Miami Hurricanes Advance to ACC Tournament Semifinals with Defensive Effort

Freshman Shelton Henderson's late block and dunk seal 78-73 win over No. 24 Louisville

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:06pm

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The Miami Hurricanes defeated the No. 24 Louisville Cardinals 78-73 in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, advancing to the semifinals. Miami's defense was the key, holding Louisville to just 41.9% shooting and 18.8% from three-point range in the second half. Freshman forward Shelton Henderson sealed the win with a late block and dunk. Senior Malik Reneau led Miami with 24 points, while Tre Donaldson and Tru Washington also made major contributions.

Why it matters

The win over Louisville boosts Miami's NCAA Tournament resume, potentially moving them up to a top-six seed. It also sets up a semifinal matchup with 10th-ranked Virginia, a rematch of one of the Hurricanes' most thrilling games of the regular season.

The details

Miami played a switch-heavy defense that stifled Louisville's typically potent three-point shooting. The Cardinals made just six threes, well below their season average. Senior Malik Reneau scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half, capitalizing on the game's physicality. Tru Washington also made a key steal in the final minute to help seal the victory.

  • With seven seconds left and Miami leading by five, freshman forward Shelton Henderson blocked a three-point attempt and raced down for a dunk.
  • In the second half, Louisville shot just 41.9% from the field and 18.8% from deep.

The players

Shelton Henderson

A freshman forward for the Miami Hurricanes who made a key block and dunk in the final seconds to seal the win over Louisville.

Malik Reneau

A senior forward for the Miami Hurricanes who led the team with 24 points, 18 of which came in the second half.

Tre Donaldson

A junior guard for the Miami Hurricanes who was recognized on the All-ACC First Team this past week and scored 14 points in the win.

Tru Washington

A junior guard for the Miami Hurricanes who scored 17 points and made a crucial steal in the final minute to help secure the victory.

Jai Lucas

The head coach of the Miami Hurricanes who made defensive adjustments from the team's previous loss to Louisville.

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What they’re saying

“The first game, I thought we were too soft on the ball, and we just gave them too much space, and they were shooting almost their shots from three. So this game, a big part of our game plan was making sure we impacted the ball and really upped our pressure and our pickup point. And I felt that was the difference in some of the threes they made and were able to get in the first game and this game.”

— Jai Lucas, Head Coach, Miami Hurricanes (on3.com)

“I trust in myself a lot. And then also my teammates trust me to go get a basket at any moment. Just having that feeling that my team is behind me when we need a basket, a go-to basket, it gives me the utmost confidence to go do that.”

— Malik Reneau, Senior Forward, Miami Hurricanes (on3.com)

“It was a huge steal coming down the stretch. It gave us the two to go up five and then give us a little comfort lead to fall back on, and then just ultimately get a stop coming down on the next play.”

— Malik Reneau, Senior Forward, Miami Hurricanes (on3.com)

What’s next

Miami will face 10th-ranked Virginia on Friday at 7 p.m. in the ACC Tournament semifinals, with a trip to the championship game on the line.

The takeaway

Miami's stifling defense was the key to their victory over Louisville, holding the Cardinals to poor shooting in the second half. The Hurricanes' ability to make crucial plays on both ends of the floor has them one step closer to their first ACC Tournament championship since 2013.