In March of 2025, the University of Miami Men’s Basketball program was in a state of limbo. It was a rough two year stretch following Miami’s 2023 Final 4 run. The Hurricanes had gone through an especially hellish 2024 campaign, resulting in the mid season resignation of Hall of Fame HC Jim Larrañaga and finished 7-24.
All season it was clear: change needed to be made, and it needed to be made fast, but also properly. To find the next leader of the program, Dan Radakovich needed to find someone that cultivates a culture of success, a player developer, an elite recruiter and most importantly- someone that raises the standards and excellence of the orange and green logo branded on his chest.
There was only one man on the planet that checked all of those boxes and more: Jai Lucas. On March 6 2025, Jai Lucas was officially hired to be the newest head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, and he quickly got to work.
Assembling the Squad
The roster underwent a complete overhaul—Miami entered the 2025 season without a single returning player. Jai Lucas attacked the transfer portal immediately, bringing in proven veterans to stabilize the program. Indiana forward Malik Reneau, Michigan guard Tre Donaldson, TCU center Ernest Udeh, and New Mexico guard Tru Washington formed the backbone of a team built to compete right away. Coach Lucas would be just as active developing the future of the program, securing high profile commitments from 4-Star’s Shelton Henderson and Miami native Dante Allen.
South Florida is known as a cultural melting pot, with peoples from all cultures and nationalities thriving in unity, blending rich traditions amongst one another. With International basketball at an all time high, Coach Jai made it a point to establish connections across the globe, securing three commitments from overseas stars. Miami would become a new home for three of the brightest young international talents: Noam Dovrat (Israel), Salih Altuntas (Turkey) and Timo Malovec (Slovakia).
The Rebuild
Fast forward to November 3rd, it was time for the new era of Miami Basketball to officially begin in Coral Gables. The Hurricanes would surge through their 13 game non-conference stretch, going 11-2 on the span with losses to two NCAA Tournament teams: the University of Florida and Brigham Young. In those games, Miami would boast seven games where they scored at least 95 points, four of which ending in triple digits.
Per usual, the heat index in South Florida would stay red hot as the Hurricanes entered ACC league play. During Miami’s conference slate, the ‘Canes would go 13-6 with their most notable wins being a home stand vs #11 North Carolina, followed by acting as road warriors, defeating NC State and Florida State on opposing hardwood.
As the regular season concluded, Miami would finish with 24 wins, tied for the most in program history. Coach Jai Lucas would become the most winningest first-year head coach in University of Miami history, and would earn the second most wins all time by an ACC Head Coach (Bill Guthridge, UNC 1997-98).
Statement Win in Coral Gables
One of the defining moments of Miami’s season came at a packed Watsco Center against #11 North Carolina. From the opening tip, the Hurricanes controlled the tempo, but it was a first-half sequence that truly launched the packed crowd into orbit. After a defensive stop, Dante Allen pushed the ball in transition and delivered a perfectly timed alley oop to Ernest Udeh, who hammered it home. Later in the half, Malik Reneau powered through contact in the paint for an emphatic and-one, flexing as the crowd erupted and momentum firmly swung Miami’s way.
Miami never let up, matching energy with execution on both ends of the floor. Each defensive stop fueled the atmosphere, and every bucket brought the crowd deeper into the game as the Hurricanes held off North Carolina down the stretch.
When the final buzzer sounded, fans stormed the court in celebration. It was more than just a marquee win. It was a statement that Miami basketball was back, and the Watsco Center was once again a true home-court advantage.
Post Season Madness
After an elite 2025-26 regular season, Miami earned the #3 seed in the 2026 ACC Tournament, earning a double bye and a trip to the ACC Quarter finals. The Hurricanes would avenge their senior day drop to Louisville less than one week prior, by defeating the Cardinals in dominant fashion and advancing to the ACC Semi’s, before inevitably losing to the Virginia Cavaliers.
As Selection Sunday came around, the Miami Hurricanes were once again in the National Spotlight, earning an at large #7 seed and preparing to take on the Missouri Tigers.
Miami would once again put on a show under the brightest of lights, downing the Tigers in their backyard 80-66 during the Round of 64. In the Round of 32 moments ago, the ‘Canes would ultimately fall to the #2 Purdue Boilermakers 79-69, ending Miami’s storybook season.
Exponential Growth
During Miami’s 2026 rebuild, the aforementioned seniors of Reneau, Donaldson and Udeh would all soar to newest of heights. Reneau, a double double machine in the early slate of the season, would finish his final year averaging 19 PPG and 6.6 Rebounds per game. The Miami native would put on for the city and earn First-Team All ACC Honors. As for Tre Donaldson, the Tallahassee born sniper would take command of this offense, running the floor and serving as an extension of Coach Lucas in game. Donaldson would record 16.5 PPG and 6 Assists per game while shooting 48% from the field and earning Second-Team All-ACC Honors. Rounding out the senior big three, Ernest Udeh fortified the paint all season, earning ACC All Defense honors.
As the season progressed, the once barren Watsco Center turned into another party in the 305. Towards the tail end of the season, the arena would be packed out and one of the strongest home court advantages in College basketball, showing the buy in from the fanbase and community.
What’s next for the U?
Throughout their 2025 seasons, Shelton Henderson and Dante Allen would grow from freshman jitters into shining on the biggest stages of the game. As two cornerstones for the future of the U, the anticipation for sophomore breakouts couldn’t be higher.
Another star is in the making for the Hurricanes, with local phenom 5-Star F Caleb Gaskins from Miami Columbus signing with his hometown team. A roster headlined by Shelton Henderson, Tru Washington, Dante Allen and Caleb Gaskins will certainly be enough to hang with the best in the ever competitive ACC.
It’s been an absolutely wild ride for the Miami Hurricanes this season, but believe me: the best is yet to come in Chapter 2 of the Jai Lucas era.
