A couple of notes worth mentioning for a summer ACC Roundup.
First, Miami, fully aware that former Duke assistant Jai Lucas is a major target for schools like Kentucky and Kansas, which might be making hires this spring, gave him a significantd extension.
Lucas got five years and a raise, though it’s unclear how much of a raise he got (as a private university, Miami doesn’t have to reveal that information).
With Mark Pope under a lot of pressure this season, there have already been rumors about the Wildcats coming after Lucas, and Bill Self clearly near the end of the line at Kansas, not to mention any other jobs that might come open, locking Lucas up was a really smart thing to do. Presumably, Miami has a very large buyout as part of the new deal.
In other news, the reverberations from Seth Trimble’s transfer to Louisville are ongoing.
As someone pointed out, after his crushing three-pointer against Duke in February, Trimble had some truly terrible offensive games. He followed that up with an 0-5 stinker against Miami. He also shot 1-9 against NC State, and 2-10 against Clemson.
However, against Louisville, he shot 11-16 for 37 points, which must have left an impression on Cards coach Pat Kelsey.
But against VCU in the tournament, he was weak down the stretch, including the awful last shot.
None of that much matters, though, for two reasons. First, like all Tar Heels, he had an erratic coach in Hubert Davis. Kelsey will give him much more stability there.
And second, given Louisville’s depth of talent, Trimble will be able to concentrate on what he’s best at: defense and getting to the basket.
They shouldn’t need him to play any at the point, and Louisville has plenty of three-point shooters.
What they don’t have – what most schools don’t have – is a highly athletic defender who has a 43.5” vertical.
You don’t have to look too far for his Louisville model. Just go back to 2024-25 and Chucky Hepburn. That guy was a brilliant defender, and Kelsey knew exactly what to do with him.
If all you did with Trimble was to use him for ball pressure on ball handlers, you’d get a lot out of that investment.
Bottom line: Kelsey will get a lot more out of him for Louisville than Davis did for UNC.
- Miami extends contract of basketball coach Jai Lucas, AP source says
- Miami basketball’s future is bright thanks to HC Jai Lucas
- UM rewards basketball coach Jai Lucas with five-year contract extension, raise
- Jai Lucas signs five-year extension at Miami
- Miami news: Jai Lucas rewarded with 5-year contract after 19-win improvementMiami news: Jai Lucas rewarded with 5-year contract after 19-win improvement
- Miami just made sure its stunning turnaround won’t cost it Jai Lucas
- Miami fans can let out sigh of relief as Hurricanes lock in HC Jai Lucas for the future
- North Carolina guard Seth Trimble committing to Louisville after Colorado eligibility ruling
- Michael Malone reveals why UNC Basketball didn’t add Seth Trimble
- TRANSFER SHOCK: Seth Trimble to Louisville TRANSFORMS ACC Power Rankings—Are Cards Now Favorites?
- Seth Trimble Commitment Solidifies Louisville As NCAA Title Contender
- Louisville basketball’s projected starting lineup after Seth Trimble commitment
- Seth Trimble puts Louisville basketball in Final Four mix, but …
- Seth Trimble Former UNC Teammates React to Transfer to LVille
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