Miami basketball will have Nijel Pack and Wooga Poplar versus BC per report
The Miami basketball team is expected to have guards Nijel Pack and Wooga Poplar back against Boston College on Wednesday night as reported by Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports earlier in the day. Pack has missed the last four games and Poplar has been out for the last two.
Miami has played only eight ACC games this season with its full starting lineup. Expect Bensley Joseph and Christian Watson to return to the bench, with Pack and Poplar back in the lineup. Jim Larranaga has struggled to find a consistent rotation for Miami this season beyond the top six.
Matthew Cleveland, Keyshawn George, Joseph, Pack, Poplar and Norchad Omier have provided Larranaga with a solid rotation this season. Beyond those six, Miami has had too much inconsistency. A.J. Casey, Paul Djobet, Michael Nwoko, Jakai Robinson and Watson have all failed to provide Miami with consistency off the bench.
Pack is averaging 13.7 PPG, 2.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game this season and shoots 40.5 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent on three-point attempts. Poplar is averaging 13.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 2.1 APG this season and shoots 44.1 percent from the floor and 41.1 percent on threes.
Miami's Nijel Pack (lower body) and Wooga Poplar (undisclosed) will both be available for tonight's game against Boston College, per Jim Larranaga.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 6, 2024
Pack averages 13.7 PPG and has not played since 2/14.
Poplar averages 13.7 PPG and hasn't played since 2/24.
Poplar has struggled since injuring his ankle in December. Versus ACC opponents, Poplar is averaging 11.5 PPG and shoots 37.7 percent from the floor and 34.4 percent on threes. Once thought of as a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Poplar will likely have to return for his senior season to improve his draft status.
Pack is expected to participate in Senior Night for Miami on Wednesday. Omier and Pack have one year of eligibility remaining as fourth-year juniors. Either Pack, Omier, or both could return for a final season with Miami, enter the transfer portal or the NBA Draft, or return for a fifth college basketball season.
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With the ACC Tournament next week in Washington D.C., Miami should begin to learn about the shape of its 2024-25 roster by the middle of March. George is a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Expect Larranaga to keep his rotation tight versus Boston College. The top six should receive most of the playing time.