As the postseason is rapidly approaching in Division One NCAA Basketball, two teams have stood out as unexpected stars of the season. The Miami University of Ohio Redhawks and the Saint Louis Billikens have a combined win-loss record of 45 wins and 1 loss, placing both of them atop their respective conferences. These two teams are cruising into the postseason if they continue to win at the same level.
Miami, who has not appeared in the NCAA tournament since 2007 and is currently holding a record of 23 wins and zero losses, brought back 7 players from last season and added 5 incoming freshmen to build their roster that has fought in the gauntlet that is the Mid-American Conference. They have won close games against teams like Buffalo, University of Massachusetts and Akron; however, their low-ranked conference opponents have caused many to bring about the argument regarding them having a weak Strength of Schedule or Strength of Record. Miami holds the 211th strongest Strength of Schedule out of 365 Division One teams. However, if Miami wins their conference tournament in March, they are guaranteed a spot in the NCAA tournament. Miami’s best season ever according to wins had them winning 25 games, and this season they only need three more wins to surpass that record. If they can remain strong and continue to find a way to win these close games, they will surely succeed in making school history.
Saint Louis University, on the other hand, is currently holding a record of 22 wins and only one loss, which came on a last-second miracle shot by Southern California. As the current leader of the American 10 conference, the team has had more breathing room with their opponents than Miami, scoring over 100 points seven times this season and holding an average point margin of +23.6. The team is led by two juniors, Robbie Avila, who has gained notoriety and popularity across the country for his goggles and playstyle, and Trey Green, who average a combined 25.3 points per game. However, what makes the team strong is their depth. Saint Louis has six players averaging over 10 points per game and two more averaging over 8, being the only team in the nation to do so. As the team rolls through the latter half of the season, they must carry their momentum and capitalize on their matchups to fight to make the tournament in March.
Reporters and fans across the nation alike have marveled at the unexpected stardom of these two teams. As the regular season comes to a close and the postseason approaches, the challenges of showing up when it matters plague every team trying to make the tournament, and these two teams must fight to accomplish history.
