Jim Larranaga

Miami coach Jim Larranaga has led the Hurricanes to a 66-36 record and one ACC title in his three seasons since arriving in Coral Gables from George Mason.

(AP Photo | Bob Leverone)

One of 15 posts previewing the ACC basketball season, which begins later this week.

Last year's record: 17-16, 7-11 ACC

The plot: Forget what you saw last year. Just forget it. Working with a limited roster, the irrepressible Jim Larrañaga slowed the pace at both ends of the floor, by advocating a deliberate offense and often relying on zone to force opponents to take their time finding shots.

Miami won't finish last in the country in possessions per game. With point guard Angel Rodriguez and wing Sheldon McClellan eligible after transferring from Kansas State and Texas, respectively, the Hurricanes have some intriguing elements on offense. The big question, though, is whether Miami has enough size to be effective.

Best player: Rodriguez. There's a good chance McClellan will lead Miami in scoring. But Rodriguez is the table-setter who will make the Hurricanes' offense work efficiently. After playing for Frank Martin at Kansas State, Rodriguez is well-prepared to deal with a defense-first coach like Larrañaga as well.

Upside: Being overlooked is part of life at Miami, a city where winning big is the only way to etch a place in the public consciousness. But while the Hurricanes don't have the depth and experience of two years ago, when they won the ACC regular season and tournament, they have enough in place to make it into the NCAA tournament with ease. A fifth-place finish in the ACC's regular-season standings is plausible.

Downside: The Hurricanes' big men simply aren't effective enough (especially in nonconference play when Ivan Cruz Uceda is suspended for an eligibility issue), and the ACC's beefier teams pick Miami apart in the post. Miami is improved and a much easier team to watch, but it struggles to get to 20 wins and an NIT bid.

Circle it on the calendar: Jan. 3 vs. Virginia. The Hurricanes' conference opener comes at home against defending league champion Virginia. Picking off the Cavaliers won't be an easy task, but it is an early opportunity for Miami to demonstrate it will have to be accounted for this season in the ACC title chase.

New name to know: McClellan. A guy who averaged 13.5 points in the Big 12 at Texas is probably going to do just fine in the ACC at Miami. He quickly identified Miami as a possible landing spot when he opted to transfer, and his style of play is well-suited to the Hurricanes' approach.

Projection: 21-10, 10-8 ACC

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