Michigan basketball is a 1-seed in Lunardi's too-early 2027 bracket

Michigan basketball is reigning supreme, the national champion, with bragging rights for the next year. It was the first basketball championship for the Wolverines since 1989 and the first for the Big Ten since 2000. While one is always great, two is even better.

So what are the chances?

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi is already looking forward to 2026-27, and though the maize and blue are still working to assemble next season's roster -- Michigan is still hosting transfers, and still doesn't know if Morez Johnson Jr. or Aday Mara will return -- Lunardi has ultimate confidence in what Dusty May can do. In his way too early 2026-27 bracket, he has Michigan as the second 1-seed (behind only Florida), starting out in Pittsburgh against either UMBC or Southern in the first round, with a matchup against either Missouri or Saint Louis (again) in the Round of 32.

The Sweet 16 would feature a matchup against 4-seed St. John's, 5-seed Kansas, 12-seed St. Thomas, or 13-seed Yale. The rest of the field includes 2-seed Gonzaga, 3-seed Arkansas, 6-seed Miami, 7-seed Indiana, 10-seed LSU, 11-seeds TCU and Iowa, 14-seed Queens, and 15-seed Merrimack.

The other 1-seeds in Lunardi's too-early bracket are Michigan State and Duke. The Big Ten would have one fewer selection than the SEC, with 11 in his projection.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan basketball 2027 NCAA tournament prediction