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Here’s what experts are saying about Miami matchup vs. UConn in Final Four Saturday

As many as 10,000 University of Miami fans began converging on the Final Four host city Friday, and many of them went to NRG Stadium to watch the team’s open practice session on the eve of the historic game against four-time national champion Connecticut.

They roared during team introductions and took selfies and videos as the Canes tried to get acclimated to playing in the cavernous 72,000-seat venue.

“Playing inside the dome makes the court seem much smaller,” said guard Nijel Pack.

“Definitely a different experience,” said guard Jordan Miller, coming off a perfect game against Texas in the Elite Eight (7 of 7 from the field, 13 of 13 from the free throw line). “Huge dome, depth perception is something we have to get used to. But, as soon as we step on the court, we forget about all that and just play the game.”

The Huskies, who have won their tournament games this month by an average margin of 22.5 points, are favorites. Like Miami, they have a trio of talented guards. They have more size and depth than Miami. But UConn sharpshooter Jordan Hawkins missed Friday’s practice with a non-COVID illness but is expected to play.

Here is what the experts have to say about the Hurricanes’ matchup with the Huskies:

Former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who now hosts a show on Sirius XM radio: “They (Miami) have an amazing chance to win. Connecticut has rolled over everybody. They’re not going to roll over Miami. And I’m not saying Connecticut can’t beat them. I’m saying Connecticut has not been in a 40-minute game in the Tournament.

“(Miami) can put five guys on the court who can score and they don’t give a darn who does the scoring. Their free throw shooting is intimidating. … And Jim Larranaga is a great coach and a great guy, but he can really put together offensive schemes for his team.”

Krzyzewski had high praise for Miami power forward Norchad Omier.

“I’d like Omier on every team that I would have. He’s the strongest guy on the court. But all five of their guys, including him, are great with the ball. They have five guys out there who handle the ball well. And he’s 250 pounds so he can defend anybody.”

Mar 31, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Norchad Omier (15) during a practice session the day before the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Norchad Omier (15) during a practice session the day before the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Myron Medcalf of ESPN Radio is picking UConn to win 87-80.

“I don’t see a world where UConn suddenly slows down,” Medcalf said. “This is a team that started the season 14-0 with wins over Alabama and Iowa State before a rocky 2-6 stretch, followed by a 13-2 run that has led this team to the Final Four. So, the only way Miami wins this game is if it can go punch-for-punch with the Huskies. The good news for the Hurricanes is they have the 3-point shooting capability and transition efficiency to run with UConn. That’s the only way. They are the only team, I think, with a shot to beat the Huskies. But the potential is different than the reality.”

ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg follows the Hurricanes closely. He was an assistant coach at Miami from 1985 to 1987, when the program was resurrected after a 14-year hiatus. He said he is “leaning to” UConn over UM.

“Connecticut has just been overpowering,” he said on Life on The Bubble Podcast with Andy Katz. “But Miami is as well coached as any team in the country; (Jim Larranaga’s) a brilliant coach, puts guys in position to play to their strengths... Great guard play.

“Nijel Pack wasn’t shooting well (initially when he began the season). Eventually, he figured it out; he’s not a pure point guard. He can be a play-starter but not a pure point guard. Isaiah, any given night, can put up numbers. Jordan Miller is a tough matchup. Wooga Poplar has separated himself as an elite defender.”

ACC Network analyst Luke Hancock, who played for Larranaga at George Mason, believes the Hurricanes can beat the Huskies.

“This team is the most together group I think I’ve ever seen in college basketball,” he said this week by phone. “They’re able to buy in so incredibly focused to what Coach L’s game plan is and they go out and execute at such a high level.”

Mar 31, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Jim Larranaga during a practice session the day before the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Jim Larranaga during a practice session the day before the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The key, he said, is for the undersized Canes to continue to pack the paint against a UConn front court that includes 6-9 Adama Sanogo and 7-2 Donovan Clingan.

“Packing the paint keeps you out of foul trouble and it’s how a smaller team can rebound, get steals and get out in transition,” Hancock said.

Keeping Omier out of foul trouble “is everything” in a game like this, Hancock said.

“They’ll battle with or without him, we saw that against Duke in the ACC tournament (Omier was injured), but Norchad is not maybe the best player, but he’s the most important player,” Hancock said. “An absolute beast in there. Don’t need to send double teams because he’s so incredibly strong.”

Hancock thinks the Hurricanes are underrated. “They made the Elite Eight last year, are better now, beat Houston and Texas. I don’t know what else Coach L has to do to get respected. They can beat anyone in the country, have already shown that. I definitely believe Miami can win this.”