National CBB analyst says Norchad Omier trending towards playing
Longtime national college basketball analyst Adam Zagoria tweeted from Miami basketball practice on Friday afternoon that Hurricanes’ forward Norchad Omier is trending towards playing on Friday night according to a source. Several Miami beat reporters also tweeted that Omier looked good at practice.
Norchad Omier suffered a sprained ankle in the ACC Tournament semifinals last Friday versus Duke 1:06 into the game and did not return. During the Miami basketball press conference on Friday, Hurricanes’ head coach Jim Larranaga stated that they expected to know on Thursday afternoon if Omier could play.
Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports quoted Larranaga stating about Omier that “if his ankle doesn’t swell overnight” he’ll play Friday versus Drake. It appears to be wait and see. The expectation should be that the medical staff will continue to monitor and work on Omier today and tomorrow. Drake and Miami tipoff at 7:25 PM on Friday night.
If Omier cannot play Anthony Walker is expected to get the start with freshman A.J. Casey receiving substantial minutes. There is no expectation that Omier would have his minutes restricted if he does play. Omier accounts for 28.1 percent of the rebounds by the Miami basketball team this season.
Norchad Omier is trending toward playing tomorrow, per source, but will depend how his body feels tomorrow ahead of the game. https://t.co/M7P7AcxRjR
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 16, 2023
Luke Chaney of Life Wallet Sports tweeted that Omier participated in fast break drills and Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald wrote via Twitter that Omier dunked. Getting and keeping his ankle loose will be critical tomorrow versus Drake. Omier is averaging 13.6 points per game, 9.7 rebounds and shoots 59.1 percent from the field.
Miami's Norchad Omier practiced today and "if his ankle doesn't swell overnight", he'll play tomorrow against Drake, per Jim Larranaga. Averages 13.6 PPG and 9.7 RPG. Omier suffered the injury in last week's ACC Tournament.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 16, 2023
Miami enters its first-round game completely healthy other than the ankle injury to Omier. Forward Jordan Miller who led Miami in rebounding during the 2021-22 season that culminated with an Elite Eight run will have to attack the boards more vociferously if Omier does not play on Friday.
Next. Norchad Omier practice update and Miami hype video. dark
The game being on Friday night has allowed Omier more time to heal and will provide the Miami medical staff more time to treat him during the day if necessary. Drake outrebounded its opponents 35.7 to 32.7 this season. Darnell Brodie at 6’10, 275 pounds leads Drake averaging 7.3 rebounds per game.