Miami Heads to Oxford for High-Stakes ACC/SEC Clash with Mississippi
The Jai Lucas era at Miami is still in its early chapters, but the Hurricanes are already showing signs of something special. After splitting a pair of games against BYU and Georgetown in the ESPN Events Invitational down in Orlando, Miami now hits the road for a marquee early-season test: a Tuesday night showdown at Mississippi as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge.
At 6-2, Miami has made a solid start under Lucas, and their recent win over Georgetown helped bump them up to 38th in the NCAA Net Ratings. That’s a strong position for early December, but now comes a chance to add a signature win to the résumé-and it won’t come easy.
Mississippi’s Early-Season Snapshot
The Rebels come into this one at 5-2, having opened the season with five straight wins before stumbling against Iowa and Utah in the Accisure Series out in Palm Springs. Those back-to-back losses have cooled some of the early-season buzz around Mississippi, but make no mistake: this is still a team with talent, experience, and a recent track record of postseason success. Let’s not forget, Mississippi reached the South Regional Semifinals in last season’s NCAA Tournament.
They’re led by a trio of double-digit scorers, headlined by French guard Ilias Kamardine. He’s been the engine for the Rebels so far, averaging 15.1 points, 4.7 assists, and nearly 3 rebounds per game.
A.J. Storr, who brings experience from both Wisconsin and Kansas, is putting up 14.9 points and 3.6 boards, while forward Malik Dia adds 13.0 points and 5.4 rebounds per night.
It’s a balanced offensive attack that doesn’t rely on any one player to carry the load.
Miami’s Offensive Firepower
If there’s one thing Miami has in abundance, it’s scoring. The Hurricanes are averaging 86.6 points per game-nearly 20 more than Mississippi-and have four players averaging double figures.
Leading the way is Malik Reneau, who’s been playing like a man on a mission. The junior forward is putting up 20.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 56.1% from the field.
He’s stretching defenses too, hitting over 35% from beyond the arc and nearly 78% from the line. His 58.8% effective field goal percentage tells the story: Reneau is scoring efficiently and doing it from all over the floor.
At point guard, Tre Donaldson continues to make his case as one of the best floor generals in the country. He’s averaging 15.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, and his ability to control tempo and create for others has been a major factor in Miami’s high-octane offense.
Tru Washington (13.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.3 APG) and Shelton Henderson (11.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.3 APG) round out a quartet that’s giving opponents fits. This is a group that can hurt you in transition, in the half-court, and from deep. When they’re clicking, Miami’s offense is as dangerous as any in the ACC.
Styles Make Fights
This matchup is a classic contrast in styles. Miami wants to run, score, and push the pace.
Mississippi wants to grind it out. The Rebels are averaging just 67.7 points per game but are holding opponents to 65.4.
That’s the kind of defensive discipline Chris Beard is known for, and it’s going to be tested against a Miami team that thrives in chaos.
Lucas and Beard also share some Texas roots. Lucas played and coached at Texas, while Beard began his career there as a graduate assistant and later served as head coach from 2021-23. Their coaching paths have crossed before, and Tuesday night adds another chapter to that connection.
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just another non-conference game. For Miami, this is a chance to notch a Quadrant 1 win on the road-something that could carry serious weight come March. Mississippi, with its tournament pedigree and home-court edge, provides the kind of challenge that can either expose flaws or solidify confidence.
For Lucas, it’s an early opportunity to grab a statement win in his first season at the helm. For the Hurricanes, it’s a measuring stick.
Are they ready to compete with teams that made deep runs last March? We’re about to find out.
The Numbers
FanDuel has Miami listed as a 4.5-point underdog heading into Oxford. The Canes are +180 on the moneyline, while Mississippi sits as the favorite. Tipoff is set for 9 PM ET on the SEC Network, with Tom Hart and Dane Bradshaw on the call.
This one has all the makings of a compelling early-season battle-tempo versus control, firepower versus defense, and two programs looking to build momentum as conference play looms. If Miami wants to prove it belongs in the national conversation, Tuesday night is a perfect place to start.