In a stunner, No. 20-ranked Miami (Ohio) lost its first game of the season to UMass 87-83 in the Mid-American Conference quarterfinals in Cleveland. Now, Miami's NCAA Tournament hopes hang in the balance. 

With 29 seconds remaining, UMass' Daniel Hankins-Sanford made a layup to break a tie, and the Minutemen never looked back from there to cap off a game that saw 12 lead changes and 10 ties. 

Miami had the game well in hand. They had a 69-58 lead with 8:11 remaining in the game. Then, UMass rallied back with a 13-2 run. Jayden Ndjigue nailed a 3-pointer to tie the game at 71.

Leonardo Bettiol led UMass (17-15) with 25 points, Marcus Banks added 18, and Ndjigue scored 16. Brant Byers led Miami with 17 points.

For Miami (31-1), they have to leave their tourney hopes in the hands of the NCAA Tournament Committee. Many inside college basketball have felt that Miami's strength of schedule and being in the MAC would hinder their chances of getting in the Big Dance if they didn't win the conference tournament. 

"Our guys have earned the right, in my opinion, to play in the NCAA tournament," Miami coach Travis Steele told reporters after the game.

March Madness 2026 dates, full schedule

• First Four: Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17-18, from UD Arena in Dayton
• First round (round of 64):  Thursday, March 19, from KeyBank Center in Buffalo, Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, and Moda Center in Portland
• First round (round of 64):  Friday, March 20, from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Viejas Arena in San Diego, and Enterprise Center in St. Louis
• Second round (round of 32): Saturday, March 21, from KeyBank Center in Buffalo, Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, and Moda Center in Portland
• Second round (round of 32): Sunday, March 22, from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Viejas Arena in San Diego, and Enterprise Center in St. Louis
• Sweet 16 (regional semifinals): Thursday, March 26, from Toyota Center in Houston (South Region), SAP Center in San Jose (West Region)
• Sweet 16 (regional semifinals): Friday, March 27, from United Center in Chicago (Midwest Region), Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (East Region)
• Elite Eight (regional finals):  Saturday, March 28, from Toyota Center in Houston (South Region), SAP Center in San Jose (West Region)
• Elite Eight (regional finals):  Sunday, March 29, from United Center in Chicago (Midwest Region), Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (East Region)
• Final Four (national semifinals and national championship): Saturday, April 4 and Monday, April 6 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

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