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Miami (Ohio) basketball improves to 20-0, makes MAC history in Kent State win
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- Miami (Ohio) basketball improves to 20-0, makes MAC history in Kent State win
Miami (Ohio) basketball made MAC history on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and is on track to be among the top non-Power Four contenders come March Madness time.
The RedHawks (20-0, 8-0), who received 19 votes in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, improved to 20-0 with their 107-101 overtime win over Kent State behind a near-triple double performance by Peter Suder , who scored 27 points with 10 rebounds and eight assists in the win.
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The win marks the best start ever by a MAC program, as Miami is now 8-0 in conference play. The RedHawks have a long way to go before the NCAA tournament starts and are currently ranked No. 52 in the NCAA's Net Rankings , but an at-large bid could potentially be in their sights if they keep at its current pace.
Kent State took a 92-88 lead on a 29-foot 3-point shot by Cian Medley with 57 seconds left in the second half. Suder then responded with a layup before Luke Skaljac tied the game at 92-92 with six seconds remaining. The RedHawks then outscored the Golden Flashes 15-9 in the first overtime to secure the win.
Fourth-year coach Travis Steele could be one of the hottest potential names in the coaching carousel after the regular season ends, given Miami's strong start to the season and his previous experience at Xavier, a solid Big East program.
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His team plays an exciting style on offense, as well. Miami ( Ohio ) ranks first nationally in 3-point percentage (41.92%) and ranks second in scoring offense (93.9 points per game), both of which could bode well come March.
Miami (Ohio) is looking to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2006-07 season, when it was a 14 seed despite finishing the season with an 18-15 record under former coach Charlie Coles. Steele went 12-20 in his first season and 15-17 in his second, but improved to 25-9 in 2024-25 and already has 20 wins this season.
There are only three unbeatens remaining in college basketball, as Miami (Ohio) is joined by No. 1 Arizona (18-0) and No. No. 7 Nebraska (18-0). The RedHawks are a team to watch in the final half of the college basketball regular season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami (Ohio) improves to 20-0, makes MAC history in Kent State win
