The NCAA Tournament is always a treasure trove of storylines, and this year, the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks are grabbing headlines. They're the last undefeated team in college basketball, sitting pretty at 28-0, and chasing that elusive perfect season.
However, there's a twist in this tale. Despite their flawless record, the RedHawks aren't guaranteed an at-large bid if they falter in the MAC Tournament. It's a head-scratcher, considering their stellar performance, but the selection process can be unpredictable.
In the latest bracketology from On3, the Iowa Hawkeyes have climbed to a No. 6 seed, a step up from what ESPN and USA TODAY Sports have projected. This rise sets up an intriguing potential matchup against Miami (OH), who On3 has pegged as a No. 11 seed.
Here's how the bracket for Iowa's region shapes up:
- No. 1 UConn vs.
No. 16 LIU
- No. 8 Miami vs.
No. 9 Georgia
- No. 5 Arkansas vs.
No. 12 South Florida
- No. 4 Kansas vs.
No. 13 High Point
- No. 6 Iowa vs.
No. 11 Miami (OH)
- No. 3 Virginia vs.
No. 14 Navy
- No. 7 Kentucky vs.
No. 10 Clemson
- No. 2 Purdue vs.
No. 15 ETSU
The potential clash between Iowa and Miami (OH) promises to be a fascinating contrast in styles. The RedHawks are all about speed and scoring, averaging nearly 92 points per game with impressive shooting stats-53% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. It's a high-octane approach that stands in stark contrast to Iowa's more measured pace.
This matchup could be one of the tournament's most exciting, with Miami (OH) looking to prove they belong among the elite, regardless of their seeding.