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Miami fights off 'foul bug' to nip Flashes Move above .500 for first time in 2023-24  By MIKE SMITH
KENT, OH -- After leading Kent State by 15 at intermission, Miami fought off a second half Flashes rally to register a 71-67 victory Tuesday at the M.A.C. Center. Kent State (10-11, 3-6 MAC) did shoot somewhat better in the second half, improving from 22.2 percent from the field before intermission to 38.7 percent in the final stanza. But the Flashes also capitalized on a flurry of whistles, sinking 16 of 23 second half free throws after hitting a more pedestrian six of seven before the break. Miami owned 11-point leads on several occasions during the second half, but a pair of Giovanni Santiago treys pulled the Flashes with five (54-49) with 7:23 left. Beginning at 5:04, Miami was . . . RedHawks seek encore performance against Flashes  By MIKE SMITH
Coming off a 71-64 home court loss to Ohio, the Kent State Golden Flashes hope to get back on the winning side when they host Miami Tuesday (7 p.m. ET). The RedHawks, meanwhile, would like to keep some momentum after pulling off one of the MAC's biggest "upset" Saturday when MU knocked off previously MAC-undefeated Akron 70-68. Akron and Kent were picked one and two, respectively, in the preseason coaches poll. While the Zips have performed like the top team, KSU has sputtered. Like Miami, the Flashes are 10-10 overall. However, Kent State's loss to Ohio dropped it to 3-5 in conference action. MU is 4-4, tied for sixth place in the MAC standings. Although Ohio opened . . . RedHawks hand Akron first MAC loss  Darweshi Hunter (MVSmith/MRO File) By MIKE SMITH
The Miami RedHawks put Tuesday's disappointing loss at Central Michigan in the rear view mirror Saturday with a 70-68 upset of previously MAC-undefeated Akron at Millett Hall. Miami (10-10, 4-4 MAC) led most of the game, but Akron (15-5, 7-1 MAC) chipped away and tied the contest at 68-all on a layup by Greg Tribble with 13 seconds left. When MU came back the other way, head coach Travis Steele saw Darweshi Hunter with the ball. The 6-5 senior transfer from Northern Illinois had already hit two buzzer beating shots leading to wins this season, so Steele elected to pass on a time out and ride the clutch hand. His move - or the lack of one -- paid off as Hunter . . .  MU faces another tough defense in Zips Akron owns 7-0 MAC record  After a disappointing loss at Central Michigan Tuesday, the Miami RedHawks face the ultimate MAC challenge Saturday when they most Akron.
The Zips (15-4 overall) are undefeated after seven MAC outings and are coming off a 67-58 victory over Ohio Tuesday. Although UA ranks sixth among MAC teams in scoring (76.6 ppg), it is first in scoring defense (65.5 ppg). It is also first in BOTH field goal percentage (47.1%) AND opponent field goal percentage (42.6%). Miami, meanwhile, is third in offensive field goal percentage (46.8%) and fourth in opponent field goal percentage (43.9%). It tops the MAC in both 3-point goal percentage (37.3%) and . . . MAC announces 2024-26 division-less football matchups RedHawks will face five former West Division foes in 2024  Miami's 2024 football squad will host Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, Kent State and Ohio this fall. The RedHawks face Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Toledo and Ball State on the road. Those tilts, as well as all MAC matchups for the 2024-2026 seasons were announced today by the Mid-American Conference. The new scheduling resulted in part due to the elimination of East and West divisions. Going forward, the two top teams based on conference winning percentage will qualify for the MAC Football Championship game at Ford Field in Detroit. In the new model, each team will face all 11 conference opponents - home and away -- at least once during a three year cycle. However, the format will also incorporate "protected" opponents based on geographic location and rivalries. Click Read More for the complete list (Courtesy EMU Athletics):
Miami offense sputters against streaking Chippewas  By MIKE SMITH
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI -- Surging Central Michigan's defense held Miami to 20 first half points, and CMU went on to post a 71-55 victory over MU Tuesday at McGuirk Arena. It was the Chippewas fifth win in six games and came on the heels of Saturday's upset win over Toledo. Central Michigan is now 10-9 overall and 5-2 in MAC play. The RedHawks dropped to 9-10 (3-4 MAC) Miami connected on just 34.6 percent overall before intermission. That included 1 of 9 beyond the arc. Central Michigan was also 1 of 9 from long distance, but . . . MU and CMU both coming off big wins  Fresh off a dramatic overtime win win at Ball State, the Miami RedHawks (9-9, 4-4 MAC) attempt to get over .500 for just the second time this season when they visit Central Michigan Tuesday.
The Chippewas own a 9-9 overall record and are 4-2 in MAC play after pulling off a 65-62 home court upset over Toledo last Friday. MORE . . . Click Read More . . . Hunter beats buzzer; Miami beats BSU  Darweshi Hunter (MVSmith/MRO file) By MIKE SMITH
MUNCIE, IN -- Bashear Jihad was hot. Darweshi Hunter was clutch. Hunter, who banked in a long three to lift Miami over Vermont earlier this season, beat the regulation time buzzer again Saturday, enabling the RedHawks to eventually pull out an 87-80 overtime victory over Ball State at Worthen Arena. The win raised MU's record to 9-9 overall (3-3 MAC), while BSU fell to 9-9 overall and 1-5 in MAC action. Miami pulled out to an early 8-0 lead, but BSU regrouped and trailed by just two (37-35) at intermission. Cardinal standout Bashear Jihad had 10 points during that stanza, despite making just one of three field goal tries. However, the 6-9 junior forward, caught . . .  By MIKE SMITH
Tuesday's Miami loss to Bowling Green was a tough one to swallow. The RedHawks appeared to be in position for the victory -- their third straight -- until a late scoring drought allowed BGSU to overtake the hosts. Miami scored just two points -- a Mabry bucket at 4:01 -- over the last 5:35. Miami head coach Travis Steele was particularly upset in post-game, citing among other things a 31-15 Falcons advantage in foul shot opportunities. MU might well have survived that had it been able to convert on at least a few possessions down the stretch. To get back in the win column Saturday, Miami will need to beat a Ball State team that is favored (espn) despite a current MAC record of 1-4. The Cardinals, who are 9-8 overall, broke a six-game losing streak Tuesday when they posted a 76-62 road win at Eastern Michigan. Here's more . . . Late lead slips away as MU falls to Falcons  Reece Potter led MU with a career-high 17 points. (MVSmith/MRO) By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- A late rally gave Miami the halftime lead. Another late rally gave Bowling Green the victory. Marcus Hill scored 23 points, including the go-ahead basket as Bowling Green (13-4, 4-1 MAC) pulled out a 78-73 win over Miami (8-9, 2-3 MAC) Tuesday at Millett Hall. It was the third straight win for BGSU, which has won 11 of its last 12 outings. Hill, who ranks second among MAC scorers (20.2 ppg), was joining in double figures by Rashaun Agee (15 points, 12 rebounds) Trey Thomas (14 points) and Jason Spurgin (10 points). "They've got a really nice team," Miami head coach Travis Steele said. "They're old. They're big. They've got really good guard play. Marcus Hill is one of the best scorers in the country. . . He really is relentless." Miami was led by freshman center Reece Potter, who recorded a career-high 17 points. Anderson Mirambeaux scored 12 points, while Darweshi Hunter contributed 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. It was Hunter who gave . . . |
Editor-Publisher Mike SmithMike grew up in Mid-American Conference football and basketball territory and returned there after military service. He has been covering MAC football and men's basketball for much of the last several decades. 
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