Unbeaten Miami (Ohio) Chases MAC Title as Conference Tournaments Heat Up

The RedHawks enter the Mid-American Conference Tournament with a perfect 31-0 record, but face skepticism from advanced metrics.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Miami University of Ohio arrives at the MAC Tournament in Cleveland carrying one of the most remarkable records in college basketball this season. The RedHawks enter the event with a perfect 31–0 mark after completing an undefeated run through conference play, a feat that has not been accomplished in the league for nearly 70 years. Despite their perfect record and a growing national following, Miami still faces skepticism from some of the advanced statistical models that play a role in shaping the NCAA Tournament field.

Why it matters

Miami's undefeated season has made them a compelling storyline amid the typical power conference tournaments, but their lack of a challenging schedule has led some analysts to question whether they can truly measure up against the nation's elite teams. As the top seed in the MAC Tournament, the RedHawks must continue winning to secure an NCAA Tournament berth.

The details

The RedHawks became only the third team in MAC history to finish the regular season without a loss in conference play. However, their NET ranking of 55th and low KenPom rating have led to doubts about their ability to compete at the national level. Head coach Travis Steele argues that Miami simply played the schedule available to them, with many of those games arranged years earlier when the program was still rebuilding.

  • Miami University of Ohio completed an undefeated 31-0 regular season.
  • The RedHawks will begin their MAC Tournament run on Thursday, March 13, 2026.

The players

Miami University of Ohio

A college basketball program that has completed an undefeated 31-0 regular season in the Mid-American Conference, becoming only the third team in league history to do so.

Travis Steele

The head coach of the Miami University of Ohio basketball team, who has overseen the program's rebuilding process over the past four seasons and led them to a perfect regular season record.

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What they’re saying

“I knew when we started this process it was going to be a complete rebuild. Our focus from the beginning was building it the right way — slowly and steadily — so we could create a foundation that would last.”

— Travis Steele, Head Coach, Miami University of Ohio (yournews.com)

“Our goal isn't just to win games. Our goal is to reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Once you get there, anything can happen.”

— Travis Steele, Head Coach, Miami University of Ohio (yournews.com)

What’s next

As the top seed, Miami will begin its MAC Tournament run on Thursday, March 13, 2026 against eighth-seeded UMass. The RedHawks must continue winning the conference tournament to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Miami's undefeated season has made them a Cinderella story in college basketball, but their lack of a challenging schedule has led to doubts about their ability to compete at the national level. The RedHawks must prove themselves in the MAC Tournament to earn an NCAA Tournament berth and the chance to make a deep run.