In Jai Lucas's debut season with Miami, he kept things tight, relying on a core group of players. Only seven Hurricanes averaged double-digit minutes, and during their 79-69 NCAA Tournament loss to Purdue, Lucas leaned heavily on just six players. As the offseason looms, keep an eye on three Miami players who might enter the Transfer Portal: guard Noam Dovrat and forwards Salih Altuntas and Timo Malovec.
With the departure of senior starters Tre Donaldson, Malik Reneau, and Ernest Udeh Jr., Miami faces some lineup changes. Altuntas, who appeared in all 31 regular-season games, averaged modest numbers: 1.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.7 fouls in just under eight minutes per game.
His postseason play was limited, featuring only in the ACC Tournament semifinal against Virginia, where he logged seven minutes, snagging two rebounds but also committing three fouls and a turnover. Altuntas had a few standout moments, including a 21-minute, 13-point, 11-rebound performance in a blowout win over Delaware State early in the season.
Lucas's first year saw significant improvement for the Hurricanes:
- They won a tournament game.
- Finished with a 26-9 overall record.
- Reached the ACC semifinals.
This is a stark contrast to the previous two years, where they had no tournament appearances and a 22-41 overall record.
Now, let's talk about Noam Dovrat. If he stays, he could become the sharpshooter Miami needs.
Dovrat averaged 9.4 minutes, 3.8 points, and 1.0 assist per game, boasting impressive shooting percentages-45.2% from the field and a scorching 46.6% from beyond the arc. He had a knack for hitting double figures, highlighted by a 12-point effort at SMU, all from three-point land.
Then there's Timo Malovec, a consistent presence in 33 games, averaging nearly 15 minutes, 4.2 points, and 1.3 rebounds per game. He had his moments, too, like a 31-minute, 16-point outing against Southern Mississippi.
However, his role diminished late in the season, playing just 17 minutes across four postseason games. Malovec faces a choice: return for a potentially larger role or seek new opportunities elsewhere.
The Hurricanes have made strides, and with strategic decisions in the offseason, they could build on this momentum. #GoCanes