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Former Auburn Tigers men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl said Wednesday he’s still unsure if the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks are a shoo-in for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament if they don’t earn an automatic selection.
The RedHawks moved to 30-0 on Tuesday night and clinched a share of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular-season title. The 19th ranked team is the only Division I men’s team still undefeated. Seven of their wins were by three points or less and three of their wins came in overtime. Miami has not played any ranked opponents.
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Bruce Pearl walks on the field before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on September 27, 2025. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
It’s the RedHawks’ resume that seemed to give Pearl pause despite being a fan of Miami head coach Travis Steele and the work he’s done with the mid-major program.
“What Miami of Ohio has done has been incredible and the questions start like this: ‘Are we picking the 37 best overall teams or are we picking the 37 most deserving?’ “Miami of Ohio is one of the most deserving countries to get into the NCAA tournament,” Pearl said on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich.” “Do I think they are one of the best 37 teams? No. That is my opinion and it is not personal.
Miami (OH) RedHawks head coach Travis Steele works the sideline against the Ohio Bobcats in the second half at Millett Hall on February 13, 2026. (Aaron Doster/Image Images)
“Look, that’s what makes this time of year so fun. We’re entitled to our opinions, and of course they’ll get a chance to show it on the court. I think Travis Steele has done an incredible job. I think putting in the effort every night and winning all those close games — what a season, what chemistry. But I’m not sure Akron isn’t the best team in the MAC at the end of the day.”
The Zips are 25-5 this season with a 16-1 record in the MAC. It is very possible that the team upsets Miami in the conference tournament. Akron played a top 25 team, No. 2 Purdue, but lost.
“Akron had a tougher schedule,” Pearl added. “Akron is a little more battle-tested. They have a little more size. If that becomes that matchup, it will be an interesting matchup. These are not knocks against Miami of Ohio.”
Miami (OH) guard Peter Suder, center, and the team celebrate the regular season trophy at the conclusion of an NCAA college basketball game against Toledo, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
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The rest of the season still has to happen. Miami has one more regular season game on the schedule before the conference tournament begins.
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