Miami Basketball: Bruce Brown injury harms postseason bid
The Miami Hurricanes learned that Bruce Brown Jr. would likely miss the remainder of the regular season on Tuesday.
At the start of the season, a high seed in the NCAA Tournament appeared to be an achievable goal for the Miami Hurricanes. Behind Lonnie Walker and Bruce Brown Jr., the team had the necessary stars.
The latter, however, won’t be playing for the team again during the regular season.
Miami announced Tuesday that Brown suffered a left foot injury during practice. The team expects him to miss around six weeks, which would end his regular season and place his return right around the ACC Tournament.
Sophomore guard Bruce Brown Jr. will undergo surgery Thursday after sustaining a left-foot injury Monday in practice. He is expected to miss approximately six weeks.
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) January 30, 2018
Get well soon, Bruce. pic.twitter.com/t5Wl2e95n9
The sophomore guard didn’t take the expected step forward from a strong freshman season. His rebounding and assist numbers are up (7.1 and 4.0 per game, respectively). Brown’s scoring is slightly down, though, from 11.8 points per game to 11.4 points per game.
Much of that has to do with diminishing returns at the free throw line and behind the three-point line. He’s nailing just 26.7% of his long-range shots, down from 34.7% last year. Brown is also making just 62.9% of his free throws, down more than ten percent from last year.
Nevertheless, he’s been a vital player for the Hurricanes. He has played more than anyone else on the team (33.7 minutes per game) and trails only Dewan Huell in scoring. Additionally, he ranks first in rebounds, assists, and steals.
His recovery from the foot injury should give him ample opportunity to fix his shot mechanics in time for the NCAA Tournament.
Of course, the Hurricanes have to make it there first. The team is 15-5, but just 4-4 in ACC play. Their most impressive nonconference win, a victory at Minnesota, looks less impressive by the day.
Making matters worse for their resume, they only have two games remaining against foes currently ranked: home against Virginia and at North Carolina.
Next: 3 reasons Virginia is the best team in the country
Luckily for the Hurricanes, they get a respite in the form of the Pittsburgh Panthers on Wednesday night.