Jim Larrañaga stresses importance of Norchad Omier: ‘He’s like a Greek god’

Norchad Omier has been back in the lineup for Miami for the past four games and been just as great after a one-game absence. It has been a stretch that has further underlined his importance to the Hurricanes, including to Jim Larrañaga.

Larrañaga spoke about the value of Omier during his postgame press conference after their 82-74 win over Virginia Tech this weekend. He feels like it’s clear how much easier it is for them to succeed with him in the lineup because of what all he does and how unique he is to their roster.

“It’s hard to win without him,” said Larrañaga. “He is such an impact player.”

“He scores, he rebounds, he sets screens – he does so many things well that, when he’s not out on the court, we don’t really have someone of his size and capability right now.”

Omier missed their 72-69 loss at Syracuse back on January 20th due to an ankle injury. He came back in time for their next game, though, and has immediately gotten back to work.

Over the last four games, Omier is averaging 21.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals while shooting 67.2% from the field in just under 32 minutes per game. That span includes three double-doubles to give him 11 on the year. It also features his highest-scoring outing as a Hurricane with 33 against Notre Dame in his return.

Miami, most importantly, is 3-1 over that stretch for their best run since the turn of the new year.

Omier has come back and been just as good, if not better, than ever for the Hurricanes as of late. They hav been overall efforts from him that, according to Larrañaga, are the stuff of myths and legends.

“When you’re dealing with a guy like Norchad? He sprained it on a Friday, didn’t play on Saturday. Then we played Wednesday and he had 33 points and 10 rebounds,” Larrañaga recalled. “He’s a super-human being in terms of he can recover very fast.”

“I mean he’s like a Greek god, you know?” Larrañaga said. “You guys ever seen pictures of Greek gods? Atlas, you ever seen Atlas? Google ‘Atlas’, the Greek god from Greek mythology? That’s Norchad.”

Omier, Miami’s leader in points, rebounds, blocks, and field-goal percentage on the season, is having a fantastic fourth collegiate campaign and second in Coral Gables. Now, as he continues to build onto it, Larrañaga is advocating for more accolades for the Nicaraguan big man.

“That’s why he’s First Team All-Conference and, really, should be an All-American,” said Larrañaga.