Fresh off a 25-win season, Miami (OH) basketball returns most of its starting lineup, including a First Team All-MAC player.
The tradition continues! It’s another year of our countdown of the top 100 preseason teams in college basketball until the start of the season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Up next: Miami (OH) basketball.
The Travis Steele era at Miami (OH) continues into the 2025-26 season with possibly his highest expectations. The RedHawks are coming off a 25-9 season, going 14-4 in MAC play. Although they struggled against top competition in the non-conference, they showed dominance in conference, losing by just two points to Akron in the MAC Championship, falling just short of an NCAA Tournament bid.
The biggest loss from last season is Kam Craft, who, for all intents and purposes, was tied for the leading scorer with Peter Suder (just 0.1 PPG difference). Craft was also a key facilitator, so a new guard will have to join the starting lineup.
Miami will also need more depth off the bench, as they are set to lose Reece Potter and Mekhi Cooper, who both shot well from deep and gave Steele reliable options to bring in reserve. Dan Luers is another key loss, but he only played in 12 games, so the RedHawks had to play most of the season without him.
But there are so many bonuses to this team. MAC First Teamer Peter Suder returns, along with double-digit scorer Eian Elmer. The RedHawks also return size down low in Antwone Woolfork, as well as stretch-forward Brant Byers.
Bradley transfer Almar Atlason joins a team made up of mostly returning players and freshmen, and should provide even more shooting, which is the number one strength of this squad.
While they may not be as deep as last season, returning as much as they do, another great season is on the horizon.
Head coach: Travis Steele (4th season at Miami-OH, 8th season overall)
2024-25 record: 25-9 (14-4)
2025 postseason finish: No postseason
Notable departures:
- Kam Craft (13.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 43.1 3P%)
- Reece Potter (6.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, 36.7 3P%)
- Mekhi Cooper (5.8 PPG, 2.7 APG, 2.5 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 38.9 3P%)
- Dan Luers (5.2 PPG, 0.9 RPG, 0.5 APG, 36.0 3P%, 12 GP)
Notable non-conference games:
- N/A
Projected Rotation
PG: Evan Ipsaro (6-0, 180, Jr.)
2024-25 stats: 6.9 PPG, 2.9 APG, 1.8 RPG, 52.3 FG%, 41.7 3P%
SG: Peter Suder (6-5, 220, Sr.)
2024-25 stats: 13.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 49.7 FG%, 35.1 3P%
SF: Eian Elmer (6-6, 215, Jr.)
2024-25 stats: 11.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 40.0 3P%
PF: Brant Byers (6-8, 200, Rs.-So.)
2024-25 stats: 8.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.5 APG, 41.4 3P%
C: Antwone Woolfork (6-9, 245, Sr.)
2024-25 stats: 7.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 61.7 FG%
6: Luke Skaljac (6-2, 190, So.)
2024-25 stats: 5.4 PPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 RPG, 49.6 FG%, 44.3 3P%
7: Almar Atlason (6-8, 235, Jr.)
2024-25 stats: 5.7 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.9 APG, 38.3 3P% (Bradley)
8: Jackson Kotecki (6-9, 220, Jr.)
2024-25 stats: 1.4 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.2 APG, 34.8 FG%
Miami (OH) Basketball team MVP: Peter Suder
In the age of the transfer portal, it isn’t often you can return a conference First Teamer, but that’s exactly what Peter Suder is for this RedHawks team.
At 6-foot-5, 220, Suder has great size on the wing, which allows him to score, rebound, and facilitate. He’s efficient from all over the field and can knock down the three, although there are better options on this team from long range.
But the biggest thing going for Suder is his quick decisions. Suder’s basketball IQ is off the charts – knowing exactly how to make the right plays at the right times. He’s not just a player who can do everything on the court – but he understands the timing and flow of the game, which elevates the offense even more, especially under Steel’s style.
Miami (OH) Basketball make-or-break player: Evan Ipsaro
With Kam Craft gone, it opens up a spot in the starting lineup. My choice is Evan Ipsaro, who averaged about 7 points and 3 assists off the bench last season. Inserting Ipsaro into the starting lineup gives Miami a player who already performed at a high level in his role last season. It seems like a perfect fit.
It’s worth noting that Ipsaro actually started 11 games for the RedHawks his freshman year, so it would actually be a return to the starting five. And as coolheaded of a player as he is, he could really excel this time around. For just being 6-foot, it’s incredible that Ipsaro shot over 50% from the field last season. He’s a knock-down free-throw shooter and three-point shooter, and really gets the ball moving. Miami should literally be in good hands with him in the starting backcourt.
Key analytic: 3P%
The RedHawks shot 39.7% from three as a team last season – third in the nation. It doesn’t get much easier than that as a statistic to look at. They were one of the top three-point shooting teams in the country last year and bring back most of their top options.
Ipsaro, Elmer, Brant Byers, and Luke Skaljac all shot over 40% from distance last year. Suder was around 35%. Bradley transfer Almer Atlason was just over 38% from deep with the Braves. Everyone in the 7-man rotation outside of Woolfork can be relied on to knock down shots from distance. Sure, a few guys are gone, but when you have six players that can hit from deep range (plus the potential of more freshmen or other rotation guys), it poses huge threats for defenses. Everyone has to be on guard at all times.
There’s no wonder Miami averaged over 80 PPG last season and everything is pointing at a similar showing this year.
Miami (OH) Basketball 2025-26 projections
Projected conference finish: 2nd in the MAC
Projected postseason ceiling: NCAA Tournament Round of 64 Exit