Miami Hurricanes Host Stetson Hatters in Early Season Showdown

Coral Gables, Florida — The Miami Hurricanes will take on the Stetson Hatters on Monday, November 10, at the Watsco Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. Both teams are looking to build on their early-season performances following disappointing campaigns in the previous year.

Miami comes into the matchup with a 2-0 record. Under the leadership of first-year coach Jai Lucas, the Hurricanes have restructured their roster, bringing in several key players through the transfer portal. Indiana transfer Malik Reneau and Michigan transfer Tre Donaldson have been pivotal, combining for 38 points per game thus far. Miami’s new offensive strategy has led to an impressive average of 93.5 points per game, highlighted by a standout 101-61 victory against Bethune-Cookman last week.

Stetson, standing at 1-1, is rebounding after a narrow loss to Rhode Island, recently achieving a commanding 106-77 win over Fort Lauderdale. The Hatters’ offense, led by sophomore Jamie Phillips Jr., heavily leans on perimeter shooting, having made 16 three-pointers in their last outing. Phillips is currently averaging 21.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game this season, establishing himself as a key player for Stetson.

This matchup presents a clear contrast in style: Miami’s physical prowess versus Stetson’s ability to stretch the floor with effective shooting. Miami’s strategy focuses on efficiency, while Stetson compensates for its smaller size by maximizing spacing and three-point attempts. The Hurricanes opened as 32.5-point favorites, one of the largest spreads for Monday’s slate, with a total expected score of 162.5 points.

Miami’s new offensive approach has shown early results, boasting a remarkable 57.4% shooting from the field and 74.6% from the free-throw line. The leading figures in Miami’s offense, Reneau and Donaldson, highlight a deep roster that has been effective in transition play, turning rebounds into quick scoring chances.

Defensively, Stetson has struggled to manage inside scoring and has allowed opponents to shoot 46% from the field in its early games. Their high-tempo offense may create opportunities but also exposes their defense to vulnerabilities against teams with size like Miami’s.

The Hatters report no significant injuries ahead of the game, and forward Joshua Doughty is set to return after resting in their last game. Coach Donnie Jones’ squad will rely on their shooting accuracy and aggressive pacing to keep the game competitive.

As the game approaches, all eyes will be on whether Stetson can impose its fast-paced style against a deep and athletic Hurricanes team. Miami looks to continue building momentum at home, aiming for another decisive victory to solidify its place early in the season.