Miami Coach: ‘We’ll Play Anywhere!’

Miami Coach Jai Lucas Ready for St. Louis Showdown

March Madness is heating up, and the friendly rivalry between SportsCenter hosts Tyler and Amina is reaching a boiling point. With the Miami Hurricanes set to face the Missouri Tigers in the first round of the NCAA tournament, the stakes have never been higher. Amina, a Miami fan, and Tyler, a Missouri supporter, have even agreed to a wager: the loser must wear the winning team’s gear on their next show. “I feel like you would look great in orange and green,” Amina teased, while Tyler retorted, “You would look great in black and gold.” The tension is palpable, but the real focus is on Miami’s head coach, Jai Lucas, who joined SportsCenter to discuss his team’s unique path to the tournament.

Building a New Dynasty

Coach Lucas took over a Miami program that saw a complete overhaul, with not a single player returning from the previous season. He described the most challenging part of this rebuild as finding the right people – not just players, but also staff – who fit his vision for the team. “Everybody was important,” Lucas stated, emphasizing that securing the right individuals was his top priority.

Staffing and Scouting Secrets

One key addition to Lucas’s staff is Charlton Young, who previously served as Dennis Gates’ top assistant at Missouri. When asked about any inside information Young might have provided on his former boss, Coach Lucas played it cool. “He really hasn’t given much, you know, at all,” Lucas admitted with a smile. “But, you know, growing up and him being from Miami, he was somebody I identified early.” He acknowledged that Young’s ties to Missouri could offer some insight, but hinted, “We may have a little insight, but I’m not giving anything away.”

Road Warriors Ready for Anything

Despite Miami earning a seven seed and Missouri a ten seed, the Hurricanes will effectively be playing a road game in St. Louis. Lucas, however, shrugged off the location, calling it “business as usual.” Miami has already won eight road games this season, one of the highest totals in the country. “We’ve kind of felt underappreciated all year,” Lucas explained. “They could have put this game on the moon. We’ve been fine. We’re going to show up and do what we do no matter where we are.” This resilient attitude has defined Miami’s season.

Focusing on a Familiar Face

The matchup also features a familiar face for Coach Lucas: Missouri’s standout player, Mark Mitchell. Lucas was involved in recruiting Mitchell to Duke before his move to Missouri. “Yeah, he is. You know, he’s a big part of what they do,” Lucas confirmed. “As a coach, who’s been around him, I’m just happy to see that. But, he’s a huge part of what they do.” Miami plans to focus heavily on Mitchell, aiming to disrupt his rhythm and limit his impact on the game.

Underdog Mentality Fuels Miami

The underdog mentality that has propelled Miami all season is not changing as they enter the tournament. “It’s the same thing for us. You know, it hasn’t changed,” Lucas asserted. “We got a lot of bulletin board material to get us motivated.” He believes the location and the opponent give his team extra motivation. “No one’s giving us a chance because it’s in St. Louis, we’re playing Missouri, but it doesn’t matter. Everybody’s counted us out all year, so we don’t want you now.” This chip on their shoulder could be a significant advantage.

Miami’s Appeal Beyond the Court

As the conversation wrapped up, Amina couldn’t resist a final jab, asking Lucas to send him a Miami jersey for Tyler to wear if Miami wins. Lucas readily agreed, promising to send both hosts jerseys. He also chimed in on the appeal of Miami’s location, noting the beautiful beaches and sunshine compared to Missouri. “I woke up this morning. It’s about 82,” Lucas shared. “It always feels like Friday in Miami.” Tyler conceded that Miami’s climate might be a draw for young men, adding, “I probably would have rather been spending my time in Coral Gables rather than Columbia, Missouri.” With Missouri coach Dennis Gates set to appear on SportsCenter the following day, the friendly banter is sure to continue.

Source: 'BUSINESS AS USUAL!' 😮‍💨 – Miami HC Jai Lucas on playing in St. Louis vs. Mizzou | SportsCenter (YouTube)