Miami (Fla.) sophomore forward Norchad Omier went down with an ankle injury in the first minutes of action against Duke last Friday.
Without Omier, the Hurricanes could not beat the Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament semifinals. They might have to play sans the 6-foot-7, 248-pound interior force in their NCAA Tournament first round game against Drake this weekend.
Miami head coach Jim Larranaga told reporters that Omier has not practiced since getting hurt last week. His status for Friday’s tournament opener is TBD, per CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.
A Bluefields, Nicaragua native and Arkansas State transfer, Omier is averaging 13.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while shooting 59.1% from the field and 71.5% from the free throw line.
Miami is led by a contingent of explosive playmaking guards and wings, but Omier provides the Hurricanes with some much-needed muscle down low. If he can’t go against Drake, it will leave a massive hole in the lineup.
Miami, the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region, will take on the 12th-seeded Bulldogs at 7:25 p.m. ET Friday night in Albany, N.Y.