Despite facing nationwide criticism and questions about their strength of schedule, Miami (Ohio) RedHawks have secured their spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The RedHawks (31-1) managed to claim one of the last four spots in the March Madness field announced Sunday, earning a matchup against SMU (20-13) in the First Four at Dayton – just 42 miles from their campus.
Miami’s tournament hopes appeared uncertain after falling to UMass in their first Mid-American Conference tournament game. Akron ultimately captured the MAC’s automatic qualification.
The selection committee awarded the four top seeds to Duke, Arizona, Michigan, and Florida.
Duke (32-2) claims the East region’s No. 1 position, with UConn (29-5) as the second seed, Michigan State (25-7) third, and Kansas (23-10) fourth. The Blue Devils hope to return to the Final Four for consecutive years when they meet 16th-seeded Siena (23-11) Thursday in Greenville, South Carolina. UConn captured consecutive national championships in 2023-24.
Arizona (32-2) earned the West’s top spot as they attempt to end a lengthy Final Four drought dating back to their 2001 national championship game loss. The Wildcats open Friday against 16th-seeded Long Island (24-10) in San Diego. Purdue (27-8) holds the second seed, with Gonzaga (30-3) third and Arkansas (26-8) fourth.
Michigan (31-3) received the Midwest’s No. 1 seed, followed by Iowa State (27-7), Virginia (29-5), and Alabama (23-9). The Wolverines await the winner of the First Four contest between UMBC and Howard. UMBC returns to the tournament for the first time since their historic upset of Virginia in 2018.
Santa Clara (26-8) earned a 10th seed in the Midwest, marking their first tournament appearance since 1996 during the Steve Nash era.
Defending champion Florida (26-7) captured the South’s top seed and will face either Lehigh or Prairie View A&M. Houston (28-6), last year’s runner-up to the Gators, holds the second seed. Illinois (24-8) and Nebraska (26-6) round out the top four. The Cornhuskers remain winless in eight NCAA Tournament games, most recently falling to Texas A&M in 2024.
The first four teams excluded were Oklahoma (19-15), Auburn (17-16), San Diego State (22-11), and Indiana (18-14). Former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl had strongly advocated for the Tigers’ inclusion over Miami.
This marks Miami’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.
The remaining First Four matchup features North Carolina State (20-13) against Texas (18-14) on the 11-seed line.
