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Miami Hurricanes a Six Seed in 2018 Bracketology

By Alan Rubenstein

Dec 6, 2016; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown (left) talks with Miami Hurricanes guard Ja'Quan Newton (right) during the second half against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Bruce Brown (left) talks with Miami Hurricanes guard Ja'Quan Newton (right) during the second half against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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ESPN’s resident bracketologist Joe Lunardi released his 2018 NCAA Tournament Bracketology on a Tuesday, a day after the end of the 2016-17 regular season. He has the Hurricanes as the sixth seed in the South Region.

The six seed would put the Hurricanes between the 21st and 24th team in the country. That is a bit lower than CBS’ Jon Rothstein and Gary Parrish who have the Hurricanes at 17 and 16 in their rankings for next season.

Most of the early top 25’s for the 2017-18 season have the Hurricanes between 20-23 which would put them as a low five seed of one of the top three six seeds.

According to Joey Brackets, the Hurricanes would play the winner of the San Diego State-Providence game in the first round. Lunardi has the Aztecs and Friars playing the first four in Dayton.

If Miami advanced they would play the winner of the third-seeded Wichita State and the 14 seed Oakland University. Their pod would be playing in Dallas with the winner of the five-team pod moving on to Phillips Arena in Atlanta.

6Miami
11San Diego St / 11Providence

3WICHITA ST
14OAKLAND

The Shockers announced earlier this week that they were moving from the Missouri Valley Conference to the American Athletic Conference. They will join former Miami Big East foes UConn and South Florida, in-state rival Central Florida, along with eight other schools.

As with way too early, too early and early top 25’s it’s hard to prognosticate anything about next before we know who will be staying in the NBA Draft. The deadline for players who enter their name in the draft without signing with an agent to withdraw is June 12.

Related Story: Miami Hurricanes Basketball Consensus Top 25 2017-18

That doesn’t affect the Hurricanes this season. Bruce Brown flirted with the idea of entering the draft. He ultimately decided he would return for his sophomore season. He announced his decision last week.

According to Miami Head Coach Jim Larranaga, Brown and incoming freshman Lonnie Walker are likely to declare for 2018 Draft. The Hurricanes are looking for a guard to transfer into the program who would sit out next season and be ready to go for the 2018-19 season.

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Miami is also looking for a graduate transfer up front that would be eligible to play next season. Miami returns Dewan Huell, Ebuzka Izundu and Rodney Miller up front as well as forward Anthony Lawrence.

Lawrence played power forward late in the season, but he is more suited for the three. The Hurricanes also have stretch four Sam Waardenburg who enrolled in January and redshirted this season.

Deng Gak is a 6’10 forward from Australia who will also add depth up front as part of the Hurricanes 2017 recruiting class.

Next: Bruce Brown and Lonnie Walker will enter 2018 Draft per Larranaga

It should be an interesting offseason for Miami. Head Coach Jim Larranaga said that the Hurricanes recruiting process could last into June.

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