Storylines
Hunter, not hunted: encore after 32-2 and a First Four win Miami is the unanimous-in-spirit favorite (9 of 12 first-place votes) and chasing back-to-back MAC regular-season titles for the first time since the early 1990s, with a target on its back and an expanded 22-game MAC schedule. source
Evan Ipsaro back from a torn ACL Ipsaro tore his ACL in late December 2025 (12 games played), was cleared in October, and scored 15 with 5 assists in the Nov 2 opener at JMU, his first game since the injury. source
Antwone Woolfolk's fifth season after a summer of eligibility concerns Woolfolk (Rutgers transfer, 9.8 PPG/5.3 RPG, All-MAC HM) was announced as returning for 2026-27 on Aug 7, 2026 per the official site, after what The Miami Student called 'a summer with eligibility concerns'; Caleb's Corner flagged him as a fifth-year player 'attempting to play.' He played and grabbed 10 rebounds at JMU. The Miami Student ran a Sept 2026 column questioning the precedent; details of the waiver were not readable this session. source
Replacing Suder, Byers and Elmer MAC POY Peter Suder exhausted eligibility; All-MAC second-teamers Brant Byers (Penn State) and Eian Elmer (Wisconsin) and freshman Trey Perry (Coastal Carolina) left via the portal. Steele replaced them with Stevie Elam (Milwaukee), Rich Rolf (Youngstown State), Preston Copeland (Ball State) and freshmen Horton, Fresh and Kelly. source
Skaljac's emergence at point guard Junior Luke Skaljac took over at point guard after Ipsaro's injury, earned All-MAC Third Team, and was named a captain and Preseason All-MAC First Team; he led Miami with 19 points at JMU. source
Recent news
2026-11-02 RedHawks earn first victory of the season at JMU, 86-77 Miami opened the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge with a road win in Harrisonburg. Skaljac 19 pts/5 ast (go-ahead three with ~6:30 left); Ipsaro 15 pts/5 ast in his first game since a late-December ACL tear; Elam 13 pts on 6-8 off the bench in his debut; Woolfolk 10 reb, 1 blk in his first game back after summer eligibility concerns. JMU: Paul Jones III 14. source
2026-11-01 Dayton Daily News opener preview: 11 returners, six newcomers Jablonski's roundup notes Ipsaro's return from a season-ending injury, Elam as top newcomer and Rolf as a local (Centerville) addition; KenPom had Miami 123rd and JMU 150th. source
Preseason previews
Miami was the overwhelming preseason favorite, taking nine first-place votes and 130 points ahead of Toledo (117), Akron (110) and Kent State (108). Miami also drew the most votes (5) to win the MAC Tournament, ahead of Toledo (4), UMass (2) and Kent State (1). Senior guard Evan Ipsaro and junior guard Luke Skaljac were both named Preseason All-MAC First Team.
Local TV write-up of the coaches' poll. Miami, entering Travis Steele's fifth season, returns 11 players from the 32-win team that went undefeated in the regular season, won the MAC regular-season title and won a First Four game. Ipsaro (Cincinnati native, Covington Catholic) and Skaljac were named Preseason All-MAC First Team; Ipsaro, Skaljac and senior forward Almar Atlason are the three captains. The piece notes Miami is seeking consecutive MAC regular-season titles for the first time since the early 1990s.
Interview with Steele ahead of his fifth season. He says Miami will 'always be the hunter, not the hunted' and that 'the job isn't finished yet,' with Elite Eight/Final Four ambitions. He expects to play nine players and cites ball movement, shooting and a bigger back line in man-to-man defense as strengths. Returning captains are Skaljac (took over at point guard when Ipsaro was hurt), Atlason (9.9 PPG off the bench, moving to the four after changing his body) and Ipsaro (recently cleared from injury). Peter Suder (14.8 PPG team leader) is gone, as are Brant Byers (Penn State) and Eian Elmer (Wisconsin). Non-conference has no power-conference opponents (James Madison, Wright State, High Point); MAC play expands from 18 to 22 games.
