NCAA Basketball: Baylor rises, Kentucky falls in latest 2023-24 WTE power rankings

16. Miami

There are no doubts that these are truly the glory days for Miami basketball. After a surprise run to the Elite Eight in 2022, the Hurricanes advanced to their first-ever Final Four this past season, upsetting Indiana, Houston, and Texas to get the job done as a 5-seed. Jim Larranaga’s squad played masterful offense last season and remains a threat in the ACC, even with some major changes this year.

Losing Jordan Miller and Isaiah Wong really hurts, as both averaged more than 15 points a game last season. Fortunately, the Hurricanes get three major pieces back from last season’s run, with Norchad Omier and Nijel Pack withdrawing from the NBA Draft process and returning to Miami. The Hurricanes will be depending on Wooga Poplar in an increased role and landed former Florida State wing Matthew Cleveland in the Transfer Portal.

There’s no denying that Miami should take a slight step back, but this starting five still has the talent to make noise in the ACC. These recent years have already been program-defining and there will still be star power and the potential to win important games in March this season. Adding Cleveland gives the Hurricanes another potent weapon in the frontcourt; their success might depend on how some of last year’s role players develop into more important roles this season.