Jim Larrañaga has 'no update' on Norchad Omier

Health concerns coming into the NCAA Tournament will play a major role in who advances in March Madness. With that in mind, the ankle injury to Miami forward Norchad Omier could be a major concern for the Hurricanes considering that, based on Jim Larrañaga’s words, they don’t know when he’ll be back.

Larrañaga addressed Omier’s health during his press conference on Selection Sunday. He says there’s no update on his status as of now. For now, it seems No. 5 Miami will have to prepare to play No. 12 Drake with or without him.

“There’s really no update at this point,” said Larrañaga. “We’ve got our fingers crossed and we wish him the best but we’ve got to prepare both ways. We’ll have him or we don’t have him. Because we don’t know what his status will be for quite a while.”

With that said, Larrañaga shared that Omier is in good spirits at the moment. As of now, Omier is working around the clock with staff members in his rehab. That’s why Larrañaga fully expects that their transfer big man is going to be spent after giving everything he has to make it back in time for the big dance.

“We have doctors and trainers taking care of him 24/7…Norchad is working on it,” Larrañaga said. “Of course, he wants to play…He’s got more energy than anybody. He’s always going to have a smile on his face. And he’s going to do everything possible to get himself ready and to help this team.”

Omier is averaging 13.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks on 59.1% shooting from the field on the season. He held down the paint for a Miami team that won the ACC’s regular season as he started all but one game and played just over 28 minutes a contest.

Still, it might have to be ‘next man up’ for Larrañaga and the ‘Canes after this pessimistic-sounding update, which wasn’t much of an update to begin with. There are still four days between now and when they take the court against the Bulldogs in Albany but, Omier or not, they’ll have to be ready by then in order to advance against one of the Missouri Valley’s best.