One of the great stories this season in college basketball is Miami (Ohio). The RedHawks are 29-0 as the regular season enters its final week before the conference tournament gets underway.
The thing is, now that it’s March, anything is possible at any time. Upsets happen, and that’s the beauty of this month. Power conferences get the most teams in the 68-team field, and small conferences like the MAC tend to only get one, the conference tournament champion. However, this season is unique in that Miami (Ohio) could get an at-large berth if it loses in the MAC Tournament.
Former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl recently said on TNT that the RedHawks were going to have to win their way into the 68-team NCAA Tournament field by winning the MAC Tournament. Those comments struck a nerve with Miami of Ohio’s athletic director, who fired back at Pearl.
Miami (Ohio) AD Fires Back at Bruce Pearl Over Comments
Pearl, during a broadcast, said the following about Miami (Ohio) was going to have to win their way into the NCAA Tournament, rather than rely on an at-large bid, should they fall in the conference tournament.
“Miami (Ohio), here’s the deal,” said Pearl. “Are we selecting the 68 most deserving teams? Or are we going to select the 68 best teams? If we’re selecting the 68 best teams, then Miami (Ohio) is going to have to win their tournament to qualify as a champion. Because as an at-large, they are not one of the best teams in the country. And that’s going to be a difficult choice for the committee to make.”
Those comments didn’t sit well with Miami (Ohio) AD David Sayler. On Monday, he responded to those comments and even called out Pearl and took a shot at him on X.
“@coachbrucepearl u are flat out wrong about @MiamiOH_BBall when u say we would finish last in the Big East. The disrespect is awful and u should not be near a TV studio covering this sport when u show your true colors! Even slipped in a ‘we’ when talking about Auburn, nice work!”
It should be noted that Pearl stepped away from Auburn after last year’s tournament run, and the program is now coached by his son, Steven. The Tigers are currently squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Miami (Ohio) Has Two Games Remaining Before MAC Tournament
The RedHawks have two regular-season games remaining. They host Toledo on Tuesday night, then travel to Ohio on Friday night. If they win both of those games, they finish 31-0 heading into the MAC Tournament next weekend.
Even if they slip up in their conference tournament, it’s going to be very difficult to keep them out of the NCAA Tournament if they win their final two games. No matter what conference you’re in, to go undefeated is no easy feat in college basketball.
Auburn is on the bubble, and it makes you wonder if Pearl was setting the stage for his son’s team to get an at-large bid if it came down to the two schools. Regardless, Miami (Ohio) and Sayler made it clear that they heard Pearl’s comments and were not happy.
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