Miami info from Palm Beach Post
Larranaga will welcome a top-10 recruiting class, the highest-rated group in school history. McDonald’s All-American forward Dewan Huell and guard Bruce Brown likely will play key roles right away. Center Rodney Miller may be relied on for backup minutes, but UM can afford to be more patient with Australian guard Dejan Vasiljevic. Additionally, UM has one open scholarship and could use it on a ready-to-play graduate transfer.
Point guard: Newton (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) can get into the lane, distribute the ball and score, but can he raise his teammates’ games if he’s having an off night? Can he lead them as Rodriguez did? Regardless, he’ll play major minutes, and Miami will need him – there’s no true point guard backing him up.
Shooting guard: Rail-thin Rashad Muhammad (6-6, 160), who is eligible this year after transferring, was a two-time leading scorer for San Jose State and will need to make up for some of McClellan’s production. James Palmer (6-5, 202) will have to hold off incoming freshmen combo guards Brown (6-4, 200), a rugged defender, and Vasiljevic (6-2, 195), a standout player in international tournaments.
Small forward: Reed (6-6, 205) will be in the starting lineup somewhere, and could handle the ball if Newton’s on the bench. Anthony Lawrence Jr. (6-7, 210) could be Miami’s Swiss-army knife, able to play and guard 1-through-4. Larranaga will have flexibility at the 2 and 3.
Power forward: Murphy (6-8, 218) started here last year, but without Jekiri (7-0, 250) patrolling the middle, his role may change. The scouting report on Huell (6-9, 220) is that he’s a high-energy rebounder and shot blocker who can drive, has a good feel for post play and can finish at the rim. NBA scouts will be watching him. Larranaga could play both at the same time, but that lineup wouldn’t work against every opponent.
Center: The weight room will be the summer home of sophomore Ebuka Izundu (6-10, 210), who needs to add considerable size and strength in order to contribute regularly. Miller, who is listed at 6-11 and various weights up to 250, is a more traditional big man. ESPN’s scouting report criticized him for his lack of conditioning and “motor.” However, he’s a four-star recruit from a top prep program (Oak Hill Academy in Virginia).
