MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks chase record 15th straight home win

With the tournament starting Thursday, March 13, all 12 MAC teams are playing Friday instead of the usual Saturday dates. Miami will be at home, hosting Ball State in a nationally televised game (ESPNU/ESPN+) that tips off at 6 p.m.
The RedHawks will be shooting for their 23rd win of the season, perhaps adding a little momentum as well. Miami defeated Buffalo 84-69 Saturday after losing the previous game at Ohio.
​Another good crowd is expected as Miami President Greg and Dr. Renate Crawford have arranged for complimentary tickets (up to 10 per request).  CLICK HERE FOR REQUEST

​Ball State (14-16, 7-10 MAC) must . . .​

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. . . win Friday and have Bowling Green and Central Michigan lose to clinch a spot in next week's Mid-American Conference Tournament.

BSU has lost three straight and four of its last five. A loss at Bowling Green March 1 was particularly damaging. 

LAST MEETING
They are facing a Miami team that won a Jan. 7 meeting between the two teams 80-72 in Muncie. The RedHawks (22-8, 13-4 MAC) have lost just once at home this year. That was against Wright State in MU's very first home game. 

Miami's offense is among the league's best, with MU at or near the top of several MAC stat categories. The RedHawks hit 55.4 percent from the field in the first MU vs BSU tilt. Kam Craft led MU with 28 points. The sophomore has been inconsistent, scoring 40 on one night and zero in the next game. Overall, he is averaging 13.0 ppg

MULTIPLE WEAPONS
Coach Travis Steele's team, however, is built on a balanced offense. Nine different players have led the team in scoring this year. 

Miami connected on 55.9 percent from the field and 57.9 percent beyond the arc Saturday while beating Buffalo 84-69. The 'Hawks also recorded 24 assists (fourth highest total in a game this season) on 33 baskets and had 12 steals. 

Those kind of numbers are hard to overcome, so Ball State will be need to put together a solid defensive effort to limit damage. The Cardinals can also play to their strengths. 

CARDINAL STRENGTH
Miami has occasionally struggled on the boards and in the paint. Such was the case at Western Michigan. The Broncos out-rebounded MU 54-26 and out-scored Miami in the paint 48-34. 

Cardinals senior center Payton Sparks scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the first MU vs BSU meeting. Junior guard Jermahri Hill also scored 20 points. 
Another plus for Ball State in the earlier tilt was the foul line. The Cardinals got to the stripe for 30 shots and made 21. Miami knocked down 12 of 16. The RedHawks are next-to-last in getting to the free throw line (500 attempts). Of course, Akron is last (487 attempts), and the Zips have lost just one MAC game this season. 

FINAL THOUGHTS
The RedHawks have played exceptionally well at home, and Friday is a chance to wrap up a remarkable season.  The Red and White have already set a new record for the most consecutive home wins (14) in a single season. With a victory on Friday, the RedHawks can tie the program record for the most regular-season wins in program history (23). 
Ball State, meanwhile, knows it could be playing its last game. The Cardinals can be expected to give a max effort.