GETTING INSIDE

Two years ago, preseason predictions tabbed Miami to finish last in the ACC. Instead, the Hurricanes finished 8-8 and made it to the NCAA Tournament.

Based on that, the media picked Miami to finish fourth in the 2008-09 season.

The Hurricanes, with four starters returning from a team that made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, stumbled to 7-9 in the league and had to settle for the NIT.

So maybe it’s not all bad for the Hurricanes that most prognosticators believe they will struggle again in 2009-10.

After all, they lost Jack McClinton, who accounted for about a fourth of their points last season, plus starters Lance Hurdle and Brian Asbury, not to mention forward Jimmy Graham, an invaluable contributor off the bench who is playing tight end for the football team.

But a balanced approach may pay dividends for the Hurricanes. They have a strong inside presence with forward Dwayne Collins, who is prone to ups and downs but can take over a game, and James Dews is a 3-point threat.

Two keys will be if Villanova transfer Malcolm Grant can take up some of the slack left by the departure of McClinton and if newcomer Durand Scott can live up to his billing.

Scott arrives with much of the same ballyhoo that greeted last year’s top recruit DeQuan Jones, and Jones proved maddeningly inconsistent. He had a dunk against Duke that made everybody’s highlight reel, but never had the consistent jumper that would have earned him more playing time.

Forward Adrian Thomas could be a real sleeper on the perimeter. He became a major factor in 3-point shooting as the season wore on.

Besides all that, the Hurricanes need Cyrus McGowan, a transfer from Arkansas who started early in the season, to take some of the heat off Collins inside. Reggie Johnson, who sat out last season as a redshirt, and newcomer Donnavan Kirk also could fill that role. Sophomore Julian Gamble also had his moments.

If all those questions are answered on a positive note, the Hurricanes could be a surprise team in what does not appear to be an overpowering ACC. But a repeat appearance in the NIT would have to be considered a positive finish.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Miami has appeared in the postseason four times in the last five seasons, but only in 2008 was that in the NCAA Tournament. The Hurricanes’ most successful run was from 1997 through 2002, when they appeared in four NCAA tournaments and two NITs.

• F Dwayne Collins has scored in double figures 43 times over his career and shot 55.1 percent from the field over three seasons.

• F Adrian Thomas was the recipient of the Bob Bradley Spirit and Courage Award presented to an ACC player, coach, or team administrator who has overcome significant injury, illness or adversity to become a valuable contributor to his program. After injuries limited him to eight games over the two previous years, Thomas played in all 32 games last season (two starts) and had a streak of 14 games with at least one 3-pointer.

Last Year:   19-13 overall, 7-9 in the ACC; lost in second round of NIT.

Head Coach:   Frank Haith (overall 88-73); sixth year at Miami (88-73).

Quote To Note:   “I’m really glad I took this opportunity. I got to talk to some NBA personnel about what I need to do so I can reach my goal of playing professional basketball. It was a really good experience and will help me next year. I appreciate Coach Haith and the staff’s support of me in all of this.”—F Dwayne Collins, discussing his decision to withdraw his name from the NBA draft.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   Malcolm Grant, a transfer who sat out last season after playing one year at Villanova, hopes to take over for Jack McClinton in the backcourt. Freshman wing Durand Scott also figures to pick up some of the slack in perimeter shooting brought about by McClinton’s departure. Donnavan Kirk, a 6-9 power forward, and Antoine Allen, a 6-1 guard, also will get early opportunities for playing time. Kirk could be a difference-maker if he responds up front.

Key Early-season Games:   The Hurricanes should have their way until reaching the Charleston Classic, where they could run up against the 2009 NIT champion Penn State in the second round on Nov. 20 and South Carolina or Davidson in their final game on Nov. 22. They get Minnesota at home on Dec. 2 in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, and go on the road four days later for an early conference opener at Boston College.

Program Direction:   Miami disappointed last season after returning all but one starter from a team that reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament the year before. The Hurricanes must replace three starters and the bulk of their offense, but they may have more success in returning to an underdog role. Miami probably is at least a year away from getting back into the NCAA Tournament field and will be pushed to make the NIT.

Probable Starting Lineup:   PG Malcolm Grant, SG James Dews, SG Durand Scott, F Adrian Thomas, PF Dwayne Collins.

Roster Report:  

• F Reggie Johnson, a 6-10 redshirt freshman, has dropped nearly 40 pounds to 295 since arriving on campus in 2008.

• F Julian Gamble could be a vital key in the Hurricanes’ fortunes. He played in 24 games as a freshman last season and had 13 points and 13 rebounds against North Florida. If he can pick up his game, it will take some of the pressure off Dwayne Collins inside.

• F Adrian Thomas, who emerged as a 3-point threat by making 35.7 percent of his shots behind the arc last season, can play inside at power forward as well as move outside on the perimeter.