Game 32, 2025-26: Miami (MAC Quarters, 3/12)

[TheInsider]

Miami had pulled out a bunch of close games.. they are due.

[69MG]

We lost to Miami by TWO on their floor. They have played multiple overtime games, including last night vs. Ohio, who we lost to by three. Time for our guys to make a name for themselves! 11AM is a great time for an upset.

We also beat Ohio by 12 on our floor. Miami won't be easy but they are not invincible.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Which team and coaching staff show up? We shall see, but we know we can hang with Miami.

And I'll repeat this from the Hockey thread:

As Jake Taylor famously said to Roger Dorn and the Cleveland Indians: "Well, then, I guess there's only one thing left to do. .... Win the whole fucking thing."

[MikeUMA]

Miami was wound tight last night. 3 technical fouls. Ohio gave them a hell of a fight.

They have the undefeated regular season monkey off their back now. And, chatter says that they're likely a lock for the NCAA Tournament, regardless of their results in Cleveland.

The pressure's off them now. I'm not sure if playing loose helps or hurts them. UMass could catch them off guard, or Miami can play with some free confidence.

[JoleonLescottsHair]

I honestly can’t picture any result other than the Minutemen getting smoked.

(1) Frank is a shitty coach
(2) Frank is also a shitty coach in conference tournaments
(3) Miami is too disciplined (not talking about T’s against rival Ohio) and we will surrender a horrific run at some point while Frank freezes and pouts.
(4) more than half the roster is probably waiting on the portal. Frank and the Collective probably doing the same.
(5) the “beat the same team three times” theory fails because we always fail in big games* and just like we routinely surrender career highs to opposing players, we will prove the 3 times maxim wrong, too.

If I am wrong, AWESOME. Beating Miami when all CBB eyes are on them would obviously be great.
——-

* a game to qualify for the 8th seed of the MAC does not count as an especially big game.

[DoctorJ]

How bad is the DHS injury? Foot in boot still? Any chance we get him back?

[Juice Stand]

I think it's pretty obvious that the MAC league office sent a memo to the refs to help Miami get to perfection for at least the last few weeks. We've seen the favorable whistle that they get in our two games, and it happened again against Ohio (41 Miami FT attempts to 25 for Ohio). They've taken 176 more FTs than their opponents this season (738 to 562), averaging 17.8 FT/game compared to 13.4 for opponents.

What I'm wondering, since I'm a conspiracy theorist and think this came from the top, will the league office do the opposite and now tell them to call it the other way to try to get the MAC into a 2-bid scenario? If that's the case, I think the league would still want them to win one game to solidify their at-large case, which means we're screwed.

All conspiracy theories aside, I think we either play them tight and lose in a close one, or once Miami starts pulling away we'll fold and start looking towards the offseason and transfer portal opportunities. I don't see us winning unless all our "stars" have big days (Bettiol, Banks, Parker, Placide, Carbuccia, DHS comes back and plays well, etc.), but that's a long shot.

[tdmass]

^ That and somehow the Refs give Bettiol a couple extra fouls!

[InnervisionsUMASS]

...
What I'm wondering, since I'm a conspiracy theorist and think this came from the top, will the league office do the opposite and now tell them to call it the other way to try to get the MAC into a 2-bid scenario? If that's the case, I think the league would still want them to win one game to solidify their at-large case, which means we're screwed.
...

And people said I was crazy to want to get the 7 seed against Akron instead

[bobolink]

I think Miami is in the NCAAT no matter what happens in Cleveland. There's never been a 30-win and even 2-loss team left out and the worst Miami U can do is 1 loss.

[Juice Stand]

...
What I'm wondering, since I'm a conspiracy theorist and think this came from the top, will the league office do the opposite and now tell them to call it the other way to try to get the MAC into a 2-bid scenario? If that's the case, I think the league would still want them to win one game to solidify their at-large case, which means we're screwed.
...

And people said I was crazy to want to get the 7 seed against Akron instead

Both of those are tough draws. In fact, Akron and Miami are next to each other at 52 and 53 in the NET. That's not "good by MAC standards", that's just plain old good. We're going to need special performances and laser focus to get a win.

[NilesGold]

I’m pretty sure Kenpom rates Akron significantly better than Miami OH.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

...
What I'm wondering, since I'm a conspiracy theorist and think this came from the top, will the league office do the opposite and now tell them to call it the other way to try to get the MAC into a 2-bid scenario? If that's the case, I think the league would still want them to win one game to solidify their at-large case, which means we're screwed.
...

And people said I was crazy to want to get the 7 seed against Akron instead

Both of those are tough draws. In fact, Akron and Miami are next to each other at 52 and 53 in the NET. That's not "good by MAC standards", that's just plain old good. We're going to need special performances and laser focus to get a win.

I know, I was just saying from our own perspective related to what you suggested. IF we're going to make a run, it doesn't matter who we are playing... but it would be nice to not deal with any external roadblocks as per your conspiracy theory!

[69MG]

How bad is the DHS injury? Foot in boot still? Any chance we get him back?

Mike Maynard @mikecmaynard
4h
Daniel Hankins-Sanford and Dimitri Clerc both practiced today for UMass and will be active on Thursday to begin the MAC Tournament, according to Frank Martin.

[Juice Stand]

I’m pretty sure Kenpom rates Akron significantly better than Miami OH.

Correct. They're 52 & 53 in NET but Akron is 61 KenPom while Miami is down at 91. Side rant: I have no idea how these rankings work. 31-0 Miami at 91 is only one spot above a 13-18 Notre Dame team. I don't care how hard your schedule is. If you're below .500, you shouldn't be anywhere near the top 100.

UMass: a well deserved 203 NET, 201 KenPom. Tough times.