No. 14 Miami walked out of its exhibition win over No.
24 Vanderbilt with plenty more than a result. In Coral Gables, the Canes showed a lineup that can space the floor, attack off the dribble, and lean on a bench that looks ready to matter.
With Jai Lucas now steering the group, the performance left Miami looking like a team with real early-season juice.
Much of the night centered on the guards, and no one shined brighter than Zaquan Patterson? Actually source names only Lewis, Allen, Gaskins, Cyril, Miller, Goode, Ernest Udeh. Let's write correctly.
Lewis was excellent aside from seven turnovers, and the showing matched the label Lucas has already given him as a “basketball savant.” He can take over a possession against elite defenders and score himself, but he also has the vision to create for others and pile up a double-double.
Allen brought a different kind of punch. He kept getting downhill with force, prompting the obvious question of where that version had been last season.
The answer, based on the source, is that he is stronger and smarter now. That combination makes him another guard Miami can trust to attack, and if the shots and free throws come around, he could become one of the country’s most dangerous glue guys.
Miami’s go-to player also had a strong night, even if the foul line held him back a bit. The 6-foot-6 force kept bullying his way into the paint, and defenders simply had no answer once he got momentum. He also flashed the kind of NBA-style wiggle that matched the pro size he already showed last season.
Gaskins was just as important in his own way. He lit it up from three, kept finding the right spots, and looked like a player who could keep climbing if that shooting holds. The source also points to his body control when he’s defending and driving, which only adds to the appeal.
Cyril gives Miami something different inside. The comparison here is clear: Ernest Udeh did good work for the Hurricanes last season, but Cyril brings more on offense.
He rebounds, protects the rim, and then adds touches Udeh didn’t have, whether that’s an offensive board, a patient finish through a hook shot, or a soft floater. That inside skill set also pairs with Lewis’ lob threat ability.
The bench helped stretch the advantage, too. Miami’s sniping duo came off the pine and kept the threes flowing, while the defensive edge of that group made the coaches more comfortable with the second unit. Lewis and Allen handling the point only helps that equation, as long as the foul trouble stays under control.
Two frontcourt additions added size when Miami needed it, though neither was a major scoring weapon in this one. Miller finished with 10 points and made all four of his free throws, while Goode stood out most for his defense, especially the way he handled guards on the perimeter.
After this exhibition, there’s a buzz around Miami for a reason. The pieces are there, and the Hurricanes have enough on both ends to make the matchup with No. 1 Florida a fascinating start to the season.
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