A major marquee test for Miami basketball under Jai Lucas is set for Thanksgiving as the Hurricanes will open the ESPN Events Invitational against BYU and phenom AJ Dybantsa. The other semifinal pairs Georgetown vs. Dayton, with the championship and third-place games soon after.
This will be the fifth all-time meeting between Miami and BYU and the first since 1989 when the Canes won in Coral Gables. The schools split the previous four games (series 2–2). It is also Miami’s third appearance at this tournament.
AJ Dybantsa
Dybantsa, a 6-9 wing and the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, signed with BYU in December and is widely projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. His commitment — announced on ESPN’s First Take — instantly elevated the Cougars’ ceiling under second-year head coach Kevin Young. Expect a swarm of NBA scouts for his first high-major showcase.
Dybantsa played in the FIBA U19 World Cup this year winning MVP and leading USA to gold (14.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.3 APG). Before he reclassified, Dybantsa led Peach Jam in scoring (25.8 PPG) in 2023.
The Rebuild Under Jai Lucas
From a Miami lens, it’s an early measuring stick for roster chemistry under Lucas. When Lucas arrived to Coral Gables he mentioned that he would need 13 new players and he got his overhaul of the roster. Prior to facing BYU, Miami will play Jacksonville, Bethune-Cookman, Stetson, Florida, Elon and Deleware State in that order.
The defending champion Florida Gators will be a big test for Miami, but with such a talented player like Dybantsa in the matchup against BYU, there are different challenges presented. This will be a major test on where they stand in the rebuild, but just like much of the first season under Lucas, patience will be necessary.