“It’s coming together good.”

Miami head basketball coach Jai Lucas met with the press this week. He shared hs thoughts on the progress of his completely rebuilt team.

On his decision to use closed scrimmages instead of exhibition games…

“In this first year you come in with thirteen new players, you really don’t know what it’s going to look like in the moment,” said Lucas. “It was more important for me to use the closed scrimmages as an extended practice…I really wanted to hone in on my rotation and try different things. Using the scrimmages as an extension of practice was more important this year than simulating a game.”

On what he liked in these scrimmages…

“…picking up the tempo, the style of play, and how we get out and run in transition. Being able to score early in the shot clock. It’s a big key and something we preach the whole time. And the rebounding on both offensively and defensively, winning the boards, winning the turnover battle, winning the free throw battle. We were able to do that, so I feel good about that.”

On his recruiting philosophy…

"Part of the reason why I took this job and was excited to get this job is because it is a national brand," said Lucas. "I understand how big it is in South Florida and also in the state of Florida, but it gives us the ability to go everywhere. We can go to California, we can go to Texas, we can go to New York, New Jersey, we can recruit kids from everywhere and that's what's exciting about this place and being here. And then part of it is about selling our vision.  This cycle is different because a lot of kids haven't committed yet. A lot of kids are waiting a little bit longer.  I think it only benefit us in the long run.”

On his message to prospects…

“We're going to develop you," said Lucas. "That's the biggest thing and that's how my staff is built. I think we'll show that I think we'll show that with what we get on the court and also the development throughout the season. I think that's one of the most important things that you can get now in this day and age in college is great development, but also knowing that you have great relationships from a head coaching perspective. You're going to have somebody who tells you the truth, hold you accountable and holds you to a high standard, but also understands your process and what you're going to do and understanding it's not one size fits all. It's not cookie cutter. Each person needs something different. I can't coach this guy the same way I coach this person because they're two different people. But at the core the coaching is the same, but I have to do what's best for Dante (Allen) is not what's best for Tre (Donaldson). Understanding that is a big part of it, but the development piece, the relationship and then getting them to understand what it means to win. Those three things are what we're looking for, but also what we're selling. A big part is just making sure we get people that fit that is what is most important to me and the staff for my program.”

GO CANES!