First Four Showdown: Even at 31-1 - Miami (Ohio) Has Everything to Prove in the NCAA Tournament

March Madness is the ultimate proving ground for college basketball teams. In the single-elimination NCAA Tournament, there are no second chances; one loss and the season is over. Yet, it seems like one team in the tournament has even more to prove than everyone else, and it’s the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks.

Over the last couple of months, the RedHawks have been one of college basketball’s best stories, as well as one of its most controversial teams. During the regular season, Miami was among the most exciting teams, averaging over 90 points per game. The RedHawks also finished the regular season with a perfect 31-0 record.

But because they play in the MAC and didn’t play any power-conference teams during their non-conference schedule, fans and pundits questioned whether they belonged in the Big Dance. See our odds to win the NCAA Tournament and get a better picture of the top-tier favorites.

Getting a Chance

After losing to UMass in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament, the RedHawks not only saw their perfect season end, but they also failed to earn their conference’s automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament. They had to sweat it out on Selection Sunday with the rest of the bubble teams, hoping to be invited into the field of 68. Miami ended up being one of the last at-large teams selected for the NCAA Tournament, forcing them to play a First Four game Wednesday night against the SMU Mustangs.

Despite already winning 31 games this season, the RedHawks have to win at least one more to show that they actually belong on the big stage. A loss to SMU would serve as proof that the skeptics were right and that Miami’s spot should have gone to a power-conference team that had an underwhelming record but played a much harder schedule. 

In that sense, the RedHawks are not just representing themselves on Wednesday night. They are playing on behalf of every mid-major team that gets overlooked. A win will help show that Miami’s 31-0 start to the season was no fluke and that mid-major teams that post impressive records during the regular season deserve a chance in the NCAA Tournament.

Unfortunately, those 31 wins haven’t been enough for some people; the RedHawks still need to prove their worthiness by beating SMU and setting up another opportunity to prove themselves against Tennessee in the First Round.

Outside Support

After getting a spot in the field of 68, Miami has had no shortage of detractors. Bruce Pearl, whose former team, Auburn, was among the top teams left out of the NCAA Tournament, has been among Miami’s biggest critics. However, the RedHawks have also received support from a surprising source, Andy Enfield, the coach of SMU, who is preparing to play Miami on Wednesday.

“I think they deserve to be in the tournament. They went 31-0. Some (referring to Miami critics like Pearl) just need to be quiet on air sometimes. I think Miami of Ohio deserves to be there. They're an outstanding team,” Enfield said on Selection Sunday. “You go 31-0 at that level of college basketball, you deserve to be there. We're certainly not going to take them lightly because they're not in a power conference. But they're an outstanding basketball team.”

Of course, Enfield knows all about small-conference teams fighting for respect. In 2013, he coached Florida Gulf Coast to the Sweet 16 as a no. 15 seed. Ironically, he now coaches an ACC team that made the NCAA Tournament despite being 8-10 in conference play.

It’ll be Enfield’s team trying to prove that mediocre power-conference teams are more deserving of NCAA Tournament spots than standout mid-majors like Miami.

An Uphill Battle

Even with a 31-0 regular season, it wasn’t easy for Miami to get an opportunity to play in the First Four. It remains an uphill battle for the RedHawks, who are 7.5-point underdogs on Wednesday at Caesars Sportsbook. The SMU team that went just 30-13 during the season is a clear favorite to beat the 31-1 RedHawks.

Despite the doubters and the skeptics, Miami deserves to have a chance in the NCAA Tournament. The RedHawks have that chance on Wednesday, and they will make the most of their opportunity. I’m backing Miami to keep this game close and beat the 7.5-point spread, perhaps even pulling off an upset that will quiet the haters.

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