Miami RedHawks Basketball 2026–27 Season Preview: Building on a Historic Season in Oxford

Miami University enters the 2026–27 men’s basketball season facing a different kind of challenge: following an extraordinary breakthrough.

After an undefeated regular season, a Mid-American Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament victory, the RedHawks have raised expectations in Oxford. Travis Steele’s program now must replace important contributors while maintaining the confidence and offensive execution that made last season special.

Returning guards Evan Ipsaro and Luke Skaljac, forward Almar Atlason and experienced big man Antwone Woolfolk give Miami a strong foundation. The question is whether that core, supported by newcomers and developing reserves, can keep the RedHawks near the top of the MAC.

How Did Miami Do Last Season?

Miami finished 32–2 overall and 18–0 in MAC play, completing the regular season 31–0. The RedHawks went 16–0 at home and 14–0 on the road, producing a remarkable combination of consistency and composure.

Their first loss came against Massachusetts, 87–83, in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals. Miami nevertheless earned an NCAA Tournament at-large bid and defeated SMU 89–79 in the First Four before falling 78–56 to Tennessee in the first round.

The 32 victories set a program record. Miami captured its first MAC regular-season title since 2005 and earned its first NCAA Tournament victory since 1999. Steele was unanimously selected as MAC Coach of the Year, while Peter Suder earned MAC Player of the Year honors.

Offensive efficiency drove the success. Miami averaged 89.6 points, shot 51.8% from the field, and connected on 38.7% of its three-pointers. The RedHawks made 10.5 threes per game, forcing opponents to defend across the floor.

However, this season’s roster does not include Suder, Brant Byers or Eian Elmer. Replacing their scoring, experience and contributions on the wings is a major part of the challenge ahead.

Coaching Staff Breakdown

Travis Steele — Head Coach: Steele enters his fifth season at Miami with considerable momentum. Following the historic 2025–26 campaign, the university extended his contract through 2033–34.

His task now is to preserve the habits behind last season’s success while adjusting responsibilities. Miami has established that its approach can produce excellent offense; sustaining that efficiency with different leading scorers will test the program’s development work.

Khristian Smith — Associate Head Coach: Smith has worked with Steele at Miami since 2022. His background includes helping the RedHawks improve defensively, making his continuity valuable as the team replaces experienced perimeter players.

Ben Botts — Assistant Coach: Botts brings extensive MAC experience from his time at Ball State, where his responsibilities included offensive planning, scouting and player development. That familiarity should help Miami prepare for conference opponents and integrate players into clearly defined roles.

Andrew Dakich — Assistant Coach: Dakich joins Miami after four seasons at Illinois State, where he served as offensive coordinator. His experience developing guards is particularly relevant for a team built around Ipsaro and Skaljac, with younger backcourt players pushing for minutes.

Carl Richburg and Elijah Pennington — Assistant Coaches: Both remain part of Steele’s staff, providing continuity as Miami develops its rotation. Dan Luers serves as a graduate assistant.

Centers and Interior Play

Miami lists most of its big men as forwards, so these groupings reflect projected responsibilities rather than an announced depth chart.

Antwone Woolfolk provides the most established interior presence. The 6-foot-9 veteran started all 33 games he played last season, averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds while earning Honorable Mention All-MAC recognition.

Woolfolk’s return gives Miami a player who understands its system and has already handled important minutes on a championship team. His screening, finishing and ability to hold position inside should help the guards operate effectively.

Tyler Robbins, a 6-foot-10, 245-pound sophomore, is a candidate for increased responsibility. He averaged 3.1 points in 5.9 minutes per game last season and recorded 17 blocks. The next step is showing that his production can translate to longer stretches against starting-caliber opponents.

Preston Copeland arrives from Ball State with useful conference experience. The 6-foot-9 sophomore started 24 games as a freshman and averaged 4.6 points and 4.4 rebounds.

Copeland could help Miami manage foul trouble and maintain rebounding when Woolfolk rests. He does not need to become a featured scorer immediately to make the rotation stronger.

