Undefeated Miami (Ohio) Faces Uphill Battle for March Madness Bid

Despite a perfect 29-0 record, the RedHawks may miss the NCAA tournament due to weak strength of schedule.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 3:39pm

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The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks have been the feel-good story of the college basketball season, entering the final stretch of the regular season undefeated at 29-0. However, their impressive record may not be enough to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, as advanced analytics suggest the team's strength of schedule and overall quality may not measure up to other bubble teams.

Why it matters

Miami (Ohio)'s potential exclusion from the NCAA tournament despite an undefeated record highlights the complexities of the selection process, which goes beyond just win-loss records and emphasizes factors like strength of schedule and advanced metrics. This could disappoint fans who have rallied behind the RedHawks' Cinderella run, and raises questions about how the tournament committee evaluates mid-major programs.

The details

According to the respected KenPom college basketball rating system, Miami (Ohio) is ranked 87th in the country, well outside the top 64 teams. This is despite the RedHawks' perfect 29-0 record, which includes a win over conference rival Akron. The analytics suggest Miami (Ohio)'s weak schedule has inflated their record, and they may be viewed as less deserving of an at-large bid compared to teams with more impressive resumes, even if they have a few more losses.

  • The RedHawks have two regular season games remaining before the Mid-American Conference tournament.
  • The NCAA tournament selection committee will announce the field of 68 teams on Selection Sunday, March 17, 2026.

The players

Miami (Ohio) RedHawks

The men's basketball team from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, who are currently 29-0 and the leaders of the Mid-American Conference.

Akron Zips

The men's basketball team from the University of Akron, who are ranked higher than Miami (Ohio) in the KenPom ratings despite having more losses.

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What they’re saying

“Although it would seem impossible that the RedHawks could miss March Madness with a 29-0 record that has them ranked No. 19 in the country, it might be more likely than you think.”

— Tyler Erzberger, Author

What’s next

The RedHawks will need to win their final two regular season games and then capture the Mid-American Conference tournament title to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. If they fail to win the conference tournament, their fate will be in the hands of the selection committee, who may opt to leave them out in favor of teams with more impressive resumes.

The takeaway

Miami (Ohio)'s undefeated season has captured the imagination of college basketball fans, but the team's weak strength of schedule may ultimately prevent them from dancing in March Madness. This highlights the challenges mid-major programs face in earning at-large bids, even with gaudy win-loss records, and the importance of scheduling and advanced analytics in the tournament selection process.