Miami Basketball Summer To-Do List

By Reed Hunnicutt

Miami Hurricanes' Summer To-Do List

Jim Larranaga — After years of mediocrity, Miami finally pushed their way into the upper half of the ACC. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes were unable to reach the NCAA tournament. If they are able to successfully complete these five goals, they will be in a good position to make the Big Dance.

5. Allow Sheldon McClellan To Take More Shots

Sheldon McClellan

5. Allow Sheldon McClellan To Take More Shots

Sheldon McClellan — McClellan is Miami’s best player and also their most efficient scorer. He scored 14.5 points per game on 48 percent shooting last year. Jim Larranaga should let the senior loose so he can up his scoring average to force more double teams, opening up opportunities for everyone else.

4. Make Ivan Cruz Uceda the Primary Roll Man

Ivan Cruz Uceda

4. Make Ivan Cruz Uceda the Primary Roll Man

Ivan Cruz Uceda — The 6-foot-10 sophomore is the prototypical stretch four. When he is put in pick-and-pop situations, he converts at a high rate. Miami has a capable playmaker in Angel Rodriguez, so increasing the amount of ball screens should only help the offensive production for the Hurricanes. Instead of using Tonye Jekiri as the main roll man, allowing Cruz Uceda to star in that role will create more scoring chances.

3. Convince Angel Rodriguez To Shoot Less

Angel Rodriguez

3. Convince Angel Rodriguez To Shoot Less

Angel Rodriguez — Rodriguez is an experienced floor general who knows how to set up his teammates. When it comes to crunch time, he can make the big plays, but he struggled to find any offensive consistency last season. It’s good to have a player who can create their own shot, but if Rodriguez can’t shoot better than 34 percent from the field, he should look to dish it off to teammates who can.

2. Rebound As A Unit

Tonye Jekiri

2. Rebound As A Unit

Tonye Jekiri — Tonye Jekiri was the best rebounder in the conference last season, averaging almost 10 a game. Outside of him, the rest of the team put up a pathetic effort on the boards. They were in the bottom half of the ACC as a team in rebounds, even with Jekiri’s work. The guards will need to help out a thin frontcourt on the glass if Miami wants to be celebrating on Selection Sunday.

1. Give More Minutes To James Palmer and Ja’Quan Newton

Ja'Quan Newton

1. Give More Minutes To James Palmer and Ja’Quan Newton

Ja'Quan Newton — Both Palmer and Newton were good recruits coming out of high school. They had their moments as freshmen, but limited minutes made it difficult for either to really make an impact. With the transfers of rotation guards Deandre Burnett and Manu Lecomte, Palmer and Newton should be given the minutes to make a mark on the ACC. The Hurricanes will need the sophomores to produce in order to make the NCAA tournament.

Reed Hunnicutt is an ACC Basketball Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @rd_hunnicutt04, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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Miami (FL) Hurricanes

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