MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks face rival Ohio in another "moment" challenge

Mekhi Cooper dishes off one of his three assists against Eastern Michigan. (MVSmith/MRO)

​While addressing his team's bounce-back win over Eastern Michigan Tuesday night, Miami head coach Travis Steele offered a couple comments about the RedHawks lopsided loss to Akron three days earlier. 
Both teams entered the matchup unbeaten in MAC play, but any drama faded quickly as UA blitzed the RedHawks early and led 52-28 at intermission. Akron led by as many as 37 in the second half. 

According to Steele, the RedHawks did not rise to the moment. One week later, MU gets another "moment" challenge. Rival Ohio comes to Oxford, and a large crowd is expected. Tipoff is tentativley scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Students are back and its "One Miami Day." Typically, that . . . 

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​. . . brings in one of the season's bigger crowds. It's also Alumni Day, and Wally Szczerbiak is among the former Miami players who will be on hand. 

ABOUT OHIO 
•  Although Akron is currently looking good atop the Mid-American Conference standings, Ohio was actually the coaches pre-season pick to win the title. However, after winning their first four MAC contests, the Bobcats have dropped three of their last four. 

•  The first loss was by 12 at Akron. A six-point loss at Eastern Michigan followed. Ohio then beat Kent State 61-59 before falling 86-83 at home against Toledo Tuesday.

•  No small part of the recent slump has been the absence of forwards Aiden Hadaway and AJ Clayton. Both were key contributors to Ohio's success, and Clayton -- a four-star recruit -- was a MAC Player of the Year candidate. His return, playing time and effectiveness is uncertain. Hadaway appears to be out for the season. 

•  Despite the injuries, Ohio remains a potent/dangerous team. Kent State (a win) plays at a slower pace, but the 'Cats scored at least 83 points in losses to Toledo and Eastern Michigan. Sophomore guard AJ Brown and junior guard Jackson Paveletzke (previously with Wofford and Iowa State) connected on a combined 17 of 27 shots (62.9%) from the field while scoing 22 points apiece against Toledo. 

•  Brown (12.4 ppg) and Shereef Mitchell (10.9 ppg) were preseason All-MAC picks and are averaging in double figures. Paveletzke leads the team with 5.2 assists per game (second in the conference). Brown leads the team with an average of 1.3 steals per game. 

A little "extra" defense was applied to Kam Craft on this inbounds play during Miami's win over Eastern Michigan Tuesday night. (MVSmith/MRO)

Antwone Woolfolk led Miami against EMU with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. (MVSmith/MRO)

ABOUT MIAMI 
•  Miami has been relatively healthy for the most part, but sophomore forward Eian Elmer was a late scratch for Tuesday's game. That allowed freshman Brant Byers to get his first start and the 6-8 forward responded with 12 points, five rebounds and three blocks. 

•  Antwone Woolfolk led Miami against EMU, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He was 6 of 8 from the floor, 1 of 1 from beyond the arc and 8 of 10 at the line. 

•  Peter Suder connected on 3 of 4 treys as Miami went 9 of 19 from long distance. His 16 points included a big triple with 5:05 remaining to help stop an Eagles comeback. 

•  Point guard Mekhi Cooper connected on 5 of 7 from the floor on the way to 13 points. He also recorded 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 turnovers. 

•  Center Reece Potter and guard Evan Ipsaro chipped in 10 apiece off the bench. 

•  There have been four different games this year where six different RedHawks scored in double figures.

•   Out of the 20 games Miami has played, there have also been nine different players who have led the team in scoring. 

•  The Miami University men's basketball team was selected to the Mid-Major Top 25® Poll for the third consecutive week on Monday. The RedHawks were slotted No. 21 in the rankings after starting conference play 6-1.

•  Now in its 26th season, the Mid-Major Top 25® is voted on by 31 Division I coaches. To view the complete Mid-Major Top 25® Poll, click HERE.

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