Miami Hurricanes coach Jai Lucas addressed the team after losing to the Purdue Boilermakers in the NCAA Tournament
Miami Hurricanes basketball coach Jai Lucas refused to hold back his emotions.
Last weekend the Hurricanes were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament by the Purdue Boilermakers in the second round. On Tuesday, the school released a heartfelt video featuring Lucas addressing the team in the locker room after the loss.
Lucas didn't hold anything back.
"I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart," Lucas said, tearing up. "Y'all believed in me, took care of me ... Nothing but love, always. I will believe in y'all forever. These moments are hard, getting to the tournament, winning in the tournament. It's tough but I just to make sure I say this to y'all: Any thing y'all ever need from me, I'm here for you. It don't matter, whatever.
The Hurricanes had one of the most remarkable seasons in school history. They finished 26-9 and placed third in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It was their first tournament appearance since making the Final Four in 2023 under coach Jim Larranaga.
In his first season, Lucas orchestrated an incredible turnaround. UM won 19 more games than the previous year. It happened despite having a mostly revamped roster. This type of success should excite the Hurricanes fan base because Lucas is bringing energy to the program.
He called this season only the "beginning" of what he hopes to accomplish in the future. The next step is hopefully securing the players during the transfer portal period and continuing to attract top high school recruits.
"A person who never coached, y'all came, y'all trusted me," Lucas said to the players. "... Another thank you for setting the foundation for what this is going to be and where are going moving forward. This is just the beginning. Y'all put us in position to be one of the best programs in the ACC. Each one of y'all grew so much and got so much out of it. I appreciate y'all. This is a brotherhood. These moments you'll remember forever ... So don't take it for granted. It's sad that it's over."
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com