Feb. 20, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

REDHAWKS TAKE BREAK FROM MAC ACTION TO PLAY IN ESPNU BRACKETBUSTER: Miami takes a brief break from Mid-American Conference play to participate in the ESPNU BracketBuster on Saturday. The RedHawks, playing in their sixth BracketBuster event, travel to Evansville for a 3:30 p.m. (ET) game on Saturday, Feb. 21. The game will be televised on ESPNU.

MIAMI IN THE ESPNU BRACKETBUSTER: Making its sixth appearance in the ESPNU BracketBuster, Miami faces a member of the Missouri Valley Conference in a BracketBuster game for the fifth time. It also marks Miami's fourth televised game as part of the BracketBuster with its 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2007-08 BracketBuster games also being televised on the ESPN networks. Miami had been undefeated in BracketBuster games until falling in double overtime at Valparaiso in 2008 (Horizon League), 99-94. Miami has defeated all of its MVC foes in the BracketBuster games, downing Missouri State 75-66 in 2004, Wichita State 65-58 in 2005, Illinois State 51-49 in 2006 and Indiana State 70-58 in 2007.

Miami in the ESPNU BracketBuster:
Feb. 21, 2004	(Oxford, OH)	def. Missouri State, 75-66
Feb. 19, 2005	(Oxford, OH)	def. Wichita State, 65-58
Feb. 18, 2006	(Oxford, OH)	def. Illinois State, 51-49
Feb. 17, 2007	(Terre Haute, IN)	def. Indiana State, 70-58
Feb. 23, 2008	(Valparaiso, IN)	lost at Valparaiso, 99-94 (2OT)

ABOUT EVANSVILLE: The Purple Aces enter Saturday's game with a 15-11 overall mark and a 7-9 Missouri Valley Conference record. Evansville has lost its last three to Illinois State, at Bradley and at Creighton with all three losses coming by seven points or less. At home, the Purple Aces are 13-3 on the season, including an 8-0 mark at Roberts Stadium in non-conference action. Evansville receives the bulk of its scoring from three players. Shy Ely leads the team, averaging 18.0 ppg, while Jason Holsinger and Nate Garner average 12.5 and 10.1 ppg, respectively. Garner leads the team averaging 6.2 rpg, while Ely follows close behind at 6.1 rpg. Holsinger is the Purple Aces' most potent long-range threat, knocking down 64 percent of the team's treys on the season. Additionally, Kaylon Williams is dishing out 4.6 apg.

THE SERIES WITH THE PURPLE ACES: Saturday marks the 10th meeting between Evansville and Miami with the Purple Aces holding a 6-3 advantage in the series. Evansville has won the last four outings, including the last meeting in Oxford during the 2002-03 season, 66-58. When playing in Evansville, the Purple Aces are 4-1 against the RedHawks. The last time the teams met in Evansville, the Purple Aces pulled out a 67-63 overtime win on Dec. 3, 2001. Miami's last win in the series came at home during the 1987-88 season, 110-102. The Red and White's only win at Evansville was in 1974-75, 79-68.

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: Saturday's game will be televised on ESPNU. Jim Barbar and Will Perdue will call the action.

UP NEXT: Miami rounds out its three-game road stretch at Ohio at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26. The RedHawks then return home for two games, hosting Kent State on Sunday, March 1 and Bowling Green on Thursday, March 5. Miami then travels to Buffalo for a game on Sunday, March 8 to close out the regular season.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!: Miami men's basketball will be bringing back its alumni and recognizing them on Sunday, March 1.

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 league wins all time. Coles boasts a 314-248 overall record and a 191-131 all-time MAC mark. He is just three MAC wins away from tying Bob Nichols' league record for career conference wins of 194.

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 222-164 in his 13th season leading the RedHawks. He has a career record of 314-248 in his 19th season as a head coach.

WINBUSH INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY: Sophomore forward Nick Winbush scored a career-high 16 points at Akron on Feb. 18. It marked his fourth double figure scoring effort of the season and his third in Miami's last seven games. In addition to his career high for scoring against the Zips, Winbush also set career highs for steals (two) and minutes played (22), while tying a career high for rebounds (five). Over Miami's last four outings, Winbush averaged 8.5 ppg

ROARING 20's: Senior forward Michael Bramos has surpassed the 20-point scoring plateau seven times this season and 21 times during his Miami career, most recently with a 24-point effort at Central Michigan (Feb. 10).

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 five games, hauling in 11 boards against Northwestern State (Dec. 6), 10 rebounds against UW-Milwaukee (Dec. 11), 12 each against Akron (Jan. 10) and at Eastern Michigan (Jan. 31) and a career-high 15 rebounds at Toledo (Feb. 7). For the season, Dierkers leads the RedHawks and ties for third in the MAC in rebounding, averaging 7.5 rpg. In league-only contests, Dierkers ranks fourth among MAC statistical leaders, averaging 8.0 rpg.

DIERKERS DOING DOUBLETIME: Senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers has been in double figures for scoring 11 times this season, including six of Miami's last eight games. Over Miami's last seven, Dierkers is averaging 11.3 ppg while shooting 55.2 percent from the field.

DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE: For the third time this season and fifth time in his career, senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers recorded a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds at Toledo on Feb. 7. It was his second double-double in three games as he posted 18 points and 12 rebounds at Eastern Michigan on Jan. 31.

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. Dierkers is logging a MAC-leading 36.29 minutes per game on the season, while Bramos averages 34.54 minutes. In league-only contests, Dierkers also leads the MAC at 36.33 minutes per contest, while Bramos ranks second at 36.25 minutes per game. Dierkers and Bramos also rank 25th nationally for top duos in minutes played, averaging a combined 70.8 minutes per game, according to Stats, Inc.

