Miami (Ohio) Finds Itself on the Bubble After MAC Tournament Exit
The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, ranked No. 20 by the Associated Press, have stirred up debate regarding their NCAA Tournament prospects following a surprising exit in the MAC Championship quarterfinals. Despite a stellar regular season record of 31-1, including an 18-0 sweep in the MAC, their 87-83 loss to the Massachusetts Minutemen has left them anxiously awaiting Selection Sunday.
The RedHawks struggled significantly on the boards, losing the rebounding battle 41-24 to Massachusetts. The Minutemen dominated with 17 offensive rebounds, which proved crucial in their upset victory. This performance, coupled with recent narrow escapes, casts doubt on Miami's tournament chances despite their near-perfect season.
Looking at the advanced metrics, Miami ranks No. 93 in KenPom and No. 54 in NET, which places them behind other bubble teams. However, they might find some solace in the fact that their competition for at-large bids also faced early exits in their respective conference tournaments. Teams like Stanford, California, and SMU in the ACC, Texas in the SEC, Indiana in the Big Ten, and Cincinnati in the Big 12 all stumbled, which could play to Miami’s advantage.
It would be unfortunate if Miami's single loss overshadowed their impressive season. Known for their exceptional shooting ability, the RedHawks have proven they can compete with any team in Division I. Excluding them from the tournament could send a discouraging message to mid-major programs.
As reported by Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Eisenberg, over 75 teams declined to play Miami this season, wary of the potential upset risk despite the RedHawks' perceived lower ranking. This trend of power conference teams avoiding strong mid-majors could have significant implications on the selection process for at-large bids, potentially limiting opportunities for deserving teams.
Miami had a chance to secure their spot with a MAC Championship win but now must endure the uncertainty leading up to Sunday. The RedHawks’ fate hangs in the balance, and their journey to March Madness remains uncertain.