en-us SportSpyder - The Latest UMass Minutemen Basketball News https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/news The Massachusetts men's basketball team has signed Northwestern transfer Jordan Clayton for the 2026-27 season. Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:29:00 GMT https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/56284321 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/56284321 false false Have any coaches left their school immediately after a Final Four appearance? Dusty May could join rare company if he takes the North Carolina job: Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:22:45 GMT Austin Curtright https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/56137002 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/56137002 false false Following a strong 2025-26 season, Leonardo Bettiol of Massachusetts men's basketball has been named a second team All-District honoree, as announced by the ... Wed, 25 Mar 2026 19:29:29 GMT https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/56020568 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/56020568 false false K'Jei Parker of the Massachusetts men's basketball team has been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, as announced on Tuesda... Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:39:04 GMT https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/56007624 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/56007624 false false There was so much talent among the 1996 Kentucky Wildcats that practices could be more challenging than the games. Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:55:46 GMT Mike DeCourcy https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55941127 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55941127 false false On Wednesday evening, a between the SMU Mustangs and Miami RedHawks will take place at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. Despite going just 8-10 in the ACC, SMU did enough overall at 20-13 to get an invite to the Dance. The Miami RedHawks had a huge season as they went 31-1 on the year, with their only loss coming against UMass in the MAC Tournament. It was a shocking loss for them. Can Miami bounce back? Will the Mustangs prove that they belong here? Let’s explore the match and form a prediction of SMU vs Miami. SMU Mustangs vs Miami RedHawks: Prediction, Preview, Odds Odds: SMU -7: Over/Under 164 SMU Mustangs SMU enters the First Four at 20–13, earning an despite an 8–10 ACC record and a difficult late‑season slide. The Mustangs have dropped five of their last six, but their offensive profile remains strong. SMU averages 84.2 points and shoots 49.0%, ranking among the nation’s more efficient scoring teams. leads the way with 19.2 points and 6.4 assists, while adds 17.6 points and perimeter scoring. and provide interior balance, with Yigitoglu contributing 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds. SMU shoots 37.4% from three, and their spacing can challenge Miami’s defense. Their biggest offensive concern is the status of , who is questionable. Defensively, SMU allows 77.6 points and gives up 43.4% shooting, which puts pressure on their offense to stay efficient. They struggle defending the three, allowing 33.9%, and opponents attempt nearly 29 threes per game, one of the highest volumes in the country. SMU rebounds well with 37.7 boards, but their transition defense has been inconsistent. Miami plays fast and attacks early, which could expose SMU’s defensive lapses. The Mustangs must protect the paint, limit second‑chance points, and avoid foul trouble. Their defensive success will depend on containing Miami’s shooters and preventing long scoring runs. For SMU to win, they must lean on Miller’s playmaking and Pierre’s shot‑making. Washington must provide efficient scoring, and Yigitoglu must win his matchup inside. SMU also needs to control tempo and avoid getting dragged into Miami’s preferred pace. Their best path is a balanced offensive effort with strong ball movement and consistent perimeter shooting. If SMU protects the ball, rebounds well, and gets production from their top scorers, they can keep the game competitive and pressure Miami late. Miami RedHawks Miami RedHawks guard Peter Suder (5) runs back on defense after a basket in the second half of Mid-American Conference Tournament first round game between the Miami RedHawks and the UMass Minutemen at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Top-seeded Miami was eliminated from the tournament with an 87-82 loss to the Minutemen. Miami‑Ohio enters the NCAA Tournament at 31–1, completing one of the nation’s most impressive seasons despite a surprising loss to UMass in the MAC Tournament. The RedHawks average 90.7 points, ranking among the top offenses in the country. They shoot 52.4% from the field and an elite 39.2% from three. leads the team with 14.2 points, while adds 14.6 points and 4.0 assists. contributes 12.6 points and strong rebounding, and adds interior scoring and physicality. Defensively, Miami allows 75.3 points and gives up 43.6% shooting, but their pace inflates opponent scoring. They defend the three well, allowing only 32.5%, and their length helps contest perimeter shots. Miami rebounds effectively with 35.5 boards, and their transition defense is solid. Their biggest challenge will be containing SMU’s guards and preventing Miller from controlling tempo. Additionally, Miami must also avoid foul trouble. If Miami forces turnovers and limits open threes, their offense can create separation. For Miami to win, they must push tempo and rely on their elite efficiency. Unquestionably, Byers must score early, Suder must control the offense, and Elmer must win his matchup on the glass. Woolfolk must provide interior strength and protect the rim. Miami also needs to maintain defensive discipline against SMU’s shooters. Their best path is a fast, high‑possession game where they overwhelm SMU’s inconsistent defense. If Miami executes offensively and controls the boards, they can advance to the Round of 64. Predictions Miami enters this First Four matchup with confidence after a historic 31–1 season, and they are dangerous as an underdog. The RedHawks average 90.7 points and shoot 52.4%, giving them one of the most efficient attacks in the country. SMU has dropped five of their last six, and their defense allows 77.6 points, which creates real matchup issues. Miami’s pace and shot‑making can stress SMU’s transition defense. With Miami’s elite efficiency and SMU’s recent struggles, the +7 offers strong value in a high‑variance game. The total leans high because both teams play fast and are explosive. Miami shoots 39.2% from three, while SMU shoots 37.4%, and both teams push tempo. SMU averages 84.2 points, and Miami averages 90.7, creating one of... Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:47:03 GMT David Hess https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55924963 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55924963 false false The Miami of Ohio RedHawks snagged one of the final at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night. The RedHawks finished their regular season 31-0 before falling to the UMass Minutemen in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Some college basketball analysts said Miami of Ohio didn't belong in the 68-team NCAA... Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:36:35 GMT Timothy Wolfrum https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55904726 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55904726 false false Our CBS Sports experts weigh in on Miami's case to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament Sat, 14 Mar 2026 15:29:23 GMT Cameron Salerno https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55885007 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55885007 false false Miami (Ohio) is far from a national powerhouse. But its glint record and polarizing resume has made it one of the biggest headliners ahead of Selection Sunday. Sat, 14 Mar 2026 09:16:27 GMT David Suggs https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55882790 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55882790 false false Massachusetts men's basketball (17-16, 7-11 MAC) fell to Toledo (18-14, 11-7 MAC), 77-67, at Rocket Arena in the MAC Semifinals on Friday. Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:28:54 GMT https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55880503 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55880503 false false Miami (OH) lost. Now what? The RedHawks were the only team in men’s Division-I college basketball to go undefeated in the regular season and entered the MAC Tournament at 31-0. However, they lost 87-83 to No. 8-seed UMass in the quarterfinals, which puts their NCAA Tournament hopes in the hands of the selection committee. We […] Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:40:03 GMT Ian Sacks https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55873502 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55873502 false false UMass' stunning upset will create some challenges for the NCAA Tournament committee. Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:55:30 GMT Matt Vautour https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/56016239 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/56016239 false false Whoa! Sat, 14 Mar 2026 20:20:52 GMT Andrew Holleran https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55887625 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55887625 false false Miami (Ohio) is firmly on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament after its upset loss on Thursday. Sat, 14 Mar 2026 20:20:48 GMT Chris Rosvoglou https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55887622 https://sportspyder.com/mcb/umass-minutemen-basketball/articles/55887622 false false