MIAMI BASKETBALL

MU to face improved Bulls, high-scoring guard tandem

The MAC's leading scorer comes to Millett Hall Saturday when Buffalo visits Miami in Oxford.  (1 p.m., ESPN+)
Daniel Freitag is averaging 20.3 ppg., and while is 43.5 percent field goal percentage isn't among the league leaders, teammate Tim Oboh's 65.5 percent mark tops the conference. 

Freitag, a 6-2 sophomore . . . 

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. . . guard,  saw very limited action last year at Wisconsin. However, he is averaging nearly 34 minutes per contest with Buffalo. He has also contributed 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per outing. 

Oboh, meanwhile, is a 6-11 sophomore center averaging 8.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg while playing 18.4 mpg. 

Miami head coach Travis Steele recently noted the Bulls are particularly strong at guard, In addition to Freitag, junior Ryan Sabol caries a 17.0 ppg average. 

Heading into the 2025-26 season, Buffalo was selected to finish 11th overall in the 2025-26 MAC Preseason Men's Basketball Poll. However, after going 9-22 (4-14 MAC) in head coach George Halcovange III's second season (2024-25), the Bulls have earned a 13-4 (3-2 MAC) mark so far. The record includes eight straight wins to open this year. The Bulls also ran off four straight victories before dropping their last two outings.Ohio defeated UB 91-80 in Athens Jan. 10 and Kent State took an 87-81 decision at Buffalo Tuesday. Freitag exploded for 33 points and dished out seven assists for UB in the loss to KSU. 

Buffalo is ranked seventh among MAC teams in scoring(79.9 ppg) and is fifth in scoring defense (72.7 ppg). 

The Bulls are fourth in field goal percentage (48.2%) and second -- one spot behind Miami -- in 3-point field goal percentage (39.2%). 

Buffalo can get to the line, where it is third in free throws attempted and fourth in free throws made. 

While the Bulls have a history of being among the MAC's better rebounding teams, they are currently tanked 12th (31.9 rpg) and are 10th in rebounding margin (-0.8).

Miami, meanwhile, has reeled off 18-straight wins to start 2025-26. That makes it one of three remaining Division I teams in the country without a loss. Arizona and Nebraska are also undefeated. 

Miami rolled past Central Michigan for a 100-61 win at Millett Hall on Tuesday night. Brant Byers scored the most points of the game with 24 total, while Justin Kirby (17), Luke Skaljac (13), Peter Suder (11) and Antwone Woolfolk (10) added double figures. With this win, Miami improved to a program-best 25 straight wins at home.

Miami received 49 votes in the most recent Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball poll on Monday, Jan. 12. The Red and White retained its highest ranking of the 2025-26 season on the Mid-Major Top 25® Poll, as Collegeinsider announced its new poll Monday, Jan. 12, with the RedHawks ranked No. 2 overall. 

This Saturday's home contest against the Bulls will be the 59th meeting between the two programs. Miami leads in the series 31-27 all-time, as the Red and White are 16-10 when playing in Oxford against the Bulls. Miami is currently on a three-game winning streak against the Bulls, as the RedHawks' last victory over Buffalo was an 84-69 win in Alumni Arena on March 4, 2025.