Miami’s Omier relishes rebounding battle vs. top seed Houston in Sweet 16 on Friday

Norchad Omier, known for his relentless rebounding and megawatt smile, is in an even more jovial mood than usual this week as the Miami Hurricanes prepare to face top seed Houston in the Sweet 16 on Friday night.

Eleven days ago, Omier showed up at the team’s Selection Sunday watch party in a cart, as he had sprained his ankle in the opening minute of the ACC semifinal game against Duke, which UM lost.

Omier was doubtful for the NCAA Tournament, and Drake over Miami in the first round became a popular upset pick. But “thanks to God and Sam,” he said, heaping praise on UM trainer Sam Johnson, Omier made a miraculous recovery and is a key reason the Hurricanes find themselves in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

The energetic power forward will have his hands full against Houston. As the team’s leading rebounder and most imposing presence in the paint, Omier’s physicality will be vital on the boards against the vaunted Cougars’ defense.

Houston ranks second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing opposing teams just 56.5 points per game. The Cougars lead the country in field goal percentage (36.1 percent) and are second in three-point defense (27.4 percent).

“They’re a great defensive team and also attack the offensive boards, so I think those are two points we have to focus on,” said Omier, who had 17 rebounds against Indiana on Sunday. “We can’t turn the ball over and we have to box out.”

UM coach Jim Larranaga called Houston “as physical as any team that I’ve seen all year long.”

The Cougars (33-3) are not as tall as some of Miami’s other opponents. In fact, they are somewhat of a mirror image of fifth-seeded UM (27-7), with a few beefy forwards and a trio of athletic guards Marcus Sasser, Tramon Mark and Jamal Shead. They pride themselves on suffocating defense and will be looking to slow the pace way down against a Hurricanes team that likes to run and score on the fast break. The Canes scored 85 against Indiana.

Houston can score, too. Mark scored 26 against Auburn and Sasser scored 22.

“They put so much pressure on you at every position,” Larranaga said. “Some teams are good putting pressure on the guards, but these guys put pressure at every position. Then they rebound the ball tremendously well at both ends, especially at the offensive end, where they’re able to, if they miss a shot, just offensive rebound and score either at the rim or kick it out for a three.”

The Hurricanes are hoping guard Wooga Poplar can play on Friday. He fell hard on his tailbone chasing a rebound against Indiana and returned to full practice on Thursday. They will need him against the Cougars.

Omier is fired up for the challenge. Rebounding is his favorite part of the game. It has been since the day the Nicaraguan gave up baseball for basketball.

Like the other kids growing up in the town of Bluefields, Omier was enamored with baseball. He was an outstanding pitcher, first baseman and outfielder. He also was a power hitter, third or fourth in the batting order.

He was spotted by a basketball scout and urged to give basketball a try. He says he was terrible at first, could barely dribble, but he was a fast learner.

“I chose basketball, but basketball chose me, too,” Omier said. “A lot of people came up to me that saw me play baseball and knew I was good at baseball, and they said, `Basketball is the sport you should play,’ It was like a natural. I had only been playing two years and was already doing crazy stuff. I noticed it, too. It was just so much fun to me.”

Omier was headed to Mexico at age 17 to play pro basketball when he came to Miami to attend a camp held by Miami Prep and Miami Tropics AAU coach Art “Pilin” Alvarez, known for his pipeline to Latin American prospects.

He wound up playing a year at Miami Prep and going to Arkansas State, where he played for coach Mike Balado, a Cuban American from Miami who had coached at various high schools and colleges in South Florida. He was voted Sun Belt Freshman of the Year his first year and Player of the Year his second before transferring to UM. He is the first Nicaraguan to play Division 1 basketball.

Omier’s rebounding prowess has already led to comparisons with former NBA star Dennis Rodman.

“I’ve played against many guys, but nothing like Norchad,” said UM forward AJ Casey. “He wants the ball more than everyone else. Sometimes it’s like he has a magnet in his hands for the ball and it comes to him.”

Asked why he likes rebounding so much, Omier said: “I like winning and if you rebound and don’t let them get second chance shots, you win the game, that’s about it. I love playing physical.”

In addition to dominating the glass, he is a locker room leader with his enthusiasm.

“Life is good, I try to smile all the time,” Omier said. “That translates to my teammates. They see me happy, they’re going to get happy, too. That translates on the court, too. We are in a really good position. Not everyone has this chance to have a D1 scholarship, to have this support. There’s nothing to be sad about. I am thankful.”

And he plans to be smiling again on Friday night.