The first year of Jai Lucas saw the team battle back from the worst season in program history and put together one of the best seasons. The Miami Hurricanes are starting to take off in year two, and way-too-early projections also rank the Canes among the top 25 teams in the country across many publications.
The Hurricanes are returning two of their star freshmen, Shelton Henderson and Dante Allen, but are also adding more young star talent instead of older players out of the portal. It is a completely new look for the team that everyone is starting to preview.
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Miami‘s players are some of the strongest defensively minded in the country.
Here is how the team stacks up around the country:
Sports Illustrated
“Jai Lucas has Miami on an upward trajectory after a strong first season, and he capitalized on that momentum with a star-studded portal class headlined by PG Acaden Lewis (Villanova) and C Somto Cyril (Georgia),” SI’s Kevin Sweeney wrote. “If sophomores Shelton Henderson and Dante Allen have breakout campaigns, the Canes could be real ACC contenders.”
ESPN
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Michigan State (was No. 9)
“Jai Lucas was the architect of one of the nation’s best defenses during his final season as an assistant at Duke, then had Miami as a top-35 unit on that end of the court last season,” ESPN’s Jeff Borzello wrote. “He should do even better next season, after landing Acaden Lewis (Villanova) and Somtochukwu Cyril( Georgia) from the transfer portal. Those two will join returning startersShelton Henderson— a potential NBA draft pick — andDante Allen, as well as top-15 recruitCaleb Gaskins. Further portal additions, DeSean Goode( Robert Morris), Nick Dorn(Indiana), and Brent Bland(Saint Peter’s) will help with depth.”
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NCAA.com
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Michigan State (was No. 2)
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Louisville (was unranked)
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North Carolina (was No. 19)
On3
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Michigan State (was No. 5)
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Virginia (was not ranked due to lack of a full rotation – “would rank inside the Top 10”)
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Louisville (was unranked)
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/miami as Miami’s Spot in Way-Too-Early Rankings After 2026 NBA Draft Withdrawal Deadline.
