Podcast: How Norchad Omier affects the Canes’ Tourney hopes. And a Miami-Drake preview
The madness is underway and now the Miami Hurricanes are ready to enter the fray.
Miami begins its NCAA Tournament run Friday against the Drake Bulldogs and, even though they’re a No. 5 seed, the Hurricanes are trying to stick to an underdog’s attitude.
With Norchad Omier’s status in question, they might actually be the underrated, overlooked contender they want to be.
On a new episode of the Eye on the U podcast, David Wilson and Michelle Kaufman, the Miami Herald’s Hurricanes beat writer, preview the first weekend of the Tournament, Miami’s matchup with Drake and the Hurricanes’ potential path for another run deep into March.
So much hinges on Omier, but it’s not everything for Miami. For proof, look no further than the Hurricanes’ 85-78 loss to the Duke Blue Devils, also now a No. 5 seed, in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament semifinals: Omier got hurt in the first two minutes and Miami (25-7) wasn’t fazed at all, even leading late in the first half without its all-ACC forward.
First, we look at the matchup with the Bulldogs, though, and what might make Drake scary. With their coach’s son leading the way, the Bulldogs fit the profile of a Cinderella darling, but the Hurricanes, with their high-powered are offense, are a team fit to make this month fun, too.
As for the bigger picture, a potential second-round matchup with No. 4-seed Indiana is a little more concerning and Miami’s ceiling might not be quite national-title good, but an Omier return would be a major boost and the outlook seems pretty good right now.
The sophomore practiced Thursday in Albany. Even as coach Jim Larranaga remains cagey about Omier status for Round 1, it seems like a good sign.
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