Miami RedHawks' Undefeated Season Hurt by Weak Schedule, Says Analyst

CBS Sports' Pete Gillen believes Miami's No. 350 strength of schedule could hurt their NCAA Tournament chances.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Miami RedHawks are one of just two undefeated Division I basketball teams this season, but CBS Sports analyst Pete Gillen believes their No. 350 strength of schedule ranking could hurt their chances of earning an at-large NCAA Tournament bid if they lose in the MAC Tournament. Gillen praised the job head coach Travis Steele has done, but said the RedHawks' weak schedule is a "big red flag" that will make the selection committee hesitant to include them in the field of 68.

Why it matters

Miami's undefeated record and high national ranking have made them a potential Cinderella story, but the NCAA Tournament selection committee typically favors teams with stronger schedules. Gillen's comments suggest the RedHawks may need to win their conference tournament to secure an automatic bid, as their weak non-conference slate could prevent them from earning an at-large berth.

The details

The RedHawks are 21-0 on the season, tied with No. 1 Arizona as the only remaining undefeated Division I teams. However, their strength of schedule ranks 350th out of 363 Division I programs, a fact that Gillen believes will be a "big red flag" for the selection committee.

  • The RedHawks are currently 21-0 on the 2026-27 season.

The players

Pete Gillen

A CBS Sports college basketball analyst and former head coach of the Xavier Musketeers.

Travis Steele

The head coach of the Miami RedHawks, who Gillen praised for the job he has done with the team.

Miami RedHawks

The undefeated Division I men's basketball team from Miami University in Ohio.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“That (strength of schedule) is gonna really hurt them. Great team. Travis Steele's done an unbelievable job. But (No.) 350 strength of schedule - they're gonna look at that.”

— Pete Gillen, CBS Sports Analyst

“I think they should go. Yeah, Miami should get in. But the thing - 350 strength of schedule - that jumps out to you like a big red flag. I mean, I love Travis Steele. I love what he's doing at Miami of Ohio. But 350, to me you look at that and say I don't know.”

— Pete Gillen, CBS Sports Analyst

What’s next

The RedHawks will need to continue their undefeated season and win the MAC Tournament to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, as their weak non-conference schedule may prevent them from earning an at-large berth.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges mid-major programs can face in earning NCAA Tournament bids, even when they have an outstanding regular season record. The selection committee often prioritizes strength of schedule, which could work against the RedHawks despite their perfect record.