Nijel Pack downplays facing home state team Indiana

With Miami set to face Indiana in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, it creates an interesting storyline for Nijel Pack. The Hurricanes guard played his high school ball in Indianapolis, but did not receive an offer to play for the Hoosiers.

That being the case, it would be understandable if Pack entered the contest against Indiana with some form of revenge on his mind. But even if there is, he isn’t showing it.

“You can’t worry about things like that,” Pack said following Miami’s first round victory against Drake. “Whoever we end up playing, I’ve got to keep the same mindset. My teammates got to keep the same mindset to go out and play our game. No matter the opposing team’s jersey, we’ve got to worry about Miami and what Miami does best.”

Pack was a four-star recruit and the No. 123 player in the 2020 class according to On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Despite this, he received only one scholarship offer from a school in a major conference, opting to play for Kansas State.

Pack proved his talent in two seasons with the Wildcats, averaging 15.3 points and 2.7 assists per game as a starter. That earned him the opportunity to join Miami this offseason through the transfer portal as the No. 97 transfer players according to On3.

Pack’s move to the Hurricanes received plenty of attention thanks to a large NIL deal he signed upon joining the team. However, he’s shown it was worth it as a key piece this season, averaging 13.4 points per game while starting 31 contests.

But Pack is just one of many scoring options on a Miami team that led the ACC with 78.9 points per game. The Hurricanes have four players averaging more than 13 points, led by Isaiah Wong (15.8 ppg). The Hurricanes rely heavily on their guard play, with their tallest starter standing at just 6-foot-7.

As Miami hopes for another deep run in the NCAA Tournament following an Elite Eight appearance last season, it will lean on Nijel Pack and those others against a tough Indiana team. The Hoosiers boast one of the best players in the country in forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, who is averaging 20.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

But regardless of the opponent, Miami will focus on playing its brand of basketball as Pack said. Tip-off between the Hoosiers and Hurricanes is set for 8:40 p.m. ET on Sunday.