Freshman Alan Horton, listed as a 6-foot-9 forward/center, adds another developmental option in the paint.

Forwards Breakdown

Almar Atlason is positioned for a larger offensive role. The senior averaged 9.9 points and 2.5 rebounds last season and was named a team captain alongside Ipsaro and Skaljac.

Atlason demonstrated his scoring potential with a 26-point performance at Ball State, including five three-pointers. His ability to stretch the floor should remain important as Miami replaces production from its departing wings. Greater consistency as a rebounder and defender would make him even more valuable.

Rich Rolf brings experience from Youngstown State, where he averaged 9.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists while making 30 starts last season.

The 6-foot-7 Centerville native offers a potential combination of scoring, rebounding and passing. His opportunity is to fit into Miami’s ball movement while helping fill the minutes left by departing forwards.

Jackson Kotecki supplies returning size at 6-foot-9, while Kyle Waltz and Ethan Wright provide additional forward options. Freshman Danny Kelly, a Cincinnati native from Archbishop Moeller, adds another local connection to the roster.

Their paths to meaningful minutes will depend on defensive reliability, rebounding and making good decisions within the offense.

Guards Breakdown

Evan Ipsaro is one of Miami’s most important players entering the season. The former Covington Catholic standout averaged 13.9 points and 3.2 assists in the first 12 games last year before suffering a season-ending injury.

His return offers a proven scoring and ballhandling option. With Miami replacing several established contributors, Ipsaro’s ability to regain his rhythm could determine how quickly the offense settles into its new rotation.

Luke Skaljac gives the RedHawks another experienced organizer. He earned Third Team All-MAC honors and led Miami with 149 assists and 4.7 assists per game last season.

Skaljac’s passing and decision-making should help newcomers find comfortable scoring opportunities. Pairing him with Ipsaro also gives Miami flexibility: either guard can initiate the offense, reducing the pressure on one player to create every possession.

Stevie Elam is an intriguing transfer addition from Milwaukee. As a freshman, he averaged 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds, earned Horizon League All-Freshman Team honors, and made 2.0 three-pointers per game.

His rebounding from the guard position could be especially useful following the loss of productive wings. If his scoring translates smoothly, Elam could become an important complementary option alongside Miami’s returning ballhandlers.

Justin Kirby is another candidate for a larger role. He averaged 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds last season while making 40.5% of his three-pointers. That shooting gives him a clear way to contribute when defenses concentrate on Ipsaro, Skaljac or the interior players.

Redshirt freshman Leshawn Stowers, freshman Anthony Fresh and senior Blake Anderson round out the backcourt. Their development will help determine how much flexibility Steele has when managing injuries, foul trouble and different defensive matchups.

Prediction for the 2026–27 Season

My projection is 23–26 overall victories and a top-three MAC finish, with Miami firmly in the conference championship race.

Repeating a 31–0 regular season is an exceptionally high standard. The more practical measure of success is whether Miami remains a championship contender while replacing substantial production.

The returning guard combination is the strongest reason for confidence. Ipsaro and Skaljac should provide organization and composure, while Woolfolk offers stability inside. Atlason, Rolf, Elam and Kirby give the offense several potential supporting scorers.

The key concerns are replacing the departed wings’ two-way contributions and maintaining efficiency when opponents focus their scouting on the returning core.

My pick is a MAC Tournament championship-game appearance, with a return to the NCAA Tournament a realistic possibility. Miami should approach the season expecting to compete for the automatic bid; another at-large selection would require an exceptional résumé.

Conclusion

Miami has earned the right to enter this season with ambitious expectations. Steele has established a winning foundation, and several players who helped build it remain in place.

The RedHawks’ next challenge is proving that last season’s success can carry forward through roster changes. If Ipsaro returns effectively, Skaljac continues directing the offense and the supporting cast develops dependable roles, Miami should remain one of the MAC’s most compelling teams—and a serious threat when March arrives.