Dear Canes Community,

It was a chilly weekend by South Florida standards, but things are heating up this month for Miami Athletics. In all, 10 of our programs are in action, including the regular season stretch run for men’s and women’s basketball and the start of Canes baseball in just 11 days.

Season to Remember

Our football team took us on a memorable ride this postseason, advancing all the way to the College Football Playoff Championship Game, where the Canes fell in the final minute to top-ranked Indiana.

It was a journey that took us twice to Texas and once to the Valley of the Sun before coming back to Hard Rock Stadium for the season’s grand finale. We defeated two SEC teams and the defending national champions along the way. Our fans were tremendous – proving that Miami fans do indeed travel – and the media exposure earned by the Hurricanes was significant. Our four CFP games averaged nearly 20 million television viewers, and the championship game garnered 30.1 million viewers – the most for a college football game in 11 years and the most-viewed non-NFL telecast since Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.

Francis Mauigoa and Rueben Bain each earned consensus All-America honors, Malachi Toney was named the FWAA’s Offensive Freshman of the Year and Rueben won the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation’s top defensive end. In addition, 14 Canes earned All-ACC Academic accolades.

Mario Cristobal, his staff and his student-athletes should be commended for not only a terrific  13-win season but also for bringing our campus and community together during a CFP run that won’t be soon forgotten. The best news? We are just getting started. Another highly regarded group of freshmen and portal additions is joining a strong foundation on both sides of the ball for the 2026 season.

Speaking of 2026, the ACC released its football schedule last week and once again we have a great slate of games at Hard Rock Stadium, including Florida State, Pittsburgh and a three-game home stretch against Duke, Virginia Tech and Boston College to end the regular season. Our season ticket sales have reached all all-time high – make sure you don’t get left out by calling 1-800-GO-CANES or visiting miamihurricanes.com/tickets today!

Canes on the Hardwood

Jai Lucas’ men’s basketball team dropped a last-second matchup to California on Saturday but sits at 17-5 overall and 6-3 in ACC play as they battle for an NCAA Tournament berth. Malik Reneau is having an All-ACC caliber season, averaging 20 points per game. The Canes next head to Boston College on Saturday before returning home for a key conference matchup against North Carolina on Tuesday, February 10. Click here to get your tickets!

Tricia Cullop’s women’s basketball squad is 12-10 overall and 4-7 in ACC play after a 65-60 loss to Syracuse yesterday. Up next for the Canes is a two-game road swing to Virginia and Florida State starting Thursday in Charlottesville.

Baseball Season Loading 

Baseball season is just around the corner as the Canes return to action on Friday, February 13 against Lehigh for their 2026 opener.

J.D. Arteaga’s squad, coming off a Super Regional appearance last season, is ranked No. 22 in the D1 Baseball preseason poll and is led once again by consensus preseason All-American Daniel Cuvet.

We have another outstanding slate of games at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, including three-game series against Florida, Creighton, Wake Forest, Cal and Louisville. We will also be celebrating the 41st year of the famous Mark Light Shakes throughout the season. Click here to get your season tickets today!

Latest News

Our swimming and diving team is readying for ACC Championships in Atlanta from February 14-21 in the same aquatic center that will later host NCAA Championships in March. Good luck to the Canes at the conference meet!

Our track and field team continued its indoor season this past weekend at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., as the men’s 4x400m relay team of Sean Watkins, George Franks, Ace Malone and Robert Joseph set a school record (3:05.52). Congratulations to that quartet!

Our men’s tennis team is off to a 5-2 start and our golf team teed off Sunday in their first tournament of the spring season at the Therese Herrion Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes, Calif. You can stay updated on all our programs by subscribing to our weekly Miami Athletics Report. Click here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday!

Banner Nights

Last month we honored two legendary Miami basketball coaches by installing banners in the rafters of Watsco Center. We recognized former men’s basketball coach Jim Larrañaga January 20 with a pregame ceremony. Jim led our program for 13-plus seasons, advancing to six NCAA Tournaments and guiding the Canes to our first-ever Final Four appearance in 2023.

On January 29, we honored former women’s basketball coach Katie Meier in a halftime ceremony. Katie is Miami’s all-time basketball career wins leader with 362 victories, leading the Canes to 13 postseason appearance and the program’s first-ever Elite Eight in 2023.

Both Jim and Katie’s accomplishments now hang in Watsco alongside our all-time great players. Congratulations to both coaches!

Bowling with the Canes

Jim Larrañaga and All-America cornerback Antrel Rolle will serve as co-hosts of the UM Sports Hall of Fame & Museum’s 16th Annual Celebrity Bowling Tournament & Game Watch Party on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 6-9 p.m., at Kings Dining and Entertainment in Doral. The event will coincide with a watch party for Miami’s men’s basketball game at Florida State.

For more information on being a sponsor, bowling teams and game watch tickets, visit canesbowl.com. We hope to see you there!

Our Canes Community remains stronger than ever thanks to your generosity. Go Canes!

– Dan Radakovich