Miami returns five key players from the 32-2 team: Ipsaro (13.9 PPG, 3.3 APG in 12 games), Skaljac (10.3 PPG, 4.7 APG, All-MAC Third Team), Atlason (9.9 PPG), Woolfolk (9.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, All-MAC HM) and Kirby (6.2 PPG). Losses: Suder (MAC POY, eligibility exhausted), Byers (Penn State), Elmer (Wisconsin), Perry (Coastal Carolina). Additions: transfers Preston Copeland (Ball State), Rich Rolf (Youngstown State), Stevie Elam (Milwaukee) and freshmen Alan Horton, Anthony Fresh, Danny Kelly. Non-conference: at JMU (Nov 2), UIC at the Scout Jacksonville Classic (Nov 22), High Point (Dec 12). The writers expect Miami to get through non-conference largely unscathed with conference play the real test.
Highlights Miami's undefeated 2025-26 regular season. Ipsaro returns from injury and Skaljac is expected to be an impactful guard after taking over a starting role. Milwaukee transfer Stevie Elam and returning sophomore Justin Kirby form a combo-guard pair that should add scoring. The frontcourt is deep, with transfers Rich Rolf and Preston Copeland joining returners Almar Atlason and Antwone Woolfolk.
Caleb's Corner (Substack):
26-27 MAC Preview 2026-10-22 · Caleb Arthur · projected 1st of 12 in the author's power ranking
Author ranks Miami first, picks Evan Ipsaro as MAC Player of the Year and All-Conference First Team, Travis Steele as Coach of the Year, and Antwone Woolfolk as a First Team center, flagging Woolfolk with asterisks as a fifth-year player attempting to play.
Spring roster rundown of 16 players entering Steele's fifth year after the 32-2, 18-0 season. Freshmen Alan Horton (6-9; 11.7 pts/9.8 reb as a HS junior), Anthony Fresh (6-4; 20.9 pts as a HS junior) and Danny Kelly (6-5 Moeller; 10.1 pts as a senior) join transfers Preston Copeland (Ball State, 4.6/4.4, 24 starts), Stevie Elam (Milwaukee, 10.5 pts/4.7 reb, 12 starts) and Rich Rolf (Youngstown State, 9.1/4.5/2.1, 30 starts). Returners include Ipsaro (13.9 pts in 12 games, injury), Skaljac (10.3 pts, team-high 149 assists), Kirby (6.2 pts, 52.5% FG), Atlason (9.9 pts, 60 threes at 36.4%), Robbins (3.1 pts, 17 blocks), Kotecki (17 games), Waltz (3.0 pts), Wright, Stowers and senior guard Blake Anderson. At the time, the paper listed Antwone Woolfolk as graduated alongside Peter Suder and Eli Yofan; Woolfolk later returned (Aug 2026). Blake Anderson does not appear on the official 2026-27 roster as of Nov 2026.
Opener-day roundup. Miami has 11 returners and six newcomers. Ipsaro averaged 13.9 points in 12 games before a season-ending injury. Top newcomer is 6-3 sophomore guard Stevie Elam (10.5 PPG at Milwaukee); 6-7 Centerville product Rich Rolf (Charlotte, then Youngstown State; 9.1 PPG) also joins. Miami opened at James Madison Nov 2 (KenPom: Miami 123rd, JMU 150th). Recaps last year's 31-0 regular season, UMass loss, First Four win over SMU at UD Arena and loss to Tennessee. Describes Steele as in his sixth season (other sources say fifth).
Players
Almar Atlason #11 · F · Senior · 6' 8" · 230 lbs
12.5 pts3.0 reb2.5 ast32.5 min
9-28 FG3-18 3PT4-5 FT
41.4 TS%21.7 shots+TO/40
#11, 6-8, Reykjavik, Iceland (Sunrise Christian). Captain. 9.9 PPG off the bench in 2025-26; expected to play more at the four after an offseason body transformation. source source
Local 12 (WKRC Cincinnati): Senior forward, one of three captains. source
ClutchPoints: Averaged 9.9 PPG off the bench; expected to play more power forward; changed his body in the offseason. source
sMACk Talk (Substack): 9.9 PPG. source
Mid-Major Madness (SB Nation) via Yahoo Sports: Returning frontcourt piece. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 9.9 pts; 60 made threes at 36.4%. source
Game log
Luke Skaljac #3 · G · Junior · 6' 2" · 190 lbs
19.0 pts4.0 reb5.0 ast32.0 min
5-14 FG3-6 3PT6-6 FT
57.1 TS%24.6 shots+TO/40
#3, 6-2, Brecksville, Ohio. Captain. Preseason All-MAC First Team; All-MAC Third Team in 2025-26 (10.3 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.0 RPG). Took over at point guard after Ipsaro's injury. 19 pts, 5 ast at JMU, including the go-ahead three with ~6:30 left. source source source
Mid-American Conference: Preseason All-MAC First Team (G, Jr.). source
Local 12 (WKRC Cincinnati): Junior guard, captain, Preseason All-MAC First Team. source
ClutchPoints: Became starting point guard when Ipsaro was injured mid-season; Steele praised his end-of-season play. source
sMACk Talk (Substack): 10.3 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.0 RPG; All-MAC Third Team. source
Mid-Major Madness (SB Nation) via Yahoo Sports: Impactful guard taking over for a departed starter. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 10.3 pts; team-high 149 assists. source
Game log
Evan Ipsaro #2 · G · Senior · 6' 0" · 185 lbs
13.5 pts2.0 reb5.0 ast28.0 min
6-19 FG3-9 3PT12-14 FT
53.7 TS%19.4 shots+TO/40
#2, 6-0, Cincinnati (Covington Catholic). Captain. Preseason All-MAC First Team. 13.9 PPG, 3.3 APG in 12 games in 2025-26 before tearing his ACL in late December; cleared in October. 15 pts, 5 ast at JMU Nov 2 in his return. Caleb's Corner POY pick. source source source source
Mid-American Conference: Preseason All-MAC First Team (G, Sr.). source
Local 12 (WKRC Cincinnati): Senior guard, Cincinnati native, captain, Preseason All-MAC First Team. source
ClutchPoints: Missed time with injury; recently cleared to return. source
sMACk Talk (Substack): 13.9 PPG, 3.3 APG in 12 games in 2025-26. source
Mid-Major Madness (SB Nation) via Yahoo Sports: Returns from injury. source
Caleb's Corner (Substack): Author's pick for MAC Player of the Year. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 13.9 pts, 3.3 ast in 12 games; missed extended time with injury. source
Dayton Daily News: 13.9 PPG in 12 games before a season-ending injury in 2025-26. source
Game log
Justin Kirby #6 · G · Sophomore · 6' 4" · 190 lbs
12.0 pts7.5 reb1.0 ast27.5 min
9-18 FG4-7 3PT2-2 FT
63.6 TS%15.9 shots+TO/40
#6, 6-4, Fishers, Ind. 6.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG as a freshman; projected combo-guard scorer alongside Elam. source source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Sophomore guard; 6.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG. source
Mid-Major Madness (SB Nation) via Yahoo Sports: Returning sophomore combo guard. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 6.2 pts on 52.5% FG. source
Game log
Antwone Woolfolk #13 · F · Senior · 6' 9" · 250 lbs
7.5 pts7.0 reb1.0 ast25.0 min
5-7 FG0-1 3PT5-6 FT
77.8 TS%10.1 shots+TO/40
#13, 6-9, Cleveland (Brush). 9.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, All-MAC HM in 2025-26. Listed as graduated by the Journal-News in May 2026; return for a fifth season announced Aug 2026 after eligibility concerns; 10 rebounds and a block at JMU in his first game back. source source source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Graduate forward; 9.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG; All-MAC Honorable Mention. source
Mid-Major Madness (SB Nation) via Yahoo Sports: Returning frontcourt piece. source
Caleb's Corner (Substack): Author's First Team center; flagged as a fifth-year player attempting to play. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): Listed as graduated in May 2026; subsequently returned for a fifth season. source
Game log
Stevie Elam #8 · G · Sophomore · 6' 3" · 210 lbs
11.5 pts5.0 reb1.5 ast24.5 min
10-18 FG3-9 3PT0-0 FT
63.9 TS%14.7 shots+TO/40
#8, 6-3, Adrian, Mich. 10.5 PPG, ~5 RPG at UW-Milwaukee. 13 points on 6-8 shooting off the bench in his Miami debut at JMU. source source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Transfer from Milwaukee. source
