The undefeated Miami RedHawks, the Mid-American Conference regular-season champions and 19th-ranked team in the country, defeated their archrival Ohio Bobcats in overtime, 110-108, to improve to 31-0 and complete a perfect regular season.
The RedHawks, the only unbeaten Div. I men’s basketball team, enter the MAC tournament as the top seed, needing three wins to earn the league’s NCAA tournament automatic bid.
The RedHawks open the conference tourney Thurs., March 12, at 11 a.m. Eastern, against UMass.
“Let’s be honest. We’ve never had a scenario quite like this,” ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi said of the RedHawks. “I just still can’t imagine the selection committee leaving out a 31-0 team that loses in their conference tournament.”
Head coach Travis Steele told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt that he believes the RedHawks can be a second-weekend team in the NCAA tournament. Steele confirmed after Miami’s 31st win in 31 games that he intends to wear a Speedo at the team’s Selection Sunday watch party.
Chris Bassitt, a former Akron pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles, said March 6 he’d have a tough time picking the Zips to beat the RedHawks in the MAC tourney.
Social media reactions to the RedHawks’ 31st win in 31 games:
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Miami RedHawks reach 31-0, complete perfect regular season | Reactions
Reporting by Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
