Miami Hurricanes
Overall Rank: #27
Conference Rank: #7 ACC
Miami reached their fourth straight NCAA Tournament last season, but failed to make it out of the first round. The loss to Quinnipiac still stings, but the Hurricanes return four of their top five scorers and have the firepower to not only compete in the tough ACC, but also make a decent tournament run.
2017-18 Record: 21-11, 10-6
2017-18 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Katie Meier
Coach Record: 252-163 at Miami, 328-208 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Erykah Davenport, Forward/Center, 12.5 ppg
Keyanna Harris, Forward, 6.9 ppg
Shaneese Bailey, Guard/Forward, 7.4 ppg
Neydja Petithomme, Guard, 3.2 ppg
Serena-Lynn Geldof, Center, 2.7 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Mykea Gray, Sophomore, Guard, 11.7 ppg
Emese Hof, Senior, Forward/Center, 9.0 ppg
Endia Banks, Sophomore, Guard, 7.7 ppg
Kelsey Marshall, Sophomore, Guard, 8.0 ppg
Sarah Mortensen, Junior, Guard/Forward, 3.6 ppg
Taylor Mason, Sophomore, Guard, 2.4 ppg
Khaila Prather, Senior, Forward, DNP last season
Laura Cornelius, Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Key New Players
Jamir Huston, Freshman, Forward
Beatrice Mompremier, Junior, Forward, Transfer from Baylor
Rebecca Ripley, RS Freshman, Guard/Forward
Destiny Harden, Sophomore, Forward, Transfer from West Virginia, not eligible
Projection:
A trio of sophomores will lead a very promising backcourt. Mykea Gray is the team’s top returning scorer with 11.7 points per game. She is a capable outside shooter and is also very dangerous attacking the basket. Kelsey Marshall averaged 8.0 points as the shooter off the bench. Whether starting or not, Marshall will be a dangerous scoring threat and provide a nice offensive spark. Endia Banks is back as well after averaging 7.7 points and a team high 2.7 assists. The concern is in the frontcourt where Erykah Davenport needs to be replaced. Emese Hof has the size and experience to have a big senior season. The 6-3 center was very productive beside Davenport last season, averaging 9.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks and now she will need to take on an even bigger role. The addition of Baylor transfer Beatrice Mompremier will add another dynamic to the frontcourt. Back in 2015-2016, she was a Big 12 All-Freshman honoree. Mompremier can rebound and block shots and teamed up with Hof, Miami will be very dangerous in the paint on both ends of the floor.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.1 (68th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.1 (148, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.0 (71, 5)
Field-Goal Defense:38.6 (81, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.1 (239, 11)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 30.3 (226, 13)
Free-Throw Percentage: 68.2 (234, 11)
Rebound Margin: 2.9 (100, 9)
Assists Per Game:13.8 (134, 8)
Turnovers Per Game: 17.4 (274, 15)
