Lecomte on the Cover of Athlon Magazine
Check out University of Miami guard Manu Lecomte on the cover of the 2014-15 Athlon Sports college basketball preview magazine.
Lecomte joins Florida’s Michael Frazier and Florida State’s Aaron Thomas on the front of the annual preview magazine.
“If it wasn’t already clear that Larrañaga could coach … it was proven last season when he took a bunch of anonymous players and managed to rack up 17 victories … The perimeter corps is strong and deep.”
The preview breaks down the team by position, then gives an overall analysis. See the preview below.
Somehow, Jim Larranaga and the Hurricanes managed to win 17 games last season. The previous season, Miami swept the ACC regular-season and tournament titles but lost just about everyone of note from that dominant team. Last year was supposed to be of the rebuilding variety in preparation for 2014-2015, when two key transfers would become eligible and the Canes would add a top-60 recruit to the mix.
Miami lost six players off last year’s squad – but all pf them are replaceable, even leading scorer Rion Brown and fellow senior guard Garrius Adams. This year’s group will be guard-heavy with the addition of a pair of former Big 12 standouts – point guard Angel Rodriguez and wing Sheldon McClellan. This roster will have talent, but the questions surround the team chemistry with so many new faces tossed into the mix and whether there is enough up front to compete for a postseason bid. Right now the starting center is offensively challenged, and there is no one who appears ready to step in and play at the power forward spot.
Larranaga did get a jump-start with this group with a preseason trip to Spain in August in which team-building was as much a focus as anything else.
FRONTCOURT
Larranaga will almost certainly start defensive minded 7’0” junior Tonye Jekiri, who finished last season strong, in the middle. Jekiri is limited offensively but will provide defense, rebounding, and shot-blocking. Plus, having a quality point guard like Rodriguez should allow him to get easy opportunities around the basket.
The question is, who will start alongside Jekiri at power forward? There are three options: fifth-year transfer Joe Thomas, a Miami native who averaged 3.4 points at Niagara last season; skilled junior college product Ivan Cruz Uceda; and freshman Omar Sherman. Thomas is a strong, athletic and physical forward who won’t provide much on the offensive end. Cruz Uceda help lead Harcum (Pa.) College to the junior college national semifinals. Sherman is a lefty who can shoot and has high upside but isn’t a great athlete.
There’s a chance that Larranaga could opt to play four guards at times if one of the power forwards doesn’t emerge.
BACKCOURT
The arrival of Rodriguez and McClellan instantly makes the perimeter the strength of the team. Rodriguez will assume the point guard duties from Manu Lecomte, who progressed as a freshman last season but will be best served at this level coming off the bench. Rodriguez, a native of Puerto Rico, was an All-Big 12 player after averaging 11.4 points and 5.2 assists for Kansas State two years ago. He is a quality defender who will immediately give the Canes a floor leader with toughness who can score and also make his teammates better.
McClellan averaged 13.5 points at Texas as a sophomore and gives the Hurricanes a guy who can get to the basket and also make plays in the open court. He does, however, need to improve from 3-point range. He shot only 29.1 percent from beyond the arc in two seasons at Texas.
Ja’Quan Newton is a top-60 national prospect from Philadelphia who can play either backcourt spot. He was a huge recruit for the Canes. Deandre Burnett is a talented shooting guard who was forced to redshirt as a freshman due to a broken wrist suffered in practice.
Sophomore Davon Reed gives the team length and Versatility off the bench. Corn Elder, on scholarship for football, won’t join the basketball team until January – at the earliest.
FINAL ANALYSIS
If it wasn’t already cleat that Larranaga could coach – he did guide George Mason to the Final four in 2006 and win an ACC title with the Hurricanes – it was proven last season when he took a bunch of anonymous players and managed to rack up 17 victories. Now he has legitimate talent again with the addition of guys like Rodriguez and McClellan. The perimeter corps is strong and deep, but the key will be whether the Hurricanes can produce enough up front return to the NCAA Tournament.
