Miami Hurricanes Treating Final Week Like Tournament Week

Head coach Jai Lucas says team must be ready for intense pressure of March Madness

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Miami Hurricanes basketball team is treating the final week of the regular season like a "tournament week" ahead of their matchup against SMU on Wednesday. Head coach Jai Lucas says the team has avoided discussing postseason implications until now, but with March Madness starting in two weeks, it's time for the players to understand the gravity of the situation as they fight for a top-4 seed in the ACC tournament and an NCAA tournament bid.

Why it matters

Miami has positioned itself well for an NCAA tournament bid, but the final two regular season games against SMU and Louisville will be crucial tests as the team prepares for the intensity of March Madness. A strong finish could secure a double-bye in the ACC tournament and improve their seeding for the Big Dance.

The details

The Hurricanes have won 6 of their last 7 games to improve to 12-4 in ACC play, good for third in the conference standings. If they win just one of their final two games, they will clinch a top-4 seed in the ACC tournament, avoiding having to play until the quarterfinals. SMU, projected as a 10-seed in the NCAA tournament, presents a tough test with their high-powered offense led by Boopie Miller and Jaron Pierre Jr. The Mustangs play at a fast pace, which Lucas says Miami hasn't faced much this season.

  • The Miami Hurricanes' final two regular season games are on Wednesday, March 5 against SMU and Saturday, March 8 against Louisville.
  • The 2026 NCAA Tournament is scheduled to begin in two weeks.

The players

Jai Lucas

Head coach of the Miami Hurricanes basketball team.

Boopie Miller

Starting guard for the SMU Mustangs, averaging 18.9 points per game.

Jaron Pierre Jr.

Starting guard for the SMU Mustangs, averaging 17.6 points per game and ranked 5th nationally among active players in career points with 2,095.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I've kind of stayed away from everything with the guys until yesterday, and now, because March is a little more intense, just a little bit more pressure, and now we have to be able to deal with it.”

— Jai Lucas, Head Coach (on3.com)

“We're playing for everything still, and now I think it's time for them to understand that because that's what this part of the season is about.”

— Jai Lucas, Head Coach (on3.com)

“Their pace and speed and the way they play, we haven't played anybody like that in a while. So it's a little bit different than the teams we've played.”

— Jai Lucas, Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

A win against SMU on Wednesday would improve Miami's road record to 8-2 this season. The Hurricanes will then face Louisville on Saturday in their final regular season game.

The takeaway

This final week of the regular season is a crucial test for the Miami Hurricanes as they prepare for the intensity and pressure of the postseason. Treating these last two games like tournament games will help the team be ready for the challenges that lie ahead in March Madness.