NCAA Tournament Takeaways: Kentucky's Overtime Thriller, Miami (Ohio) Exit, and Iowa State's Injury Concerns The second day of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament unfolded with a mix of high-stakes drama, controversial calls, and pivotal moments that will shape the tournament’s narrative. While the opening round saw most top seeds advance without major upsets, the games carried enough intrigue to keep fans engaged. Kentucky’s dramatic overtime victory over No. 10 Santa Clara became the day’s defining moment. The Wildcats trailed by three points with 2.4 seconds left in regulation, but Otega Oweh launched a half-court three-pointer that swished through the net as the buzzer sounded, sending the game into overtime. Kentucky eventually prevailed 89-84, but the victory was marred by a contentious call. Santa Clara’s head coach, Herb Sendek, argued for a timeout after his team made a three-pointer to reset their defensive strategy, but officials ignored the signal, allowing Kentucky to reclaim possession. The incident sparked debate over whether Sendek could have reasonably expected a timeout in such a split-second scenario. Meanwhile, Miami (Ohio)’s tournament run came to an end after a 78-56 loss to No. 6 Tennessee. The Redhawks, who had entered the tournament as the most controversial at-large selection, had already beaten No. 11 seed SMU in the First Four. However, their performance against Tennessee—where they struggled to contain the Volunteers’ offense—reinforced criticism that their schedule lacked strength. Despite a 31-1 record, Miami’s lack of Quad 1 wins and perceived weak nonconference matchups left many questioning their inclusion. The school had lobbied for more high-major teams to schedule them in the regular season to bolster their résumé, but such efforts have yet to gain traction.#ncaa_tournament #miami_ohio #kentucky #iowa_state #herb_sendek
Ranking All 32 Remaining March Madness Teams by Odds to Win NCAA Tournament The Men's NCAA Tournament has narrowed from 68 teams to 32 after the First Four round, with several upsets shaking up the bracket. Miami (Ohio) secured its first Quad 1 victory of the season by defeating SMU, thanks to a standout performance from its men’s swim team, which distracted a Mustang player at the free-throw line while wearing Speedos. Further upsets unfolded in the first round, including 12-seed High Point upsetting 5-seed Wisconsin and 11-seed VCU edging out 6-seed North Carolina in overtime. Otega Oweh’s game-tying 3-pointer from near the logo kept 7-seed Kentucky from suffering an early exit, forcing overtime in Friday’s games. All top-four seeds advanced in their first tournament games, with John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks showcasing their offensive prowess against Hawai’i. Darius Acuff Jr. scored 24 points to lead the SEC Tournament champions, positioning them as a serious contender for a deep March run. The tournament’s early rounds have already reshaped the landscape, influencing how oddsmakers in Vegas assess the likelihood of each team advancing to the Final Four on April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Current betting odds reflect the shifting dynamics, with Arizona emerging as the top favorite at +325 to win the national championship. Michigan remains the second-best bet at +375, while Duke, after a near-upset loss to 16-seed Siena, dropped to +425. The Blue Devils now face a second-round matchup against No. 9 TCU. These odds, as of Friday, March 20, highlight the unpredictability of the tournament, where underdogs have already disrupted the expected path for higher-seeded teams. The full 2026 NCAA men’s tournament schedule has been updated, setting the stage for the next phase of competition.#arizona #duke #ncaa_tournament #miami_ohio #march_madness
Best March Madness Prop Bets Today The Round of 64 has seen a strong start for player prop bets, with a 2-1 record achieved by focusing on key matchups. The second day of action brings three standout prop bets, highlighting matchups where specific players are expected to perform. For those looking to place wagers, the latest edition of the Road to the Final Four provides insights into favorite sides and totals, while the best betting sites for these plays are also listed. The Miami (Ohio) vs. Tennessee matchup offers a compelling prop bet centered on rebounding. The Miami RedHawks, ranked 171st in rebounding percentage, have struggled to secure rebounds, grabbing only 50.1% of available opportunities against weaker opponents. In contrast, Tennessee ranks second in the nation in rebounding, with a 58.8% rebounding rate. The Volunteers’ top rebounder, Nate Ament, is positioned to dominate the glass, making this a key factor in the game’s outcome. Another top prop bet features Hofstra vs. Alabama, where the Crimson Tide’s three-point shooting prowess is expected to shine. Alabama leads the nation in three-point attempts and should maintain that approach against Hofstra, whose defensive weakness lies in perimeter defense. Hofstra’s ability to limit two-point field goals—ranking third in opponent two-point percentage, keeping teams to 44.2% from inside the arc—could leave Aiden Sherrell of Alabama with minimal defensive responsibilities. This setup allows Alabama’s guards to focus on scoring, making the game a potential high-scoring affair. The Utah State vs. Villanova matchup centers on Tyler Perkins, who has shown strong form in recent games. Perkins scored 18+ points in two of his last three contests, and his performance could be elevated against a Utah State team ranked 178th in opponent three-point field goal percentage.#alabama #miami_ohio #tennessee #hofstra #nate_ament
