NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Former Auburn Tigers men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl said Wednesday he still doesn’t know whether the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks will be a lock for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament if they fail to secure an automatic selection.
The RedHawks improved to 30-0 on Tuesday night and clinched a share of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular season title. The No. 19 ranked team is the only Division I men’s team still undefeated. Seven of their victories were by three points or less and three of their victories came in overtime. Miami has not played any ranked opponents.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
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 was the RedHawks’ resume that seemed to give Pearl pause, even though he’s a fan of Miami head coach Travis Steele and the work he’s done with the Mid-Major program.
“What Miami, Ohio, has done has been incredible and the questions start like, ‘Do we pick the 37 best overall teams or do we pick the 37 most deserving?’ Miami of Ohio is one of the most deserving to make the NCAA Tournament,” Pearl said on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich.” “Do I think they are a top 37 team? No. That’s my opinion and it’s 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/Imagn 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 play them out on the field. I think Travis Steele has done an incredible job. I think doing it every night and winning all these 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 mark in the MAC. The team could very well upset Miami in the conference tournament. Akron played a top 25 team, No. 2 Purdue, but lost.
“Akron played a tougher schedule,” Pearl added. “Akron is a little more battle tested. They have a little more size. If this is going to be that game, it’s going to be an interesting game. It’s no knock on Miami of Ohio.”
Miami (OH) guard Peter Suder, center, and team celebrate the regular season trophy at the end of an NCAA college basketball game against Toledo, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Oxford, Ohio. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
The rest of the season still has to be played out. Miami has one more regular season game on the schedule before the conference tournament begins.
Related article
