Jim Larranaga opens up on Nijel Pack's impact for Miami

As Miami prepares for a showdown with top-seeded Houston in the Midwest Region it will do so with one of its players hoping that Nijel Pack‘s impact continues.

Pack transferred to Miami from Kansas State, which is also still alive in the Sweet 16 this weekend.

But the fit for Pack at Miami has been like a glove, with the anticipated reality turning into actual reality as things just sort of clicked following his transfer. He was exactly what coach Jim Larranaga was looking for.

“First thing is we had a great point guard last year on our run to the Elite Eight, a young man named Charlie Moore,” Larranaga explained. “We were looking for someone similar to Charlie, who could pass it, shoot it.

“Nijel was an interesting prospect for us because he had played the two guard spot but was really was interested in moving to the point. So we were very interested in that because we wanted a point guard who could really shoot.”

While Pack isn’t quite matching his 17.4 points per game average from last season at Kansas State, he’s done quite nicely in a Miami squad that has a well-rounded scoring effort.

He’s one of four players averaging at least 13.4 points per game.

However, it’s perhaps his seamless transition and the on-court chemistry he has with Miami’s existing star, Isaiah Wong, that has been the most pleasant surprise in the move over.

“So he has made such a smooth transition from Kansas State to Miami, primarily because of his personality,” Larranaga said. “He and Isaiah Wong hit it off like day one, and they developed a great bond on and off the court, a great relationship of handling the ball and sharing the ball and playing to win. They both just care about winning, so they’re both very team oriented.”

Wong is scoring 16.1 points per game to do his part in the winning equation, and the Hurricanes have put together some impressive games. They’ll need another to take down the Cougars.

Win or lose, though, Nijel Pack’s impact at Miami has been sizeable.

“Nijel’s teammates love him,” Larranaga said. “He’s a very articulate young man. His mom and dad have raised him very, very well, and we’re just happy to have him. He’s a fantastic shooter, but he’s also working very hard defensively, and he’s sharing the ball with his teammates as the quarterback of our team.”

Miami and Houston are slated for a 7:15 p.m. ET tipoff on Friday in a game that will be carried nationally on CBS.