Miami basketball account tweets Norchad Omier will play versus Drake

After speculation over the last 24 to 48 hours, the Miami basketball Twitter account posted about 45 minutes before tipoff that forward and leading rebounder Norchad Omier will play in the NCAA Tournament on Friday versus Drake. The tipoff was delayed about 30 minutes because the Connecticut-Iona game ran late.

MVP Arena in Albany had to be emptied allowing fans in with second or the night session tickets in. Omier suffered a sprained ankle 66 seconds into the Miami semifinal loss to Duke last Friday. The Miami medical staff has worked on Omier’s ankle all week. Omier participated in Miami practice this week.

Prior to leaving for Albany, Omier was able to work on his jump shot and stretch. Once the Hurricanes arrived in Albany, Omier was reportedly a full participant in practice on Thursday according to multiple sources. Omier is third on Miami averaging 13.6 points per game, leads with 9.7 rebounds and 59.1 percent shooting.

Drake starts 6’10”, 275-pound center, Darnell Brodie. Brodie leads Drake averaging 7.1 rebounds per game, averages 8.8 points per game and shoots 53.1 percent from the field. Brodie is the only Drake player that weighs more than 225 pounds. With Omier healthy Miami matchups up well in the frontcourt with Drake.

Jordan Miller will be a key player to watch, especially rebounding on Friday night. Miller is averaging 8.4 rebounds per game in his last seven games. Miami was able to use team rebounding last year during its NCAA Tournament run to the Midwest Regional Final before losing to Kansas at the United Center in Chicago.

The extra day off for Miami probably helped Omier heal. Drake averages 35.7 rebounds per game and allows 32.5. Miami averages 34.6 rebounds per game and allows 31.9. Omier should be able to score inside versus a less agile Brodie. Getting Omier back is huge for the Miami basketball team and should provide an emotional lift.