Miami (Ohio)’s Undefeated Season Ends in Upset Loss to UMass

The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, ranked No. 20 and boasting a perfect 31-0 record, suffered their first loss of the season on Thursday, falling 87-83 to UMass in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament. The defeat eliminates Miami (Ohio) from automatic qualification for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, leaving their tournament hopes dependent on an at-large bid.

A Shocking End to a Historic Run

The loss marks a stunning end to Miami (Ohio)’s remarkable season, during which they became just the fifth Division I men’s basketball program this century to complete an undefeated regular season. They joined Gonzaga (2020-21) as the only teams in recent years to enter their conference tournament with a perfect record. The RedHawks were the first squad since Gonzaga in 2020-21 to not have a loss going into a conference tournament.

Game Recap: UMass Prevails in a Tight Contest

The quarterfinal game featured 12 lead changes and 10 ties, highlighting the competitive nature of the matchup. UMass secured the victory with a late surge, capped by a tiebreaking layup from Daniel Hankins-Sanford with 29 seconds remaining. Marcus Banks Jr. Sealed the win with a pair of free throws in the final seconds, finishing with 18 points and a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the free-throw line. Leonardo Bettiol led UMass with 25 points, having totaled 65 points across three games against Miami (Ohio) this season.

Rebounding and Paint Dominance Key to UMass Victory

While Miami (Ohio) connected on 12 three-pointers, UMass controlled the game through rebounding and interior scoring. The Minutemen finished with 41 rebounds to Miami (Ohio)’s 24, resulting in a significant 24-point advantage in the paint. UMass also recorded 17 offensive rebounds, creating numerous second-chance opportunities.

What’s Next for Miami (Ohio)? Selection Sunday Awaits

Despite the loss, Miami (Ohio) coach Travis Steele believes his team has earned an NCAA tournament berth. “Our guys have earned the right, in my opinion, to play in the NCAA tournament,” Steele told reporters. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi discussed the potential fallout for Miami (Ohio) in the NCAA tournament. The RedHawks will now await Selection Sunday to learn their fate, hoping their 31-1 record and strong NET ranking (54th before the defeat, according to Fox Sports) will be enough to secure an at-large bid. Prior to the loss, NCAA.com’s Andy Katz had projected the RedHawks as a No. 10 seed.

UMass Advances in the MAC Tournament

UMass (17-15) advances to the second round of the MAC tournament, where they will face the winner of the matchup between Bowling Green and Toledo.