NCAA Basketball: 2021 ESPN Events Invitational preview and predictions

Miami Hurricanes

Record: 3-1

Jim Larranaga’s Miami Hurricanes are 3-1 after winning two straight games over Florida Atlantic and Florida A&M. They took a big hit this summer when Chris Lykes transferred to Arkansas. Thus far the trio of Kam McGusty, Isaiah Wong, and DePaul transfer Charlie Moore have all been handling the ball, but none of them have the consistent scoring ability that Lykes had.

One guy who has come on early on in the year has been senior Sam Waardenburg who is averaging 7.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and dishing out 2.3 assists per contest. Another thing that has been key for the Hurricanes early on has been their ability to take care of the basketball, turning the ball over just 11.5 per game.

Despite the team’s 3-1 record, a major issue for the team has been defensive rebounding and their defensive field-goal percentage defense. Miami opponents are shooting 43.5% from the field and 49% on their two-point shots and even when they miss, the Hurricanes rank 134th in defensive rebounds per game with 27.8.

It’s good that Miami is good at holding on to the ball because when they don’t have it, it is either going through the hoop or leading to second-chance opportunities for their opponents. Those are the two biggest things to watch when the Hurricanes take the floor in Orlando.