Miami (Ohio) athletic director David Sayler defended his men's basketball program amid Bruce Pearl's criticism.
The 29-0 RedHawks are two wins away from securing an undefeated regular season, but Pearl still argued that the MAC program wouldn't warrant an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament if they don't win their conference tournament. Miami ranks 86th in KenPom's team efficiency ratings and 285th in strength of schedule.
"Are we selecting the 68 most deserving teams? Or are we going to select the 68 best teams?" Pearl asked Saturday on a TNT Sports studio show. "If we’re selecting the 68 best teams, then Miami (Ohio) is going to have to win their tournament to qualify as a champion. Because as an at-large, they are not one of the best teams in the country. And that’s going to be a difficult choice for the committee to make."
Pearl doubled down by claiming there's "no way" Miami (Ohio) would finish in the top half of the Big East. The retired Auburn head coach was also "not so sure" the RedHawks could avoid last place.
Auburn, now coached by Pearl's son Steven Pearl, may also compete for an at-large bid. The older Pearl claimed there's "no nepotism involved" with preferring the Tigers.
Those comments led Sayler to admonish Pearl, saying he's "flat out wrong" for suggesting Miami (Ohio) would finish at the bottom of the Big East.
"The disrespect is awful," Sayler wrote on social media. "And you should not be near a TV studio covering this sport when you show your true colors! Even slipped in a 'we' when talking about Auburn, nice work!"
"I think they deserve more respect"
Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sayler went after Pearl again during an ESPN Radio appearance on Amber & Ian. He noted that the RedHawks are on the precipice of history.
“Since 1985, only five teams have finished the season undefeated,” Sayler said. “That’s over 12,000 teams that had the chance to do just that, and only five have done it. If we get to that level of status, I just don’t understand how somebody can make the comments he’s making and not put respect on what our student-athletes are doing."
He explained what led him to push back and tweet about Pearl on Monday morning.
"I didn’t go into work today thinking I was going to put something out like I did," Sayler added. "What really pushed me over the top was trying to say that we would finish in last place in the Big East, or towards the bottom. And then when he used the word ‘we’ in describing Auburn. Just the media bias and the stumping for something that is inappropriate, especially at the expense of our young men who have worked their tails off to be really in a historic place, and I think they deserve more respect."
Miami (Ohio) can make the conversation moot by winning the MAC tournament and earning an automatic March Madness bid. The MAC hasn't sent multiple teams dancing since 1999, so the debate could intensify if the RedHawks fall short of perfection.