The Miami Hurricanes continue to be overlooked, especially after the latest AP polls were released.
The Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team has started the season on a great note, currently sitting with a 2-0 record, and will take on the Stetson Hatters tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the ACC Network.
However, it made no difference in the latest AP polls as the team remains unranked since Dec. 11, 2023. Last season, they didn't reach the top 25 and finished with a 7-24 record.
AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) on X
Houston jumps Purdue to No. 1 as a chaotic men's basketball poll sees only four teams hold their rankings.
See where everyone stands. https://t.co/ZJG5mgWrsa
It's a new chapter for the Hurricanes with Jai Lucas leading the way on the sidelines and new players on the roster rocking with Florida pride. Despite the victories, he still doesn't believe the team has more room to grow before reaching its full potential.
Lucas is a defensive-minded head coach and the Hurricanes held both opponents, the Jacksonville Dolphins and Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, to an average of 65 points while shooting 38.7 percent from the field.
However, given the latest performances, the Hurricanes are on the right trajectory.
Senior forward Malik Reneau is averaging 21 points, four rebounds, 3.5 assists, and a block while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. He's established a presence in the paint, but Lucas is still demanding more from the 22-year-old, especially his activity on the glass.
Reneau has started the season with back-to-back 20-point performances, which he hasn't done since Jan. 1st, 2024, while with Indiana.
Senior center Ernest Udeh Jr. has been aggressive, averaging 11 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks while shooting 90 percent from the field, which is tied for second among big men in the nation.
Lucas alluded to the 21-year-old being an important piece to what he's looking to build with the Hurricanes.
Senior guard Tre Donaldson struggled in the season opener against the Dolphins, but exploded against the Wildcats, recording 23 points, four assists, a rebound, and a steal while shooting 81.8 percent from the field. He also finished with an electrifying fastbreak dunk in the second half of the game.
Lucas also mentioned him as a building block for his plans with the program.
Freshman guard Dante Allen was another player who struggled to begin the season, but put together a bounce-back performance against the Wildcats, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals while shooting 71.4 percent from the field while coming off the bench. He has the capabilities of providing a great spark for the team.
Freshman forward Shelton Henderson has started in both games and has proven to do a bit of everything with his speed and athleticism. He's currently averaging 11 points, 4.5 rebounds, and two assists while shooting 50 percent from the field.
The Hurricanes have the pieces to climb up the rankings and prove national doubters wrong. They’ll also face the Florida Gators on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, on ESPN, which will be the perfect opportunity to shine on the national stage.
More Miami Hurricanes News:
- “Hurricanes Make Slight Climb After Latest AP Poll Updates”
- “Mario Cristobal’s Hurricanes Future In Potential Jeopardy”
- “Hurricanes Fall Outside College Football Playoff Picture”
- “Jai Lucas ‘Not Satisfied’ With Hurricanes Season Opener Victory”