Miami Ohio’s Unbeaten Streak Fueled by Socks and Superstitions

OXFORD, Ohio — The Miami University RedHawks men's basketball team has not lost a game this season. Players point to simple items like socks, shoes and sweets as the reason for their perfect run. These superstitions guide their daily routines as they aim to keep winning at Millett Hall and beyond.

Background

Miami's team started the season strong and kept building wins. By early January 2026, they reached 21-0 after a close 86-84 win over Massachusetts on January 27. Days later, on January 6, they beat Western Michigan 87-76 at home. That victory set a new school record with 24 straight home wins, topping the old mark of 23 from 1996 to 1998.

The RedHawks play in the Mid-American Conference, or MAC. Their home court, Millett Hall, draws big crowds. Tickets sold out for key games like the February 13 Battle of the Bricks. The team climbed to No. 23 in the AP Top 25 poll by early February. Wins over Northern Illinois 85-61 on January 31 and others padded their record.

Players and coaches stick to habits that started early in the season. When the team won their first few games wearing the same socks, they kept them in rotation. Shoes from losses get tossed aside. Small treats like specific candies appear before tipoff. These routines grew as the wins piled up.

The streak draws national notice. Miami now faces tougher road tests, including at Toledo and Buffalo. Fans pack the arena, creating loud support. The team's success puts pressure on rivals in the MAC standings.

Key Details

Players share specific rituals that mark game days. Guard Ryan Skaljac wears the same pair of white socks for every home game. He washes them by hand after each use but never changes the pair.

"Those socks have been with us since the opener," Skaljac said. "We won, so they stay. No one touches them."

Forward Greg Woolfolk avoids shoes from a practice loss in December. He keeps a bin in the locker room labeled 'bad shoes.' Teammates add their own pairs there after tough days.

The team eats certain sweets before games. Assistants stock lemon drops and chocolate bars in the locker room. Players say the taste settles nerves and brings luck.

In the Western Michigan game, these habits showed on the court. Miami jumped to an 11-4 lead with Skaljac scoring seven quick points. He hit midrange jumpers and a three-pointer. Teammate Connor Suder fed Kyle Waltz for a dunk. Olaf Atlason added a deep three to make it 16-10.

Western Michigan fought back, but Miami pulled ahead. Suder and Tyler Robbins scored layups to lead 39-35 at halftime. In the second half, Atlason dunked over a defender and hit threes. Suder added free throws and a layup for a 64-53 edge.

Woolfolk scored inside twice, including a three-point play at 69-56. Kirby banked in a shot and drew a foul to push it to 72-57. Miami finished with free throws and Woolfolk's buzzer-beater three for the 87-76 win.

Stats highlighted their edge. Miami outrebounded Western Michigan 41-34. They shot 79.4% from the foul line, making 27 of 34. Bench players scored 37 points. Kirby grabbed a career-high eight rebounds.

Player Standouts

Skaljac led early scoring. Atlason sparked the second half with dunks and threes. Suder attacked the defense for key baskets. Woolfolk and Kirby controlled the paint. These efforts, paired with rituals, kept the streak alive.

The team practices the same way each day. Drills end with the same warm-down music. Players tape ankles in identical patterns. Small consistencies build confidence amid the pressure of perfection.

What This Means

Miami's unbeaten run changes the MAC race. They lead conference standings and hold national ranking. Rivals like Toledo and Buffalo prepare extra for matchups. A loss would end the streak but not the season's promise.

Home dominance sets records. The 24-game streak beats past teams. Fans buy tickets fast, boosting school spirit. Players gain notice from scouts and bigger programs.

Superstitions add human touch to wins. They help young men handle stress of high expectations. As road games increase, rituals travel in bags. Socks get packed first.

Upcoming games test the run. Toledo on January 9 ended in a win, 87-73. Buffalo follows soon. National eyes watch if Miami stays perfect into March tournament.

The streak shapes team bonds. Freshmen learn rituals from veterans. Wins build trust in each other and habits. Even if superstitions seem odd, they work so far.

Pressure grows with each game. Players know one slip ends history chase. Yet focus stays on basics: socks on, bad shoes out, sweets ready. The RedHawks march on, one ritual at a time.