RedHawks vs. Debate: The 31‑Game Quest

Miami’s men’s basketball team is set to finish its 31‑game unbeaten run against the Ohio Bobcats tonight. The game starts at 9 p. m. Eastern on ESPN2, and the talk about whether Miami deserves a spot in the big tournament is louder than ever. Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith said on Thursday’s “First Take” that a team with a 30‑0 record should definitely make the NCAA tournament. He pointed out that only three other teams in the past 45 years have finished the regular season undefeated. Smith admitted Miami’s schedule was tough and that many of their wins were close, but he still backed the team. “If you go 30‑0 and don’t get in, the season means nothing, ” he told viewers. Co‑founder of the “Field of 68” platform, Jeff Goodman, disagreed with Smith’s view. He tweeted that the commentator was “laughable” and didn’t understand what he was talking about.Even NBA star Damian Lillard joined the discussion on X, asking how Miami could get an automatic bid. He was confused by the debate and wanted clarification. Former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl also weighed in, saying that if Miami is chosen for the tournament, they must win it to be a champion. He implied that Miami might not be among the best teams overall. Miami’s athletic director, David Sayler, responded to Pearl on social media, calling his comments disrespectful and saying the coach should not be in a TV studio covering the sport. If Miami beats Ohio tonight, they will join only a few teams this century—Saint Joseph’s, Wichita State, Kentucky, and Gonzaga—in completing a perfect regular season.