ESPN placed the Hurricanes at No. 18 in its updated way-too-early rankings, moving Miami up two spots from No. 20 and naming Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis as the program’s impact newcomer.
ESPN raises Miami in latest top 25
Miami’s offense had plenty of scoring last season. The Hurricanes averaged 81.5 points per game and shot 49.7% from the field, but the issue for 2026-27 is replacing what Tre Donaldson provided at the top of the offense.
Donaldson led Miami in assists in 2025-26 while averaging 16.4 points per game. Lewis arrives to replace that production after averaging 12.2 points and 5.3 assists as a freshman at Villanova.
ESPN projected Lewis as Miami’s starting point guard alongside Dante Allen, Shelton Henderson, Caleb Gaskins and Georgia transfer Somto Cyril.
Miami’s depth will be a strength this season
Cyril averaged 9.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game last season. He made the SEC All-Defensive Team and set Georgia’s single-season field-goal percentage record at 75.9%. Miami also added Robert Morris transfer DeSean Goode, the Horizon League Player of the Year. Goode averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 62.9% from the field last season…