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How Wooga Poplar became a key to the Miami Hurricanes’ Final Four run

Late in Miami’s Elite Eight contest against Texas, Hurricanes sophomore guard Wooga Poplar had to remind UM coach Jim Larrañaga of a key mantra the veteran coach has for his team.

During a timeout while down four points late in the game, Larrañaga told his team to look at the score. Poplar reminded Larrañaga what he usually tells the team.

“Wooga said, ‘We don’t play the score, we play the game,” Larrañaga recounted.

The Hurricanes (29-7) ultimately completed the comeback, beat Texas and punched their ticket to the program’s first-ever Final Four. Poplar has been a key cog in Miami’s machine, providing crucial defense and solid offense in No.