TNT and CBS college basketball analyst Bruce Pearl had emerged as a critic of the 19th-ranked Miami RedHawks by suggesting that they wouldn’t be as deserving of an NCAA tournament at-large bid as some teams from power conferences.
After the RedHawks edged Ohio in overtime to improve to 31-0 and complete an undefeated regular season, Pearl tweeted about Miami in congratulatory fashion.
“History made!” Pearl tweeted. “What a game, what a regular season! First team since Gonzaga in 2021 to go undefeated! Ten last possession wins so far!”
Miami director of athletics David Sayler slammed Pearl via Twitter/X while explaining that the RedHawks tried to schedule tougher non-conference opponents but couldn’t.
“I like Bruce (Pearl). Bruce is a great guy,” Steele said of Pearl. “But I’m not calling Bruce and asking him for his opinion on our team. All respect to Bruce, he’s a way better coach than I’ll ever be. He’s a Hall of Famer. … But we control our own destiny.”
After the win in Athens, Steele confirmed that he still intends to wear a Speedo at the team’s NCAA tournament Selection Sunday watch party.
“Let’s be honest. We’ve never had a scenario quite like this,” ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi said earlier in the week. “I just still can’t imagine the selection committee leaving out a 31-0 team that loses in their conference tournament.”
The RedHawks are the No. 1 seed in the MAC tournament, and will face eighth-seeded UMass in the first game of the day, Thurs., March 12 at 11 a.m. Eastern.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bruce Pearl celebrates Miami RedHawks’ undefeated regular season
Reporting by Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
