Millett Hall, home of the Miami RedHawks in Oxford, Ohio (Photo by Miami University Athletics)
Miami, Ohio State, Wright State, and Akron fall in the Big Dance, while Dayton battles on in the NIT
Ohio State 21-13 (12-8 in the Big Ten)
Just when it looked like Ohio State may have turned a corner, they fall in a close game they should have won, like they have been for most of this decade. Too much of Ohio State’s loss to TCU was very familiar to Buckeye fans. They got down early, were unprepared for the opposing team’s obvious strategies, managed to rally, but failed to finish. These factors have been dogging Ohio State for the past decade. The way the Bucks closed the season, they had given hope that they may be figuring them out, but the 66-64 loss to TCU brings all the doubt of the past decade roaring back.
The good news for Ohio State is that they still may be turning that corner, and the pieces are in place for a bright future. Ohio State will miss Bruce Thornton. Any team would miss a player of his caliber. But the Buckeyes will have a strong core to build around for 2026-2027. Devin Royal, Amare Bynum, and John Mobley Jr. will all be back, and the Buckeyes will bring five-star recruit Anthony Thompson to the team, too. There’s a lot to believe in for Ohio State next season. But Buckeye Nation is demanding a standard be met, and that standard goes beyond about 20 wins, 12 losses, and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
The shrill voices of Buckeye Nation who curse other Ohio State fans for wanting the team to be great are more out of touch than the reactionaries who want to fire the coach after every loss. This includes silly former players who have large platforms to whine about Ohio State fans being the worst BECAUSE Ohio State fans support the basketball program, including when they warmed the bench. Those same fans will keep buying tickets, merchandise, supporting the team financially, and watching the games, all while being called spoiled, ungrateful, and lectured by the sanctimonious. They’ll also happily ignore all of the I-told-you-so’s from the same crowd when the Buckeyes get back on top.
Dayton 25-11 (12-6 in the Atlantic 10)
The Flyers weren’t playing in the tournament they wanted to be in, but they were determined to give their all for Dayton basketball in any game against any opponent. Dayton defeated the Bradley Braves in the opening round of the NIT on Wednesday night. While most of the city was focused on the First Four at UD Arena, including local sensation Miami, the Flyers were playing a good game in Peoria, Illinois.
Senior star Javon Bennett had 25 points in Dayton’s 80-66 win over Bradley. The Flyers’ next opponent came on Saturday in North Carolina against UNC Wilmington. This time, De’Shayne Montgomery was the hero for UD in their 80-61 victory over UNC Wilmington, with 20 points for the Flyers. The last team in Ohio, still playing for wins this season, Dayton, will take on Illinois State in the NIT Quarterfinals at UD Arena this week in Dayton, Ohio.
Miami (Ohio) 32-2 (18-0 in the MAC)
The RedHawks’ victory in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio, on Wednesday against SMU was a thing of beauty. Miami played their game and rained threes down on the Mustangs. It gave them their first NCAA Tournament win in 27 years, back in 1999. Miami defeated SMU 89-79. Miami had been a season-long Cinderella, but the clock struck midnight on Friday for the RedHawks. Tennessee exploded to a great start and never looked back, and Miami fell 78-56. This is a historic season that the Pride of Butler County, Ohio, can be proud of and will be remembered for forever.
Miami will miss star guard and senior Peter Suder next year, but most of the core of this team will be able to return to Oxford for another season. Like most underdog programs, though, Miami will have to battle the attrition of the transfer portal and maybe even have to battle to keep their head coach.
Akron 29-6 (17-1 in the MAC)
Playing Texas Tech in the opening round was a tall order for any of the 68 teams in the field. The Akron Zips rose to the challenge and fought hard. Texas Tech was just too much and defeated Akron, 91-71. Akron has a lot to be proud of, as the Miami RedHawks aren’t the only ones writing chapters in their history. The Zips won their third straight MAC Tournament, making three straight NCAA appearances and making the MAC a multi-bid league. Akron will miss stars like Evan Mahaffey and Shammah Scott next season. Still, heck of a season, Akron!
Kent State 24-10 (14-4 in the MAC)
I thought the Golden Flashes would have a good showing in the NIT this year. The Illinois State Redbirds just never gave them a chance on Wednesday nigh in Normal, Illinois. Illinois State had a 20-point lead at halftime and never let Kent State back into the game. Kent State would fall by 21, 79-58. Still, a 24-10 record in what was a strong year for the MAC is nothing to undervalue. It’s going to be very difficult for Kent State next year to replace senior stars like Delrecco Gillespie, Morgan Safford, and Rob Whaley Jr.
Wright State 23-12 (15-5 in the Horizon League)
The Raiders gave Virginia a good fight in their opening round game on Friday. Wright State led at halftime, 43-38. WSU led 68-67 with about six minutes to go in the second half, and even were down 78-73 with a minute to go before falling 82-73. Wright State had a great, and underrated 2025-2026 season, and have a lot to look forward to next season. WSU will miss a star like Michael Imariagbe next season, but they have young bruisers like Michael Cooper and TJ Burch returning. The only problem there is that bigger schools will be interested in convincing Cooper and Burch to come play for them via the transfer portal.
Jerry Lucas-Oscar Robertson Player of the Week
Peter Suder and Eian Elmer are the players of the week for leading the RedHawks. Elmer’s 23 points against SMU powered Miami to the 89-79 win. Miami was 16 of 41 from beyond the three-point arc. Elmer was 6 of 9 from three-point range, including a few deep ones from back in Butler County. The team didn’t do as well against Tennessee, making only 7 of 29 three-pointers. Peter Suder had four of those and ended the game and his Miami career with 27 points. These guys did a lot of hard work for Miami to get some of the respect they deserve.
Cincinnati, Xavier, Ohio, Bowling Green, Toledo, Youngstown State, and Cleveland State’s seasons had concluded last week.
Cincinnati 18-15 (9-9 in the Big 12)
Xavier 15-18 (6-14 in the Big East)
Ohio 15-17 (9-9 in the MAC)
Bowling Green 18-14 (9-9 in the MAC)
Toledo 19-15 (11-7 in the MAC)
Youngstown State 15-17 (8-12 in the Horizon League)
Cleveland State 11-22 (6-14 in the Horizon League)
