The Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, now 24-0, are the last unbeaten team in men’s college basketball, following a dominant 90-74 win over Marshall. With a historic winning streak and a high-powered offense, they’re making a case as one of the most surprising national title contenders.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — In a season filled with close calls and last-second heroics, No. 23 Miami (Ohio) delivered a statement performance on Saturday, dispatching Marshall 90-74 in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. The victory extends the RedHawks’ undefeated streak to 24-0, the longest in program history and the longest active streak in Division I basketball.
Prior to this game, Miami had relied on late-game execution to survive three one-possession victories — including a 73-71 win at Buffalo on Tuesday night. But against Marshall, the RedHawks flexed their offensive muscle early, building a 49-31 halftime lead behind scorching 56% shooting and 12 layups in the first half. Despite starting the game without a field goal for nearly 10 minutes, Marshall trimmed the deficit to nine points midway through the second half, but Miami responded with timely buckets and disciplined play to maintain control.
A Team Effort Fuels the Undefeated Run
The RedHawks’ balanced scoring continues to be their hallmark. Four players finished in double figures, led by Eian Elmer with 18 points, Peter Suder with 17, and Antwone Woolfolk with 15. Point guard Luke Skaljac added 12 points and dished out seven assists, orchestrating the nation’s top-ranked offense that averages 92.8 points per game.
Notably, this win marked Miami’s seventh against Power Five-level opponents or high-major programs this season, silencing doubters who initially dismissed their early success due to a modest schedule. The RedHawks are now one of only two remaining undefeated teams in Division I, alongside the Arizona Wildcats — and the only mid-major to achieve this feat in the modern era.
On the other side, Marshall (15-9) struggled with consistency on both ends. Despite 23 points from Noah Otshudi and a double-double from Wyatt Fricks (16 points, 10 rebounds), the Thundering Herd fell victim to Miami’s relentless pressure and sharpshooting. Three separate lane violations from center Erich Harding during free throws highlighted Marshall’s lack of poise under duress. Miami’s full-court press and targeted defensive switches repeatedly forced turnovers, leading to easy transition baskets and dunks that demoralized the home crowd.
By the Numbers: A Historic Season Building
Miami’s streak isn’t just a statistical marvel — it’s rewriting the Mid-American Conference record books. The RedHawks have now surpassed the 23-game winning streak set by the 1985–86 Bowling Green team, which advanced to the Sweet 16. With seven games remaining, Miami is poised to shatter conference records and position itself for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
- 24-0: Best start in team history, and longest undefeated streak in MAC history.
- 12 layups in the first half alone: A credit to their fast-paced, aggressive offense that averages 22.3 assists per game — ranking fourth nationally.
- 92.8 PPG: The highest-scoring offense in college basketball, with eight players averaging 8+ points per game.
- Top-20 in offensive efficiency: According to KenPom’s analytics, Miami ranks among the nation’s elite in both tempo and points per possession.
The Offense That Broke Open Conference Lines
Under third-year head coach Travis Steele, Miami has transformed from a 12-20 team two seasons ago into a high-octane juggernaut. Steele, a former assistant at Xavier and Indiana, has emphasizing spacing, sharpshooting, and relentless transition play. The result? A team that ranks fifth in the country in three-point percentage (39.2%) and second in free-throw percentage (80.5%).
“We don’t slow down — we just speed up,” said guard Justin Kirby, referring to Miami’s up-tempo philosophy. “Coach Steele preaches playing fast and playing free. When we’re at our best, nobody can keep up with us.”
Suder, a 6-8 sharpshooter, is averaging 15.3 PPG and shooting 43% from three. But the real engine is guard play: Kirby, Skaljac, and Elmer average over 35 points combined, with Skaljac’s precision passing and clock control making him one of the nation’s most underrated floor generals.
Defensively, Miami focuses on forcing turnovers and limiting second-chance points. While not a shot-blocking team, they rank in the MAC top five in defensive rebounding percentage, which helps fuel their fast-break offense.
A Nationwide Story: How the RedHawks Became NCAA Title Dark Horses
This season’s success hadn’t been predicted. Picked to finish sixth in the MAC West Division by conference media, Miami lost five of their top six scorers from the previous 13-19 campaign. But after landing transfers like Elmer (sub-25% three-point shooter at Cleveland State) and Woolfolk (a high-post threat from Loyola-Chicago), they formed an instant chemistry.
Elmer remade his game under Steele’s coaching, increasing his three-point percentage from 24.3% to 41.8%. Woolfolk’s 57.2% shooting led the MAC in field-goal percentage entering Saturday’s game.
With wins over Minnesota, Wake Forest, and Vanderbilt — and narrow losses to Tennessee and Illinois averted in November — Miami built a Non-Conference résumé that impressed the NCAA Selection Committee early.
As the streak mounts, so does national interest. The RedHawks’ home games at Millett Hall are now sold out weeks in advance. Fans have transformed the campus arena into what ESPN’s Joe Lunardi calls “one of the loudest 6,000-seat arenas in America.”
Looking Ahead: Next Steps Toward March Glory
Miami’s next challenge comes Friday night at home against conference rival Ohio. The Bobcats are 18-6 and currently sit atop the MAC East. A win would further solidify Miami’s hold on the conference and elevate their national seeding profile. Meanwhile, Marshall travels to Old Dominion on Wednesday night, seeking to regain momentum in a tight Sun Belt race.
Should Miami navigate their remaining schedule unscathed, they’ll enter the NCAA Tournament with a top-16 resume and a legitimate shot at navigating the bracket deep into March. While the RedHawks may only be a 5-seed based on current projections, their balanced roster, elite shooting, and unbeaten leadership make them a team no one wants to face in any round.
The journey has been unforgettable for a program accustomed to playing spoiler. But now, the spoiler has become the hunted. With every victory, Miami (Ohio) is writing a new chapter — and creating a history that won’t soon be forgotten. Only at NCAA.com, Miami’s net efficiency rating reflects a program that has transformed itself from doormat to powerhouse in 12 short months.
Fans are already imagining a run like St. Peter’s in 2022 — a mid-major upstart stunning the big boys. But this isn’t a Cinderella story. It’s a story of deliberate rebuilding, bold strategy, and unshakable confidence. And it’s happening live, every Tuesday and Saturday night, in Oxford, Ohio.
This is college basketball’s unlikeliest and most exciting undefeated season. And after 24 wins, it’s showing no signs of ending soon.
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