Canes need to put their focus on Noles
NBA talk is a distraction for Larranaga’s young players.
CORAL GABLES — Miami Hurricanes guards Bruce Brown and Lonnie Walker IV might not be ready for the NBA next season after all, and coach
Jim Larranaga wonders whether they’re even ready for Florida State.
No. 15 Miami (12-2, 1-1
ACC) hosts the No. 24 Seminoles (12-2, 1-1) today, and in the wake of two recent losses and a slide in the rankings, Larranaga’s no longer keen on the NBA talk.
Before the season, he touted underclassmen Brown and Walker as likely destined for the pros in 2018. But Brown’s offensive production has fallen off in his sophomore season, and Walker has played like a freshman — which he is.
On Friday, Larranaga complained about his players viewing college as a
The Hurricanes climbed to No. 6 in the rankings before Christmas, but they’ve lost two of their past four games, pit stop en route to the NBA. including Wednesday at
“These guys are coming Georgia Tech. They’ll fall here like it’s a prep school,” out of the rankings if they he said. lose to the Seminoles, and
Regarding sources of NBA perhaps even if they win. hype for his players, LarMiami’s biggest probranaga didn’t mention him- lem has been a sputter- self. ing offense that Larranaga
“They pr o bably read described as lacking cohe- social media and Twitter sion and rhythm. The lead- and all that junk, and what ing scorer is neither Brown the media say, and the color nor Walker but sophomore commentator at a game,” forward Dewan Huell. Larranaga said. Brown is averaging 10.9 points and shooting 43 percent, both figures lower than a year ago. Walker is at 8.3 points and 42 percent. In the past six games, they’re both shooting below 40 percent while going a combined 4 for 36 (11 percent) from 3-point range.
A New York Knicks scout attended practice Friday, underscoring the obvious question: Is a potential NBA future distracting Brown and Walker?
“You think about it some- times, obviously,” Brown said. “But I don’t think it’s an issue with us. I don’t pened to college basketball.” think about it much; I know Larranaga said he would (Walker) doesn’t think about favor the sport returning to it much. We don’t even have the old rules allowing playconversations about it.” ers to turn pro out of high
Larranaga, who is in his school. But that’s a discus- 33rd season as a coach, sion for another day. chuckled when asked if his “Right now what’s immi- players are thinking about nent,” he said, “is Florida the NBA. State.”
“Our guys?” he sai d. The Seminoles, mean“Every guy. My guys at while, are coming off an George Mason and my guys 81-80 home victory over at Bowling Green were think- No. 12 North Carolina on ing they were one and done. Wednesday night. FSU surIt’s a real problem for our vived despite not making a culture. It’s a real sad comfield goal in the final 2:57 mentary as to what has hap- and missing their final four free throws.
After losing several key players from last season, FSU is off to a surprisingly strong start. The Seminoles opened the season 9-0 before falling 71-70 to Oklahoma State in the Orange Bowl Classic last month.
Today’s game is the second of a brutal start to the ACC schedule for FSU, which opened Dec. 30 with a 10093 loss at Duke, followed that with the win against North Carolina and next hosts Louisville on Wednesday before hosting Syracuse Saturday.