Matthew Cleveland injury update: Jim Larrañaga updates timeline on Miami guard

Matthew Cleveland is the leading returner this season at Miami. However, his status for the season opener is undetermined following their lone exhibition yesterday.

Jim Larrañaga discussed Cleveland’s recent upper-body injury with the media after a 33-point win over Saint Leo last night. He said the Hurricanes don’t know how much longer that he’ll be unavailable for them. Still, he’s expecting him back to some extent today in hopes of him being ready for tip-off against Fairleigh Dickinson on Monday.

“I don’t, I don’t know how long he’s going to be out,” said Larrañaga. “You’ll have to talk to our trainer about the injury.”

“Well, he’s been out for two weeks. I think he’ll be back – actually, I’m hoping tomorrow so he’d be ready on Monday,” Larrañaga said. “Now, he’s been out two weeks so I’m not expecting him to all of a sudden, miraculously be back to where he was playing before the injury.”

With the complete changes to their roster, Cleveland is the top returning player for the Hurricanes. In his first season with The ‘U, Cleveland averaged 13.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals. He also posted career-best splits at 48.9% FG, 35.7% 3P%, and 79.5% from the free throw line. He was top-five on the roster in all of those categories.

Cleveland did that after transferring in last offseason from Florida State. His career statistics are up to 13 points, six rebounds, 1.5 assists, and a steal for the ‘Noles and ‘Canes.

Now, Cleveland will look to be one of the best players on a team that’ll look to be better this season. After making the Final Four the year prior and going 10-2 before the turn of the year, Miami lost 15 of 20 during conference play, including a double-digit game losing streak to end it, to finish at 15-17.

Larrañaga will look to have Cleveland back on Thursday. From there, they can assess how ready and available he can be for the start of the season against the Knights.