Unmasking the Miami Hurricanes' secret weapon: a chilling ritual that ignites their aggressive identity and fuels their winning streak.
In the world of sports, teams have their own rituals or ways of celebrating after a win. For the Miami Hurricanes men's basketball squad, the best player receives a Jason Voorhees mask, inspired by the "Friday the 13th" franchise. In an interview with the ACC Network on Monday, coach Jai Lucas explained the meaning behind it.
"I was trying to create, before the first game, something that could be our identity," he said. "Something that we can really live by. I've watched horror movies and this Jason mask, there's this clip in a remake of [Friday] the 13th where he [Jason] hadn't found the mask yet, and he's trying to figure out this version of who he is. He's not pretty, he's ugly, and he's still trying to figure out what type of monster he was. Once he found that mask, it gave him his identity of who he is, and I feel like that fits us [the Hurricanes]. We're big, physical, we don't play, I guess, the prettiest brand of basketball if you're into the aesthetics."
"We wear on you with our physicality, our size, our relentless effort, and energy. I had to get the guys to buy into something and they have."
Following the Hurricanes' 75-66 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday, the players and staff gifted coach Lucas the Jason mask. It marked a much-needed standout victory for the NCAA Tournament resume.
"The thing I love most about the locker room is seeing them [the players] excited," coach Lucas added. "I want them to know that I'm a part of it with them. If that's what they want to do, I'm fine with it. It's all about them."
They followed with an electrifying 77-76 victory over the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Saturday. Despite facing a seven-point deficit with barely a minute left in regulation, the Hurricanes sparked an 8-0 run to close the deal.
The team currently sits with a 20-5 overall record, 9-3 in ACC play, fourth in the conference standings. They're in a prime position to make the NCAA Tournament, which would cement an excellent start to coach Lucas's leadership for the program.
Despite not being ranked in the latest AP Top-25 polls, the Hurricanes are solely focused on winning games and building winning habits. They will host the Virginia Tech Hokies on Tuesday, followed by a road matchup against the 14th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday.
As the regular season reaches the final stretch, every game holds significant value.
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