It’s unlikely the host Miami Hurricanes will look past Bethune-Cookman on Thursday night.
That’s because the Wildcats (0-1) put a scare into the No. 20 Auburn Tigers on Monday night. Auburn won that game 95-90 in overtime in the season opener for both teams.
“We took them all the way to the end,” said Wildcats coach Reggie Theus. “We wanted a win, but to see the guys come together and play as a team was great to watch.”
Miami (1-0) won its opener on Monday with an 86-69 verdict over visiting Jacksonville.
Bethune-Cookman used eight players for double-figure minutes on Monday, including leading scorers Quentin Heady (21 points) and reserve Arterio Morris (20). Morris also had a team-high 10 rebounds.
Heady was a standout last season for Central Michigan, ranking second on the team in scoring (15.0 ppg) and rebounds (6.5 rpg). Morris was a 2022 McDonald’s All-American who wore out his welcome at Texas and Kansas due to an assault case. He had not played a college game since Texas’ NCAA Tournament regional final loss against, coincidentally, Miami on March 26, 2023.
“We’ve got a good team,” said Wildcats starting forward Daniel Rouzan, who at 6-foot-8 shares the distinction of being the tallest player on the team.
Theus, a former NBA standout who is in his fifth season as Bethune-Cookman’s coach, led the Wildcats in 2025 to their first winning record (17-16) since 2020.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes shot 55.1% from the floor on Monday and outrebounded Jacksonville by 15. However, Miami shot just 3 of 14 on 3-point attempts (21.4%) — and that lack of perimeter shooting looms as a potential weakness until proven otherwise.
“I think people see that we’re built on defense,” new Miami coach Jai Lucas said.
Miami also is built on size. Center Ernest Udeh Jr., who had 14 points and 14 rebounds on Monday, is 6-11 and 265 pounds.
Indiana transfer Malik Reneau, who scored a game-high 20 points, is 6-9 and 240 pounds. Freshman forward Shelton Henderson, who scored 15 points, is 6-6 and 240 pounds. The starting guards, Michigan transfer Tre Donaldson and New Mexico transfer Tru Washington, also are physically imposing for their position.
Miami also used three reserve players for at least 15 minutes each on Monday: Marcus Allen, Dante Allen and Timotej Malovec. The latter, a freshman from Slovakia, could surprise. On Monday, he took just three shots – yet he scored seven points in 15 minutes as he made a 3-pointer along with a strong drive to the hoop.
“He played high-level ball in Europe,” Lucas said. “He’s already one of our best shooters.”
