After Stanford, California, and SMU joined the ACC this season, ACC basketball decided against expanding its conference tournament. Fast forward to March 1: Miami became the surprising first team officially eliminated before the conference tournament following a 92-73 loss to North Carolina. They are officially the first team that won’t have a chance to win the ACC Tournament. The season has been a disaster. After Jim Larranaga stepped down amid a terrible stretch of play, the struggles only continued for the Hurricanes. With Miami eliminated from the postseason, what’s next for the Hurricanes?
Miami Eliminated from Postseason in Historic ACC First
Who Will be the Next Coach?
After Miami was officially eliminated from the postseason on Saturday, the head coach search must begin now. Rumors have been swirling about Duke assistant Jai Lucas possibly joining the Hurricanes at the end of the season. This could be a solid move for them, as Lucas is a key contributor to a dominant Duke team and brings the reputation of winning. However, Lucas has no prior coaching experience. Recent ACC coaches like Adrian Autry and Hubert Davis have struggled to find success in the league. However, coaches like Pat Kelsey have found immediate success across the country.
If I were Miami, I would be calling schools like UC San Diego for coach Eric Olen. In his fifth season, he has improved the program from 7-10 in 2020-21 to 25-4. Calling upon these coaches who bring major success to mid-majors leads to good results. Pat Kelsey and Dusty May are prime examples of this. Miami should strongly consider an experienced coach who can bring a winning culture as a head coach to the program.
What’s Next for the ACC?
With Miami eliminated from the postseason, only two more teams’ fates will end before the trip to North Carolina for the ACC Tournament. In a way, the loss for Miami was good for the ACC, as North Carolina desperately needed the win. Upsets have plagued the ACC, and this one would have ruined the Tar Heels. Notre Dame, Syracuse, California, NC State and Boston College will fight over the last week to earn their spot in the ACC Tournament. The real struggle will be whether the bubble teams in the ACC will work their way on the right side of the bubble, avoiding upsets against these teams fighting for their own lives.
NC State made a miraculous run last season to the Final Four, but the ACC shouldn’t expect a similar run. Teams like Wake Forest aren’t playing their best basketball right now, so watch for Notre Dame to play spoiler again later Saturday. With Miami already eliminated from postseason play, the ACC must hope that Miami doesn’t spoil anybody else’s hopes along the way.
The Last Word on Miami Being Eliminated from the Postseason
The season has been a disaster for the Hurricanes. Originally picked as a sleeper to win the ACC, Miami never woke up from a nap after three games. This dropoff is unacceptable from a program of this stature, but a new regime will hope to fix the problems left behind from a great, yet old-fashioned, head coach. This time next year, Miami should be in a better spot. For Hurricane fans, their only hope is next year. They’re the first team to say that before the ACC Tournament.
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