Miami University (Ohio) has the opportunity to complete a flawless regular season and take a significant step towards securing an NCAA Tournament berth with a win against Ohio in their highly anticipated rivalry game this Friday night. The RedHawks are looking to become the first college basketball team to finish the regular season unbeaten since Gonzaga accomplished the feat in 2021.
Achieving a perfect 31-0 record would alleviate concerns regarding Miami’s at-large tournament credentials. A victory on Friday would mean the RedHawks could afford to lose in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament and still enter Selection Sunday with a favorable Wins Above Bubble (WAB) ranking, likely in the 30s. Historically, no team ranked better than 43rd in this critical metric was excluded from the tournament field last year.
However, a defeat against the Bobcats could complicate Miami’s chances, especially if they also fall early in the MAC Tournament. With a lack of Quad 1 games and only one Quad 2 game played this season, the RedHawks’ predictive metrics profile remains in the 80s, which is not typically reflective of a traditional at-large team, according to services like KenPom and Torvik. Nonetheless, resume-based metrics like WAB could work in Miami’s favor when it comes to selection considerations.
On the same day, several other bubble teams will also be in action, including VCU, UCF, and Seton Hall.
VCU will face Dayton at 7 p.m. (ESPN2) and enters the day among the Last Four In. Winning this game would significantly boost VCU’s at-large hopes, as they aim for a strong showing in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
Meanwhile, UCF will take on West Virginia at 8 p.m. (CBS Sports Network) as a No. 10 seed. Their top-35 resume could remain at-large worthy, but a loss here combined with an early exit in the Big 12 Tournament could leave them near the edge of the cut line.
Seton Hall, playing against No. 19 St. John’s at 9 p.m. (FS1), is currently listed among the First Four Out. A win would improve their chances heading into the Big East Tournament. Yet, they will need more than just this victory, as their only win against a projected at-large team earlier in the season hasn’t provided a secure fallback in their metrics.
As the regular season winds down, teams are acutely aware that every game counts, especially for those on the bubble. Miami’s bid for an undefeated season represents not only a remarkable achievement but also a pathway to greater opportunities in the NCAA Tournament, adding an exciting element to the upcoming games.