Miami (OH) Proves Doubters Wrong in NCAA Tourney Thriller

Miami (OH) Proves Doubters Wrong in NCAA Tourney Thriller

The debate raged on First Take this morning: did Miami (OH) deserve a spot in the NCAA Tournament? Stephen A. Smith certainly thinks so, emphatically shutting down any arguments that the undefeated regular-season champions should have been left out. He believes their dominant win over SMU in the First Four, where they outscored their opponent by 33 points from three-point range, proved their worth.

Undefeated Season Demands Tournament Spot

“You can’t have a 68-team tournament and a team that goes undefeated for the entire damn regular season can’t make the tournament,” Smith declared. He argued that an undefeated squad absolutely deserves a look, calling any other stance “utterly ridiculous.” The coach of Miami (OH) echoed this sentiment, stating the win “wasn’t an upset” and that his team “answered the call” to prove they belong.

“This wasn’t an upset. He put you on notice. We believe we belong here and we deserve this opportunity and they answered the call.”

Smith praised Miami (OH) for their performance, acknowledging their credit is due. However, the discussion quickly turned to the team’s overall strength and whether a 31-0 record against lesser competition is enough. Analyst Joe Fortenbaugh disagreed, stating he still believes Miami (OH) “should have been left out of the dance.” He pointed to analytics like KenPom and Torvvic, suggesting the team was ranked in the 80th to 90th percentile, indicating they were a “good team,” but not a “great team.” Fortenbaugh argued they “beat up on a bunch of nobodies” and didn’t face strong opponents in their conference tournament.

Analytics vs. The Eye Test

On the other hand, the argument for Miami (OH) wasn’t just about their record. Supporters highlighted their offensive strategy, which features floor generals and numerous shotmakers. They noted the team’s ability to invert their offense, pull bigs away from the basket, and their impressive ball security, with only four turnovers against SMU. The sheer volume of three-point shots and their effectiveness, combined with limiting opponents to one shot, painted a picture of a very good basketball team according to those who watched them play.

“All those analytics said, ‘This is a very good basketball team.’ The eye test said, ‘You know what? They convert their offense.'”

Smith pushed back on the idea that only top-tier teams belong, reminding everyone that “every team in the NCAA tournament ain’t a great team.” He acknowledged Miami (OH)’s best win might have been a three-point victory against Akron but stressed that going undefeated in a conference and earning a spot in the 68-team field should grant an opportunity. He contrasted this with college football’s playoff system, which he believes prioritizes the absolute best teams rather than giving everyone a chance.

Tournament Predictions: Who Falls First?

The conversation then shifted to predicting the first major upset, focusing on the one-seeds. Stephen A. Smith and the panel weighed in on which top seed might be vulnerable. Smith pointed to Duke, citing their bracket filled with tradition-rich programs and Hall of Fame coaches. He also highlighted that Duke is playing without two starters and has a backup point guard essentially filling in for the primary ball-handler, making their path particularly challenging. He questioned if Duke could even get past St. John’s or Kansas.

Joe Fortenbaugh offered Florida as his pick to potentially falter, despite acknowledging their hot streak. He raised concerns about their poor free-throw shooting and lack of three-point accuracy. While they dominate in the paint, Fortenbaugh warned that struggling in these areas could lead to an early exit, especially if they face a team like Vanderbilt, who already defeated them. He also noted the importance of guard play in the tournament, an area where Florida has seen significant departures.

Stephen A. Smith also expressed reservations about Michigan, despite their size and strong shooting percentages since mid-January. He finds them “erratic” and untrustworthy, particularly concerning their guard play and depth at the point guard position after an injury. He believes that when the pressure mounts, Michigan might falter and lacks that one “dude” who can elevate the team to a championship level. The panel agreed that the loss of their dynamic point guard, coupled with a backup who can be “loose with the ball,” presents a significant challenge.

Source: Stephen A. gets HEATED over Fortenbaugh thinking Miami (OH) should have been LEFT OUT 🤯 | First Take (YouTube)