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ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi addressed the unique situation the 19th-ranked, 30-0 Miami RedHawks present as they enter the Mid-American Conference tournament as the top seed, seeking the league's automatic bid.
What if the RedHawks lose in the MAC tourney? Will the selection committee decide they deserve an at-large bid?
"Let's be honest. We've never had a scenario quite like this," Lunardi said March 5. "Even with prior undefeated teams, all of which were good enough to be high seeds, (No.) 1 seeds, in fact in the NCAA tournament. Their strength of schedule (315th) is even worse in the non-conference, and it includes multiple non-Div. I wins. I just still can't imagine the selection committee leaving out a 31-0 team that loses in their conference tournament."
"We'll see if they lose tomorrow night - it's a rivalry game," Lunardi continued. "And if they lose again in Cleveland at the Mid-American tournament? Might be a different conversation, but I don't think so. And if Miami wins out, I see them in an 8 (vs.) 9 game."
Earlier in the week, when college basketball analyst Bruce Pearl suggested that teams from the nation's power conferences are more deserving than the RedHawks, Lunardi said Pearl should leave Bracketology to the professionals.
RedHawks head coach Travis Steele told ESPN's Scott Van Pelt he believes Miami can be a second-weekend team in the NCAA tournament.
NBA star Damian Lillard tweeted that he's not sure why the RedHawks wouldn't receive a bid.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ESPN Bracketologist Lunardi says Miami RedHawks' case is unprecedented
Continue reading...
What if the RedHawks lose in the MAC tourney? Will the selection committee decide they deserve an at-large bid?
"Let's be honest. We've never had a scenario quite like this," Lunardi said March 5. "Even with prior undefeated teams, all of which were good enough to be high seeds, (No.) 1 seeds, in fact in the NCAA tournament. Their strength of schedule (315th) is even worse in the non-conference, and it includes multiple non-Div. I wins. I just still can't imagine the selection committee leaving out a 31-0 team that loses in their conference tournament."
"We'll see if they lose tomorrow night - it's a rivalry game," Lunardi continued. "And if they lose again in Cleveland at the Mid-American tournament? Might be a different conversation, but I don't think so. And if Miami wins out, I see them in an 8 (vs.) 9 game."
Earlier in the week, when college basketball analyst Bruce Pearl suggested that teams from the nation's power conferences are more deserving than the RedHawks, Lunardi said Pearl should leave Bracketology to the professionals.
RedHawks head coach Travis Steele told ESPN's Scott Van Pelt he believes Miami can be a second-weekend team in the NCAA tournament.
NBA star Damian Lillard tweeted that he's not sure why the RedHawks wouldn't receive a bid.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ESPN Bracketologist Lunardi says Miami RedHawks' case is unprecedented
Continue reading...
