Bruce Pearl made a mortal enemy of Miami (OH)’s athletic director, David Sayler.
Miami Ohio’s AD David Sayler responded to Bruce Pearl:
“You are flat out wrong.. The disrespect is awful 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!” pic.twitter.com/phDcmaUPhE
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) March 2, 2026
Sayler was responding to comments by Pearl on various shows this week about Miami (OH) not doing enough to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Bruce Pearl on 29-0 Miami (OH): “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.” 🏀🎙️#NCAATournamentpic.twitter.com/7DQiDmm1Ql
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 28, 2026
“In the Big East conference this year [Miami (OH)] would finish in the lower half… they may not finish last but I’ll tell you what, I’m not so sure…” – @coachbrucepearl pic.twitter.com/D9hKVa6PhJ
— Wake Up Barstool (@wakeupbarstool) March 2, 2026
The 29-0 Redhawks will have to win the MAC Conference Championship to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. If they were to lose, an at-large bid is not a safe bet.
Online chatter defended Sayler’s move because at 29-0, regardless of conference, it’s insane that a postseason spot isn’t secured.
Bruce Pearl was the MBB Coach of the Year last year, and quit right before the season so that he could hand his job to his son. Auburn is 15-14, and according to ESPN, still favored to make the NCAA Tournament. Here’s Pearl arguing against 29-0 Miami Ohio getting an at large. https://t.co/YFzsEMBgVU
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) March 1, 2026
Better yet; can someone explain to me why anyone cares what Bruce Pearl has to say about it? https://t.co/Xektb3LHNi pic.twitter.com/mpub2kw8dY
— Fred Himes Jr. (@BigChiefBuckeye) March 2, 2026
Bruce Pearl is an absolute embarrassment. How do you even say that with a straight face? https://t.co/Tta62SjAeT
— Connor McAfee (@ConnorJMcAfee) March 2, 2026
Miami (OH) has two more regular-season games before entering the MAC Tournament as the No. 1 seed, where winning will secure a spot in the Tournament. One loss, and it can all be over.
