Here’s some encouraging news for Miami Hurricanes fans about injured Norchad Omier
Hurricanes fans got encouraging news on Wednesday. Power forward Norchad Omier, who sprained his ankle last week, was seen shooting and stretching shortly before the team left for Albany, New York, where the fifth-seeded Canes will play No. 12 seed Drake in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Omier, the energetic big man, has been a key player for UM all season and making a deep tournament run will not be easy without him. He averages 13.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and he is Miami’s main inside presence and an emotional leader. When word spread that he was questionable for tournament opener, Drake became a trendy upset pick.
“I don’t know if you would call stretching and shooting threes practicing,” said UM coach Jim Larranaga, when asked Wednesday morning about Omier’s return to the practice court. “If we had a shooting contest or a stretching contest on Friday, he could probably do that. Whether he can actually run and jump, we have to wait and see that (Thursday). I wait for the trainer to tell me he’s ready to go.”
Omier, a third-team All ACC selection, is eager to play. Larranaga and Hurricane players said Omier has been working overtime to get ready and remains in good spirits. He turned his ankle landing awkwardly in the opening minutes of the ACC tournament semifinal loss against Duke.
