Report: Nijel Pack available for Miami vs. Clemson, Wooga Poplar a game-time decision

Nijel Pack is available for Miami‘s ACC matchup against Clemson on Wednesday, per report. Wooga Poplar, who had been labeled as a game-time decision, is out.

Pack has been nursing a lower extremity injury that has kept him out of the ‘Canes last two games. Poplar, who averages 16.2 points per game, left Miami’s Dec. 29 win over North Florida with an ankle injury as was labeled as questionable throughout the week until game time.

Polar’s 16.2 points rank second on Jim Larranaga’s squad this season, while Pack’s 12.6 points rank fourth. Pack is also the team’s leading assister with 4.2 dishes per game.

Both players were integral parts of Miami’s Final Four run last season — and even if they’re both able to go against Clemson, will likely not be at full strength coming off their respective injuries.

While Pack was sidelined with his lower body injury, Miami true freshman guard Kyshawn George has been starting in his place. In two matchups, George scores 12 points against Stonehill and 10 against North Florida, respectively.

Their injuries come at a tough time for the ‘Canes, who are up against two of the most productive bigs in the conference in forwards PJ Hall — who averaged 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds — and Ian Schieffeli, who averages 8.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

In that sense, the ‘Canes front court, namely forward AJ Casey, is going to have to step up in a major way to shut down the productive Clemson bigs. Casey feels like he’s taken that extra step in recent weeks.

“It’s always the next man up,” Casey said, via CaneSports. “The next man up always has to be ready and prepare for things like this. If Wooga doesn’t play, the next man has to step up, take on that role, and just be ready. … “I think I’ve adjusted pretty well.

“Coming off two good games, those are all my teammates. They’re giving me confidence and getting me adjusted as well. I think it’s going great so far. And hopefully, I can continue.”

The opening tip-off between Miami and the No. 16 Tigers is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be aired live on ESPN. FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Tigers as 1.5-point favorites over Miami on the road.

Miami (10-2, 1-0 ACC) currently sits 0.5 games back from North Carolina (2-0 ACC) and Wake Forest (2-0) for the top stop in the ACC after one game.