After a breakthrough first season under head coach Jai Lucas, the Miami Hurricanes are entering the 2026-27 season with higher expectations then we have seen maybe ever, a revamped roster and a huge opportunity to prove last year's success was only the beginning for Jai Lucas's group. Miami will get it's first look against outside competition Friday night, welcoming No. 24 Vanderbilt to the Watco Center for an exhibition matchup at 6 p.m ET.

The Hurricanes are coming off a 26-9 season that saw them reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finish 13-5 in ACC play. Lucas changed the win column by a 19-win improvement in his first season, tying the NCAA record for the largest single-second turnaround. Now entering Year 2 in Coral Gables, he faces a way bigger challenge, not just being competitive but now it's time to WIN.

Miami returns sophomores Shelton Henderson and Dante Allen, while adding talent through the transfer portal and high school recruiting. Malik Reneau is back after earning first-team All-ACC honors, while Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis, Robert Morris transfer DeSean Goode, Georgia transfer Somto Cyril just to list a few and Mcdonald's All American Caleb Gaskins headline this revamped roster with so much added depth and talent.

For Lucas, Friday's exhibition is the first opportunity to evaluate that progress against another proven program. Vanderbilt finished 27-9 last season and also advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, making the Commodores a early test for the Hurricanes who's upcoming regular season schedule isn't easy.

With the regular season regular season opener against No. 1 Florida approaching on Nov. 2, the exhibition offers an huge opportunity to show and prove to the nation that the Hurricanes are back on the map and not to overlook this whole season.


No. 14 Miami vs. No. 24 Vanderbilt: How to Listen

• Tipoff: October 23, at 6:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Watsco Center - Coral Gables, Florida
• Matchup: No. 14 Miami vs. No. 24 Vanderbilt
• Game: Exhibition
• Admission: Free for fans


What to Watch for the Hurricanes

The revamped roster: Miami has added a significant amount of talent, and this will be the first real chance to see how the newcomers fit alongside Henderson, Allen, and Reneau.

Lucas's second-year progress: After exceeding all expectations in his first season, Lucas now has a chance to show how his program can build on that success.

Building Momentum: If the Hurricanes can pull off a top-25 win before the regular season even starts that would be huge to say the least. Your looking at a team with a win over a talented Vanderbilt team to open the season against No. 1 Florida.

 

Is there anyway to get a replay of this game?

I know it was an exhibition, but was it recorded or broadcast anywhere?

 

My notes weren't as good in 2nd half but we came out aggressive with starters again and got lead up gaskins took over to start second half with 3 corner threes and the one on wing three.. then Henderson and acaden lewis started to set the pace and then lewis just took over late and just displayed everything, goin in paint creating, finishing and a middy step back and also hit like 3 threes back to back 2 back, once he felt it goin he was locked in.. so to begin game look like he was more goin inside and creating and getting guys involved and then late was looking for his.. he did get careless with ball late a couple times and had turnovers but nothing too bad that can't be worked out.

Dorn and bland as wings really good off the bench.. at center spot we got 20 points combined and 12 rebounds between cyril and miller.. miller has good touch around rim, cyril fumbled a couple alleys but actually finished a couple hooks after.. overall team looked great, Allen was aggressive early on, finishing near and above the rim, seemed like he worked on that I don't remember him getting up that high on his shot last year..

Henderson can go to cup whenever he wants and finish on most assigned to stop him.. when acaden on court, we are actually able to run offense.. bland and gaskin provide confident 3 point quick trigger threes, dorn did also but not as automatic.. good to see we have multiple options and can score different ways, acaden seemed to be able to get whatever he wants.. and we didn't even play reneau or seem to miss him

 

@skyman Thanks for the reports. Much appreciated.

Dominating win against what is/will be a very good Vandy team.

 

So question, Miami has to the potential to be a big player in CBB this year and the funds to keep Lucas if he delivers. But are we at risk to be poached by a true CBB blue blood even with the money to match any offer?

 

 

 

That was some heinously over-officiated basketball

Gaskins with back-to-back 3s.

What yall boys saw, give us some feedback..

 

Here’s a couple bullet points of what I noticed:
- Lewis will be “the guy” along with Shelton, both can get to the rim and finish any time they want
-Miller and Cyril are great on the offensive and defensive boards and both can finish at the cup…Cyril has some long *** arms that scoop up anything close! LoL
-We need to find a serviceable PG…Donte struggled with pressure tonight and needs to improve his handles (got picked a few times)
-Gaskins is as advertised! Got hot in the 2nd half and blew a close game wide open.
-The team gets up and down quick…fun to watch!
-Good win vs a quality opponent.

Go Canes!!!

 

Gaskins highlights, his personal 14 point run

 

Here’s a couple bullet points of what I noticed:
- Lewis will be “the guy” along with Shelton, both can get to the rim and finish any time they want
-Miller and Cyril are great on the offensive and defensive boards and both can finish at the cup…Cyril has some long *** arms that scoop up anything close! LoL
-We need to find a serviceable PG…Donte struggled with pressure tonight and needs to improve his handles (got picked a few times)
-Gaskins is as advertised! Got hot in the 2nd half and blew a close game wide open.
-The team gets up and down quick…fun to watch!
-Good win vs a quality opponent.

Go Canes!!!

Sorry, ignorant question as I have been runnin and gunnin out of town a bit…any reason Reneau didn’t play tonight besides we didn’t need him. Is there still a question of eligibility with the lawsuit? TIA

 

Sorry, ignorant question as I have been runnin and gunnin out of town a bit…any reason Reneau didn’t play tonight besides we didn’t need him. Is there still a question of eligibility with the lawsuit? TIA

minor injury..

 

I was in the building tonight.....

Gaskins is athletic but kid also has a nice shot its smooth and he was confident shooting it coming out of the half.M Has that dawg (football term)

Arcaden Lewis ...Vandy didnt have any one that could stay in front of him when he wanted to do what he wanted.

I actually like the Bigs...Vandy Bigs were solid so it was good comp. Cyril is a strong rebounder..sets good screens...Miller has athleticism and isnt really clumsy out there or around the hoop.

Was a good experience ...took my daughter she got to take pics with arcaden lewis and #1...she likes pink shoes (Malik Allen) and #2 Cyril.

Sat next to Robert Hite some during the game.

 

 

Free throwing shooting is still not great

74% is fine.