A sense of preseason promise can be felt for the Miami basketball program as ESPN's renowned bracketologist, Joe Lunardi, has included the Hurricanes in his initial 2026 NCAA Tournament projections. This inclusion marks a significant turnaround for the team, which is aiming to rebound from one of the most challenging seasons in its history.
Lunardi projects Miami as a No. 10 seed in the West Region, setting up a first-round matchup against No. 7 seed Kansas. Should the Hurricanes advance, they could potentially face No. 2 seed Michigan in the Round of 32, assuming the Wolverines defeat Youngstown State in their opening game.
This projection comes on the heels of a transformative offseason for Miami, highlighted by the hiring of Jai Lucas as the new head coach. Lucas, known for his recruiting skills, has brought fresh energy and a completely new roster to Coral Gables. The new additions include a combination of transfers, commits and one international prospect. The players are Jordyn Kee (Georgia), Malik Reneau (Indiana), Ernest Udeh Jr. (TCU), Tre Donaldson (Michigan), Tru Washington (New Mexico), Marcus Allen (Missouri), and international recruit Timotej Malovec. The Hurricanes have also secured commitments from high school prospects Dante Allen and Shelton Henderson.
The ACC is well represented in Lunardi's early bracket, with five teams making the cut. Duke leads the pack as a No. 1 seed, followed by Louisville (No. 5), North Carolina (No. 7), Miami (No. 10), and NC State (No. 11).
While it's still early in the offseason, and a lot will change before Selection Sunday, Miami's inclusion in this initial bracketology is a testament to the program's potential resurgence and their moves in the transfer portal. With Coach Lucas at the helm and a renewed sense of purpose, the Hurricanes are poised to make waves in the upcoming season.