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ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2020-21 season

By Matthew Travis

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 12: A general view of center court prior to the quarterfinals round of the 2020 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 12, 2020 in Greensboro, North Carolina. The remainder of the tournament will be played with only essential tournament personnel, limited school administrators and student-athlete guests, broadcast television and credentialed media members in attendance due to concerns over the possible spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 12: A general view of center court prior to the quarterfinals round of the 2020 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 12, 2020 in Greensboro, North Carolina. The remainder of the tournament will be played with only essential tournament personnel, limited school administrators and student-athlete guests, broadcast television and credentialed media members in attendance due to concerns over the possible spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 21: Head coach Jim Larranaga of the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 21: Head coach Jim Larranaga of the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Miami is coming off a rough 2019-20 season where they finished 7-13 against ACC opponents and 15-16 overall. However, I would expect the Hurricanes to improve significantly heading into the 2020-21 season.

With the additions of Earl Timberlake (a four-star freshman ranked 35th nationally by 247 Sports), Matt Cross (a four-star freshman ranked 86th nationally), and a transfer in Elijah Olaniyi, Miami has the potential to be much better this season than they have been over the past few.

Miami was a top team in the ACC for several years, but over the last couple of seasons, they have gotten much worse, but 2020-21 might be the season that turns around.

In addition to the two impressive freshmen, Miami will also have Chris Lykes back for his senior season who averaged 15.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game last year, and was Miami’s leading scorer.

In addition to Lykes, the Hurricanes will also have Kameron McGusty, Isaiah Wong, and Harlond Beverly back (among others) who were their third, fourth and fifth leading scorers in 2019-20.

That being said, the Hurricanes will have a good mix of returning players with talent, and impressive freshmen who will be able to make an impact right away.

Here is what Miami’s roster will look like for the 2020-21 season:

  • Earl Timberlake, Freshman, Guard
  • Matt Cross, Freshman, Forward
  • Anthony Walker, Sophomore, Forward
  • Isaiah Wong, Sophomore, Guard
  • Harlond Beverly, Sophomore, Guard
  • Filippos Gkogkos, Sophomore, Guard
  • Deng Gak, Redshirt Junior, Forward
  • Chris Lykes, Senior, Guard
  • Elijah Olaniyi, Senior, Guard
  • Willie Herenton, Senior, Guard
  • Nysier Brooks, Redshirt Senior, Center
  • Rodney Miller jr., Redshirt Senior, Center
  • Sam Waardenburg, Redshirt Senior, Forward
  • Kameron McGusty, Redshirt Senior, Guard

Miami has only 14 players on their roster for the 2020-21 season, one more than the 13 scholarships maximum. In addition to this, while it doesn’t impact them for the 2020-21 season, Miami has SEVEN senior next season which means it’s “do or die” and their roster for the 2021-22 season will look incredibly than it will for this upcoming season.

If Miami wants to be a decent team for the 2020-21 season, they’re going to need to see significant production out of their talented freshmen, Earl Timberlake and Matt Cross. If they don’t, they may have a similar year to their 2019-20 season and the years prior to that.