The University of Miami announced on Thursday morning that its men's basketball team will open the 2026‑27 season with a much‑anticipated matchup against the Florida Gators in Tampa on November 2.
The schedule, curated by head coach Jai Lucas, is designed to test the Hurricanes early and to cement winning habits that could translate into a championship mindset.
Beyond the Florida showdown, Miami will travel to Las Vegas to compete in the Players Era Tournament, where their first‑round opponent will be the TCU Horned Frogs on November 24.
Should the Hurricanes advance, they would meet the winner of the Michigan versus Creighton game on November 26, adding another layer of intrigue to the early‑season slate.
The non‑conference slate also includes five home games at the Watsco Center throughout November, giving fans ample opportunities to see the new-look team in action.
After the tournament, Miami will host Alabama on December 2 for the ACC/SEC Challenge, a game that will test the Hurricanes against a Crimson Tide squad missing sophomore All‑American Labaron Philon Jr., who has declared for the NBA Draft.
Returning key pieces for Miami include frontcourt stalwarts Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, who helped the program to a historic 26‑9 turnaround last season.
The backcourt will be anchored by Aden Holloway and Amari Allen, while Xavian Lee, who previously handled ball‑handling duties, departed for the NBA Summer League with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Following the Alabama game, the Hurricanes will host Stetson on December 5 and travel to Houston to meet Texas on December 12, before closing the non‑conference portion with home contests against Alcorn State on December 16 and USC Upstate on December 21.
Once the non‑conference schedule wraps up, Miami will plunge into ACC play, confronting traditional powerhouses such as Duke, UNC and Louisville as part of a demanding conference slate.
Coach Lucas emphasized that the rigor of the schedule is intentional, aiming to forge resilience and championship habits that can carry the team deep into the ACC tournament and beyond.
The Hurricanes enter the new season riding the momentum of a breakout campaign and are poised to take the next step toward sustained excellence.