New Miami Men's Basketball head coach Jai Lucas threw out the first pitch in the first of a three-game series versus Notre Dame on Thursday night. Miami will finish the regular season against Notre Dame with games on Friday and Saturday to finish their three-game series.
Lucas was hired in March as the next Miami head coach. Like his father, John, Lucas played basketball and tennis growing up before committing to the latter. Miami lost to Notre Dame 3-2 on Thursday night. Miami and Notre Dame play at 7 PM Eastern Daylight Time Friday night and 1 PM on Saturday.
Lucas has quickly rebuilt the Miami roster with eight players officially listed. Miami lost all 13 players from the 2024-25 roster after finishing 7-24. Lucas was an assistant coach at Duke for the last three seasons and helped set the foundation as the Blue Devils advanced to the 2025 Final Four.
Miami is only two years removed from a Final Four as they enter an entirely new era under Lucas. Lucas is renowned for being an elite recruiter and that has proven true earlier in his Miami tenure. Lucas salvaged a 2025 class with two four-star prospects added and another five four-star transfers.
Lucas took a picture with Miami second baseman Dorian Gonzalez and the baseball mascot, the Maniac. Throwing out the first pitch on Thursday gave Lucas another opportunity to be out in front of the Miami fans. Lucas has stated a goal of signing in-state players for Miami.
The Miami baseball team has had an inconsistent season and the basketball team is coming off a program record-tying 24 losses in 2024-25. Lucas getting in the community as much as possible should help him create interest in what could be a special season in Coral Gables with the talent he has assembled in a short time.