Miami (Ohio) University are finally upgrading their facilities. After months of speculation, the RedHawks have finally been approved by the university to begin construction on a new $242 million basketball arena on campus. Renders have been released over what Miami (Ohio) University plan their new multi-purpose arena to look likeMiami UniversityMiami University’s Board of Trustees officially approved the resolution to build the new multipurpose arena at Cook Field on Friday. While they have valued the construction costs at $242 million, the Board for the arena have authorized up to $281 million for “any associated ancillary costs.”According to their strategic plan page, the university will rely on bonds and donations to pay for the costs of the new arena with the project seen as critical to their long-term future.“We are in a unique and dynamic time for Miami University Athletics,” Miami’s Director of Athletics David Sayler said. “It is time to innovate, invest, and inspire.“A new arena benefits all of Miami and will serve as a gateway and beacon for the university.”Situated 35 miles north of Cincinnati, ground is expected to be broken on the new arena imminently, with a target completion date of the fall of 2028, in line with the beginning of the athletic season. Wealth of opportunityThe RedHawks currently play at Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio, which they have called home since 1968. It wasn’t until 1974 when the arena welcomed additional varsity sports, including volleyball and women’s basketball. But the space is lacking in size, holding a max capacity of just 6,400 fans for a basketball game and is vastly outdated with the resolution stating that it “lacks modern accessibility features, has substantial accumulated deferred maintenance … and [is] not fan friendly by today’s standards.”If Miami opted to renovate Millett Hall, then they would be looking at a sizeable bill of an estimated $175 million at a minimum. The new arena will have improved and increased facilities to allow all their major collegiate athletics programs to fitMiami UniversityThe project is expected to create additional revenue opportunitiesMiami UniversityFurthermore, the building would also be required to be closed for a number of years, leaving some of Miami’s varsity teams searching for temporary homes for games and practices.“Building this new arena would powerfully continue Athletics’ commitment to graduating champions,” Raegan Lantz, a junior Human Capital Management and Leadership major and member of the volleyball team, said. “While I have a deep love for Millett Hall, real challenges make it less than ideal. Securing consistent practice times is a constant struggle. “Our whole team cannot fit in our training room. These issues make balancing athletics and academics harder than it should be. A new arena would solve that. Now is the time to invest.”Furthermore, the new arena plans have the student-athlete community at the heart of it, with the vision of having two basketball practice courts and a separate volleyball arena. Miami have played their home games at Millett Hall since 1968ESPNThe new arena is expected to be completed by the fall of 2028Miami UniversityThe size of the new arena at Cook Field would also afford the university the opportunity to host multiple events simultaneously, such as concerts, career fairs and creative arts performances. “This is a student-centered project that will create a vibrant new space intended to bring people together and support and engage our students,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said.“A new arena will provide the foundation for an events district in the heart of campus to benefit students, reinvigorate the community, and strengthen our local economy.”The project is also tipped to be hugely advantageous from an economical standpoint, with the plethora of new facilities soon to be available expected to bring in additional revenue. “A new, multi-purpose arena will provide Miami with the type of state-of-the-art facility in line with large state-funded, research-focused institutions of higher education that have strong national reputations, growing student demand, and renowned student experiences,” associate professor of Sport Leadership and Management Adam Beissel, said. “Anchoring a new multi-purpose arena within a larger mixed-use development project will open new opportunities for revenue generation, enhanced student experiences, and serve an important public purpose for the city, county, and Southwest Ohio region.”There is also an opportunity for further growth. Women’s sport – which has seen a huge surge in growth over the last decade or so – is also at the forefront of the University’s vision for the project, with them committing to their women’s basketball and volleyball programs.With recent success from our Athletics teams, a new arena would continue that momentum,” Lantz added. “Most importantly, this would be far greater than just an upgrade or a pretty building. “This would demonstrate that Miami is committed to women’s sports and dedicated to the success of our student-athletes.”RedHawks fans couldn’t have envisioned what they would see from their men’s basketball team this seasonGettyRedHawks making legitimate case for March Madness berthMarch Madness is edging ever closer and the Miami (OH) men’s basketball team have been the story of the 2025-26 NCAA college basketball season. Entering their final regular season game against Ohio on Friday, the RedHawks remain undefeated with them improving to 30-0 after narrowly winning 74-72 against the Toledo Rockets on Tuesday.Thus, Miami have shown they very much belong in the 68-team bracket to bid for college basketball’s biggest prize – a National Championship.Despite not having a star name on the roster like many of the top collegiate programs in Division I basketball like a Duke, UConn, or Kentucky, what the RedHawks have is strength in depth. Seven members of the roster are averaging double-digit points per game, with the team as a whole averaging 52.7 percent from the field and a prolific 39.2 percent from beyond the arc. As such, they have risen to No. 19 in the latest Associated Press national rankings. But still, there is some debate over whether they should be included in the tournament bracket, with a place not a certainty. GettyTrey Perry and the RedHawks have improved to 30-0 on the regular season with one game remaining[/caption]Can’t stop won’t stop winning as the RedHawks make their bid stronger for the NCAA March Madness bracketGetty“Miami of Ohio, here’s the deal: Are we going to select the 68 most deserving teams? Or are we going to select the 68 best teams?” TNT Sports analyst and former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said Saturday, via Front Office Sports. “If we’re selecting the 68 best teams, then Miami of 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.”The main issue appears to lie in the fact that Miami are in the Mid-American Conference, as opposed to being in a Power 4 Conference that is comprised of the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC. In fact, the Mid-American Conference hasn’t had an at-large bid since 1999. Conversely, in the 2024-25 season alone, the SEC claimed a college record 14 slots. “For the mid-majors and low-majors, it’s all about the [conference] tournament because they recognize it’s only going to be a one-bid league,” Pearl added. “For the rest of the leagues, it’s all about the grind of the regular-season championship, and I think that’s what matters most.”While four of the last five schools since 1976-77 who entered March Madness with an undefeated record advanced all the way to the Final Four, Miami are not projected to follow suit. This comes as the No. 82 ranked school in the nation, per Ken Pomeroy’s list, have played three Division III opponents and failed to play against any teams in the power conference. Stay up to date with the latest from college sports across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.