High-flying Poplar dazzles fans, 15th-ranked Hurricanes
The rout against Duke was already well in hand, the Miami Hurricanes led by 19, the clock was about to expire, but high-flying Wooga Poplar was not done entertaining the Watsco Center crowd.
UM’s 6-5 sophomore guard got the ball in the corner, dribbled around a befuddled Duke defender, launched himself so high he was eye level with the rim and slammed down a one-handed monster dunk.
Those types of crowdpleasing plays by Poplar (whose given name is Nisine, but he has been known as ‘Wooga’ since an aunt gave him the nickname as an infant) have become regular attractions this season as he has taken on a bigger role for the 15th-ranked Hurricanes.
Poplar has started every game and is playing an average of 22.2 minutes. Last year, as a freshman backup, he averaged 2.3 points and 8.6 minutes per game.
His elevation on dunks is his trademark, but he is developing into an allaround guard who makes critical plays on both ends of the floor. Poplar’s coaches, teammates and opponents mention his name when discussing the reasons for Miami’s success.
During the past seven games, Poplar is averaging 9.7 points and scored 14 points in three of those games. He shot 49 percent from the floor during that stretch, 50 percent from three and was a perfect 11 of 11 from the free-throw line. He also averaged 4.1 rebounds and two assists.
Louisville coach Kenny Payne said after the Cardinals’ loss at UM last Saturday: “Poplar is not averaging in double figures, but he is vital for this team. He does all the little things to help you win. He defends, drives and rebounds. He’s a tough cover.”
UM coach Jim Larrañaga said Poplar reminds him of a former player he coached at Bowling Green, a guard named Antonio Daniels, who was ranked around 400 by the recruiting gurus when he was coming out of high school but improved his game each year in college. He wound up becoming the No. 4 overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft and went on to a 13-year career.
“I think Wooga has that kind of trajectory,” Larrañaga said. “Wooga’s a
tremendous athlete with a tremendous shooting touch. You see when he goes after a rebound, he skies above everybody. He can dunk the ball as hard as anyone.
“But what I’ve told him differently than what I told Antonio Daniels is ‘You’ve got to shoot the pull-up. You can’t be trying to drive
all the way to the rim like you did in high school. Not five dribbles, not 10. One or two. Shoot the open three, but your game is going to be based on 15foot jumpers off the bounce.’ He’s starting to do that more regularly and is enjoying success.”
Poplar said the game has slowed down for him this
season, and he has a much better understanding of what the coaches want rather than just relying on his athleticism. He added that he has been focusing on expanding his game defensively and offensively.
Larrañaga recalled a moment during the Duke game when Poplar turned the ball over right in front of the UM bench. “He looked over at me and said, ‘My bad.’ He took like three or four dribbles before he even tried to make the move. He’s learning, but he’s got a high ceiling as well.”
Poplar didn’t pick up basketball until high school and became an instant standout at Math, Civics and Sciences Charter School in Philadelphia. He led his team to a state title and was a four-star recruit coming out.
“I think we’ve all said it, ‘Wooga’s gonna be a great player,’ ” said teammate Jordan Miller. “He’s only a sophomore. He didn’t get to log a ton of minutes last year. I think the way he’s been able to elevate his game throughout the season shows a lot of promise. It’s gonna be scary when the game continues to slow down for him this year, next year and the years to come. I think he’s going to be a primary player for Miami the next couple of seasons.”
The Hurricanes (21-5, 12-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) are back in action at home Saturday at 2 p.m. against Wake Forest.