Jan. 27, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

REDHAWKS BEGIN STRETCH AGAINST MAC WEST DIVISION ON WEDNESDAY: Miami begins a six-game stretch against the Mid-American Conference West Division when the RedHawks host Northern Illinois at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28. The RedHawks are looking to bounce back after a loss at home to Buffalo on Saturday, while the Huskies are also coming off a Saturday loss to Central Michigan.

ABOUT NORTHERN ILLINOIS: The Huskies enter Wednesday's game 2-3 in MAC play. Before its most recent loss to Central Michigan (45-58) on Saturday, Northern Illinois defeated Eastern Michigan (72-52) and Toledo (75-51), and lost to Western Michigan (52-71) and Ball State (54-60). The Huskies are led by three underclassmen: sophomore guard Darion Anderson, sophomore center Sean Kowal, and freshman guard Mike DiNunno. Anderson leads the team in scoring and rebounds with 16.5 ppg (4th in the MAC) and 5.4 rpg. Following closely are DiNunno with 13.0 ppg (12th in the MAC) and Kowal with 10.7 ppg (21st in the MAC). Kowal also ranks first in the MAC in field goal percentage (.579) and third in blocked shots (1.12 per game). DiNunno is second in the MAC in 3-point field goals made with 2.21 per game, which puts him close behind Miami's Michael Bramos (2.71). As a team, NIU has the fourth-highest scoring offense in the MAC (66.8 ppg) and ranks second in field goal percentage (.434) and fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (.359). The Huskies also rank third in the conference in steals per game (8.0) and assists per game (13.24).

THE SERIES WITH THE HUSKIES: Wednesday marks the 35th meeting between Miami and Northern Illinois with the RedHawks owning a 22-12 lead in the all-time series. Each holds a significant advantage when playing on its home floor. When playing in Oxford, Miami boasts a 17-1 lead. In DeKalb, NIU owns an 11-5 lead in the series. Miami's lone home loss to Northern Illinois was during the 1980-81 season. The RedHawks have won the last four match-ups, including last season's 66-51 victory on Jan. 30, 2008, at the Convocation Center.

UP NEXT: Miami will head to Ypsilanti, Mich., to face Eastern Michigan (Jan. 31) before a brief home stint, hosting Ball State at 7 p.m. on Feb. 4. The RedHawks then hit the road for a pair of games against Toledo (Feb. 7) and Central Michigan (Feb. 10). The Toledo game has been moved to 2:30 p.m. and will be televised on FSN Ohio.

WEDNESDAY'S HALFTIME EVENTS: The Crosby Elementary "Pop Cycles" will be traveling to Oxford to perform at halftime of tonight's game.

RedHawks On The Airwaves: In its second year of its partnership with ISP Sports Marketing, the Miami ISP Sports Network continues its coverage of Miami men's basketball with a group of affiliates blanketing most of Southwest Ohio and Southeast Indiana. "The Voice of the RedHawks" Steve Baker delivers the play-by-play coverage, while Joe Barry provides color commentary and Tim Bray gives sideline reports. Tune in to one of Miami's game-day affiliates: WMOH-AM 1450 (Hamilton, OH), WPFB-FM 105.9 (Middletown, OH), WFMG-FM 101.3 (Richmond, IN), WONE-AM 980 (Dayton, OH).

TELEVISION COVERAGE: Wednesday's game will not be televised.

COLES BECOMES ALL-TIME WIN LEADER AT MIAMI: Behind a 67-60 win at Bowling Green on Jan. 20, Miami University head coach Charlie Coles became the winningest coach in program history. Coles earned his 217th win at the helm of the Miami program, surpassing Darrell Hedric, who amassed a 216-157 record in 13 seasons guiding the Red and White. Coles is now 217-162 in his 13th season leading the RedHawks. He has a career record of 309-246 in his 19th season as a head coach.

COLES CHASING MAC RECORD: In his 19th season as a head coach, all with Mid-American Conference programs, Miami head coach Charlie Coles owns the third-most overall wins of any coach in MAC history and the second-most all-time league wins. Coles boasts a 309-246 overall record and a 186-129 all-time MAC mark. He is just eight MAC wins away from tying the league record for career conference wins.

HOLDING COURT: Senior forwards Tyler Dierkers and Michael Bramos have seen significant court time this season. Dierkers and Bramos rank first and second, respectively, among Mid-American Conference statistical leaders in minutes played in all games and also in league-only contests. Dierkers is logging a MAC-leading 36.76 minutes per game on the season, which ranks 17th nationally, and a whopping 38.00 minutes per game in MAC games. Bramos averages 34.29 minutes played per game on the season and 37.80 in league action. In addition to being the MAC's top tandem in minutes played, Dierkers and Bramos also rank 17th nationally for top duos in minutes played, averaging a combined 71.1 minutes per game.

