Following a historic revival, Coach Jai Lucas challenges a revamped Miami Hurricanes roster to defy the doubters and transform from gritty underdogs into legitimate national title contenders.
MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball program returned to relevancy following a historic 26-9 turnaround season. Despite not having a prolific star, the team surpassed expectations and finished third in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings. Coach Jai Lucas established a remarkable foundation and standard moving forward, but the next step will be to build on the success.
The Hurricanes will likely enter the 2026-27 college basketball season on the Associated Press’ top-25 list after finishing No. 24 on the final poll last year. Being ranked among the nation’s best comes with a certain level of expectations.
How far can the Hurricanes go?
In a recent video uploaded on the team’s social media, coach Lucas had a presentation of the ACC Regular Season Champion trophy, the ACC Tournament trophy, and the NCAA National Championship trophy. On top of them was the phrase, “Why Not Us?”
Despite the latest success, the Hurricanes aren’t projected to deliver any hardwood back to the Coral Gables campus. However, it’s not the first time the program carved out an underdog story.
“I don’t know what we’ll be picked or ranked; I don’t give a f***,” coach Lucas said to the team. “There’s no better feeling than cutting a college net.”
The program hasn’t reached the Championship game in its history, but last won the ACC Regular Season title in 2023 and the ACC Tournament in 2013. Former coach Jim Larranaga was a vocal point to claim both trophies, plus reaching the Final Four for the first time in 2023.
After retiring in the midst of the 2024-25 season, the Hurricanes finished with a 7-24 record. The following year, Lucas revived the program as a first-time head coach. Although several veterans departed for the NBA Draft or the transfer portal, Dante Allen and Shelton Henderson decided to return as sophomores.
The Hurricanes addressed the voids with several transfers, including shot-blocking center Somto Cyril and playmaking guard Acaden Lewis. A revamped roster with several x-factors, including a couple of high-school recruits, should be enough to contend for ACC hardwood.
However, a handful of programs will pose threats, such as the Duke Blue Devils, North Carolina Tar Heels, Virginia Cavaliers, and Louisville Cardinals. The Hurricanes will face them throughout the upcoming season, plus three SEC teams: Texas Longhorns, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Florida Gators in the opener in Tampa.
Coach Lucas is ready to kick things up a notch around Coral Gables, including internal expectations.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
