Miami basketball work to do for NCAA Tournament bid
Following their 76-74 upset over Duke on Saturday, the Miami basketball team moved from 96th to 80th in the NCAA NetRatings. Miami should be in the top 25 when the new rankings are released on Monday. The Hurricanes have work to do to get into the discussion for an NCAA Tournament berth.
Their net rating of 80th is too low to currently be considered for an NCAA Tournament berth. The victory over Duke began a five-game gauntlet for Miami. Miami plays at Florida State Tuesday and returns to Coral Gables to host North Carolina, the Seminoles and Virginia Tech. Miami can improve their net rating in those games.
Florida State is 8-5 this season and currently 70th in the NetRatings. North Carolina is 11-4 and 34th and Virginia Tech is 8-6 overall but 37th in the NetRatings. Miami is seventh in the ACC in NetRatings. Wake Forest at 47 and Clemson at 55 who Miami already defeated this season are the other ACC teams higher than the Hurricanes.
Miami has nine games remaining this season against teams ranked lower than them in the NetRatings and five games against teams higher than them. The next four games are against teams ranked higher in the Net Ratings. Miami closes January at Georgia Tech to begin a winnable schedule to finish the season.
The Hurricanes are predicted to finish with a 19-12 record overall and 11-9 in the ACC according to TeamRankings.Com. Miami is given a 27.4 percent chance to make the NCAA Tournament with an at large bid at 25.8 percent by Team Rankings. Miami most likely projects as a 10 seed according to Team Rankings.
The Miami basketball team is given a better than 50 percent chance to win in only five of their 15 remaining games. That is despite being higher ranked in the netratings in nine of their last 10 games. Miami currently leads the ACC with a 5-0 record. Louisville at 4-1 is second. Miami is still a long shot to win the ACC.
After a run to the quarterfinals last season, Miami has positioned itself for a strong finish in the ACC to possibly earn a double-bye and at least a bye into the second round. The Hurricanes lead the ACC in multiple offensive categories. Miami is first in ACC games averaging 85.4 points per game.
Next. Miami biggest win since 1999 shocking Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. dark
The Hurricanes have set a good foundation starting 5-0 in the ACC and 13-3 overall. Miami has already exceeded their total victories and in the ACC from 2021. With a full roster, Jim Larranaga has Miami competing again. The next four games will continue to test the 2021-22 Miami basketball team.