Bruce Pearl Backtracks on Miami (Ohio) NCAA Tournament Bid

Former Auburn coach initially dismissed RedHawks' at-large chances before changing tune after pushback.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:19pm

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Bruce Pearl, the former Auburn basketball coach turned analyst, initially dismissed Miami (Ohio) University's chances of earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, claiming they were not one of the 68 best teams in the country. However, after receiving significant pushback, Pearl backtracked on his comments and declared that Miami (Ohio) should be in the tournament field, even suggesting another MAC team, Akron, could also earn a bid by winning its conference tournament.

Why it matters

Pearl's comments highlighted the ongoing debate around how the NCAA Tournament selection committee should evaluate teams - focusing on the 68 most deserving teams versus the 68 best teams. His initial dismissal of Miami (Ohio)'s chances, despite their strong regular season record, sparked criticism and forced him to reconsider his stance, underscoring the subjectivity involved in the selection process.

The details

Miami (Ohio) entered Selection Sunday with a 31-1 record but lost in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament. Despite Pearl's initial doubts, the RedHawks were ultimately selected as one of the Last Four In teams, earning a First Four play-in game against SMU. Meanwhile, Pearl's former team, Auburn, found itself among the First Four Out, despite beating several conference champions during the regular season.

  • On Feb. 28, Pearl dismissed Miami (Ohio)'s at-large chances on TNT.
  • A week later, after receiving pushback, Pearl changed his tune and said Miami (Ohio) should be in the tournament.
  • On Selection Sunday, March 15, 2026, Miami (Ohio) was announced as one of the Last Four In teams.

The players

Bruce Pearl

Former Auburn basketball coach who is now an analyst, initially dismissed Miami (Ohio)'s NCAA Tournament chances before backtracking on his comments.

Miami (Ohio) University

A mid-major college basketball program that earned an at-large bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament despite Pearl's initial doubts about their worthiness.

Akron

Another MAC basketball program that Pearl suggested could earn an NCAA Tournament bid by winning its conference tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Congratulations to both SMU and Miami of Ohio, but that's bad news for the rest of the bubble.”

— Bruce Pearl, Analyst

“With Miami-Ohio, here's the deal. Are we going to select the 68 most deserving teams, or are we going to select the 68 best teams? If we're selecting the 68 best teams, Miami (Ohio) is gonna have to win their Tournament to qualify as a champion. As an at-large, they are not one of the best teams in the country. That's going to be a difficult choice for the committee to make.”

— Bruce Pearl, Analyst

“(Miami of Ohio) might not be the best team in the MAC, it might be Akron – it might be the Zips! Five years in a row they've won 22-plus games. … They play fast, they're God-oriented – I'm rooting for Akron to make the upset, that way two teams make the NCAA Tournament out of the MAC. … I'm putting Miami of Ohio in. They're in!”

— Bruce Pearl, Analyst

What’s next

The NCAA Tournament First Four play-in game between Miami (Ohio) and SMU will take place on Tuesday, March 18, 2026 in Dayton, Ohio.

The takeaway

Bruce Pearl's evolving stance on Miami (Ohio)'s NCAA Tournament chances highlights the subjective nature of the selection process and the ongoing debate around whether the committee should prioritize the 68 most deserving teams or the 68 best teams. This case underscores the importance of objective criteria and transparency in the selection of at-large bids.