Miami Hurricanes Basketball Faces Key Offseason Roster Changes

The Hurricanes look to build on a record-setting turnaround season under new head coach Jai Lucas.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:06am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court and players, using bold colors and angular shapes to capture the dynamic energy of the sport.The Hurricanes' roster overhaul this offseason will require a strategic, multi-faceted approach to rebuild around their program's recent momentum.Today in Miami

The Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team is facing significant roster turnover this offseason after a highly successful 26-9 campaign that saw them earn a 7-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Hurricanes will need to replace All-ACC standouts Malik Reneau, Tre Donaldson, and Ernest Udeh, as well as address transfer departures, as they look to build on their record-setting 19-win improvement in head coach Jai Lucas' debut season.

Why it matters

The Hurricanes' 2025-26 season was a remarkable turnaround, tying the Division I record for the largest one-year improvement. Maintaining that momentum and continuing to elevate the program will be crucial for Coach Lucas and the team as they aim to solidify Miami as a consistent contender in the ACC and nationally.

The details

The Hurricanes went 26-9 last season, finishing third in the ACC and advancing to the conference tournament semifinals before earning a 7-seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated 10-seed Missouri before falling to 2-seed Purdue. Coach Lucas was named the Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year and the Clarence 'Big House' Gaines National Coach of the Year for the team's dramatic improvement.

  • The Hurricanes' 2025-26 season ended with their NCAA Tournament loss to Purdue.
  • The two-week transfer portal window opens on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Jai Lucas

The Hurricanes' first-year head coach who led the team to a record-setting 19-win improvement and postseason berth.

Malik Reneau

The Hurricanes' All-ACC First Team senior power forward who will need to be replaced.

Tre Donaldson

The Hurricanes' All-ACC Second Team senior point guard who will need to be replaced.

Ernest Udeh

The Hurricanes' ACC All-Defensive senior center who will need to be replaced.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to build on the momentum from last season and find the right pieces to reload our roster. The transfer portal will be crucial in that process.”

— Jai Lucas, Head Coach

What’s next

The Hurricanes will need to be active in the transfer portal over the next two weeks to address the departures of their top players and continue the program's upward trajectory.

The takeaway

After a record-setting turnaround season, the Hurricanes face significant roster turnover but have an opportunity to further elevate the program under second-year head coach Jai Lucas if they can effectively navigate the transfer portal and build a competitive roster for 2026-27.