Duke Claims Overall Top Seed as Miami (Ohio) Barely Survives Selection Sunday Cut
Mar 14, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Duke Blue Devils celebrate after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers in the men’s ACC Conference Tournament Championship at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Selection Sunday delivered its usual mix of triumph and heartbreak, with Duke earning the tournament’s overall top seed while Miami (Ohio)’s historic regular season nearly wasn’t enough to secure a spot in March Madness.
The Blue Devils (32-2) claimed the coveted No. 1 overall seed, joined on the top line by Arizona (32-2), Michigan (31-3), and defending champion Florida (26-7). These powerhouse programs will enter the tournament as heavy favorites, with Duke listed at +300 odds and Michigan close behind at +360 according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Miami (Ohio) survives bubble despite perfect regular season
Perhaps no story captures the drama of Selection Sunday better than Miami (Ohio)’s precarious position. The RedHawks compiled a stunning 31-1 regular season record, going undefeated until their final game, yet found themselves relegated to an 11-seed and forced into a First Four matchup against SMU.
After a historic season that saw the team put up an undefeated record, Miami University is set to play in the 2026 March Madness tournament. What to know about their first game: https://t.co/26OKzrTSAj pic.twitter.com/XoYaoGC10h
— WLWT (@WLWT) March 15, 2026
« I was very confident, » Miami forward Eian Elmer said. « I think it’s hard to leave a team that’s 31-0 in a regular season out. It just wouldn’t look right for the sport, diminishing something like that, something that’s very rarely done. »
Selection committee chair Keith Gill explained the RedHawks’ low seeding despite their remarkable record. While Miami wasn’t the last at-large team selected, they ranked last among the 37 at-large teams due to their 339th-ranked strength of schedule and zero Quadrant 1 wins.
« They have some really strong resume metrics that show their accomplishments, » Gill said, pointing to Miami’s second-ranked scoring offense and strong advanced metrics.
The SEC dominated conference representation with 10 teams in the field, followed by the Big Ten with nine teams. The ACC and Big 12 each placed eight teams, reflecting the impact of conference expansion and NIL compensation in college basketball.
Notable snubs included San Diego State, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Auburn, with the Tigers’ exclusion drawing criticism despite playing the nation’s third-toughest schedule. Meanwhile, defending champion Florida will attempt to repeat their success, potentially setting up a regional final rematch with Houston in the Cougars’ home city.
The tournament begins with First Four games on Wednesday, followed by the full slate Thursday and Friday, culminating with the national championship game in Indianapolis on April 6.
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