Canes Set Records in Second Round Victory Against Indiana
Norchad Omier has been a top playmaker, rebounder, defender and scorer for the Miami Hurricanes, and he almost didn't get to perform in the most important stretch of the season: the NCAA Tournament.
Omier was crucial in the Hurricanes' rebounding in their 85-69 win against the Indiana Hoosiers Sunday night.
Against Duke in the ACC Tournament, Omier suffered a right-ankle injury after landing on Dereck Lively's foot. The injury knocked him of the game and was in jeopardy of not playing in the tournament.
Omier has 31 rebounds during the first two NCAA Tournament games for the Canes.
Omier had 14 against Drake and 17 against Indiana. Omier broke the school record for tournament rebounds in a game against Drake. Once he reached 15 against Indiana, that meant he broke it again in back-to-back games.
It wasn't the only record he broke.
Rebound No. 328 moved Omier into the top 10 on Miami's single-season rebounding list against Indiana. Omier has been with Miami for one season.
An absolute BEAST on the boards.@NorchadO's 328th rebound of the season puts his name in the Miami record book. pic.twitter.com/qMSKBlpoZK
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) March 20, 2023
Omier's presence has been one of the game-changers in Miami's lineup. Miami coach Jim Larrañaga's teams have typically been guard-focused, small-ball lineups. Omier has filled in where Miami historically struggles.
There's not always a need for Omier to be the high scorer or primary offensive threat, which was the case against Indiana. Omier scored seven points on 3-5 shooting. Isaiah Wong (27), Jordan Miller (19), and Nijel Pack (12) carried the load as far as scoring went.
Speaking of Wong, he joined in on the record-setting fun as well. The ACC Player of the Year put up 27 points and eight rebounds while shooting 4-6 from three-point range, including one impressive heat-check from the logo.
Wong's third 3-pointer from the game was No. 174, and also moved him into the top-10 all-time in 3-pointers made at Miami.
Isaiah Wong's third 3⃣ of the night and 174th as a collegian is a historic one!@zaywong21 pic.twitter.com/hRDROkPALW
— Canes Men’s Basketball (@CanesHoops) March 20, 2023
Omier played 10 minutes less on Sunday than he did on Friday. Miami had more success against the higher-seeded Hoosiers than they did against Drake, ranked seven spots behind them.
Miami will likely need more of the same from Omier when they take on No. 1 Houston, who ranks No. 17 in the nation in rebounds per game. The Cougars also have two forwards in Jarace Walker and J'Wan Roberts similar to Omier in size and skillset.
Walker has been ranked as high as top-15 in NBA Draft big boards, but Miami plays in the ACC, where there is a plethora of NBA-level big men.
Both teams have talented guard lineups, but the game between Houston and Miami will be won and lost in the paint. It will also shapes up to be an intriguing dual between Omier and the Cougars' big men.
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