Miami Hurricanes Defeat Missouri, Advance to Face Purdue

Hurricanes overcome slow start to win physical battle and set up showdown with Boilermakers

Mar. 21, 2026 at 5:29am

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The Miami Hurricanes basketball team, led by head coach Jai Lucas, defeated the Missouri Tigers 80-66 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night. Despite a slow start shooting the ball, Miami's physical style of play and dominance on the glass proved to be the difference, as the Hurricanes outrebounded Missouri 24-13 in the first half and finished with a 16-7 edge in offensive rebounds. All-ACC power forward Malik Reneau and point guard Tre Donaldson stepped up in the second half to lead the Hurricanes to victory, setting up a matchup with Purdue in the next round.

Why it matters

Miami's win over Missouri showcases the team's identity as a physical, defensive-minded squad that can win tough, grind-it-out games in the NCAA Tournament. After a difficult season last year, the Hurricanes have quickly transformed under Lucas and are now one win away from reaching the Sweet 16, proving they have the toughness and resilience to make a deep March Madness run.

The details

Miami struggled shooting the ball early, starting just 9-for-28 from the field, but maintained a lead thanks to their dominance on the boards. The Hurricanes had a 16-7 edge in offensive rebounds, leading to 19 second-chance points which proved to be the difference. Reneau and Donaldson, Miami's two best players, had off first halves but stepped up in the second half to lead the Hurricanes' surge. Miami also made 8 straight free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on Friday, March 21, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The players

Jai Lucas

The head coach of the Miami Hurricanes basketball team, who was hired to replace Jim Larrañaga and has quickly transformed the program.

Malik Reneau

Miami's All-ACC power forward, who struggled early but came up big in the second half to lead the Hurricanes to victory.

Tre Donaldson

Miami's starting point guard, who hit several key shots down the stretch to help the Hurricanes pull away from Missouri.

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What they’re saying

“We've been emphasizing offensive rebounding since we got here.”

— Malik Reneau, Power Forward

“It was exciting – you still get the same feeling as I remember when I played in March Madness. That excitement, that joy, it's like an anxious excitement. It was great. I enjoyed it.”

— Jai Lucas, Head Coach

“We've all gone through adversity. We are fighting for our lives.”

— Malik Reneau, Power Forward

What’s next

The Hurricanes will face Purdue in the next round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, with a chance to advance to the Sweet 16.

The takeaway

Miami's gritty, physical style of play has proven to be a winning formula in the NCAA Tournament, as the Hurricanes overcame a slow start to defeat a tough Missouri team. With their dominant rebounding and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch, Miami has shown it has the toughness and composure to make a deep March Madness run.