The updated ESPN Bracketology projects Miami as a seven seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Miami has been building its resume over the last four weeks with seven wins in its last eight games. A last-second 86-83 loss at Virginia on February 21 is the only defeat for Miami in the last month.
ESPN resident Bracketologist Joe Lunardi projects Miami as the seventh seed against 10th-seeded Missouri in the Buffalo Subregional as part of the East Regional. If Miami beats Missouri, it would play the winner of second-seeded Michigan State and 15th seed Wright State in the second round.
Other top-seeded teams projected in the East are third-seeded Iowa State and sixth-seeded Kentucky in Miami's half of the bracket. Miami defeated Iowa State in the Midwest Regional semifinals in Chicago to earn its first trip to the Elite Eight in program history in 2022.
Duke is the projected top seed in the East with Alabama fourth and St. John's fifth. Lunardi projects SMU to play Indiana in the First Four as co-11 seeds, which would give the ACC three teams in the region. Miami won 77-69 at SMU on Wednesday.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 5, 2026
Where Miami ranks in metrics
Miami is currently 40th in the ESPN Basketball Power Index. The Hurricanes are 25th in the BPI strength of record, have three wins and four losses in quality wins and have the 86th toughest strength of schedule and are 264th in non-conference SOS.
Miami is currently ranked 28th in the NCAA Net Ratings. The Hurricanes have a record of 5-4 against quadrant one opponents, 6-2 versus quad two, 2-0 against quad three, and 11-0 against quad four. Miami is 26th in Wins Above Bubble.
In other metrics used by the NCAA Tournament committee, Miami is 28th in KenPom. Miami is 46th in KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency and 29th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Miami opponents rank 85th in KenPom overall and in adjusted offensive efficiency and 95th in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Miami is 36th in Bart Torvik. The Hurricanes are 43rd in AdJoe offense and 36th in defense in the Bart Torvik ratings. Miami is trending up, ranking 24th in Bart Torvik over the last 10 games. Louisville in the regular season finale on Saturday and the ACC Tournament next week will provide Miami more opportuines to improve its NCAA Tournament resume.