Gardner-Webb @ Miami preview

Predicted to finish fourth in the ACC preseason poll, Miami opens the 2017-18 season at home Friday against Gardner-Webb. The 12th-ranked Hurricanes come off their second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and are looking for their fourth bid in six years.

The Hurricanes have prepared for the season under a cloud of an FBI investigation into possible wrongdoing by seventh-year coach Jim Larranaga. "I did nothing wrong," Larranaga said in an October press conference. "It has been a strain, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. But I have the support of my wife, my family, my university, my coaches, my team. We're just going to move forward. We have a season to prepare for and that's what we're focused on." The Hurricanes welcome back three starters from the team that tied for seventh in the ACC last season, including sophomore guard Bruce Brown Jr., who was named to the preseason watch list for the annual Oscar Robertson Trophy after a record-breaking freshman season in which he scored 391 points in 1,053 minutes. Gardner-Webb has posted five consecutive winning seasons, the program's best stretch since 1978-1983, including 74 wins under Tim Craft, and the fifth-year coach has four returning starters to lean on this season, led by preseason All-Big South second-team guard David Efianayi (12.6 points per game).

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ACC Network Extra

ABOUT GARDNER-WEBB (2016-17: 19-14, 11-7 Big South): Efianayi had a breakthrough sophomore campaign, shooting 50.9 percent from the floor and 41.5 percent from long range, and he continued where he left off in a recent exhibition game against Wofford, hitting 7-of-8 field goals for a game-high 16 points. Senior guards Jamaal Robateau (60) and Liam O'Reilly (59) combined to hit 119 3-pointers last season and senior L'Hassane Niangane will start at center for the third season. Junior forward DJ Laster moves into the starting lineup after coming on strong in the final 10 games when he averaged 11.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

ABOUT MIAMI (2016-17: 21-12, 10-8 ACC): With the departures of Davon Reed and Kamari Murphy, the Hurricanes lost two of their key leaders but Miami is counting on a highly regarded freshman class to help fill the void, led by Pennsylvania's Mr. Basketball and McDonald's All-American Lonnie Walker IV, who has recovered from the summer's torn meniscus. Ja'Quan Newton (13.5 ppg) is Miami's only senior and he joins junior Anthony Lawrence II and Brown as the returning starters and their experience will be critical to a young team filled with promise. "I just want to make sure I'm more consistent," Brown said. "I think last year I was a little bit inconsistent where I would have a 30-point game and then a seven-point game. I feel I need keep that production up every game and make sure I'm a leader and talking to the guys and keeping them up out there."

TIP-INS

1. Larranaga has led the Hurricanes to five 20-win seasons in his first six years at Miami.

2. Brown earned Miami's second-ever triple-double last year, as he finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in an 80-46 victory over South Carolina State.

3. Miami played in back-to-back NCAA Tournaments for the first time since going to three straight from 1997-98 to 1999-2000.

PREDICTION: Miami 85, Gardner-Webb 57