Pete Gillen says Miami RedHawks’ strength of schedule hurts them

CBS Sports college basketball analyst and former Xavier Musketeers head coach Pete Gillen spoke during the broadcast of the Akron Zips’ win against the Kent State Golden Flashes about the No. 24 Miami RedHawks’ NET strength of schedule, which ranks 350th among Div. I teams.

At 21-0, MU is one of just two undefeated Div. I teams remaining, along with No. 1 Arizona.

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“That (strength of schedule) is gonna really hurt them,” Gillen said. “Great team. Travis Steele’s done an unbelievable job. But (No.) 350 strength of schedule – they’re gonna look at that.”

Gillen was asked whether the RedHawks should earn an at-large NCAA tournament bid if they win the rest of their regular-season games but lose in the MAC tournament.

“I think they should go,” Gillen said. “Yeah, Miami should get in. But the thing – 350 strength of schedule – that jumps out to you like a big red flag. I mean, I love Travis Steele. I love what he’s doing at Miami of Ohio. But 350, to me you look at that and say I don’t know. But once again … big schools, right? Big Ten, ACC, Big 12 don’t want to play teams in the MAC. They don’t think they can beat them.”

Gillen was 202-75 in nine seasons as XU’s head coach.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Pete Gillen says Miami RedHawks’ strength of schedule hurts them