The Miami basketball team will open its 2023-24 season on Monday night versus NJIT at the Watsco Center. Miami is ranked 13th in the Associated Press Top 25 and the USA Today Coaches Polls to begin the season. The Hurricanes return three starters and four of its top six players from last season’s Final Four team.
Forward Norchad Omier and guards Nijel Pack and Wooga Poplar are the returning starters for the Miami basketball team. Bensley Joseph who was the sixth man last season will start with Pack and Poplar in the backcourt. Florida State transfer forward Matthew Cleveland will start with Omier on the front line.
Forward A.J. Casey a 6’9 sophomore from Chicago will be one of the first players off the bench for Miami. Freshmen Kyshawn George a 6’7 Swiss wing and Michael Nwoko a 6’10 center from Toronto are projected in the Miami rotation this season. Sophomore Christian Watson could also be a part of the Miami rotation.
Miami has far more length this season than in past years. Watson is 6’6 on the wing. Miami will have a deeper but less experienced bench this season. Guard Harlond Beverly transferred to Wichita State and forward Anthony Walker is now with Indiana who Miami defeated in the NCAA Tournament.
MOOD because basketball is back this week 🙌@CanesHoops tips off at 7 p.m. Monday before @CanesWBB gets rolling at 11 a.m. Thursday! pic.twitter.com/DyzI9NrxvO
— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) November 5, 2023
Miami Basketball versus NJIT 2023-24 season opener
Date:Mon., Nov. 6, 2023 Time: 7 p.m. EST
Location:Coral Gables, Fla. Arena: Watsco Center
NJIT (0-0, 0-0 America East)
Head Coach: Grant Billmeier (Seton Hall ‘07)
Record at NJIT 0-0
Career Record: 0-0
Record vs. UM 0-0
#13 Miami (0-0, 0-0)
Head Coach: Jim Larrañaga (Providence ‘71)
Record at UM 255-149
Career Record: 725-483
Record vs. NJIT N/A
Broadcast Information
TV: ACC Network Extra|Fubo TV| Radio: Joe Zagacki, WQAM 560
Courtesy MiamiHurricanes.Com
NJIT finished the 2022-23 season 7-22 overall and 4-12 in the America East Conference. The Highlanders were picked last in the nine-team America East. NJIT returns starters Adam Hess who was third on the Highlanders averaging 10.7 points per game last season and Mekhi Gray who was fifth averaging 6.9 PPG.
Miami versus NJIT Fan Duel Odds
Spread: Miami -22.5 Total 141.5 Over (-115) Under (-111) Moneyline Miami -10000 NJIT +2200
Cincinnati was the only somewhat major team NJIT played last season. The Bearcats who are now in the Big XII defeated the Highlanders 86-60 in the Queen City. Miami will have a huge advantage in athleticism over NJIT, but the Highlanders have good size for a lower-level Division I program.
Miami will try to push the pace versus NJIT. The Hurricanes ranked 150th in possessions per game in 2022-23. NJIT was 252nd in pace last season. Expect Miami to cover the 22.5-point spread and for the game to go over. Miami reserves should receive valuable minutes in the season opener.