March Madness is all about the underdogs, the Cinderella stories that capture our hearts every year. From Dunk City to UMBC, we love when the little guys make a splash.
But this year, Miami (Ohio) has found itself in an unusual spotlight. The RedHawks went undefeated in the regular season, only to face a shocking upset in their first game of the Mid-American Conference tournament, falling to No. 8 seed UMass, 87-83.
Now, as Selection Sunday looms, the RedHawks are on edge.
But let’s be clear: Miami deserves a spot in the 68-team NCAA Tournament. Despite a schedule that doesn’t mirror other bubble teams, the RedHawks’ performance speaks volumes.
With a historically weak pool of bubble contenders, many of whom stumbled at season's end, the consensus among bracketologists is that Miami should make the cut. The real debate is whether they’ll play in the First Four or jump straight into the main draw.
Miami’s 31-1 record should be their ticket in, despite the naysayers. Critics, like former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, argue against Miami’s inclusion, pushing for teams like Auburn instead.
Sure, Auburn faced a tough schedule, but finishing 12th in their conference doesn’t scream championship material. Teams like Auburn, Cincinnati, and Indiana had plenty of chances for big wins but often came up short.
Mid-majors like Miami rarely get those opportunities. High-major teams shy away from these matchups, fearing the potential embarrassment of a loss.
Miami didn’t face any Power 4 or Big East teams, had zero Quad 1 games, and just two Quad 2 wins. With a strength of schedule ranked 296th and a few close-call victories, they sit 93rd in KenPom and 64th in NET.
It’s not for lack of trying. Miami reached out to at least 16 Power 4/Big East schools, but got no takers.
This isn’t just Miami’s problem-it’s a broader issue in college basketball. If a team that goes undefeated can be left out of the tournament, what message does that send to mid-majors?
If perfection isn’t enough without a conference title, what’s the point of the regular season?
The selection committee should focus on metrics like Wins Above Bubble (WAB), which Miami excels in with a 1.7, ranking 37th nationally. Compare that to Auburn’s 0.35, SMU’s 0.07, and Indiana’s -0.49, and it’s clear Miami outperformed its schedule. Despite tougher schedules, those teams didn’t capitalize, leaving Miami as the deserving candidate.
Miami also ranks 28th in strength of record, reinforcing their case for a tournament spot. Selection Sunday should be a celebration for the RedHawks, who made the most of their schedule. They’ve earned their place in the spotlight and should be the darlings of a tournament that thrives on celebrating the unexpected.