Miami Hurricanes News: Hoops at Clemson, freshmen and transfers praised
The Miami Hurricanes basketball team will attempt to win a Saturday road game for the first time in 2023. Miami has lost the last three Saturdays at Pittsburgh, Duke and North Carolina State by a total of seven points. The Hurricanes won 92-83 at home versus Virginia Tech on Tuesday night at home.
Saturday is the only time Miami plays Clemson this season. Clemson leads the ACC with a 10-2 record. Miami is 7-4 in the conference and tied for fourth place with North Carolina State. The Hurricanes and Wolfpack split the season series. Miami has a quick turnaround hosting Duke on Monday night.
The stellar offensive linemen signed by the Miami Hurricanes in the 2023 class were profiled by Brandon Marcello of 247 Sports as part of his “National Signing Day 2023: Evaluating the recruiting cycle’s Bedrock Classes“ Marcello lists all five OL Miami signed in the 2023 class.
Marcello specifically discussed five-star Miami offensive tackle signees Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola. Mauigoa and Okunlola seem poised to compete to start for Miami at right tackle. Mauigoa has frequently been compared to Detroit Lions OT Penei Sewell who played for Mario Cristobal at Oregon.
Marcello noted that his 247 Sports colleague Brian Dohn observed that Okunlola has excellent concentration and work ethic. Dohn opined that Okunlola is better in pass protection early in his career than as a run blocker. Dohn expects that at 6’5, 305 pounds Okunlola will develop quickly as a run blocker.
Miami cornerback Davonte Brown who transferred from Central Florida in December was named by Mike Hugenin of On3 in his article “Transfer portal breakdown: 10 more-important-than-you-think ACC transfers.” Brown is the most experienced CB on the Miami roster and highest graded by Pro Football Focus entering 2023.
Next. Miami combined HS and transfer class seventh nationally. dark
Brown will be expected to be a leader in a Miami secondary that lost eight defensive backs after the 2022 season. Returnees Te’Cory Couch and Darryl Porter Jr. who transferred from West Virginia in 2022 are expected to start for Miami at CB with Brown in 2023. Miami needs increased productivity at CB in 2023.