South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Taking a closer look at the roster
’Canes hope to exceed expectations
Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball is set to return Sunday with a 6 p.m. tip at Watsco Center against North Florida.
Here is a player-byplayer look at the UM roster, composed of a solid combination of experienced seniors and upstart underclassmen in a season the Hurricanes have been picked to finish seventh in a tough Atlantic Coast Conference.
0 Chris Lykes, Sr. G, 5-7, 160: Lykes was a preseason All-ACC first-team selection after a junior campaign in which he averaged 15.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals. Last year’s leading scorer came off offseason knee surgery, and coach Jim Larrañaga has been pleased with the way he returned to practice.
1 Anthony Walker, So. F, 6-9, 210: He is one of the forwards who will be in the mix to replace the minutes injured redshirt senior Sam Waardenburg would’ve played. An athletic 6-foot9, Walker averaged 12.3 minutes in his 25 games played, pitching in 3.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per contest.
2 Isaiah Wong, So. G, 6-3, 180: Wong got about 20 pounds stronger this offseason after he averaged 14.2 points over the final 13 games last season. Larrañaga likes Wong’s ability to play both point guard and shooting guard and noted he has improved his 3-point shooting significantly in the offseason. If Wong can take another leap like he did midseason as a freshman, he’ll be dangerous as part of a loaded backcourt.
3 Nysier Brooks, R-Sr. C, 7-0, 240: The Cincinnati transfer will provide the presence in the paint this team needed after he sat out last season due to transfer rules. The Philadelphia native is a vocal leader and eager to produce for the Hurricanes after starting 35 games and averaging 8.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and
1.5 blocks per game last time he played as a junior at Cincinnati in 2018-19.
4 Elijah Olaniyi, Sr. G, 6-5, 205: Transferring from Stony Brook, Olaniyi will sit out this season and be prepared to be a veteran in the backcourt for the 202122 season.
5 Harlond Beverly,
So. G, 6-5, 185: Larrañaga said Beverly has made vast improvements defensively, and he should continue to contribute as a sophomore after playing in all 31 games last season, averaging 7.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 19.9 minutes.
10 Filippos Gkogkos,
So. G, 6-3, 193: A walk-on guard.
13 Earl Timberlake,
Fr. G, 6-6, 215: Larrañaga has no plans of easing the star recruit, who was ranked the No. 32 prospect nationally by Rivals, into the rotation. Timberlake’s addition and ability to make an immediate impact gives UM five rotational players to utilize among three guards. Should Larrañaga opt to go to a small lineup, Timberlake can even play the 4 as a bigger, stronger guard who can defend.
14 Rodney Miller Jr., R-Sr. C, 7-0, 250: The addition of Brooks will give Miller the help he needs inside, especially if Deng Gak can also stay healthy to bring some frontcourt depth to a team that has lacked in that department in recent years. Looking to build on his 7.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 2019-20, Miller has worked on incorporating more post moves and a midrange jump shot into his offensive game.
15 Willie Herenton,
Sr. G, 6-2, 180: A walk-on guard.
21 Sam Waardenburg, R-Sr. F, 6-10, 225: Waardenburg was lost for the season after he sustained a left foot injury in an October practice. After starting 24 games last season, Waardenburg would likely have been Miami’s starting power forward. The Hurricanes will be without last season’s leading rebounder (six per game), who also averaged 1.1 blocks per game and was a big who could stretch the floor and shoot from the outside.
22 Deng Gak, R-Jr. F, 6-11, 220: Last season, Gak had his season cut short due to a right knee injury. The year before, it was his left knee. Gak now hopes to stay healthy for a full season as another UM big man who can help replace Waardenburg. Larrañaga can use him at power forward or center.
23 Kameron McGusty, R-Sr. G, 6-5, 190:
Larrañaga feels McGusty looks the most athletic he has appeared since transferring from Oklahoma ahead of the 2018-19 season, which he had to sit out. With his back no longer an issue, McGusty is looking to build on a 201920 season in which he was third on the team at 12.5 points per game and added four rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest.
33 Matt Cross, Fr. F,
6-7, 225: Of the forwards on the roster, Cross is the best shooter. It’s one thing he was known for as a fourstar recruit out of Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. Larrañaga has also touted Cross’ hard-nose defense.