Jai Lucas and Miami could be on upset alert, as the only time the Hurricanes played in the NCAA Tournament West Regional in 2002 resulted in an upset loss to Missouri. The fifth seed Hurricanes lost 93-80 to 12th seeded Tigers at the Pit in Albuquerque.
The 2002 Miami loss to Missouri is also the only time the Hurricanes and Tigers have played in the NCAA Tournament. Seventh-seeded Miami plays 10th-seed Missouri in the 2026 NCAA Tournament First Round in St. Louis in a West Regional pod on Friday night with a 10:10 PM tip-off.
Miami finished the 2001-02 season with 24 wins and eight losses and finished with 10 victories and six defeats in the Big East to finish second in the conference. The Hurricanes leaned on their starters during the 2001-02 season, with all five averaging in double figures.
Darius Rice led Miami averaging 14.9 points per game while contributing 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Miami had exceptional size in 2001-02 with four of its five starters at least 6'7. John Salmons at 6'7 was a guard for Miami and 6'8 forward James Jones were the future NBA players on the 2001-02 Hurricanes roster.
Entering the NCAA Tournament
Miami began the 2001-02 season with 14 consecutive wins. After beating Georgetown in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals, Miami lost 76-71 to Pittsburgh in the semifinals. With two late regular-season losses, Miami entered the 2002 NCAA Tournament with three defeats in its previous five games.
Miami fell behind Missouri 38-30 at halftime in 2002. The second half was a track meet with Missouri outscoring Miami 55-50 for the 93-80 win. Miami was inefficient scoring 80 points. The Hurricanes shot 33.8 percent from the field and made six of 23 three-point shots.
Rice and Elton Tyler led Miami with 17 points. Salmons scored 16. Rice and Salmons combined to shoot 11-19 for Miami. The remaining Hurricanes combined to shoot 12-49. Rice made three of his 15 shots and Jones three out of 12.
This will be the 2nd ever matchup between Missouri and @CanesHoops
— Canes Research (@CanesResearch) March 15, 2026
The only previous meeting was also in the NCAA Tournament 1st round
(12) Missouri upset (5) Miami 93-80 in Albuquerque#GoCanes
Missouri had six players score in double figures. Clarence Gilbert led Missouri with 20 points. The Tigers made seven out of 17 three-point attempts. Miami was outrebounded 45-35 and Missouri had 17 assists to 10 for the Hurricanes.
Miami is a 1.5-point favorite over Missouri via the FanDuel Sportsbook. Missouri is +108 on the money line and Miami is -130. ESPN analytics project Miami with a 55.0 percent chance to defeat Missouri. Miami has a significant advantage over Missouri, according to KenPom.
Miami is 33rd in adjusted offensive efficiency and 38th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Missouri is 51st in adjusted offensive efficiency and 80th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Miami will have a big advantage in rebounding. The Hurricanes are 15th nationally with a 7.5 rebounding margin. Missouri is 86th at plus 3.6.