South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Taking a closer look at the roster
’Canes hope to exceed expectations
MiamiHurricanes men’s basketball is set to return Sundaywith a 6 p.m. tip atWatsco Center against North Florida.
Here is a player-byplayer look at theUM roster, composed of a solid combination of experienced seniors and upstart underclassmen in a season theHurricanes have been picked to finish seventh in a toughAtlantic Coast Conference.
0ChrisLykes, Sr. G, 5-7,
160: Lykeswas a preseason All-ACCfirst-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 JimLarrañaga has been pleasedwith the way he returned to practice.
1AnthonyWalker, So. F, 6-9, 210: Heis one of the forwardswhowill be in the mix to replace the minutes injured redshirt senior Sam Waardenburgwould’ve played. Anathletic 6-foot
9, Walker averaged 12.3 minutes in his 25 games played, pitching in 3.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per contest.
2 IsaiahWong, 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 likesWong’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.
3NysierBrooks, R-Sr. C, 7-0, 240:
TheCincinnati 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.
4Elijah Olaniyi, Sr. G,
6-5, 205:
Transferring from StonyBrook, Olaniyi will sit out this season and be prepared to be a veteran in the backcourt for the 2021
22 season.
5HarlondBeverly, So. G, 6-5, 185: Larrañaga said Beverly hasmade 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 FilipposGkogkos, So. G, 6-3, 193: Awalk-on guard.
13 Earl Timberlake, Fr. G, 6-6, 215: Larrañaga has no plans of easing the star recruit, whowas ranked theNo. 32 prospect nationally by Rivals, into the rotation. Timberlake’s addition and ability tomake an immediate impact gives UMfive rotational play
ers to utilize among three guards. ShouldLarrañaga opt to go to a small lineup, Timberlake can even play the 4 as a bigger, stronger guardwhocan defend.
14Rodney 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 hasworked on incorporating more postmoves and amidrange jump shot into his offensive game.
15WillieHerenton, Sr. G, 6-2, 180: Awalk-on guard.
21SamWaardenburg, R-Sr. F, 6-10, 225: Waardenburgwas 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. TheHurricanes will be without last season’s leading rebounder (six per game), whoalso averaged
1.1 blocks per game andwas a bigwhocould stretch the floor and shoot fromthe outside.
22DengGak, R-Jr. F,
6-11, 220: Last season, Gak had his season cut short due to a right knee injury. The year before, itwas his left knee. Gak nowhopes to stay healthy for a full season as anotherUMbig manwhocan help replace Waardenburg. Larrañaga can use him at power forward or center.
23KameronMcGusty, R-Sr. G, 6-5, 190:
Larrañaga feelsMcGusty looks the most athletic he has appeared since transferring fromOklahoma 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 2019
20 season in which hewas third on the team at 12.5 points per game and added four rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest.
33MattCross, Fr. F,
6-7, 225: Of the forwards on the roster, Cross is the best shooter. It’s one thing hewas knownfor as a fourstar recruit out of Brewster Academy inNewHampshire. Larrañaga has also toutedCross’ hard-nose defense.