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Marquette Today
By the People, for the People
Miami (OH) tried to schedule major programs — New details show why it didn't happen
The RedHawks wanted the best in 2025-26, but got shut out
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
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Miami (OH), the nation's lone unbeaten team in Division I men's basketball at 30-0, says it tried to schedule a far more challenging non-conference slate, but was unable to do so. Emails obtained through an open records request show the RedHawks contacted more than 20 programs during the offseason, including Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Marquette, Kansas, Ohio State and BYU, in an effort to face top-tier opponents. However, according to athletic director David Sayler, the lack of top opponents came from the other end of the conversations, as the 'system is set up for the power conference schools' who can play mostly home games and neutral sites.
Why it matters
Miami's season has drawn many options ahead of the NCAA Tournament, with the team entering Thursday ranked 53rd in the NET and 88th in KenPom, and its non-conference schedule ranked No. 360 by KenPom. The lack of high-profile opponents on their schedule has led to criticism, despite the team remaining unbeaten entering the final game of the season.
The details
Emails obtained by Extra Points' Matt Brown through an open records request show Miami contacted more than 20 programs during the offseason while attempting to schedule top-tier opponents. Among the schools the RedHawks reached out to were Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Marquette, Kansas, Ohio State and BYU. However, according to athletic director David Sayler, the lack of top opponents came from the other end of the conversations, as the 'system is set up for the power conference schools' who can play mostly home games and neutral sites.
- Miami (OH) entered Thursday's game at 30-0 on the season.
The players
David Sayler
The athletic director of Miami (OH) who stated that the lack of top opponents on their schedule came from the other end of the conversations, as the 'system is set up for the power conference schools'.
Bruce Pearl
The head coach of Auburn who believes Auburn should go ahead of the unbeaten Miami (OH) RedHawks in the NCAA Tournament despite having 12 losses on the season.
What they’re saying
“The system is set up for the power conference schools. They can play mostly home games and neutral sites. We're willing to go on the road, but when teams won't schedule you early and then people criticize your resume later, it's a double-edged sword.”
— David Sayler, Athletic Director, Miami (OH) (On3)
What’s next
Miami (OH) will enter the MAC Tournament as the lone unbeaten team in Division I men's basketball, and is widely expected to receive an NCAA Tournament bid despite the criticism over their non-conference schedule.
The takeaway
This case highlights the challenges mid-major programs face in scheduling high-profile non-conference opponents, as the 'system is set up for the power conference schools.' Despite Miami (OH)'s efforts to build a more challenging schedule, they were unable to do so, leading to criticism of their resume ahead of the NCAA Tournament, even as they remain unbeaten.
