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Led by a career-high 19 points from Luke Skaljac, the Miami RedHawks handled Buffalo on Tuesday night to extend their historic winning streak to 23 games. The victory cemented the longest streak in Mid-American Conference history and maintained Miami’s status as the owner of the longest active winning streak in Division I men’s basketball.
The sophomore guard scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half to help the RedHawks extend their streak in the narrow 73-71 victory. Brant Byers added 11 points and senior guard Peter Suder added another 10 with eight assists.
Miami (Ohio) guard Luke Skaljac (3) drives to the basket in front of Buffalo forward Ezra McKenna (13) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game in Buffalo, New York, on Feb. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
“We keep finding ways to win and tonight was just another example of that,” Skaljac said via the team’s website.
“I know we can score, we’re one of the best offensive teams in the country,” added head coach Travis Steele, according to Cincinnati asks. “It’s more about our defense, that’s my whole focus right now.”
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To call this season’s run historic would be an understatement, even for a program not typically recognized as a “powerhouse” in men’s basketball. The RedHawks went unranked for more than two decades before retaking the top 25 rankings last month for the first time since 1999. They are one of only two teams in Division I to remain undefeated and are one win ahead of No. 1 Arizona’s streak of 22.
The RedHawks are currently the No. 23 ranked team and are on the brink of the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007. In contrast to that run that ended in the first round, Miami has had two other notable stints – a Sweet 16 appearance in 1999 led by Wally Szczerbiak and three straight 8 NCs from 8 NCs. all-time leading scorer and five-time NBA champion Ron Harper.
Miami RedHawks guard Ron Harper (34) in action against Maryland Terrapins forward Tom Jones (41) in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 15, 1985. (Malcolm Emmons/USA TODAY Sports)
One Miami alum believes this year’s race serves as a resurgence of the Harper days, one he remembers very well.
“We would walk over Saturday afternoon and Millett Hall would be absolutely electric,” Pakinomist chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram told Pakinomist Digital. “They’ve never seen a player like Ron Harper before or since.”
Pergram, who is from Jacksonburg, Ohio, and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Miami University, recalled the thrill of watching basketball games in Millett Hall as a student at Edgewood High School in Trenton, Ohio.
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“And yes, Wally Szczerbiak was really good – played in the NBA, had a long career, got them to the Sweet 16, but the Harper days were outstanding. He was clearly the best player in the MAC and one of the best players in the country. And when he got into the NBA, he had the hardware to show for it.”
Miami (Ohio) guard Justin Kirby (6) dunks during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against Northern Illinois in Oxford, Ohio, on Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Pergram recalled the days when Millett Hall was packed, but the program fell on hard times over the past two decades. When he attended a game in early January a few years ago, he recalled that “there weren’t 200 people there,” most of whom he deduced were from nearby Eaton High School based on the school colors they wore.
But the tide is turning. The program set an attendance record in last week’s win over Northern Illinois with 10,640. Ticket sales for home games seem to be going in the same direction.
“Everybody’s paying attention,” Pergram said, recalling his days at Miami when Harper served as a resident assistant in his dorm after his freshman year. “Looking back, it’s just amazing to see Miami basketball rise to these levels again, after the excitement that they had in the mid-1980s when he was there.”
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Miami (Ohio) Trey Perry (1) celebrates with teammate Brant Byers (22) after an NCAA basketball game against Northern Illinois in Oxford, Ohio, on Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Debate surrounding Miami’s strength of schedule has surrounded its undefeated run. A win in the conference tournament would secure the RedHawks’ spot in the NCAA Tournament. Otherwise, the selection committee will decide Miami’s future.
The RedHawks continue their historic season with a game at Marshall on Saturday.
