The Miami Hurricanes have wasted no time making noise in the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season. Sitting at 6-2, they’ve already flipped the script on last year’s struggles and are showing signs of being a real force in the ACC.
And at the center of it all? A new head coach, a new identity, and an offense that’s coming at opponents like a hurricane-pun fully intended.
In his first year leading the program, Jai Lucas has injected life into a team that finished just 7-24 a season ago. He’s done more than just steady the ship-he’s turned it into a high-speed vessel. Miami currently tops the early ACC standings, thanks in large part to a non-conference stretch that’s been nothing short of explosive.
Offensively, this team is flat-out electric. The ‘Canes are averaging over 92 points per game, ranking among the top scoring teams in the country.
That’s not just running and gunning-it’s efficient, smart basketball. They’re knocking down over 52% of their shots from the field, sharing the ball at an elite level with a nation-leading 19.3 assists per game.
When they get rolling, it’s a beautiful brand of basketball-fast, fluid, and tough to stop.
Just look at their home performances in Coral Gables. Five of Miami’s six wins have come in blowout fashion, with margins routinely topping 30 points. These aren’t grind-it-out wins-they’re statements.
A big reason for that is the veteran core leading the charge. Senior transfer Malik Reneau has been a revelation, anchoring the team with 20.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He’s been the go-to guy when the team needs a bucket or a board, and his presence in the paint gives Miami a consistent interior threat.
In the backcourt, senior guard Tre Donaldson has been just as impactful. He’s averaging nearly 16 points while dishing out 5.8 assists per game, providing the perfect balance of scoring and playmaking. His chemistry with Reneau has been key to Miami’s offensive rhythm.
But this isn’t just a two-man show. Junior guard Tru Washington has stepped into a bigger role, and freshman Shelton Henderson is already flashing the kind of potential that could make him a future star. That blend of experience and young talent gives Lucas the kind of depth he’ll need as the ACC schedule heats up.
Of course, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. The Hurricanes have taken two lumps so far-one against No.
10 Florida on a neutral court and another in a hard-fought matchup with No. 9 BYU.
Those losses didn’t just sting; they exposed some cracks, particularly on the defensive end. But to their credit, Miami bounced back with a win over Georgetown in the Terry’s Chocolate Invitational, showing the kind of resilience that good teams need.
The early success has reignited the fanbase and made it clear that this team isn’t just better than last year-they’re a legitimate threat in the ACC. The turnaround from last season’s disappointment has been swift and dramatic, and with Lucas at the helm, it feels like just the beginning.
Next up: a marquee matchup in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Miami heads to Oxford, Mississippi, to take on a 5-2 Ole Miss squad.
Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. EST on Tuesday at SJB Pavilion, with ESPN carrying the broadcast.
It’s another chance for the ‘Canes to prove that this early-season surge is more than a hot streak-it’s the foundation of something real.