As we roll into February, the landscape of men’s college basketball has thinned out at the top - and only two teams remain undefeated. One of them?
No surprise: the Arizona Wildcats. Ranked No. 1 in the country and looking every bit the part, Arizona moved to 22-0 with a convincing 87-74 win over in-state rival Arizona State.
But the other unbeaten? That one’s turning heads - and not just because of the record.
Meet the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks. Yes, that Miami.
The No. 24-ranked squad out of the MAC just improved to 22-0 after dismantling Northern Illinois, 85-61. It’s not just that they’re winning - it’s how they’re doing it.
With authority. With consistency.
And with a swagger that’s starting to feel very real.
Now, let’s be honest: the RedHawks’ path to perfection hasn’t exactly mirrored Arizona’s. That’s not a knock - it’s just the reality of playing in the MAC, a conference that doesn’t offer the same top-tier opposition you’d find in, say, the Pac-12 or Big Ten. Miami (Ohio) hasn’t faced a single AP-ranked opponent this season, and there’s not one on the horizon in their remaining regular-season schedule.
That’s going to matter when Selection Sunday rolls around. The NCAA Tournament committee weighs strength of schedule heavily, and while an unbeaten record is eye-catching, it’s not everything. If Miami stumbles late - even once or twice - it could complicate their seeding, or worse, raise questions about their tournament viability altogether.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s still something special happening in Oxford, Ohio.
The RedHawks are not just beating teams - they’re dominating them. They’re one of only two teams in the MAC with fewer than three conference losses, and they’ve taken care of business every single night. That kind of consistency is rare at any level, and for a program like Miami (Ohio), it’s almost unprecedented.
Before this season, the RedHawks had only cracked the AP Top 25 in four seasons - and not since 1998-99. They haven’t danced in the NCAA Tournament since 2006-07.
And in total? Just 17 tournament appearances in program history.
This is new territory. And it’s not a fluke - it’s the result of steady, deliberate growth under head coach Travis Steele.
In his fourth year at the helm, Steele has overseen a transformation. Year one: 12-20.
Year two: 15-17. Year three: 25-9.
And now? 22-0 and counting.
The RedHawks are playing with confidence, purpose, and a chip on their shoulder that’s starting to feel dangerous.
Sure, questions remain. The strength of schedule conversation isn’t going away.
But what’s undeniable is this: Miami (Ohio) is winning - every single game. And in a sport where chaos is king and upsets are weekly rituals, that’s something worth paying attention to.
So while Arizona continues to roll with the expectations of a national title contender, Miami (Ohio) is writing a different kind of story - one built on belief, growth, and the kind of season that could redefine what’s possible for a mid-major on the rise.
The RedHawks are unbeaten. And until someone proves otherwise, they belong in the conversation.