Jim Larrañaga reacts to Nijel Pack's first game off injury

Nijel Pack rejoined the Miami lineup with a bang in their win over No. 16 Clemson on Wednesday that opened their ACC slate. He played so well that Jim Larrañaga may now actually consider a few more days off for the fourth-year guard.

Larrañaga was proud of Pack’s play in his return from injury during his postgame press conference following the 95-82 win for the Hurricanes over the Tigers. After he led the team in scoring with having missed the their last two games, Larrañaga said Pack might get even more rest if that’s how he’s going to play.

“I’m going to give him another two weeks off,” laughed Larrañaga.

“I mean it’s hard to play that well after two weeks of not playing. But he felt good,” Larrañaga said. “I played him pretty much the whole game, played 35 minutes, which is shocking. But he was playing great. It was hard to actually take him out.”

Pack scored a team-high of 25 points to lead Miami to the 13-point win over the Top-20 Tigers. It was his second-best scoring output of the season as he scored 28 on seven made three pointers against his former team, Kansas State, in the Bahamas.

He also put up five rebounds, three assists, and a steal to help Miami get their opening win in the ACC.

Pack played efficiently during his 35 minutes in his return to the lineup. He shot 8-13 (61.5%) from the field, including 3-4 (75%) from three-point range. Both percentages were among his best on the year over his 11 appearances.

Miami needed this outing from Pack with Wooga Poplar, the team’s second-leading scorer, missing the contest with a sprained ankle.

Pack is a proven scorer over his collegiate career, including over his 46 games with the ‘Canes. That’s why, with this pop during his return, Larrañaga is glad to have him back available for their team after he missed the back half of December.

“He’s a great shooter, a great point guard, a great teammate,” said Larrañaga. “A hell of a game for him to come back with.”

Larrañaga updates the health of Wooga Poplar

Miami upset Clemson on Wednesda despite being without their second-leading scorer in Wooga Poplar.

Following the win, Jim Larrañaga provided an update on Poplar as he deals with a sprained ankle.

“(Tuesday) he was limping so I wasn’t counting on him for (Wednesday). But then at, like, noon? I was hearing he might play,” Larrañaga explained. “I was like, ‘Oh, wait a minute…I’ve got to talk to our trainer and find out if that’s true.’ Then I called Sam and he said, ‘I’m working with Wooga and he’s on the treadmill.’ I was like, ‘Oh, that’s a real positive sign.’”

“After he got off the treadmill, he came walking into my office and said, ‘I can’t go. I’m still in pain.’ So he sat out,” Larrañaga said.

Unfortunately for Larrañaga and Miami, Wooga Poplar ended up not being able to suit up. The good news for the Hurricanes, though, is that they won without him and it doesn’t seem like this will be a long-term injury for the junior.

“Will Wooga be back by Saturday? It’s anybody’s guess. It’s not somebody who has sprained ankles before. So, when you have a new injury, it’s a little concerning,” Larrañaga said. “Hopefully he’s ready. But, if he’s not, the guys who played tonight have to do it again.”