HIGH PERCENTAGES: Three RedHawks rank among the top four MAC statistical leaders in field goal percentage in league-only contests. Junior center Adam Fletcher paces the MAC, knocking down 76.2 percent of his field goals through five MAC games. Sophomore guard/forward Antonio Ballard has hit 60.6 percent of his field goals to rank third, while senior guard Eric Pollitz's .581 field goal percentage ranks fourth. As a team, Miami leads the MAC in field goal percentage (.467) through five league games.

MAVUNGA PICKING UP STEAM: Freshman forward Julian Mavunga has been one of the RedHawks most consistent shooters in their last six games. Mavunga averaged 7.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg and shot 66.7 percent from the field in Miami's last five, while playing an average of 19.2 minutes per game. He scored in double figures three times during the last six games, his only double figure scoring efforts of the season. His field goal percentage is second only to junior center Adam Fletcher's 70.8 percent over the last six. In contrast during Miami's first 11 games, Mavunga averaged 2.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg and shot 32.1 percent from the field while averaging 9.6 minutes per game.

ON THE DEFENSIVE: Through five MAC games, senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers and sophomore guard/forward Antonio Ballard tie for fifth among MAC leaders in rebounding, averaging 8.0 per game. Ballard, however, has been ferocious on the defensive glass, hauling in a MAC-leading 7.0 defensive rebounds per game. Ballard made his return in Miami's second MAC game against Ohio on Jan. 14 after sitting out seven games due to a hand injury.

A LITTLE GIVE AND TAKE: While senior guard Eric Pollitz had been generous to his teammates in MAC play, handing out 4.20 assists per game, senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers has not been as gracious to the RedHawks' conference foes, averaging 2.00 steals per game. Pollitz ranks second in assists per game through five MAC games, while Dierkers ranks second in steals per game in league action.

POLLITZ CONTINUES TO IMPRESS: Senior guard Eric Pollitz has started Miami's last 14 games, and started at the point guard position in Miami's last three outings. He is averaging 9.0 ppg, 3.9 apg and shooting 52.9 percent from the field in Miami's last seven games. Pollitz also has been in double figures for scoring four times this season, all coming within the RedHawks' last nine games. He tallied 12 points off a 5-of-7 shooting effort at Kent State on Jan. 17, while compiling 13 points at Bowling Green (Jan. 20) off a 6-of-9 shooting performance.

WELCOME BACK BALLARD: Playing in his first game since sustaining a hand injury in practice on Dec. 5, sophomore guard/forward Antonio Ballard made a grand return against Ohio on Jan. 14. Ballard tied a then career high of 10 points, going 4-for-5 from the field, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range. Ballard also amassed eight rebounds to lead all players. He continued to make an impact in the lineup in his second game back at Kent State on Jan. 17. Ballard recorded his first career double-double with career highs of 13 points and 11 rebounds. He also played a career-high 39 minutes. Since his return, Ballard is averaging 12.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg and shooting 60.6 percent from the field.

RPI UPDATE: As of Jan. 27, Miami was 43rd in the RPI according to CollegeRPI.com. The RedHawks also had the No. 24 strength of schedule and their opponent winning percentage ranked 19th. Prior to its game at Dayton, Miami reached No. 9 in the RPI.

DOUBLE-DIGIT DIERKERS: Senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers has been picking up the pace on the glass. Dierkers has been in double figures for rebounding in three games, hauling in 11 boards against Northwestern State (Dec. 6), 10 rebounds against UW-Milwaukee (Dec. 11) and 12 against Akron (Jan. 10), one short of his career high. For the season, Dierkers leads the RedHawks and ranks third in the MAC in rebounding, averaging 7.2 rpg.

TO THE POINT: With senior guard Kenny Hayes out indefinitely with an injury to his right wrist, Miami has filled the position by committee. In Hayes' absence, senior guard Carl Richburg has earned five starts, while senior guard Eric Pollitz has started the last three games at the point guard position. This is not unfamiliar territory for Pollitz, who also shared point guard duties during the 2006-07 season when Miami made its last NCAA Tournament appearance. Freshman guard Kramer Soderberg also has come off the bench to provide the RedHawks with valuable minutes.

NATIONAL NUMBERS: In the latest release of the NCAA statistical rankings (Jan. 26), senior forward Michael Bramos ranked among the nation's top 100 in four categories. Bramos ranked 49th in 3-point field goal percentage (.397), 65th in 3-pointers per game (2.7), 82nd scoring (17.6 ppg) and 87th in free-throw percentage (.827). As a team, the RedHawks ranked 29th in scoring defense (60.3), 33rd in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.307).

SECOND-HALF EFFICIENCY: Nine times this season Miami has shot 50 percent or better in the second half, including four of its last five games. The RedHawks had their best shooting effort in a half this season against Ohio on Jan. 14, when they hit 63.6 percent of their second-half field goals (14-of-22). Miami's best first-half shooting effort was at Kent State on Jan. 17 when it shot 52.0 percent from the floor (15-of-25). It was the first time the RedHawks had shot 50 percent or better in the first half of a game this season. At Bowling Green on Jan. 20, Miami shot over 50 percent from the field in both halves for the first time this season, knocking down 51.9 field goals in the first half and hitting 55.6 percent of its shots in the second half. Despite a paltry 25.0 percent effort in the first half against Buffalo (Jan. 24), Miami came back with to shoot 57.1 percent in the second half against the Bulls.

