Miami Hurricanes Men’s Basketball Ranked in AP Top 25 Preseason Poll

MIAMI, Fla. – For the first time since the 2023-24 college basketball season, the Miami Hurricanes are ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll – slotted at No. 14 with 650 votes.

They are the fourth of four Atlantic Coast Conference programs, behind No. 2 Duke, No. 9 Virginia, and No. 11 Louisville.

Coming off a historic 26-9 turnaround season, second-year head coach Jai Lucas is looking to lead the Hurricanes to greater aspirations. After sneaking up on the rest of the nation, they will be tested by every opponent looking to upset them. Lucas tinkered with the roster, featuring eight transfers, two freshmen, an international signee, and three returners.

The main success from the summer was retaining sophomores Dante Allen and Shelton Henderson. Both had productive and impactful freshman campaigns, returning to Coral Gables with more responsibilities. Henderson is among the candidates to have a breakout season. After averaging 13.8 points on 56.7 percent shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35 games (all starts), more is expected from the former five-star recruit.

Last season, one of the Hurricanes’ struggles was consistent bench production. In response, Lucas brought in impactful veterans, such as Nick Dorn, Brent Bland, and Men’s Horizon League Player of the Year DeSean Goode.

After luring a five-star recruit to Coral Gables, the 37-year-old brought in another in Caleb Gaskins. He graduated from Christopher Columbus High School, which is approximately 5.2 miles from campus. Gaskins is ranked the second-highest recruit in Hurricanes men’s basketball history since 2000, according to 247 Sports. As a senior, he averaged 22.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 31 games.

The 18-year-old has an opportunity to deliver an immediate impact in a rotational role.

Lucas rounded up the roster with the return of All-ACC forward Malik Reneau, who appears to be eligible for the entire season. He was the Hurricanes’ leading scorer last season, which played a role in the turnaround. Reneau’s role will likely be different as Henderson and Allen inherit expanded roles.

The Hurricanes will be an early top contender for the ACC title while looking to emerge as dark horses for the National Championship. They are scheduled to face six total preseason-ranked opponents:

- Nov. 2 at No. 1 Florida (Tampa)

- Dec. 2 Vs. No. 20 Alabama

- Dec. 12 at No. 7 Texas (Houston)

- Jan. 16 Vs. No. 9 Virginia

- Jan. 19 at No. 11 Louisville

- Feb. 1 at No. 2 Duke

Before the real test begins, the Hurricanes will host an exhibition game against No. 24 Vanderbilt on Friday at the Watsco Center. It's free of admission with tickets available at Ticketmaster and tip-off is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. E.T.

More Miami Hurricanes News:

- "Could No. 1 UM Push No. 4 Notre Dame Out of the College Football Playoffs?"

- "UM Ranked New No. 1 in AP Poll"

- "Javian Mallory Boosted UM's Run Game as Mark Fletcher Jr. Went Down"