When a mid-major goes on an unprecedented and remarkable run to the NCAA Tournament, lofty expectations typically do not follow the same team the next season. They are usually pillaged by the portal, the head coach gets poached and the state of the program becomes a withering ghost of its former glory.
For Miami University men’s basketball in 2026-27, this could not be further from the case. Will the RedHawks once again complete a perfect regular season? Probably not, but the stars over Oxford have aligned so this team could be something equally special.
The main goal of the offseason was to retain head coach Travis Steele. Although Steele’s name spun around the coaches carousel several times this offseason, Miami was able to keep him in Millett with an eight-year extension.
Steele’s return paved a much easier path to roster retention. In total, the RedHawks lost four potential starters. Senior guard Pete Suder graduated and left to join the NBA, while senior forward Antwone Woolfolk’s collegiate future hangs in the balance of an eligibility court case. Eian Elmer and Brant Byers departed Miami in the transfer portal.
Miami was able to retain two key starters who will be featured prominently on this year’s team: junior guard Luke Skaljac, who turned into a consistent double-figure scorer at the end of last season, and senior guard Evan Ipsaro. Skaljac replaced Ipsaro after he suffered a season-ending injury midway through last season. Ipsaro gets to the basket with ease, drawing fouls or finding the open teammate. Prior to his injury, Ipsaro regularly eclipsed the 10-point mark with much of his damage coming from the free-throw line.
Returning veteran guard leadership will give the RedHawks a huge boost of confidence heading into this new season. While neither guard can replace Suder’s presence on the court, the duo’s combined three years of experience in the same back court will help stabilize the offense.
Veteran guard play is a tried-and-true method toward success. Having a calming leader bring the ball up the court and develop the offense will help the RedHawks in late game situations. Skaljac and Ipsaro are not afraid to shoot or make the right pass. Just like with Suder last season, Miami now has two players who can take over the game with their decision making.
Adding University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee guard Stevie Elam brings a third double-digit scorer from the guard position. Just a sophomore, handing Elam the keys to the offense gives Miami another weapon down the stretch.
Steele’s run-and-gun offensive play style is built on the fast break from guards. The combination of Skaljac, Ipsaro and Elam fit perfectly into this scheme. Their experience commanding an offense will allow Miami to hang around late in close games. The Cinderella magic and clutch late-game shooting should continue to excite RedHawk fans this season as well.
At the forward position, Miami deepened its talent pool with a combination of experience and unproven talent. Ball State University transfer forward Preston Copeland fits right into Woolfolk’s role from last season as a defensive force with athleticism around the rim. Sophomore forward Tyler Robbins returns to Oxford looking to break out this season. Robbins fits the typical big-man build and provides a height inside. Freshman center Alan Horton will play a similar role.
Fifth-year senior forward Rich Rolf will fill in as the Byers-like slashing role. The Youngstown State University transfer can drive to the basket while providing the spot-up shooting threat. Senior forward Almar Atlason will continue to provide his three-point threat and rim-running presence.
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Justin Kirby returns for his sophomore season, after a break out following Ipsaro’s injury. In addition to his listed guard position, he will likely play the wing position. It is fair to assume that Kirby will take a big jump in this season after his quick development last year.
Returning critical pieces give the RedHawks an advantage from a roster retention perspective. Additionally, the depth of players coming off Miami’s bench will bolster the team when its key players are having an off night. At minimum, the 121st edition of Miami men’s basketball should contend for a top-four seed in the conference.
Finishing in the top four is not enough. Miami plays a schedule that provides limited road bumps before conference play even begins. Opening the season at James Madison University will be a litmus test for the season to come. The Dukes finished 9-9 in Sun Belt conference play last season. It is a matchup that Miami should win.
Eastern Kentucky University and Bellarmine University finished their seasons sub-.500 in conference play. The University of Illinois Chicago is projected to finish high in the well-regarded Missouri Valley Conference, however, it finished the regular season sixth a year ago.
It is not unrealistic to predict a perfect record for the RedHawks before conference play begins. Dec. 12 is the first matchup where Miami will truly be tested. The team will travel to Greensboro, North Carolina to take on High Point University, which had a Cinderella run of its own last season. If the RedHawks suffer a defeat before the new year, it will most likely be there.
Miami plays another tournament team from a year ago, the Wright State University Raiders, however they were easily dispatched by the RedHawks a season ago, 83-76.
The toughest stretch of the season is an 11-day period where the RedHawks will take on three potential MAC title rivals. From Jan. 5-16, Miami will travel from the University of Toledo to the University of Akron, a home clash with Western Michigan University and a quick trip to Kent State University. If Miami is to falter, that stretch is the most troublesome.
While it is not impossible for Miami to repeat as undefeated regular season conference champions, the unprecedented nature of last year’s magical season leads me to doubt its ability to replicate. The foundation of last season’s RedHawk run is still in place. I trust this team more than any other team in its conference to steal the close game late.
It is fair to expect Miami to win at least 27 games this season, if the core of the team remains healthy. The RedHawks are hungry and hunting for a championship this season. Finishing at the top of the conference is not the goal, it is the expectation. Coach Steele is building something special in Oxford and with that comes a loftier demand from the fanbase.
A successful season for Miami basketball is meaningful basketball being played in March. This team has no reason not to be there.
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