No. 14 Miami lit it up on Friday night and used a balanced scoring burst to put away No. 24 Vanderbilt, 109-96, in an exhibition at the Watsco Center.
Acaden Lewis set the tone for the Hurricanes with 23 points and 10 assists, and he did it efficiently, going 9-of-12 from the field and 3-of-4 from deep while adding three steals. Caleb Gaskins matched the offensive pace with 20 points, knocking down four of his five 3-point tries, and Shelton Henderson, a preseason All-ACC First Team selection, added 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Miami didn’t lean on just one or two scorers, either. Seven Hurricanes finished in double figures as the team shot 58.0 percent overall, hit 12 of 25 from 3-point range and handed out 20 assists. The home team also did work inside, outscoring Vanderbilt 54-46 in the paint.
The Hurricanes jumped out fast and never let the first punch go unanswered for long. Miami opened on a 13-2 run with five early points from Lewis, then stretched the margin to 21-5 after a Brent Bland 3-pointer with 14:42 left in the first half.
Vanderbilt kept chipping away and turned the game into a fight before halftime. After Miami built its largest first-half lead at 16, the Commodores closed within three at 47-44 in the final seconds, but Nick Dorn’s tip-in at the buzzer gave the Hurricanes a 49-44 edge at the break.
The second half belonged to Miami’s shotmaking. Gaskins caught fire immediately, burying four 3-pointers in the first five minutes to help push the lead to 68-54. The Hurricanes kept pressing and reached their biggest advantage of the night at 84-66 with 11:12 to play.
Vanderbilt wasn’t done, slicing the deficit to 101-93 with 2:23 remaining. Miami answered right away, though, as Henderson and Lewis scored back-to-back baskets to push the margin back into double digits and seal the 13-point win.
Miami scored 60 points after halftime, shot 60.6 percent in the second half and connected on eight 3-pointers over the final 20 minutes.
Dante Allen added 11 points for the Hurricanes. Somto Cyril, Robert Miller III and Bland each scored 10, with Cyril and Miller III grabbing six rebounds apiece. Dorn finished with eight points and six rebounds.
In Other News...
Miami Just Got A Big Recruiting Boost With One Huge Twist
A'mir Sears has already given Miami plenty to feel good about, and now the five-star athlete from Christopher Columbus High School has delivered another boost for the Hurricanes recruiting momentum. The local standout, who committed in July, has reclassified to the 2027 class and plans to enroll early at the University of Miami in January, adding another headline-grabbing name to a class that has stayed highly regarded on the national scene.
Sears is still making his mark on the prep stage, too, lining up as both a wide receiver and defensive back while continuing to put together a strong high school career. For Miami, the timing matters as much as the talent: the Hurricanes have kept their 2027 class among the countrys elite despite some recent movement, and Sears decision only adds to the buzz around what the program is building. [Read more 🡒]
Miamis Elite Local Commit Could Arrive Sooner Than Fans Expected
AMir Sears has already given Miami plenty to feel good about, and now the elite South Florida commit may be moving onto campus sooner than expected. The five-star two-way standout, who recently reclassified and is currently at Christopher Columbus High School, has been putting up eye-catching production on both sides of the ball this season while settling in as one of the most prized recruits in the class.
What makes this development especially important for the Hurricanes is the local angle. Sears had no shortage of major offers, but he chose to stay home, and his reported plan to enroll early at the University of Miami could accelerate the timeline on his impact. For a program always trying to keep top talent in South Florida, getting a player of his caliber in the building ahead of schedule would be a meaningful boost even before he takes his first college snap. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Looked Dangerous But One Problem Could Haunt Them At UNC
Miami left the Pittsburgh game with plenty to like on offense, especially through the air, and the win offered another reminder of how dangerous this group can be when the passing game is humming. The rushing attack was solid enough to keep the offense balanced, and the good news out of the night was that Miami came away without any notable injuries as it turned the page toward North Carolina.
The bigger question now is whether that formula will hold up against a stronger opponent. Even after a productive showing, concerns about Miamis pass rush and pass defense linger, and those are the areas most likely to be tested in Chapel Hill. Against a tougher lineup, the Hurricanes may need more than offensive rhythm to keep control of the game. [Read more 🡒]