Welcome to the Jai Lucas Era, ladies and gentlemen. Coach Lucas has completely turned the Miami Hurricanes program around in just his first season as head coach.
You may ask yourself: What has Jai Lucas done so far at Miami? Let me tell you.
Miami is sitting at 17–4 overall and 6–2 in ACC play under Jai Lucas — a massive improvement after the Hurricanes went 7–24 last season. Miami is shooting 52% from the floor, ranking among the top teams in both the ACC and nationally. Under Lucas, the Hurricanes have also become one of the best passing teams in the country, ranking top 30 nationally in assists.
Jai Lucas has developed forward Malik Reneau into a machine. Reneau leads Miami with 19.7 points per game, Another player thriving under Coach Lucas is point guard Tre Donaldson, who is averaging 16.1 points and 6.2 assists per game, both career highs.
Dante Allen: A 4-star guard from Montverde Academy, Allen became the first highly ranked recruit to commit to Miami under Jai Lucas. He is currently averaging 6.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while shooting 38.2% from the floor.
Caleb Gaskins: A 5-star small forward and one of the top prospects in the 2026 class, Gaskins represents one of Miami’s biggest recruiting wins in years.
Key Wins:
• Ole Miss: 11-9 (KenPom: 72)
• Syracuse: 12-9 (KenPom: 76)
• Wake Forest: 11-11 (KenPom: 77)
• Notre Dame: 11-10 (KenPom: 79)
• Stanford: 14-7 (KenPom: 80 )
• Georgetown: 12-10 (KenPom: 84)
• Pittsburgh: 9-13 (KenPom: 101)
• Georgia Tech: 11-10 (Kenpom: 126)
Where we stand in the Tournament?
In the most recent ESPN Bracketology update, Miami was projected as a 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament field. In another bracket projection, Miami was placed as a 9 seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament.
You may ask yourself: What has Jai Lucas done so far at Miami? Let me tell you.
Miami is sitting at 17–4 overall and 6–2 in ACC play under Jai Lucas — a massive improvement after the Hurricanes went 7–24 last season. Miami is shooting 52% from the floor, ranking among the top teams in both the ACC and nationally. Under Lucas, the Hurricanes have also become one of the best passing teams in the country, ranking top 30 nationally in assists.
Jai Lucas has developed forward Malik Reneau into a machine. Reneau leads Miami with 19.7 points per game, Another player thriving under Coach Lucas is point guard Tre Donaldson, who is averaging 16.1 points and 6.2 assists per game, both career highs.
Recruiting Wins
Shelton Henderson: A top-25 high school recruit who was originally committed to Duke before following Jai Lucas to Miami. Henderson is currently averaging 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 60.7% from the floor, which ranks top 25 nationally.Dante Allen: A 4-star guard from Montverde Academy, Allen became the first highly ranked recruit to commit to Miami under Jai Lucas. He is currently averaging 6.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while shooting 38.2% from the floor.
Caleb Gaskins: A 5-star small forward and one of the top prospects in the 2026 class, Gaskins represents one of Miami’s biggest recruiting wins in years.
Key Wins:
• Ole Miss: 11-9 (KenPom: 72)
• Syracuse: 12-9 (KenPom: 76)
• Wake Forest: 11-11 (KenPom: 77)
• Notre Dame: 11-10 (KenPom: 79)
• Stanford: 14-7 (KenPom: 80 )
• Georgetown: 12-10 (KenPom: 84)
• Pittsburgh: 9-13 (KenPom: 101)
• Georgia Tech: 11-10 (Kenpom: 126)
Where we stand in the Tournament?
In the most recent ESPN Bracketology update, Miami was projected as a 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament field. In another bracket projection, Miami was placed as a 9 seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament.
Men's Bracketology: Florida is taking national title contender form
The defending national champions are building a case to move up the bracket -- and as a threat to repeat.
www.espn.com
