Podcast: Miami’s NCAA Tourney ceiling and 3 takeaways from UM’s first 3 spring practices
It was a milestone weekend for the Miami Hurricanes at the Watsco Center and the start of something new on Greentree Practice Fields.
A busy week in Miami means a loaded episode of the Eye on the U podcast. It’s a two-parter, with a dive into the Atlantic Coast Conference in the front half and a breakdown of the Hurricanes’ first three spring practices in the back.
First, Michelle Kaufman, the Miami Herald’s Hurricanes beat writer, joins David Wilson to break down Miami’s win against Wake Forest on Friday in Greensboro, North Carolina, and its conference-clinching win against Pittsburgh on Saturday. The common thread is both were thrillers, which probably shouldn’t have been as close as they were. It could be a concern for the Hurricanes’ NCAA Tournament prospects, but it shouldn’t dim what a special season this was.
Above all else, Jim Larranaga and Co. made Miami basketball-crazed this winter and an ACC title, the coach’s crowning achievement, could transform the program for good.
A showdown with Duke on Friday is now a major chance for the Hurricanes to climb even higher in Tournament seeding.
At the end, Susan Miller Degnan, the Herald’s Miami beat writer, and Wilson give their three biggest takeaways from the Hurricanes’ first three spring practices, ranging from the new-look coaching staff to the offensive line’s major offseason overhaul. Coach Mario Cristobal is getting something like a second chance at Year 1.
It’s also the long-awaited return of healthy Tyler Van Dyke and the quarterback is still the figure the entire program revolves around right now, with a new offensive coordinator and a slew of transfer linemen all coming to Coral Gables to try to maximize Van Dyke’s ability.
As always, thanks for listening and please continue to rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
This story was originally published March 10, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
