The Hurricanes prepare to face No. 2 seed Purdue after an impressive NCAA Tournament win.
Category: Sports
The Miami Hurricanes men’s basketball team kicked off the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a convincing 80-66 victory over the 10th-seeded Missouri Tigers on Friday night. The win, celebrated by a strong contingent of Miami fans, marks the Hurricanes' first tournament game under head coach Jai Lucas and sets them up for a challenging matchup against the second-seeded Purdue Boilermakers on Sunday.
Miami, seeded seventh, took a narrow 27-26 lead into halftime, but it was a dominant second half that secured their advancement. Malik Reneau led all scorers with 24 points, 19 of which came after the break. His performance was complemented by Tre Donaldson, who scored 17 points, and Shelton Henderson, who contributed 15 points. The Hurricanes shot 43.3% from the floor, capitalizing on 16 offensive rebounds that resulted into 19 second-chance points.
"What I'm most proud of is we talked about the glass and our identity showing, 46 rebounds, 16 offensive rebounds, 19 second-chance points, getting to the line 29 times, and then we took care of the ball, and that's why we were able to generate the separation we did," Lucas said after the game. His emphasis on rebounding and ball control proved to be decisive factors, especially after Miami managed to take care of the ball effectively during the second half.
Miami's victory was not without its challenges. The Tigers, who finished their season at 20-13, managed to take a brief lead early on, going on an 8-0 run that gave them a 51-49 advantage midway through the second half. Missouri's Jayden Stone led his team with 21 points, but Miami quickly regained control with an 11-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Reneau and a two-handed dunk by Henderson.
"We had a good idea coming into the game what we were going to see from the stands," Donaldson said. "Coach's biggest thing is just treat it like a normal road game. Don’t try to overcomplicate it. I felt like we did a good job of staying poised and staying together, and handling it well." This composure proved effective, allowing Miami to pull away and secure the win.
Ernest Udeh Jr. also played a key role, grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds, contributing to Miami's rebounding dominance. The Hurricanes finished the game with a total of 46 rebounds, a statistic Lucas highlighted post-game, noting that the team had been emphasizing offensive rebounding since the summer.
Miami's success this season is particularly noteworthy, considering the team's dramatic turnaround from last year’s 7-24 season. The Hurricanes finished the season with a 26-8 record, tying a Division I record for a plus-19 win turnaround. This impressive feat places them among the top teams historically at the university, with 26 wins tied for the fourth-most by a Miami team.
Now, the Hurricanes are set to face Purdue, who defeated Queens 104-71 to advance. The Boilermakers, boasting a record of 28-8, are considered one of the favorites to win the tournament. Miami and Purdue have met four times previously, with Purdue leading the series 3-1. The last meeting saw Miami pull off a remarkable comeback from a 20-point deficit to win 58-54 during the 2020 ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
"They're a great team from the Big Ten," Reneau acknowledged. "I played them a couple of times when I was there. We have to go out there and be a great defensive team to beat this team." This sentiment reflects the respect Miami has for Purdue, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.
Coach Lucas has expressed confidence about his experienced players and about his freshmen, highlighting the contributions of Dante Allen and Henderson. "They are kind of the foundation of the program... I had the utmost trust [with them]," he said, emphasizing their importance to the team's success moving forward.
Miami's performance against Missouri showcased their ability to adapt and overcome adversity, a trait that will be tested against a formidable opponent like Purdue. With this NCAA Tournament run, the Hurricanes are aiming to build on their recent successes and make a deep postseason push.
The second-round game against Purdue is set for Sunday, March 22, at 12:10 p.m. ET and will be televised on CBS. The stakes are high, and the Hurricanes are ready to embrace the challenge.
With their eyes on the Sweet 16, Miami fans are hopeful that the Hurricanes can continue their momentum and deliver another thrilling performance on the national stage.