As Miami University RedHawks men’s basketball season draws near, the team looks to build upon one of the program’s best performances in recent years following a 25-9 campaign in 2024-25.
In head coach Travis Steele’s third season, the team made it to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship game for the first time in 18 years, losing by two points to the University of Akron Zips.
The RedHawks’ averaged 80.6 points – including 10.7 triples – 30.9 rebounds and 16.2 assists while allowing opponents to score 72.7 points per game. The team averaged 48.1% from the field.
Miami’s dominance in the MAC largely came from a roster that included key returners like senior guard Peter Suder, the leading scorer from last season. He averaged 13.7 points, and redshirt sophomore wing Brant Byers, who won MAC Freshman of the Year, averaged 8.4 points while shooting 41% from the 3-point line.
Despite the accolades, Steele said the team still has work to do if it wants to make that final push in the championship game.
“We have unfinished business still from last year,” Steele said. “I thought we did everything to earn that win in the championship game. Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way, but we’ve used that as motivation this offseason to get ourselves ready for that moment next time we get that opportunity this year.”
The RedHawks finished the season ranked No. 23 among mid-major programs. This actually caused an issue with creating an out-of-conference schedule. Miami’s full schedule was announced on Oct. 10, just under a month away from the season opener.
Suder said this was a good problem for the team to have, as it showed that other teams were wary of Miami.
“We gotta understand that we got a target on our backs now,” Suder said. “We snuck up on some teams early on, and we ended up being pretty good later on. This year, people know who we are now.”
The RedHawks open the season at home against Old Dominion University on Nov. 3. Their non-conference schedule includes visits to Air Force, whom they beat 73-60 last season, and Wright State University, which handed them their only loss at home in 2024-25.
Steele said the main difference between year one and year four is that he and his coaching staff have established a defined culture. He said it is easier now to find players that fit the Miami playstyle, especially with how many returners are on the roster.
Similar to last season, Steele stressed the importance of Miami reaching its stride in March and capitalizing on the opportunities during the regular season.
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“Just live out our mission statement: can we be the toughest, nastiest team in the MAC that’s committed to getting better every day?” Steele said. “It’s embracing that process. It’s a long year. We want to reach our peak in March up there in Cleveland, try to win three games in three days.”
Steele and Suder are filled with excitement for this upcoming season given Miami’s recent performance and the returning players on the roster. The team also invested in the transfer portal, bringing in Bradley University transfer Almar Atlasson and recruiting six freshmen.
For freshman guard Trey Perry, the preseason has provided an opportunity to learn from players who have already reached the MAC championship, as he hopes to make the push back to Cleveland.
“I just come in here and learn as much as I can – be a sponge to everything they got to offer,” Perry said. “A lot of guys got a lot of experience. They got lots to give me, lots to teach me, to make me a better player. I just gotta come in here and learn as much as I can.”
The RedHawks will take on the Monarchs at home for the season opener. Winning 25 games was a huge improvement for the program, but Miami is hoping to finish the job this season and bring home a conference title for the first time since 2007.
“I just hope [the fans] keep coming out,” Suder said. “When they come, it truly makes a difference for the environment and how we play and the energy in the whole gym. I thank them for coming out last year, and I hope they come out this year again.”
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