Henderson, Allen returning to UM, helping Jai Lucas build on record turnaround
University of Miami men’s basketball coach Jai Lucas will have good news to share with prospective players in the transfer portal, which opens Tuesday.
Shelton Henderson and Dante Allen announced they are returning to Miami for their sophomore seasons after making a big impact as freshmen.
The Hurricanes, under 37-year-old first-year coach Lucas, tied an NCAA record for the largest victory turnaround in Division I history, flipping from 7-24 last year to 26-9 this season. They went from last place in the Atlantic Coast Conference to third in the ACC and reached the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament.
The return of Henderson and Allen is vital, as Lucas must replace seniors Tre Donaldson, Malik Reneau and Ernest Udeh Jr. With Henderson and Allen back, and the addition of highly touted recruit Caleb Gaskins from Columbus High School, Lucas has a core to build around next season.
Henderson started all 35 games and averaged 13.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 56.7% from the field. In the NCAA Tournament, he scored 15 points against Missouri in UM’s first-round win, and then had a spectacular game against Purdue with a team-high 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting with eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.
Purdue coach Matt Painter raved about Henderson after the game, calling him “a stud,” “an NBA player,” and “fabulous.” He joked (or half joked) that Henderson “could play for the football team and the basketball team,” which is why Painter said he switched some matchups against UM because he didn’t want certain players to have to deal with Henderson’s physicality.
Dante Allen, a Miami native and son of Heat assistant coach Malik Allen, averaged 24 minutes per game and made 18 starts as a freshman. He averaged 6.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists, and Lucas calls him “a connector” who makes good decisions and elevates the team when he is on the court.
“Malik, Ernest and Tre set the foundation of what this culture is, what this work should look like,” Lucas said. “And then, for these younger guys like Dante and Shelton, my goal and my plan is for them to carry it on and hold it up. That’s how you become a real good team and real good program.”
Lucas wins Gaines National Coach of the Year
Lucas was named the Clarence “Big House” Gaines National Coach of the Year, the National Sports Media Association announced Monday.
The Hurricanes finished the regular season with 24 wins, matching a program record, and posted 15 victories at Watsco Center, the second most in school history.
Lucas led Miami to its 13th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, and he also became the fastest first-time head coach in the ACC to reach 20 wins since Bill Guthridge (North Carolina, 1997-98).
The Gaines Award will be presented during the NSMA’s 66th awards banquet on June 29 at Grandover Resort & Spa in Greensboro, North Carolina.