The Canes were one of the most disappointing teams in the country this year. But as we saw in 21-22, things can turn around quickly. Luke Chaney of 247 and the Miami Hurricane joined the CanesInSight Daily Podcast to discuss the future of Canes Hoops:
On the Portal: I expect Miami to be a lot more active in the Portal this year. Some of that will probably be by necessity because there will be more vacant roster spots than there was a year ago. They also have those two extra scholarship spots, which they didn't fill this past offseason. You're seeing some of those first team, all second team mid-major guys go into the portal. Those are potential contributors at the P4 level.
Just look at Tennessee, Dalton Knecht (Northern Colorado transfer). He could be the Naismith Player of the Year. These mid-major guys could go on to be very, very good high-major players. That's something to always take into mind.
I don't want there to be a misconception about Miami's efforts in the Portal last offseason. They went after more than just Matthew Cleveland. They had Cam Spencer (UConn) on a visit. They had Cormac Ryan (UNC) on a visit. They had VenAllen Lubin (Vanderbilt), who I really thought was going to end up in Miami, on a visit. Robbie Beran (Virginia Tech) visited. Mustapha Amzil (New Mexico), he was someone that Miami was involved with. And they reached out to a lot of other guys as well.
They were at a disadvantage since they made the Final Four. They really didn't think about the offseason much until early to mid-April, whereas teams who got bounced in the first, second round or teams who didn't make the tournament got a jump or a head start on that. This year, Miami’s season ended March 12th.
I think Miami could use the Portal to really shore up their wings. They'll probably add another big, depending on what Norchad Omier does. But I think they'll do more than just add one player like they did last year.
On #7 ranked signee Jahlil Bethea: Absolute stud. I watched a couple of his games from the EYBL circuit this past year. He is just an unreal shot maker. Both Bethea and (four-star signee) Austin Swartz give Miami a lot of what they didn't have this past season: tough bucket-getters who can make contested shots.
Bethea is an incredible shooter off the catch and off the dribble. He’s really athletic as well. Maybe not a “jump out the gym” type guy, but he can definitely get up there and make plays at the basket. He has that ability to play above the rim, which is why he’s getting top five projections in 2025 NBA Mock Drafts. NBA body at the guard position, 6'5. His arms seem to go down to almost his knees.
He's just a special player. He has the physical tools and the athletic traits that Miami is not used to having. I expect him to be a starter day one.
On #47-ranked signee Austin Swartz: Swartz finished third in scoring on the EYBL circuit. For those who aren't aware, the EYBL circuit is the best shoe brand circuit in the country. That’s where the best of the best play, and he was one of the top scorers in that circuit.
He’s just a really good scorer, really tough shot maker, really good separator as well. He doesn't have quite the height or the length that Bethea has, which is why Swartz isn't rated as a five-star pro prospect. But I think he's going to be a terrific college player and he's going to play a lot next year, whether as a starter or as a microwave scorer off the bench. And he could be someone, unlike a Bethea, who plays multiple seasons for this team.
On #124-ranked signee Isaiah Johnson-Arigu: He's someone that is Jordan Miller-like, a 6'7", 3-4 tweener. Really crafty near the basket, solid athleticism, can defend multiple positions. He doesn't necessarily have the pro outlook of a Jahlil Bethea or even an Austin Swartz, but he looks like someone that will be a really solid college player. Someone who can start multiple seasons for a Power Four team and play multiple roles within a team, both offensively and defensively.
Defensively, he can guard multiple positions, which is an advantage for a defense that is best when it can switch and when it has the flexibility to mix in different pick-and-roll coverages and trap.
Offensively, he can do a lot as far as working off the catch, getting to the basket, even creating his own shot a little bit. He can also play more of that traditional big role. If you're running a small lineup, he can work off the short roll. He can cut to the basket.
Who knows how much he necessarily plays in year one? But his long-term outlook is someone who can definitely contribute to a very good P4 college basketball team like Miami for multiple years. A very low-key get for Miami and what is an amazing recruiting class, probably the best they've ever had.
On the 2025 class: Miami did their evaluations by the end of the grassroots season, and they’re keying in on some guys. New names will emerge. This summer is when we get into the thick of things with the 2025 recruiting class. A couple of names to take into account. Jerry Easter, he's a high composite five-star per the 247 rating system. He's out of La Lumiere (La Porte, IN). Combo guard, really like him. He's someone that has really emerged as a potential target for Miami. Jordan Scott (Reston, VA) is another guard that they've looked into quite a bit.
On the Boozer Twins: Nothing really super new as of late. They keep their camp really close and there's not a whole lot of noise that comes out of that. After the Miami OV before the season, the Hurricanes were definitely trending in the right direction. You could even make an argument as of then that they were the team to beat. But what this (15-17) Miami season did to that, I don't know.
On Dante Allen: Another guy who I really, really. I'm interested in seeing if the Canes go after Dante Allen, a guard out of Riviera Prep in Miami.
