Liberty basketball could find itself in familiar territory during the 2027 NCAA Tournament, as national analysts project the Flames to make the NCAA Tournament under the NCAA’s expanded 76-team format.
The NCAA Tournament will expand from 68 to 76 teams beginning in 2027, a move that has sparked mixed reactions across the college basketball world. While many fans have voiced opposition to expansion, the new structure will keep the traditional 64-team bracket intact while increasing the number of play-in teams from eight to 24.
Under the updated format, 12 automatic qualifiers from low-major conferences and the 12 lowest-ranked at-large teams will compete in the Opening Round. The games will no longer be referred to as the “First Four.” Instead, three games will be played each day across two sites, including Dayton and another location yet to be determined.
According to Andy Katz, Liberty is currently projected as the No. 58 overall team in the field, placing the Flames as a No. 13 seed facing Louisville and head coach Pat Kelsey in the Round of 64.
Joe Lunardi currently has Liberty as a 14-seed, opening tournament play in Forth Worth against Texas.
After a one-year hiatus and with a retooled roster, can Liberty get back to the Big Dance?
