Jim Larranaga offers update on Norchad Omier ahead of NCAA Tournament

Miami basketball is a different team without Norchad Omier. The scrappy Miami center/forward anchors the Hurricanes’ smaller lineup at the 5-spot on the floor at just 6-foot-7, nearly averaging a double-double with 13.6 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Unfortunately for Miami, Omier injured his ankle early in the ACC semifinal round against Duke. His status for the NCAA Tournament vs. Drake on Friday is day-to-day, but Jim Larranaga offered a slight update on the star Hurricane Wednesday morning, via Jon Rothstein.

According to Rothstein, Larranaga said Omier has not practiced since the injury (Monday and Tuesday) and that his status is still up in the air for Friday.

Following the report, Omier was seen getting shots up at practice Wednesday morning.

How will Miami fare Round 1?

Not having Omier is detrimental to this Miami squad, and it presents a few problems: n

amely, how will the Hurricanes guard Drake’s Darnell Brodie should Omier miss the game?

Brodie is a rebounding machine and a good shooter in the paint. He’s also great at getting to the free throw line, though he only hits at a 60% clip.

The Bulldogs are a popular upset pick for a reason. They’re as strong of a mid-major program as you’ll find anywhere across the country. Simply put, with or without Omier, Miami needs to hope its superior guard play can show up and show out as advertised to move on to the Round of 32.