player who can play all three positions on the front line but is best at center or power forward. Point guard Bensley Joseph, two guard Wooga Poplar and wing Harlond Beverly are expected to be critical parts of the Miami rotation.
North Carolina is No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll 👀 pic.twitter.com/9c9mO5LJoe
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 17, 2022
Beverly returns from spinal surgery after playing only 23 games the last two seasons combined. A fourth-year junior, Beverly gives Miami experience in the Hurricanes program with Walker and Wong. Top-ranked North Carolina, number seven Duke and 18 Virginia are the only teams from the ACC in the preseason top 25.
The Tar Heels, Blue Devils and Cavaliers are also the only preseason-ranked teams on the 2022-23 Miami basketball schedule. Miami plays at North Carolina on February 13, at Duke on January 21, hosts the Blue Devils on February 6 and hosts Virginia on December 20. Miami also had a challenging early season schedule.
Miami plays in the Naismith Memorial Basketball HOF Tip-Off Tournament on November 19 versus Providence. Maryland or Saint Louis will be the opponent the next day. Miami has games at Central Florida and versus Rutgers in the ACC Big 10 challenge later in November before beginning ACC play on December 4 at Louisville.