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UNC legend Tyler Hansbrough says he really likes Miami hiring Jai Lucas

During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show this week North Carolina basketball legend Tyler Hansbrough said he likes Miami hiring Jai Lucas from Duke.
ByAlan Rubenstein|
Jan 31, 2007, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Miami Huricanes (21) Dwayne Clemente with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels (50) Tyler Hansbrough defends in the Tar Heels 105-64 victory over the Hurricanes at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Copyright © 2007 Bob Donnan
Jan 31, 2007, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Miami Huricanes (21) Dwayne Clemente with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels (50) Tyler Hansbrough defends in the Tar Heels 105-64 victory over the Hurricanes at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Copyright © 2007 Bob Donnan | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

North Carolina basketball legend Tyler Hansbrough said he really likes Miami hiring Jai Lucas from Duke as head coach. Hansbrough mentioned liking Miami hiring Lucas during a discussion about the state of the ACC. Clemson, Duke, Louisville and North Carolina were the only ACC teams to earn NCAA Tournament bids.

Clemson, Louisville and North Carolina all lost in the first round. North Carolina advanced out of the First Four by beating San Diego State before losing to Mississippi in the First Round. Duke was the only ACC team to advance out of the first round and plays Alabama in the East Regional Final on Saturday.

Lucas coached his last game for Duke in the ACC Championship game versus Louisville on March 8. Two days later Lucas was officially introduced as the head coach of Miami. Lucas worked with developing the Duke guards and defense as the Duke associate head coach in the last two years.

Lucas faces a huge task at Miami. Miami finished 7-24 in 2024-25, tying the program record for losses in a season. The Hurricanes lost their final 10 games of the 2023-24 season. Miami finished 15-17 in 2023-24 after making the 2022 Midwest Regional Final and 2023 Final Four.

"I really like the hire at Miami for hiring Lucas from Duke."
Tyler Hansbrough

Lucas spent three years on the Duke staff. Before being hired by Jon Scheyer for his inaugural staff at Duke, Lucas spent two seasons at Kentucky and four at Texas. Lucas played one season at Florida and two at Texas in college. After college, Lucas played professionally for two seasons before entering coaching.

Lucas is known as an elite recruiter and will have to be immediately with Miami. Freshman Divine Ugochukwu and redshirt junior are the only Miami players who have not entered the transfer portal yet with remaining eligibility. With the transfer portal open through April 22, expect the Miami roster to take shape through then.

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