Early Metrics Show Miami Basketball Could Be Returning to the NCAA Tournament

The Miami Hurricanes Men's basketball team is proving game after game that this can be a tournament team.

Nov 28, 2025; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes center Ernest Udeh Jr. (8) reacts after a basket against the Georgetown Hoyas in the first half during the ESPN Events Invitational at State Farm Field House. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

While the losses to No. 10 Florida and No. 9 BYU hurt the Miami Hurricanes' (6-2) win/loss record, it doesn't limit them in the latest rankings and metrics that the NCAA has released.

The first NET Ratings of the season have been released, and if the season ended today, they would comfortably be in the NCAA Tournament. The NET Rating has the Canes ranked No. 38, while the always-reliable KenPom has the Hurricanes ranked No. 46.

However, in the first Men's Bracketology for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, Joe Lunardi has the Hurricanes among the first teams out. This is just off the first few games of the season, but this is a positive sign for the rebuilding Canes.

First Men's Bracketology 2026 NCAA Tournament: Miami is one of the first teams out. Big game tonight against Ole Miss. pic.twitter.com/57e1vmUYDG

— Justice Sandle (@Justice_News5) December 2, 2025

It is also what makes the ACC/SEC Challenge one of the most important games of the season for the Canes. The Ole Miss Rebels are viewed as a quality team, and with a victory, the Canes get on a hot streak heading into conference play.

How to Watch: Miami at Ole Miss

Who: Miami Hurricanes and Ole Miss Rebels

When: 9:00 p.m. ET

Where: Pavilion at Ole Miss, Oxford, Miss

TV: SEC Network

Radio: FM 104.3 WQAM

AP Top 25: Men's Basketball

(Ranking, Team, First-Place Votes, Record, Points)

1. Purdue (40), 7-0, 1494
2. Arizona (6), 7-0, 1442
3. Michigan (15), 7-0, 1417
4. Duke, 8-0, 1355
5. UConn, 6-1, 1244
6. Louisville, 7-0, 1177
7. Michigan State, 7-0, 1095
8. Houston, 7-1, 1070
9. BYU, 6-1, 1037
10. Iowa State, 7-0, 975
11. Gonzaga, 7-1, 934
12. Alabama, 5-2, 869
13. Tennessee, 7-1, 771
14. Illinois, 6-2, 657
15. Florida, 5-2, 568
16. North Carolina, 6-1, 519
17. Vanderbilt, 8-0, 475
18. Kentucky, 5-2, 451
19. Texas Tech, 6-2, 387
20. Auburn, 6-2, 376
21. Kansas, 6-2, 340
22. Indiana, 7-0, 313
23. St. John's. 4-3. 200
24. USC, 7-0, 145
25. Arkansas, 5-2, 127

Others Receiving Votes: Iowa 100, UCLA 59, Nebraska 53, TCU 36, Missouri 28, Utah St. 16, Saint Mary's 15, Baylor 13, Oklahoma St. 12, SMU 12, Clemson 11, LSU 7, Seton Hall 6, Wisconsin 6, NC State 5, Wake Forest 3, California 2, Colorado 1, George Mason 1, Buffalo 1.

Coaches Poll

(Ranking, Team, First-Place Votes, Record, Points)

1. Purdue (21), 7-0, 762
2. Michigan (6), 7-0, 721
3. Arizona (3), 7-0, 709
4. Duke (1), 8-0, 696
5. UConn, 6-1, 608
6. Louisville, 7-0, 600
7. Houston, 7-1, 588
8. Michigan State, 7-0, 531
9. Iowa State, 7-0, 502
10. BYU, 6-1, 493
11. Gonzaga, 7-1, 480
12. Alabama, 5-2, 428
13. Tennessee, 7-1, 377
14. Florida, 5-2, 313
15. Illinois, 6-2, 312
16. Vanderbilt, 8-0, 268
17. North Carolina, 6-1, 230
18. Kentucky, 5-2, 222
19. Texas Tech, 6-2, 192
20. Indiana, 7-0, 192 (tied with Texas Tech at No. 19)
21. Kansas, 6-2, 154
22. St. John's, 4-3, 129
23. Arkansas, 5-2, 119
24. Auburn, 6-2, 104
25. Iowa, 7-0, 69

Schools Dropped Out: No. 19 UCLA; No. 22 North Carolina State.

Others Receiving Votes: USC 56; UCLA 33; Nebraska 31; Missouri 28; Saint Mary's 20; Baylor 19; North Carolina State 16; Virginia 14; LSU 14; Clemson 9; Butler 9; Ole Miss 8; TCU 5; Wisconsin 4; Utah State 4; SMU 4; Oklahoma State 1; Colorado 1.

Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University and is the site lead for the Miami Hurricanes on SI. He can be reached at Twitter @Justice_News5.

---

Follow all social media platforms to stay up to date with everything Miami Hurricanes-related: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and BlueSky.