We are a little over 100 days away from the first tip-off to open the 2026-27 College Basketball season on November 2nd. ESPN released an article on Wednesday afternoon, revealing their way-too-early top-25 ranking, as the media outlet ranked Miami as the No. 18 best team in the country.
Lucas done it again in the portal, grabbing one of the nation's best freshman point guards in Acaden Lewis, who will fit the defense first scheme at Miami. Lucas also went into the SEC and came away with Somto Cyril, one of the best defenders in the conference. The Hurricanes also grabbed the Horizon League Player of the Year DeSean Goode, who averaged over 15 points per game. Brent Bland and Nick Dorn also bring elite guard experience.
If the rankings were released today, ESPN would have the Hurricanes slotted in at the No. 18 spot in the country. This will be the first time the Hurricanes will be preseason ranked since the 2023-24 season. ESPN ranked the Florida Gators as the No. 1 team in the country. The Gators and Canes will clash on November 2nd in Tampa.
Check out what ESPN had to say about Miami:
Coach Jai Lucas had tremendous success in the transfer portal in his first offseason in Coral Gables, and is hoping for a repeat of the talent that Tre Donaldson and Malik Reneau brought. Leading the way with this new group is Lewis, one of the best freshman point guards in the country last season at Villanova. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals, consistently making plays at both ends of the court.
Projected starting lineup
Acaden Lewis (12.2 PPG at Villanova)
Dante Allen (6.6 PPG)
Shelton Henderson (13.8 PPG)
Caleb Gaskins (No. 11 in SC Next 100)
Somtochukwu Cyril (9.3 PPG at Georgia)
Lucas done it again in the portal, grabbing one of the nation's best freshman point guards in Acaden Lewis, who will fit the defense first scheme at Miami. Lucas also went into the SEC and came away with Somto Cyril, one of the best defenders in the conference. The Hurricanes also grabbed the Horizon League Player of the Year DeSean Goode, who averaged over 15 points per game. Brent Bland and Nick Dorn also bring elite guard experience.
If the rankings were released today, ESPN would have the Hurricanes slotted in at the No. 18 spot in the country. This will be the first time the Hurricanes will be preseason ranked since the 2023-24 season. ESPN ranked the Florida Gators as the No. 1 team in the country. The Gators and Canes will clash on November 2nd in Tampa.
Check out what ESPN had to say about Miami:
Coach Jai Lucas had tremendous success in the transfer portal in his first offseason in Coral Gables, and is hoping for a repeat of the talent that Tre Donaldson and Malik Reneau brought. Leading the way with this new group is Lewis, one of the best freshman point guards in the country last season at Villanova. He averaged 12.2 points, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals, consistently making plays at both ends of the court.
Projected starting lineup
Acaden Lewis (12.2 PPG at Villanova)
Dante Allen (6.6 PPG)
Shelton Henderson (13.8 PPG)
Caleb Gaskins (No. 11 in SC Next 100)
Somtochukwu Cyril (9.3 PPG at Georgia)
