Among the biggest winners and losers in the country this season is Miami basketball.
The Miami basketball team was listed by Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller as one of the losers of the 2023–24 campaign due to their inability to meet expectations.
After being projected second in the ACC preseason and holding the 13th spot in the national rankings, the Miami basketball team entered the season with high expectations following their historic first Final Four appearance. However, the current reality is a far cry from those lofty projections, as Miami stands at 15-8, ranking 68th in the NCAA NetRatings, and faces an uphill battle to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Key returning players for the Hurricanes included starting guard Nijel Pack, Woogla Poplar, and forward Norchad Omier, part of the 2022-23 ACC Regular Season champions. Despite their accomplishments, the team has struggled to meet expectations. Matthew Cleveland, a Florida State forward, joined the roster to bolster the squad.
Several lineup changes, including the addition of Cleveland and the promotion of Bensley Joseph to replace ACC Player of the Year Isaiah Wong, aimed to fortify the team. The season started promisingly with a 5-0 record, but a significant setback occurred with a 95-73 loss to Kentucky in the ACC-SEC Challenge, where Miami was outscored 53-36 in the second half.
Inconsistency and injuries have plagued the team, leading to unforeseen losses, such as falling to ACC last-place Louisville and suffering three defeats by over 20 points. The Hurricanes, known for their offensive prowess, have faced scoring droughts and are averaging 79.0 points per game, though this figure is somewhat misleading.
Despite setbacks, Miami has upcoming opportunities against North Carolina and Clemson to secure vital wins and potentially revive their NCAA Tournament hopes. The next month will play a crucial role in defining the legacy of the 2023-24 Miami basketball team.
