The Miami Hurricanes didn’t crack the AP Top 25 this week, but they’re inching closer-and that progress matters in February. In the latest poll, Miami picked up four points in the voting, landing just outside the rankings in the “others receiving votes” category.
That puts them roughly at No. 35 nationally, sandwiched between Utah State (six points) and Georgia (three). For a team trying to build momentum heading into the heart of conference play, every inch up the ladder counts.
Miami’s recent stretch has been a mixed bag on paper-a 1-1 split in their last two games-but the performances showed a team that’s fighting, evolving, and capable of making noise down the stretch. First came a gritty 79-70 win over Stanford on Jan. 28, where the Hurricanes found themselves trailing deep into the second half before flipping the switch. Malik Reneau poured in 20 points, and Tre Donaldson added 18, as Miami closed strong to secure the win.
Three days later, they were on the wrong end of a nail-biter against California, falling 86-85 in a game that came down to the final possessions. It was the kind of loss that stings, especially when you’ve done enough to win-but Cal made the clutch plays late.
Reneau was again the focal point, dropping 24 points, while Shelton Henderson chipped in 16 and Donaldson added 14. The offense was there; it was the late-game execution that tilted the result.
Still, the Hurricanes sit at 17-5 overall and 6-3 in ACC play, good for fifth place in a tight conference race. Duke holds the top spot for now, but there’s a logjam behind them-and Miami is right in that mix. With several key matchups ahead, there’s a real opportunity to climb.
Reneau has been the go-to guy all season, averaging 19.9 points per game and consistently delivering in big moments. Donaldson, meanwhile, has been the steady hand in the backcourt, averaging 6.1 assists per game and keeping the offense humming. Henderson has quietly become one of the most efficient scorers in the conference, shooting an impressive 60.8% from the field.
The road ahead is no cakewalk. Miami travels to Boston College on Feb. 7, then returns home for a marquee showdown with No.
14 North Carolina on Feb. 10.
After that, it’s back-to-back road games at NC State (Feb. 14) and No. 18 Virginia (Feb.
21). That’s a stretch that could define their season-win a couple of those, and the Hurricanes won’t just be receiving votes; they’ll be in the rankings conversation for real.
For now, Miami is a team on the rise, with a star in Reneau, a balanced supporting cast, and everything still on the table.