Malik Reneau is quickly turning heads in the ACC - and not just as a solid transfer pickup for Miami. The Indiana transfer has been everything the Hurricanes could’ve hoped for and more, bringing size, skill, and a scorer’s mentality to a team that’s quietly building something dangerous in conference play.
At 6-foot-9, Reneau was Miami’s first portal addition, and he’s looked right at home in Jai Lucas’ system from day one. He’s not just fitting in - he’s thriving. And in Saturday’s win over Syracuse, he reminded everyone why he’s on NBA radars and why Miami is suddenly looking like a serious player in the ACC.
The Hurricanes came out firing, jumping to a 9-0 lead and never giving it up. Syracuse managed to tie things up at 27 late in the first half, but Miami responded with a quick 7-0 run to take a 41-36 lead into the break. That little burst was a microcosm of the game - every time the Orange made a push, the Hurricanes had an answer.
And more often than not, that answer was Reneau.
He finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds - his sixth double-double of the season - and did it with the kind of poise and presence that’s hard to teach. Whether it was working in the post, crashing the glass, or stepping out to stretch the floor, Reneau looked like the best player on the court.
But this wasn’t a one-man show. Miami got balanced scoring across the board, with Shelton Henderson pouring in 16 points, and guards Tre Donaldson and Tru Washington adding 16 and 14, respectively. That kind of depth is what makes this Hurricanes team so dangerous - they’ve got multiple guys who can beat you, and they’re starting to click at just the right time.
Syracuse made it interesting in the second half, cutting the lead to two, but Miami’s response was textbook. A couple of timely threes, some clutch free throws, and just like that, the lead was back in double digits. From there, the Hurricanes stayed in control and closed it out with authority.
At 16-4 overall and 5-2 in ACC play, Miami is starting to look like a team that could make some real noise down the stretch. And with Reneau leading the charge, they’ve got a go-to guy who can carry them when things get tight.
This one was another reminder: Miami didn’t just win in the portal - they may have landed one of the best transfers in the country.