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.

 

@skyman
@gogeta4
@scane
@Drefo3

How did our depth look?

Obviously it's just a one game exhibition, but to yall's eyes, how deep do you think we can go on the bench? We playing 7 or 9 come ACC time?

Definitely deeper, nobody looked out of place or unplayable out there today, the closest to it I would say was Goode, I could see him falling out of rotation with Reneau on team unfortunately for him. If Reneau starts does Gaskins come off bench?

Gaskins will play, Bland will play, Dorn will play, Miller will play (he was first off bench both times), I dont know about the russian kid but coach spoke like he would play..

I have hear experts say Duke bench is a top 10 team by itself so I guess we dont match up well with them but we should be solid against most cbb teams

 

Definitely deeper, nobody looked out of place or unplayable out there today, the closest to it I would say was Goode, I could see him falling out of rotation with Reneau on team unfortunately for him. If Reneau starts does Gaskins come off bench?

Gaskins will play, Bland will play, Dorn will play, Miller will play (he was first off bench both times), I dont know about the russian kid but coach spoke like he would play..

I have hear experts say Duke bench is a top 10 team by itself so I guess we dont match up well with them but we should be solid against most cbb teams

Appreciate this.

 

Thanks for the reports. No one mentioned Acaden's 7 turnovers... just cause he is so active or is that a concern.? Also Dorn 5 PF in 8 minutes. Refs hate him that much, or?? (assumes stats are accurate)

 

The depth on this team is elite especially up front. No Malik and Egor tonight. I think we will be ok at the point when Acaden goes to the bench.

Miller looks like a hidden gem. Goode should improve although I do have concerns he might get lost amongst the others especially if Gaskins is dominanting.

 

I agree with what most have said about our depth, we have a very deep team. Jai’s main issue will be finding the right combination of 5 guys that will have it going on any given night.
We have a squad that “should” be able to compete with anyone in the country and we will find out game 1 if we can do just that.

Go Canes!