Grading Jai Lucas' transfer haul at Miami highlights the massive difference he's making

Jai Lucas already proved he could change Miami basketball's trajectory, but now comes the harder part: keeping the Hurricanes there after an offseason that saw most of the production from his first roster depart.

Lucas' first season was a huge proof of concept. Miami went 26-9, finished 13-5 in the ACC and reached the NCAA Tournament. The Hurricanes' 19-win improvement tied the NCAA record for the largest single-season turnaround, and their 24 regular-season wins matched a program record. That kind of year changes expectations fast in Coral Gables and Miami is now no longer just trying to get back on its feet, but instead it is trying to jump into the upper echelon nationally.

Miami's outgoing list is full of impact players: Malik Reneau, Tre Donaldson, Tru Washington, Ernest Udeh Jr., Timotej Malovec, Noam Dovrat, Salih Altuntas, John Laboy II and Jordyn Kee. That is 64.1 points per game leaving the roster.

Lucas answered with a six-man transfer class that, on paper, covers almost everything Miami needs. Let's grade each move

Acaden Lewis, guard, Villanova: A+

Lewis is the best blend of talent, fit and upside in the class.

The Hurricanes needed a lead guard after Donaldson's departure, and Lewis can be that guy. Lewis averaged 12.2 points, 5.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals at Villanova while shooting 45.6% from the field. He earned Second Team All-Big East honors and was a unanimous Big East All-Freshman selection. Lewis also had seven 20-point games at Villanova and 16 games with at least six assists.

Miami lost Donaldson and Washington in the backcourt, as well as the main scoring threats from last season. It was very important that Lucas addressed this in the portal, even with some talented returners and Caleb Gaskins coming out of high school.

DeSean Goode, forward, Robert Morris: A-

Goode may not be a one-for-one replacement for Reneau, but he gives Miami a productive, efficient and physical forward who should absorb a major chunk of the frontcourt scoring and rebounding burden.

Goode averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds at Robert Morris last season while shooting 62.9% from the field and 57.1% from 3-point range. He was named Horizon League Player of the Year after producing 11 double-doubles, scoring in double figures in 29 games and reaching 20 points four times.

The grade is an A- because the production is strong and the fit works, but there is still a jump in competition. Horizon League Player of the Year is no small feat, but Miami will need Goode to do it against ACC competition.

Somto Cyril, center, Georgia: A

The Hurricanes lost Udeh, who gave them size, rebounding and rim protection. Cyril is the replacement for that role. He averaged 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks at Georgia last season while shooting 75.9% from the field. He earned SEC All-Defensive Team honors, led the SEC in blocks, finished in the top 15 nationally in blocks per game and led the country with 83 dunks.

In 2024-25 at Georgia, Cyril averaged 4.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 14.1 minutes. In 2025-26, he averaged 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 21.2 minutes.

Cyril steps into the Udeh role as Miami's rim runner, shot blocker and defensive anchor. And when you look at the portal, there probably wasn't a better fit. But it should be noted that Cyril is very limited as a self-creator offensively. That is why the move is just an A and not an A+.

Brent Bland, guard, Saint Peter's: B+

Bland averaged 13.9 points at Saint Peter's last season and led the Peacocks with 59 steals and 79 made 3-pointers. He earned First Team All-MAAC honors.

Bland redshirted as a freshman in 2021-22. In 2022-23, he averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds. In 2023-24, he averaged 5.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists. In 2024-25, he played only five games and started one before being sidelined by injury. In 2025-26, he became Saint Peter's best scorer and was a disruptive defender.

This is a good move from Lucas and company, but the competition jump and injury history are concerns heading into the season for Bland.

Nick Dorn, guard, Indiana: B+

Dorn averaged 8.1 points and 2.3 rebounds at Indiana last season while shooting 38% from 3-point range and making 2.0 threes per game. He played 30 games, started 12 and had 11 double-figure scoring games. His best night was a 26-point, seven-rebound performance against UCLA.

In 2023-24 at Elon, Dorn averaged 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 36.4% from 3. In 2024-25 at Elon, he averaged 15.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while making 74 three-pointers.

Dorn's level of shooting with size and experience is always useful. The ceiling is probably not as high as Lewis or Goode, but he should definitely become a solid rotation piece for Miami in 2026-27.

Quin Berger, guard, Bucknell: C+

Berger averaged 3.1 points and 1.4 rebounds at Bucknell last season while making 22 three-pointers and recording 21 steals. He played 30 games with eight starts after missing the 2024-25 season with an ACL injury.

In 2022-23 at Saint Joseph's, he appeared in five games and did not score. In 2023-24 at Bucknell, he averaged 1.8 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.2 assists. In 2024-25, he missed the season with an ACL injury. In 2025-26, he averaged 3.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists.

The grade is a C+ because this is not a high-impact portal addition on paper. But, he can still be useful if he provides maturity and backcourt insurance.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow