MIAMI BASKETBALL

MU seeks to snap Toledo's 21-game series streak

Except for a (71-58) clunker at Western Michigan Feb. 20, the Miami RedHawks are on a bit of a roll. They have won four of their last five, including the last three. 
The recent success has served them well, with MU's victory at Eastern Michigan Saturday locking up a spot in the upcoming MAC tournament. 
Two regular season games remain -- both at home, but both against upper level MAC opponents who have already beaten Miami once earlier this season. Toledo won 68-64 Jan. 5 and Ohio posted a 78-68 victory Feb. 3. 

With two games left, the exact tourney pairings are . . .

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. . . fluid. However, all three teams would like to put themselves in the best position. Heading into this week, Miami would be a No. 5 seed and face Central Michigan. Three other teams are just one game back. 

Tuesday's opponent -- Toledo -- has sputtered a bit lately, but it broke a two-game slide Saturday by defeating Buffalo 85-79. Just prior to that, UT registered two key victories with wins over Ohio and Akron. At 12-4, the Rockets are one game behind first place Akron and one game ahead of third place Ohio.

MORE NOTES:
-- Toledo (18-11, 12-4 MAC) has won 21 straight games against Miami. The Rockets knocked Miami out of last year's tourney and also defeated MU earlier this season.
-- Miami led UT 40-29 at intermission of the first meeting. However, the Rockets rallied in the second half to pull out a victory. 
-- Four UT players are averaging double figures, and all four reached double figures in the 68-64 Rockets win at Miami in early February. Raheim Moss led the way with 18 points. Likewise, Darweshi Hunter scored 18 points to lead Miami, which had three players in double figures. 
-- The key stat in Toledo's win against Miami was free throws. Both teams made 26 field goals and MU recorded five more treys. However, the RedHawks got to the line for six charity tosses and made three. UT hit 12 of 14 from the stripe. 
-- Miami and Toledo are very different when it comes to depth. The Rockets tend to lean heavily on their starting five. Against Buffalo, Toledo's starting five provided 80 of the team's 85 points and played 85 percent of the team's minutes. Miami's starters against Eastern Michigan scored 65.3 percent of MU's 52 points and played 63.5 percent of the minutes. 
-- Miami's 52 points was the RedHawks lowest point total in a win or loss this season. The 37 points allowed was also a season low. 
-- Center Anderson Mirambeaux leads MU scoring (12.9 ppg) but is fifth in mnutes played (20.7 ppg). Darweshi Hunter averages 12.2 ppg while averaging a team-high 30.4 minutes per game. 
-- Bryce Bultman (4.9 rpg), Hunter (4.7 rpg) and Eian Elmer (4.0 rpg) lead Miami rebounding. 

Chart courtesy of UT Athletics