The Miami Hurricanes didn’t trail for a single second in their 85-76 win over Syracuse, and while the final score might suggest a comfortable margin, head coach Jai Lucas made it clear - this one was a grind.
Road Wins Don’t Come Easy - Especially Here
Lucas opened his postgame comments with a nod to the challenge of playing on the road in one of college basketball’s most storied venues. “Winning on the road is always hard,” he said, “especially in this environment.”
The Hurricanes had dropped two straight coming into this one, and Lucas knew Syracuse’s length and athleticism could cause problems - and it did, particularly in the turnover department. Miami coughed it up 16 times, giving up 17 points off those mistakes.
That’s not a sustainable formula, but the ‘Canes found a way to battle through it.
What helped? Keeping Syracuse out of transition.
Lucas emphasized how electric the Orange can be when they get out and run - a missed tip or loose ball could quickly turn into a three from Betsey or a rim attack from Anthony. Miami’s game plan was to push tempo when it suited them, but also control the pace when necessary.
It was a balancing act, and the Hurricanes executed it well enough to pull away late.
Handling the Zone - Eventually
Syracuse’s zone defense has long been a hallmark of the program, and while this year’s team doesn’t live in it full-time, they still use it effectively. Miami came in prepared, having seen plenty of zone looks throughout the season, but that didn’t mean it was smooth sailing early on.
Lucas pointed to Malik’s seven turnovers in the first half as evidence of some early struggles reading the defense from the high post. But once the team settled in and started making the right reads, the offense began to click.
“We just had to make sure when we got the ball in the middle, we were making the right reads,” Lucas said. “Once we figured it out, relaxed, took a deep breath, we were able to do it.”
Defending the Perimeter - Priority No. 1
Stopping Betsey and Kings from getting clean looks beyond the arc was high on Miami’s scouting report - and for good reason. Betsey came into the game shooting nearly 60% from deep, a number that demands attention. Lucas and his staff made the decision to switch more on defense, aiming to take away the space those shooters thrive in.
It worked. By limiting Syracuse’s three-point opportunities, Miami was able to neutralize a major part of their offensive firepower.
“We just start switching to kind of take it away,” Lucas said. “A big part of it was just limiting their threes to try to knock down their firepower.”
Offensive Identity: Grit Over Glamour
Miami isn’t trying to be the flashiest offensive team in the country - and they’re okay with that. Lucas laid out the Hurricanes’ offensive formula in no uncertain terms: dominate the glass, get to the line, and own the paint.
Hitting threes? That’s a bonus, not the foundation.
“We’re not this offensive juggernaut,” Lucas said. “We have a formula that we got to stick to.”
That formula includes grabbing 40% of their missed shots and aiming for 15 offensive boards a game. Against Syracuse, they followed that blueprint - and when the threes did fall, it helped them reach 85 points.
But Lucas made it clear: this team is built on physicality and second-chance points, not living and dying by the deep ball.
He even referenced Arizona, the No. 1 team in the country, as an example - they average just six made threes per game, yet no one questions their offense. It’s about efficiency and identity, not volume.
Ernest Udeh Jr.'s Impact - Even Without the Box Score Pop
Udeh didn’t have his usual double-digit rebounding performance, but his presence still mattered. Lucas pointed out that while Udeh didn’t dominate the glass, Malik picked up the slack. More importantly, having both Udeh and Malik on the floor at the same time gave Miami a size advantage that forced Syracuse into tough decisions.
Against Syracuse’s late-game press, Udeh also played a key role in helping Miami stay aggressive. Rather than getting tentative, the Hurricanes attacked the press and looked to score - a critical mindset shift that helped them maintain control down the stretch.
Momentum Swings - And Responding to Them
One of the turning points in the second half came after a missed dunk by Syracuse’s JJ. Miami responded immediately with a three-pointer, swinging momentum right back in their favor. Lucas acknowledged the importance of those moments - the game of basketball often hinges on a handful of plays that either widen a lead or let an opponent back in.
“It’s a game of runs,” Lucas said. “It was a 9-point win.
You know, if we take care of the ball, it could be a 20-point win. If we turn it over a little bit more, it’s a closer game.
We might be in overtime.” That’s how slim the margins are in a conference battle like this.
Respect for Syracuse’s Build
Despite the win, Lucas had high praise for the Orange. He highlighted their length, rim protection, and the way they’re constructed - even comparing them to a throwback Big East Syracuse team, minus the full-time zone.
“They’re long,” Lucas said. “You got White.
You got Kyle. You got all these guys out there, so they do a good job.”
He also gave credit to Syracuse’s coaching staff for their roster composition and the way they’ve developed their identity. Even in a loss, the Orange showed flashes of what makes them dangerous - and Lucas knows it.
Bottom Line
This was a gritty, physical, and much-needed win for Miami. They didn’t play a perfect game, but they stuck to their identity, executed when it mattered, and found a way to win on the road in a tough environment. That’s the kind of performance that can steady a team after a rough patch - and if the Hurricanes keep buying into their formula, they’ll be a tough out in the ACC.