Can the Men’s Basketball MAC Leader Continue Their Historic Undefeated Start?
One of the biggest storylines midway through this college basketball season has been the dominance we have seen from Miami Ohio’s RedHawks. The program has surged into the national spotlight with a perfect 20-0 record and a well-earned number 25 national ranking. After finishing second in the MAC last season, the RedHawks entered this year with a clear sense of urgency and belief that their window to rise to the top had finally arrived. Their confidence has been validated through a blend of veteran leadership, improved depth, and a toughness that has carried them through every challenge. Miami recently survived back-to-back overtime thrillers against Buffalo and Kent State, two games that tested their composure and revealed the resilience of a team that refuses to break. Each win has added to the growing belief that this group is not just a conference contender but a legitimate national story. In an NBA Draft class that features some of the most talented players we’ve ever seen, Miami could have a couple of players surging into mock drafts with how dominant they’ve played and how consistent they shoot the ball from the outside.
The centrepiece of Miami’s rise has been senior guard Peter Suder, who has elevated his game to a level few in the MAC can match. Suder has been nothing short of spectacular during this undefeated run. He scored 27 points to push the RedHawks past Kent State and erupted for 37 in the overtime win over Buffalo. His scoring efficiency has reached new heights, highlighted by a career-best mark of 46 percent from three-point range. Suder’s blend of strength, shot-making, and late-game poise has made him the heartbeat of this roster. Suder hasn’t been dominating alone, though. Brant Byers, Evan Ipsaro, Almar Atlason, Elan Elmer, and Antwone Woolfolk have all contributed to the undefeated season. Byers technically leads the team in scoring and has been in double figures in their recent four games. The blend of veteran leadership and rising young talent has been key to Miami's success.
The question now becomes whether Miami can sustain this historic start as the pressure intensifies. Every remaining opponent will treat the RedHawks as their biggest game of the season, and the margin for error will shrink with each passing week. Miami’s depth, balance, and veteran leadership give them a real chance to continue this remarkable run, but the MAC is known for unpredictable road environments and physical, grind-it-out matchups. If Suder maintains his elite scoring form and the supporting cast continues to deliver consistent production, Miami has the tools to finish atop the conference and enter March as one of the most compelling mid‑major stories in the country. The RedHawks have already proven they can win close games, handle adversity, and rise to big moments. Now the challenge is to keep doing it with the entire nation watching.
