Report: Miami forward Norchad Omier expected to play Friday vs. Drake

Great news on the injury front for Miami (FL) hoops. According to college basketball insider Jeff Goodman, Hurricanes big man Norchad Omier is expected to suit up for the team’s first-round NCAA Tournament game against No. 12 seed Drake later today.

Here was Goodman’s report, which he posted to Twitter:

“BREAKING: Miami’s Norchad Omier is expected to play today against Drake, source told @Stadium. Omier suffered a right ankle injury in the ACC tournament. He is averaging 13.6 points and 9.7 boards for the Canes.”

A massive development for Miami to get Omier’s inside presence back for this matchup after Drake become a trendy upset this week due to Miami’s lack of size without possibly having Omier available. But even with the rebounding machine back in the lineup, Jim Larranaga’s club shouldn’t overlook a Bulldogs program that’s been one of the most consistent mid-majors in the country the last few years and has a ton of experience in the backcourt.

Omier isn’t especially large at just 6-foot-7, but he’s one of the very best rebounders in the ACC and is virtually the only consistent presence down low for Miami. Which gets us to the reason why they’re very susceptible against a mid-major powerhouse like Drake: they don’t have the size to crush smaller programs like Duke did with Oral Roberts. Sure, Max Abmas was a great story and Oral Roberts seemed like a fun upset pick, but Duke immediately flexed their size and athleticism advantage and just crushed them.

Miami doesn’t have that size. In fact, the ‘Canes are smaller than most mid-major teams with only two guys taller than 6-foot-6 that play more than 10 minutes a game. Those players: Omier and Anthony Walker, and neither of which is a true big man by trade. Had Omier missed the game, Larranaga may have trotted out five-guard lineups vs. Drake.

Instead, reports say Norchad Omier will go and that’s great news. But don’t talk yourself into a certain Miami win for that reason alone. Sure, the ‘Canes ought to have the advantage on the perimeter, but Drake brings 16 years of experience and 4,500 career points to the table between its three starting guards.

Should be a fantastic basketball game between these two programs.