Despite a stronger display of grit and fight than last year's Jacksonville Hoops Showdown, the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes start the 2026-27 college basketball season in the loss column, following a 77-67 outing against the No. 1 Florida Gators in the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa (Fla.).

While there's no elimination of contention for the very first game, it was a missed opportunity to make a statement. A strong start wasn't met with a good enough finish.

Here are four takeaways from the game:

Hurricanes sophomore Shelton Henderson was contained by the Gators' lengthy frontcourt. In 30 minutes, he finished with just seven points on 15.4 percent shooting (both would be among season lows last year), nine rebounds, and two steals.

Henderson attempted to be a force inside the paint, which is a well-known strength, but the Gators' defense had the personnel to be disruptive at the rim.

The 19-year-old went one-for-four inside the restricted area. 

Henderson attempted just two shots from outside the arc and missed both. The former five-star recruit will need to be efficient from long range this season, as opposing defenses will likely build walls to stop him inside.

Five of eight transfers played, but only a couple left with strong impressions.

Sophomore Acaden Lewis led the Hurricanes with 24 points on 45 percent shooting, four rebounds, one assist, and a steal in 35 minutes. He committed four turnovers, which is three fewer than in the exhibition win against No. 24 Vanderbilt at the Watsco Center. Lewis was consistently affecting the game offensively.

Whether it was setting up others or shotmaking, the 21-year-old was delivering.

Former Georgia shot-blocker Somto Cyril followed with 13 points on 80 percent shooting, seven rebounds, an assist, and a steal in 28 minutes. The junior center dealt with foul trouble, finishing with four personals. Cyril led the Hurricanes with a +9 in the plus-minus box.

They were the headliners of the Hurricanes' 2026 transfer-portal class and showed out.

While the Gators were outscored in the paint 26-22, it was the outside shooting that made up the difference – 11 of 26 from behind the arc (42.3 percent). Superstar forward Thomas Haugh led with four made on eight attempts.

Last season, the Gators reached double figures in three-pointers made six total times, with the earliest being 12 against Providence on Nov. 28, 2025.

If that continues to be consistent throughout the regular season, the chances of a second National Championship in three years in Gainesville (Fla.) increase.

Haugh's senior campaign starts with an exclamation point: 19 points on 46.2 percent shooting, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block in 38 minutes. He's on an early pace to becoming a two-time All-American. Haugh was impactful all over the court, which isn't surprising from a projected NBA lottery pick.

The Hurricanes will return to South Florida and host the Wagner Seahawks this Friday.

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- "Shannon Dawson on Miami Hurricanes' Girard Pringle Jr. and Lack of Opportunity"