ODDS `N ENDS: Kenny Hayes had surgery on Jan. 7 on his right wrist for an injury sustained during the Dec. 6 game against Northwestern State ... he will be out indefinitely ... freshman guard Kramer Soderberg had his jersey No. 20 retired by St. Charles West High School on Dec. 22 ... Soderberg scored 2,490 career points, 19th most in state history, and is just the second player in school history to have his jersey retired, joining former Kansas standout Ryan Robertson ... for the second time in two years, senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers has flirted with becoming just the second player in program history to record a triple double ... Dierkers had 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists at Northwestern State on Dec. 30 ... against Mississippi State last season, Dierkers had 10 assists, nine rebounds and seven points.

MAC NUMBERS: As a team, Miami ranks among the top three Mid-American Conference statistical leaders in six categories in games played through Jan. 26, while five individuals have combined to place their names among league leaders in numerous statistical category.

Miami--ALL GAMES: Rebounding defense (1st, 31.8); 3-point field goal percentage (2nd, .369); scoring defense (2nd, 60.3); assist/turnover ratio (3rd, 0.96); field goal percentage (3rd, .433); free-throw percentage (3rd, .705). MAC GAMES: Field goal percentage (1st, .467); rebounding defense (1st, 29.8); rebounding margin (2nd; +3.4); assists (2nd, 13.20); blocked shots (t-3rd, 3.00); defensive rebounds (t-3rd, 23.80).

Michael Bramos--ALL GAMES: 3-point field goals (1st, 2.71); scoring (2nd, 17.6); 3-point field-goal percentage (4th, .397); free-throw percentage (4th, .827); blocked shots (5th, 1.06); minutes played (2nd, 34.29). MAC GAMES: Scoring (3rd, 17.0); free-throw percentage (7th, .846); blocked shots (t-7th, 1.00); 3-pointe field goals (t-8th, 1.80); assists (t-15th, 2.80); minutes played (2nd, 37.80).

Tyler Dierkers--ALL GAMES: Rebounding (t-3rd, 7.2); defensive rebounds (3rd, 4.65); offensive rebounds (6th, 2.59); field goal percentage (10th, .464); free-throw percentage (5th, .809); steals (10th, 1.59); assists (14th, 2.65); minutes played (1st, 36.76). MAC GAMES: Steals (2nd, 2.00); offensive rebounds (t-4th, 2.80); rebounding (t-5th, 8.0); defensive rebounds (t-7th, 5.20); blocked shots (t-11th, 0.80); free-throw percentage (13th, .778); assists (t-15th, 2.80); minutes played (1st, 38.00).

Eric Pollitz--ALL GAMES: Assists (t-10th, 3.00); assist/turnover ratio (5th, 1.65); minutes played (29th, 27.46). MAC GAMES: Assists (2nd, 4.20); field goal percentage (4th, .581); assist/turnover ratio (12th, 1.11); minutes played (17th, 32.00).

Antonio Ballard--MAC GAMES: Defensive rebounds (1st, 7.00); field goal percentage (3rd, .606); rebounding (t-5th, 8.0); 3-point field goal percentage (t-6th, .455); scoring (16th, 12.3); minutes played (22nd, 30.25).

Adam Fletcher--MAC GAMES: Field goal percentage (1st, .762).

THIRTY-SOMETHING: For the fifth time in his career, senior forward Michael Bramos reached the 30-point scoring plateau with 31 points against Northwestern State on Dec. 6. Bramos became just the seventh player in program history to record 30 or more points in a game five or more times in a career. He ties LeVern Benson and Dave Zeller for fifth on Miami's career 30-point game list. Wally Szczerbiak and Fred Foster each recorded nine 30-point scoring efforts during their careers, while Wayne Embry and Ron Harper achieved the feat 13 times apiece.

THEY ARE MIAMI THROUGH AND THROUGH: All four of the RedHawks' coaches hold degrees from Miami University: Head Coach Charlie Coles earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1965, associate head coach Jermaine Henderson earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1997, assistant coach Ryan Pedon earned a master's degree in sport organization in 2002, while assistant coach Jason Grunkemeyer earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 2001. Additionally, second-year director of basketball operations Jimmy Lallathin is a 2003 Miami graduate.

A MIAMI WIN WOULD ...
•	Up Miami's record to 11-7 overall and 4-2 in MAC play on the season.
•	Be Miami's 12th straight win against Northern Illinois at Millett Hall.
•	Snap a two-game home losing streak.

A MIAMI LOSS WOULD ...
•	Drop Miami to 10-8 overall and 3-3 in MAC play on the season.
• 	Be Miami's third straight home loss this season.
•	Be the RedHawks' first home loss to Northern Illinois since 1981.