Will 31-1 Miami (OH) Make NCAA Tournament After UMass Upset? New Expert Bracketology Predictions

After finishing the regular season with a perfect 31-0 record, No. 20 Miami (OH) tasted defeat for the first time this year in devastating fashion.

The RedHawks lost 87-83 to UMass in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament on Thursday.

The loss could put Miami (OH) at risk of missing out on an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament this year, but CBS Sports' Matt Norlander still called the team "a lock" for March Madness and pointed out that the MAC is a two-bid league. Therefore, another team on the bubble likely had its March Madness dreams come to an end.

ESPN's Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi added that Miami (OH) "remains in the field" despite the loss to UMass:

ESPN's Jeff Borzello explained that the RedHawks could be headed to the First Four of the NCAA Tournament following Thursday's loss:

Miami (OH) had defeated UMass twice during the regular season, but neither of those wins were easy. The RedHawks survived their first meeting 86-84 in January before winning 86-77 the following month.

On Thursday, the Minutemen kept things close and only trailed by two heading into halftime before outscoring the RedHawks 50-44 in the second half. Senior forward Leonardo Bettiol dropped a game-high 25 points to secure the win and keep UMass' season alive.

Sophomore guard Brant Byers led Miami (OH) with 17 points, but leading scorer Peter Suder was held to just 10 points. The RedHawks allowed the Minutemen to shoot 52 percent from the field.

It sounds like Miami (OH) shouldn't have much to worry about on Selection Sunday, but surprises at this time of the year are not uncommon. The RedHawks will be anxiously awaiting their fate like the rest of the bubble teams as the bracket for the NCAA Tournament is revealed.