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Just over a week ago, former Auburn Tigers head coach and media personality Bruce Pearl suggested that the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks, despite harboring a 30-0 record heading into their regular-season finale, would have to win the MAC Tournament to secure an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
In fact, he was presumably rooting for that to be the only way that the Redhawks got into the tournament, as his son Steven Pearl's Auburn squad was seen as sitting right next to Miami (Ohio) on the bubble.
As it turned out, the Redhawks won their final regular-season game — though they squeaked it out in a 110-108 overtime thriller — and entered the MAC Tournament as the top seed. That led them to a quarterfinals matchup with the UMass Minutemen, a team that they'd beaten by two points at home and nine points on the road.
This time, the result was different, as the Minutemen utilized a 50-point second half to stun the Redhawks, 87-83, and hand them their first loss of the season. It's a nightmare scenario for Miami (Ohio) considering that they aren't necessarily seen as a shoo-in for the NCAA Tournament field despite the undefeated regular season, as they've faced an underwhelming quality of opponents.
Meanwhile, it appears that Pearl has changed his stance on the Redhawks' postseason fate, noting that they indeed should get into the tournament.
"In spite of the recent propaganda I've always been a mid major guy," Pearl wrote in a post on X. "I think a 1 loss Miami of Ohio team should get in! I don't think they are one of the best 37 at large teams, but are 1 of the most deserving. Good for the MAC, Cinderella and March madness."
Normally, a former college basketball head coach, even one in a power conference like Auburn, wouldn't get as much attention as Pearl is getting. But because he ranks within the top 100 in wins among head coaches in college basketball history and is so outspoken on numerous topics, people listen to what he says.
And within Miami (Ohio)'s storybook undefeated season, Pearl had been one of the biggest opposers of their tournament chances. But after a weeks time, and strongly arguing against the situation that just happened with them losing in the MAC Tournament plus saying that they aren't one of the best 37 at-large teams, Pearl now has a different perspective on the Redhawks that he shared loud and clear on social media.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Bruce Pearl changes stance on Miami (Ohio) despite loss in MAC tourney
Continue reading...
In fact, he was presumably rooting for that to be the only way that the Redhawks got into the tournament, as his son Steven Pearl's Auburn squad was seen as sitting right next to Miami (Ohio) on the bubble.
As it turned out, the Redhawks won their final regular-season game — though they squeaked it out in a 110-108 overtime thriller — and entered the MAC Tournament as the top seed. That led them to a quarterfinals matchup with the UMass Minutemen, a team that they'd beaten by two points at home and nine points on the road.
This time, the result was different, as the Minutemen utilized a 50-point second half to stun the Redhawks, 87-83, and hand them their first loss of the season. It's a nightmare scenario for Miami (Ohio) considering that they aren't necessarily seen as a shoo-in for the NCAA Tournament field despite the undefeated regular season, as they've faced an underwhelming quality of opponents.
Meanwhile, it appears that Pearl has changed his stance on the Redhawks' postseason fate, noting that they indeed should get into the tournament.
"In spite of the recent propaganda I've always been a mid major guy," Pearl wrote in a post on X. "I think a 1 loss Miami of Ohio team should get in! I don't think they are one of the best 37 at large teams, but are 1 of the most deserving. Good for the MAC, Cinderella and March madness."
Normally, a former college basketball head coach, even one in a power conference like Auburn, wouldn't get as much attention as Pearl is getting. But because he ranks within the top 100 in wins among head coaches in college basketball history and is so outspoken on numerous topics, people listen to what he says.
And within Miami (Ohio)'s storybook undefeated season, Pearl had been one of the biggest opposers of their tournament chances. But after a weeks time, and strongly arguing against the situation that just happened with them losing in the MAC Tournament plus saying that they aren't one of the best 37 at-large teams, Pearl now has a different perspective on the Redhawks that he shared loud and clear on social media.
Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Bruce Pearl changes stance on Miami (Ohio) despite loss in MAC tourney
Continue reading...