Miami makes 16 threes, beats SMU for first NCAA Tournament win since 1999 The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64 with a 89-79 victory over SMU in the First Four on Wednesday night. The win marked the program’s first NCAA Tournament triumph since 1999, when they reached the Sweet 16. The RedHawks, seeded 11th, connected on 16 three-pointers to secure the win, continuing their successful season. Guard Eian Elmer led Miami with 23 points, forward Brant Byers added 19, and guard Luke Skaljac contributed 17. The RedHawks, now 32-1, will face No. 6-seeded Tennessee Volunteers in the Round of 64 on Friday at 4:25 p.m. in Philadelphia. The game saw Miami overcome a slow start, with Elmer and Skaljac combining for 26 points in the first half. Byers also scored 12 in the opening 20 minutes, helping Miami build a 43-34 lead at halftime. The RedHawks’ fast-paced first half included 10 three-pointers, setting the tone for the game. SMU fought back in the second half, briefly taking the lead with about 14 minutes remaining. However, Miami’s consistent shooting—45% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc—kept them ahead. The RedHawks’ largest lead in the second half was 14 points. SMU, missing key guard BJ Edwards due to an ankle injury, was led by Jaden Toombs with 20 points, Jaron Pierre Jr. with 18, and Boopie Miller with 15. The game was played in front of a pro-Miami crowd, with the RedHawks’ Oxford campus located about 40 miles from Dayton. The win extends Miami’s season and marks a historic milestone for the program.#miami_ohio #smu #eian_elmer #brant_byers #luk_skaljac
Miami Ohio Proves Doubters Wrong with March Madness Victory PHILADELPHIA – Miami (Ohio) men’s basketball made a strong statement in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament, defeating SMU 89-79 at UD Arena in Dayton. The win silenced critics who questioned the Mid-American Conference team’s place in the 68-team field, as the RedHawks entered the tournament with a 31-0 regular-season record and a first-ever at-large bid in program history. Coach Travis Steele emphasized that the team’s focus remains on proving their worth to themselves rather than external skeptics. “We know how good we are. We know we deserve this opportunity,” Steele said. “We’re going to go showcase that.” The RedHawks, who are the first MAC team to earn an at-large bid since 1999, face No. 6 Tennessee in the Round of 64 on Friday. Despite the challenge, players like guard Peter Suder and sophomore Luke Skaljac stressed that the team’s confidence stems from internal belief rather than external validation. Suder, reflecting on the win over SMU, said, “We showed that last night, especially, but just don’t count us out.” Skaljac added, “We’re not really trying to prove it to the media, fans, or whatever. We all know inside the locker room who we are as a team.” The RedHawks’ offensive firepower was evident, as Eian Elmer, Skaljac, and Brant Byers combined for 59 points, showcasing their ability to dominate in high-stakes games. The victory also marked a historic milestone for the program, which made its 18th NCAA Tournament appearance and its first since 2007. The win came amid a season of overcoming skepticism, with some analysts questioning whether the team should have been included in the field after failing to secure an automatic bid.#travis_steele #miami_ohio #smu #dayton #ud_arena
Miami (Ohio) downs SMU in First Four: 'Deserve' to be here Miami (Ohio) made a strong statement in the First Four of the NCAA tournament, defeating SMU 89-79 at UD Arena. The 11th-seeded RedHawks, who had been a polarizing 30-win team in the lead-up to the tournament, proved their worth by outperforming the 6.5-point favorite. The victory marked their first tournament game since 2007 and set them up for a first-round matchup against No. 6 seed Tennessee in the Midwest Region. Coach Travis Steele emphasized that the game was not an upset, calling it a validation of the team’s preparation. “We were the better team coming into this game,” he said. The RedHawks led for most of the contest, hit a season-high 16 three-pointers, and scored their highest total in a tournament game since 1958. Star guard Peter Suder credited the team’s resilience, saying they had “proven the doubters wrong” by defeating a “really good team” with physical talent. Miami’s path to the tournament was unique. The team did not face any power conference opponents in nonleague play, as schools avoided scheduling them due to their weak schedule. Despite going 31-0 in the regular season and reaching the Mid-American Conference tournament quarterfinals, their lack of high-profile wins created an unusual at-large profile. “We had to basically be perfect in the whole regular season to get that at-large,” Steele said. The RedHawks’ success in the tournament was bolstered by a passionate crowd, with over 12,000 fans in attendance. The game’s energy was heightened by the presence of Miami’s men’s swimming and diving team, who sprinted down the aisle behind SMU’s basket to distract free throw shooter Corey Washington. “What really surprised me was the swim team, when they came out,” said forward Antwone Woolfolk. Miami’s offensive strategy was key to the win.#travis_steele #miami_ohio #smu #ud_arena #peter_suder
Miami (Ohio) Athletic Director David Sayler Calls for Disclaimer on Bruce Pearl’s NCAA Tournament Comments Miami (Ohio) athletic director David Sayler has publicly criticized former Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, urging television networks to add a disclaimer when Pearl discusses NCAA Tournament eligibility. The dispute erupted after Pearl criticized Miami’s chances of making the postseason, suggesting the Redhawks must win their MAC tournament to qualify. Sayler, who has long advocated for mid-major programs, argued that Pearl’s remarks reflect bias and lack of objectivity. Pearl, appearing on TNT’s college basketball show, questioned Miami’s credentials, stating that the team’s lack of high-profile wins against ranked opponents makes it an unlikely candidate for at-large selection. “If we’re selecting the 68 best teams, then Miami (Ohio) is going to have to win their tournament to qualify as a champion,” Pearl said, emphasizing that the Redhawks are not among the nation’s elite. His comments sparked backlash, with many fans and analysts defending Miami’s season, which includes a perfect 30-0 record. Sayler, however, took issue with Pearl’s approach, particularly his use of the word “we” when discussing Auburn’s tournament prospects. “He shouldn’t be on a TV screen giving advice or opinions on the NCAA Tournament when he’s clearly biased,” Sayler told OutKick. “There should be a disclaimer on the bottom of the screen or something. That’s clearly what he’s doing.” The controversy gained traction as Pearl’s son, Steven, coaches Auburn’s struggling team, which is also on the NCAA Tournament bubble. While Pearl has publicly supported his son’s chances, critics argue his criticism of Miami may be influenced by Auburn’s own postseason struggles.#ncaa_tournament #mac_tournament #miami_ohio #david_sayler #bruce_pearl
