ESPN placed the Hurricanes at No. 18 in its updated way-too-early rankings, moving Miami up two spots from No. 20 and naming Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis as the program's impact newcomer.
ESPN raises Miami in latest top 25
Miami's offense had plenty of scoring last season. The Hurricanes averaged 81.5 points per game and shot 49.7% from the field, but the issue for 2026-27 is replacing what Tre Donaldson provided at the top of the offense.
Donaldson led Miami in assists in 2025-26 while averaging 16.4 points per game. Lewis arrives to replace that production after averaging 12.2 points and 5.3 assists as a freshman at Villanova.
ESPN projected Lewis as Miami's starting point guard alongside Dante Allen, Shelton Henderson, Caleb Gaskins and Georgia transfer Somto Cyril.
Miami's depth will be a strength this season
Cyril averaged 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game last season. He made the SEC All-Defensive Team and set Georgia’s single-season field-goal percentage record at 75.9%. Miami also added Robert Morris transfer DeSean Goode, the Horizon League Player of the Year. Goode averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 62.9% from the field last season.
Henderson returns after averaging 13.8 points and 4.9 rebounds. Allen started 18 games as a freshman and averaged 6.6 points. Gaskins joins the program as a five-star South Florida prospect ranked No. 9 nationally by Rivals, No. 16 by ESPN and No. 23 by 247Sports.
Lucas also added shooting depth with Nick Dorn and Brent Bland. Dorn made 60 three-pointers and shot 38% from beyond the arc at Indiana last season. Bland led Saint Peter's in scoring at 13.9 points per game, made 79 three-pointers and earned first-team All-MAAC honors.
Jai Lucas looks to improve on the 2025-26 improvement
Miami opens the season against Florida in Tampa, then will face Alabama in the SEC/ACC Challenge and TCU in the Players Era 16 Championship in Las Vegas. The Hurricanes will have early chances to prove they belong with some of the top teams in college basketball.
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