‘Canes Hoops: Worst Case Scenario for the 2017-18 Season

The Miami Hurricanes enter the 2017-18 basketball season with high expectations. Head Coach Jim Larranaga has assembled a team that is deeper and more balanced than previous seasons.

The best-case scenario is below so now it’s time to tackle the worst-case.

The worst-case scenario: Miami exits the ACC conference tournament early and fail to make the NCAA tourney because seasoned veterans and talented freshmen could not figure out how to work together.

Sophomore guard Bruce Brown Jr, newcomer Lonnie Walker IV, and the rest of the team have to figure out their roles early and the best ways for each player to contribute to the team.

ACC conference play will be the most challenging games for this squad. Miami will face defending National Champion North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Clemson, NC State, and Notre Dame away from Watsco Center.

Miami finished in eighth place in the ACC last year and are projected to finish fourth this season. If Miami finishes ranked lower than last season, it would be disastrous for the team.

The ‘Canes have depth and a lot of young talent. If they can’t get through a tough conference schedule this season, Miami would not make it far during the conference championship. This scenario would put a huge damper on any chance of making the big dance.

If Miami cannot figure out who it can count on to be a playmaker, it will be out of the NCAA Tournament. The buildup of the preseason hype and the excitement surrounding this team would be gone by March.

The Hurricanes would be left trying to figure out where they came up short. Miami would have to wait another year for a deep tourney run and remain a step behind the elite teams already established in the ACC conference.