Defense ignites the Miami Hurricanes' historic 15-2 start. Star scorers and a relentless coach push the basketball team to new, record-breaking heights.
As the Miami Hurricanes look to make history on the football field, with the National Championship four days away, the basketball program continues to make tremendous progress. The team had an 11-2 record before in-conference play began. Offensively, the production has been up and down, but defense has been the main priority with Jai Lucas.
After defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Tuesday, with a final score of 81-69, the Hurricanes extended their winning streak to 10, and that's the longest since the 2017-18 season. Senior guard Tre Donaldson led the way with 23 points, two rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 37 minutes. He surpassed 1,000 career points.
They currently sit with a 15-2 record, 4-0 against conference opponents, and second in the ACC standings. This is the Hurricanes' best start to the basketball season in program history.
Senior forward Malik Reneau has been the star of the team, averaging 20.4 points, which is fifth best in the ACC, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and a block while shooting 56.8 percent from the field, 35 percent from three-point range. The 22-year-old Miami native has embraced bigger responsibilities as a leader and a player. Lucas expects the best out of Reneau on a day-to-day basis, especially as a scorer and rebounder.
Senior center Ernest Udeh Jr. has been an enforcer in the paint and glass, averaging 6.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, which is third best in the ACC, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks, while shooting 71.7 percent from the field. He's provided a defensive presence, which is demanded from Lucas.
Donaldson, Reneau, and Udeh Jr. were the core players recruited to be part of his turnaround for the Hurricanes, coming off a horrendous 7-24 season, with no returning players. They've gotten great contributions from a couple of freshmen in guard Dante Allen and five-star recruiting forward Shelton Henderson. Despite their lack of experience compared to others on the roster, both of them appear to embrace Lucas's tough leadership, which benefits their development. They combined for 28 points against the Fighting Irish, including three three-pointers made, playing 20-plus minutes.
Tru Washington, Donaldson's starting backcourt partner, has been overlooked throughout the Hurricanes' success. The junior guard is averaging 12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and two steals, third best in the ACC, while shooting 49.3 percent from the field, 33.9 percent from three-point range. He's one of the few non-Miami natives on the roster, but plays with tremendous effort, especially on the defensive end.
The Hurricanes have held opponents to under 80 points against two ACC opponents, 13 total times in their 15 victories, and that's the standard Lucas set for the team since the start of the season. He's emerging as an early candidate for ACC Coach of the Year, with an undeniable case. The Hurricanes continue to prove to be darkhorse contenders, always finding ways to win in difficult situations.
They will face the 22nd-ranked Clemson Tigers in South Carolina on Saturday, Jan. 17th. It will be another great challenge for Lucas and the Hurricanes to overcome, with an opportunity to earn their first victory against a ranked opponent after two tough losses against the Florida Gators and BYU Cougars.
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