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Miami (Ohio) suffered its first loss of the season. That shouldn't hurt their at-large chances. But what about the rest of the bubble? Plus: Duke survives, the Big 12 changes its tourney floor, K-State hires a coach and what to
Mike Miller
March 13, 2026
Good morning! We’ll see if Friday has the same early fireworks as we saw Thursday.
In partnership with D1.relocation
1. What’s Miami’s loss mean for the bubble?
Miami (Ohio) isn’t perfect anymore, but it should still make the NCAA Tournament. Especially during a season where bubble teams can’t seem to find a win.
The No. 20 RedHawks lost 87-83 to UMass on Thursday in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals. Miami (31-1) had completed the first unbeaten regular season since Gonzaga (2020-21), but had trouble with UMass’ size. When Daniel Hankins-Sanford made a tie-breaking layup with 29 seconds left, Miami had a chance to tie, but turned the ball over.
None of that should derail a storybook season, or an at-large NCAA Tournament berth, coach Travis Steele said.
"Our guys have earned the right, in my opinion, to play in the NCAA tournament.”
UMass coach Frank Martin agreed, as did former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, who previously expressed doubts that Miami deserved a bid. College football writers might be the only people unconvinced about Miami. The likeliest outcome for the RedHawks? An 11 seed, and possibly playing in Dayton.
Assuming Miami gets in, the MAC will have at least two teams in the NCAAs. If Saint Louis doesn’t win the A-10 tournament, that’s another bid thief, maybe two, depending on how VCU fares.
So where does that leave power conference bubble teams from Thursday?
Start with Auburn, which lost 72-62 to Tennessee in the SEC second round. The Tigers (17-16) allowed a 19-0 run that swung things for Tennessee and probably ended their at-large hopes. At nearly .500 and with 16 losses, the Tigers don’t have a strong case.
NC State (20-13) lost 81-74 to Virginia in the ACC quarterfinals. It’s lost seven of its last nine games, but is 35th in the NET and 11-11 vs. Q1 and Q2 teams. That should be enough.
Texas A&M (21-11) got drilled by Oklahoma, 83-63, late Thursday. The Sooners (19-14) aren’t on the right side of the bubble yet, but with another win or two, it could swap spots with A&M or Missouri (20-12), which lost to Kentucky on Thursday.
Georgia (22-10) lost to Ole Miss, but should be fine. TCU (22-11) is in the same range despite a loss to Kansas. Same goes for UCF (21-11), which was drilled by Arizona.
There was a non-power conference team that won — New Mexico beat San Jose State, 93-77 — but that victory won’t boost the Lobos much. They’re 23-9, but are 45th in NET. Today’s game against San Diego State (21-10) will be crucial for two bubble teams.
The bad bubble results are such that Ohio State (21-11) should feel like a lock about Selection Sunday after its 72-69 win over Iowa. Two weeks ago, it was outside looking in. How things change.
2. Big 12 tourney moves back to wooden floor
The Big 12 decided to roll out an all-LED floor for its men’s and women’s tournaments. And it decided the bad reviews were enough.
Women’s players said the court was “slippery” and some said the light-up floor gave them migraines. But once Texas Tech point guard Christian Anderson slipped and left Thursday’s 75-53 loss to Iowa State, you knew the floor’s days were numbered.