Mid-Major Madness (SB Nation) via Yahoo Sports: Milwaukee transfer; combo-guard scorer. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 6-3, 200; 10.5 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.0 stl in 25 games (12 starts) at Milwaukee. source
Dayton Daily News: 6-3 sophomore guard, top newcomer, 10.5 PPG at Milwaukee. source
Game log
Kyle Waltz #25 · F · Sophomore · 6' 7" · 220 lbs
10.5 pts7.0 reb1.0 ast23.5 min
5-8 FG2-4 3PT9-10 FT
84.7 TS%12.3 shots+TO/40
#25, 6-7, Elmhurst, Ill. (York). On roster; no coverage notes found. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 3.0 pts in 21 games. source
Game log
Tyler Robbins #20 · F · Sophomore · 6' 10" · 250 lbs
5.0 pts3.5 reb0.5 ast11.0 min
5-9 FG0-3 3PT0-0 FT
55.6 TS%18.2 shots+TO/40
#20, 6-10, Pittsburgh (Upper St. Clair). On roster; no coverage notes found. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 6-10; 3.1 pts, 17 blocks. source
Game log
Leshawn Stowers #21 · G · Freshman · 6' 5" · 195 lbs
0.0 pts0.5 reb0.5 ast7.0 min
0-0 FG0-0 3PT0-0 FT
– TS%2.9 shots+TO/40
#21, 6-5, Peoria, Ill. Listed as redshirt freshman on the 2026-27 roster. source
Game log
Rich Rolf #9 · F · Senior · 6' 7" · 220 lbs
Centerville, OH · from Youngstown State (previously Charlotte) · transfer in ·
ESPN ·
@rich_rolf13
0.0 pts1.0 reb1.0 ast5.0 min
0-1 FG0-1 3PT0-0 FT
0.0 TS%8.0 shots+TO/40
#9, 6-7, Centerville, Ohio. 9.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 36.8% 3PT at YSU in 2025-26. source source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Transfer from Youngstown State. source
Mid-Major Madness (SB Nation) via Yahoo Sports: Transfer adding frontcourt depth. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 6-7, 210; 9.1 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.1 ast in 31 games (30 starts) at Youngstown State. source
Dayton Daily News: 6-7 forward from Centerville; Charlotte then Youngstown State; 9.1 PPG last season. source
Game log
Alan Horton #00 · F · Freshman · 6' 9" · 240 lbs
2.0 pts0.0 reb0.0 ast4.0 min
1-1 FG0-0 3PT0-0 FT
100.0 TS%10.0 shots+TO/40
#00, 6-9, Toledo (St. Francis de Sales). source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Freshman. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 6-9 freshman F/C from Toledo St. Francis de Sales; 11.7 pts, 9.8 reb as a HS junior. source
Game log
Anthony Fresh #1 · G · Freshman · 6' 4" · 180 lbs
Has not appeared yet.
#1, 6-4, Jeffersonville, Ind. (Charlestown). source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Freshman. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 6-4 freshman guard from Charlestown (Ind.); 20.9 pts, 5.9 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.2 stl as a HS junior. source
Game log
Blake Anderson #33 · G · Senior · 6' 4" · 195 lbs
Evansville, IN · unknown ·
ESPN
Has not appeared yet.
Evansville, Ind. Listed on the Journal-News May 26, 2026 roster but not on the official 2026-27 roster page as of Nov 2026; status unknown. source source
Journal-News (Hamilton): Senior guard from Evansville listed on the May roster; absent from the official November roster. source
Game log
Danny Kelly #35 · F · Freshman · 6' 5" · 210 lbs
Has not appeared yet.
#35, 6-5, Cincinnati (Archbishop Moeller). source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Freshman. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 6-5 freshman forward from Archbishop Moeller; 10.1 pts, 3.1 reb as a senior, started all 19 games. source
Game log
Ethan Wright #7 · F · Senior · 6' 6" · 190 lbs
Philadelphia, PA · returner ·
ESPN
Has not appeared yet.
#7, 6-6, Philadelphia (Spring Valley Academy). On roster; no 2026-27 coverage notes found. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): Veteran wing listed at 6-5. source
Game log
Jackson Kotecki #24 · F · Senior · 6' 9" · 225 lbs
Has not appeared yet.
#24, 6-9, Chicago (St. Ignatius). On roster; no coverage notes found. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): 6-9; played 17 games in 2025-26; frontcourt depth. source
Game log
Preston Copeland #5 · F · Sophomore · 6' 9" · 215 lbs
Has not appeared yet.
#5, 6-9, Clayton, N.C. 4.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG at Ball State. source source
sMACk Talk (Substack): Transfer from Ball State. source
Mid-Major Madness (SB Nation) via Yahoo Sports: Transfer adding frontcourt depth. source
Journal-News (Hamilton): Ball State transfer; 4.6 pts, 4.4 reb in 30 games (24 starts) as a freshman; Combine Academy prep. source
Game log
