Kyshawn George and Nijel Pack will play at Clemson

Guard Nijel Pack and wing Kyshawn George will play for the Miami basketball team at Clemson on Wednesday night. George missed the loss to North Carolina with an ankle injury he suffered in the prior game at Virginia. Pack reportedly played through a knee injury in the loss to the Tar Heels.

Head coach Jim Larranaga said George and Pack were expected to practice on Monday but were potentially limited to halfcourt or non-contact. Larranaga has struggled to develop a bench throughout the season. Guard Jakai Robinson played 12:49 versus North Carolina. That was the most minutes for Robinson this season.

Larranaga has tried Paul Djobet and Christian Watson on the wing and A.J. Casey inside as players to receive significant playing time off the bench this season. Casey played 7:49 versus North Carolina after receiving did not play-coaches decision twice in January. Freshmen center Michael Nwoko played 6:30 versus North Carolina.

The inability to develop a bench has hurt Miami this season, with all five starters missing games with injuries. Bensley Joseph has alternated between the bench and being a starter this season. Joseph began the season as a starter before being replaced by George in the lineup last month.

Joseph has been pressed into the starting lineup when any of the five starters have been out. Miami has not been fully healthy since Poplar suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss two games in December. Poplar has not been the same player since suffering the injury.

Poplar is averaging 10.9 points per game, shooting 35.6 percent from the floor, 33.9 percent on threes, averaging 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists versus ACC opponents. On the season, Poplar is averaging 13.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, shooting 44.2 percent from the floor and 42.4 percent on threes.

George and Pack's minutes will be worth monitoring. Ankle and knee injuries can frequently be chronic. Miami will need quality minutes off the bench by Joseph and potentially Robinson. Hopefully, George and Pack will stay healthy and be productive versus Clemson. Miami needs an entire team effort on Tuesday night.

Miami play-by-play announced Joe Zagacki stated Pack still looked hobbled with his knee in the pregame. Joseph usually plays starter's minutes. If Pack is limited, expect Robinson to continue to see double-digit minutes. Djobet and Watson could see time if Pack is limited with his knee.

Larranaga stated Miami needs to be fully healthy to reach its complete potential. With Joseph, the only reliable reserve, Miami cannot afford more injuries. The 2022-23 Miami basketball team was not deep, but the Hurricanes stayed healthy throughout the season. Clemson and Miami tipoff at 7 PM ET on ESPN.