After the Miami basketball teams advanced deep into the NCAA Tournament the future looks bright. The Men’s and women’s teams are only guaranteed to lose Karla Erjavec, Destiny Harden and Jordan Miller as the only players who have exhausted their eligibility after their Elite Eight and Final Four runs this season.
The Miami men’s basketball team improved from 26-11, 14-6 in the ACC and a loss in the Midwest Regional Final in 2021-22 to 29-8, 15-5 in the ACC and a share of the regular season conference championship and the first Final Four in program history this season. Miami has an excellent foundation for next season.
Transfers Norchad Omier and Nijel Pack helped Miami replace departed starters Kameron McGusty, Charlie Moore and Sam Waardenburg. Wooga Poplar was elevated into the starting lineup with Miller, Omier, Pack and Isaiah Wong. Wong has a decision to make on if he wants to return next year.
Wong has the option of using an extra year of eligibility due to covid. The expectation is that after four seasons in Coral Gables Wong will pursue a professional career. If Wong leaves Joseph, Poplar and Pack would be the expected starters at guard next season. Omier projects as the starter up front with sophomore A.J. Casey.
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The Miami basketball roster will be fluid for at least the next few weeks or months depending on if any Hurricanes enter the transfer portal. Miami should also be expected to add transfers as usual. Expect the focus during the 2023 offseason to be on the frontline to add more size next to Omier.
Casey has a bright future for Miami, Favour Aire needs to fill out and 2023 signee, 6’10, 240-pound center Michael Nwoko has a college-ready body. The Miami basketball team should have far more size in the rotation next season. All four 2022 signees that included Aire and Casey are 6’6 or taller. Aire is 6’11 and Casey 6’9.
The Cavinder Twins received a lot of criticism this season. Here’s their reaction now that they’re headed to the Sweet Sixteen: @CanesWBB #CanesWBB @CavinderHaley @CavinderHanna pic.twitter.com/yUgYvW8BQI
— Talia Goodman (@goodmansport) March 21, 2023
In addition to losing Erjavec and Harden, Haley and Hanna Cavinder and Lola Pendande are seniors who all have an extra year of eligibility due to covid. The Cavinders are reportedly discussing if they will return next season. Pendande provides Miami with athleticism and size in the post.
The rest of the Miami women’s basketball team should be expected to return. Jasmyne Roberts was the best player for Miami during the NCAA Tournament. Lashae Dwyer and Ja’Leah Williams were key contributors as sophomores. Latasha Lattimore returns after missing most of the 2022-23 season due to injury.
Miami will also return freshmen Kyla Oldarce and Lazaria Spearman on a potential tall frontline next season. After taking a while to find their identity and stumbling a bit down the stretch, the Miami women’s basketball team can build on their first trip in program history to the Elite Eight and have a more consistent 2023-24 season.