Jai Lucas will have a second debut in his inaugural season as the Miami Hurricanes’ head coach.
Nine weeks after guiding the Hurricanes in their season opener and the start of their nonconference schedule, Lucas will experience another first on Tuesday. Winners of six straight, the Hurricanes open Atlantic Coast Conference play at home against the Pitt Panthers (7-6).
Lucas, an assistant at Duke three seasons before his career promotion last spring, led Miami to an 11-2 record through the nonconference slate, surpassing last season’s win total of seven. Longtime coach Jim Larranaga retired before last season’s conference opener and the Hurricanes finished 3-17 in the ACC.
Under Lucas, Miami is averaging 89 points per game with a roster featuring experienced transfers Malik Reneau, Tre Donaldson, Tru Washington and Ernest Udeh Jr. and impactful freshman forward Shelton Henderson. Seniors Reneau (20.4 points per game) and Donaldson (15.2) lead the team in scoring while Washington, a junior, and Henderson both average 13.7.
In an era when 3-point shooting has become a priority with many coaching staffs, Lucas emphasizes other strategies.
“To me the 3 is a small portion of our offense and what we do,” Lucas said. “It’s our offensive rebounding. It’s getting fouled. It’s points in the paint and capitalizing on turning defense into offense. Then our 3s will be bonuses.
“I think we’re a team that can make eight to 10 a game. If we can get there, I feel we’ll be pretty good.”
The Panthers would like to bottle their 80-46 win over Penn State in their final nonconference game on Dec. 21 as a blueprint for ACC play.
Senior forward Cameron Corhen (13.3 points) and sophomore guard Brandin Cummings (12.7 points) are the Panthers’ leading scorers. Other rotation players averaging in double figures are senior transfers Barry Dunning Jr. (12.2) and Damarco Minor (10.5).
Pitt coach Jeff Capel also is optimistic of a growing input from freshman forward Roman Siulepa. The Brisbane, Australia, native scored a career-high 28 points against Penn State.
In what Capel hopes will become a breakout performance, Siulepa made 10 of 16 shots from the field and 5 of 6 from 3-point range.
“I like how he continues to work,” Capel said. “His teammates believe in him and have confidence in him.”
–Field Level Media
