The poll results are in: Here’s a closer look at No. 16 Miami.
16. MIAMI
2025-26 record: 26-9
Outlook for 2026-27: Jai Lucas was a revolution in his first season as Miami’s coach, tying the Division I record with a 19-win turnaround from the season before he arrived to his first in command. Now, the Hurricanes are a dark-horse candidate in the ACC in Year 2.
What we like: Many of the key players from that breakout season are back, including leading scorer Malik Reneau (team-high 18.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Shelton Henderson (13.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg). The former earned a fifth season of eligibility in a court case, while the latter has been tabbed as a first-team All-ACC preseason selection.
Trouble ahead: Reneau sat out one of Miami’s recent exhibitions with a lower-body injury but has been cleared for the season. The Hurricanes will need him for their season-opening clash with top-ranked Florida on Monday.
Top newcomer: Take your pick between Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis and Georgia transfer Somto Cyril. Lewis averaged 12.2 points as a freshman last season, while Cyril was a force inside with 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and an SEC-leading 2.2 blocks per game.