HIGH PERCENTAGES: Three RedHawks rank among the top 10 MAC statistical leaders in field goal percentage for league-only contests. Junior center Adam Fletcher ranks second in the MAC, hitting 61.0 percent of his field goals in league play. Sophomore guard/forward Antonio Ballard's .531 field goal percentage ranks fourth, while senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers ranks seventh on the list with a .505 field goal percentage. As a team, Miami leads the MAC in field goal percentage (.448) through 12 MAC games.

FLETCHER INCREASES PRODUCTION: Over Miami's first 12 games, junior center Adam Fletcher averaged 2.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg and shot .308 from the field. His increased production in MAC play has been dramatic. Over 12 conference games, Fletcher is averaging 6.8 ppg and 4.9 rpg. Probably the most significant spike in his output has been in field goal percentage, where he is shooting an impressive 61.0 percent in league action.

POLLITZ DOES IT ON DEFENSE: Noted for his defensive prowess, senior guard Eric Pollitz truly demonstrated it on Feb. 14 against Western Michigan. Pollitz, who played 33 minutes, was assigned to defend one of the league's top scorers in David Kool. Although Kool--who was averaging17.6 ppg in league play entering the game--ended up with eight points, all came in the second half off free throws. Kool was 0-for-11 from the field, including 0-for-4 from 3-point range.

STEALING THE SHOW: As a team, Miami amassed a season-high 11 steals against Western Michigan on Feb. 14. It tied for the most by a Miami team since posting 11 against Oakland on Dec. 10, 2006 and was the most since amassing 12 against Central Michigan on Jan. 11, 2006. Senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers tied a career-high with four steals to lead the RedHawks. Sophomore guard/forward Antonio Ballard also had a career high for steals against the Broncos with three. As a team, Miami ranks ties for third in steals in league play, averaging 7.42 per game.

A LITTLE GIVE AND TAKE: While senior guard Eric Pollitz has been generous to his teammates in MAC play, handing out 3.5 assists per game, senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers has not been as gracious to the RedHawks' conference foes, averaging 2.17 steals per game. Pollitz ranks third in assists per game through 12 MAC games, while Dierkers ranks second in steals per game in league action.

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 13 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. He also played a career-high 39 minutes. Since his return, Ballard is averaging 8.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg and shooting 53.1 percent from the field.

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 nine 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 (Feb. 15), senior forward Michael Bramos and senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers each ranked among the nation's top 100 in one categories. Bramos ranked 91st in free-throw percentage (.825), while Dierkers ranked 92nd in steals (1.9). As a team, the RedHawks ranked sixth in scoring defense (57.0) and 19th in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.306).

MAC NUMBERS: As a team, Miami ranks among the top three Mid-American Conference statistical leaders in 10 categories in games played through Feb. 18, while five individuals have combined to place their names among league leaders in numerous statistical category.

Miami--ALL GAMES: Rebounding defense (1st, 30.8); scoring defense (1st, 56.9); 3-point field goal percentage (2nd, .301); 3-point field goal percentage defense (2nd, .301); scoring margin (3rd, +4.9); field goal percentage (3rd, .433); free throw percentage (3rd, .721). MAC GAMES: Field goal percentage (1st, .448); rebounding defense (1st, 29.0); scoring defense (1st, 54.0); scoring margin (2nd, +8.0); free-throw percentage (1st, .738); rebounding margin (2nd; +3.9); steals (t-3rd, 7.42); assist/turnover ratio (3rd, 0.91); assists (3rd, 12.42); field goal percentage defense (3rd, .396).

Michael Bramos--ALL GAMES: 3-point field goals (2nd, 2.25); scoring (3rd, 16.8); free-throw percentage (4th, .833); blocked shots (5th, 1.04); 3-point field goal percentage (14th, .355); minutes (2nd, 34.54). MAC GAMES: Scoring (3rd, 15.8); free-throw percentage (5th, .847); blocked shots (5th, 1.00); 3-point field goals (t-13th, 1.42); defensive rebounds (t-15th, 3.50); minutes played (2nd, 36.25).

Tyler Dierkers--ALL GAMES: Steals (4th, 1.79); rebounding (t-3rd, 7.5); offensive rebounds (3rd, 2.83); field goal percentage (6th, .491); free throw percentage (5th, .774); defensive rebounds (6th, 4.63); blocked shots (t-11th, .067); minutes played (1st, 36.29). MAC GAMES: Rebounding (4th, 8.0); offensive rebounds (2nd, 3.17); steals (2nd, 2.17); field goal percentage (7th, .505); defensive rebounds (t-7th, 4.83); blocked shots (6th, 0.92); free throw percentage (14th, .727); scoring (24th, 9.7); minutes played (1st, 36.33).

Eric Pollitz--ALL GAMES: Assists (7th, 3.00); assist/turnover ratio (3rd, 1.64); minutes played (25th, 27.79). MAC GAMES: Assists (3rd, 3.50); assist/turnover ratio (6th, 1.31); minutes played (22nd, 30.00).

Antonio Ballard--MAC GAMES: Field goal percentage (4th, .531); defensive rebounds (9th, 4.73); rebounding (11th, 5.6).

Adam Fletcher--MAC GAMES: Field goal percentage (2nd, .610); rebounding (t-18th, 4.9); blocked shots (t-15th, 0.58); offensive rebounds (t-10th, 2.00).

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.

A MIAMI WIN WOULD ...
•	Up Miami's record to 16-9 overall.
•	Snap a four-game losing streak in the series with Evansville.
•	Make Miami 5-1 in BracketBuster games.

A MIAMI LOSS WOULD ...
•	Drop Miami to 15-10 overall and 8-4 in MAC play on the season.
• 	Make Evansville 5-1 at home in the series with Miami.
•	Be Miami's second straight BracketBuster loss.