Coach Jai Lucas eyes a deeper rotation and defensive resurgence as elite freshman talent and sharpshooting transfers aim to propel the Miami Hurricanes toward another historic run.
MIAMI, Fla. – With less than 50 days until the Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball program tips off the 2026-27 season against the Florida Gators at Tampa (Fla.); here are four angles to keep an eye on:
Rotations
Last season, head coach Jai Lucas heavily relied on the starting unit. He didn’t play many reserves, except for Tru Washington and Timotej Malovec, both of whom transferred out of Coral Gables. Given the roster’s current state, Lucas can expand to potentially a 10-player rotation.
Acaden Lewis, Dante Allen, Shelton Henderson, Caleb Gaskins, and Somto Cyril are the projected starting lineup. It features length, versatility on both sides of the court, and athleticism. Meanwhile, the bench mod could be Brent Bland, Nick Dorn, DeSean Goode, Christopher Birden Jr., and Egor Ryzhov.
The Hurricanes’ depth production will be crucial to surpassing last season’s historic success. Lucas won’t need to rely too much on the starters, which prevents any long-term fatigue. The Hurricanes could have a candidate emerge for ACC Sixth Man of the Year.
Shooting
Last season, outside shooting was an all-around roster weakness. Malovec was the only player to shoot above 40 percent from behind the arc, but Lucas didn’t run many actions for him. Among the eight incoming transfers, three (Goode, Dorn, and Bland) shot over 35 percent from three-point range.
As Lucas prefers to dominate the paint, having outside shooters will open the floor, allowing Henderson, Gaskins, and Cyril to operate more efficiently. The Hurricanes can run an inside-out offense to keep the pressure in the paint while kicking the basketball out for open looks.
Defense
Lucas is a defensive-minded head coach. Although the Hurricanes struggled to score consistently, getting stops is what kept them in games. The defense has higher upside this upcoming season, especially with the addition of Cyril. Last season, the former Georgia Bulldogs center led the Southeastern Conference with a 2.2-block average.
First-Round Talent?
Henderson and Gaskins have the best chances to emerge as first-round selections in the 2027 NBA Draft. They will have the opportunity to show out, especially as the Hurricanes will face at least seven preseason ranked opponents. Last season, as a freshman, Henderson averaged 13.8 points on 56.7 percent shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35 games (all starts). A leap in production is expected from the 19-year-old.
Gaskins was a five-star recruit from Christopher Columbus High School. As a senior, he averaged 22.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 31 games. Gaskins could be the first freshman drafted from the program since Kyshawn George in 2024.
A lot to expect and watch out for in Coral Gables in the upcoming 2026-27 college basketball season.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
