Feb. 24, 2009

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REDHAWKS ROUND OUT THREE-GAME ROAD STRETCH AT OHIO: Miami completes a three-game road stretch when the RedHawks travel to Athens, Ohio, to battle the Ohio Bobcats at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26.

ROAD WARRIORS: When Miami travels to Ohio for a 7 p.m. game on Thursday, Feb. 26, it will be the RedHawks' fifth road game in their last six outings. Lengthy road stretches are not unfamiliar territory for the RedHawks, who played their first six games of the season on the road.

FINAL PUSH: Miami currently is tied for second in the Mid-American Conference East Division with Akron, Bowling Green and Kent State at 8-4. All four teams sit one game behind first-place Buffalo (9-3). Although Ohio is sixth in the East Division standings at 6-6, the Bobcats are certainly not out of the race. With four games remaining, any one of these teams could still win the regular season title and all teams are fighting for first-round byes in the MAC Tournament.

ABOUT OHIO: Like Miami, the Bobcats enter Thursday's game having lost three of their last four, including a 73-51 loss to Eastern Kentucky (Feb. 21) and a 64-51 loss to Kent State (Feb. 17). Before that, they soundly defeated Toledo by a score of 91-58, their largest margin of victory on the season. Two Bobcats are averaging double figures in scoring, led by Jerome Tillman's 18.8 ppg. Justin Orr follows with 10.3 ppg, with freshman Steven Coleman and sophomore Tommy Freeman close behind with 9.2 ppg and 8.1 ppg, respectively. Tillman's 18.8 ppg leads the Mid-American Conference, as does his 8.3 rpg and 5.73 defensive rpg. Senior Michael Allen leads the MAC in assists with 4.5 per game, while Freeman ranks third in 3-point field goal percentage (.427). As a team, Ohio leads the MAC in free-throw percentage (.719), 3-point percentage (.381), and assists (14.15 per game), while ranking second in field goal percentage (.439) and 3-point field goals made (6.65 per game).

THE SERIES WITH THE BOBCATS: Tonight marks the 183rd meeting between Miami and Ohio with the Bobcats owning a narrow 94-88 lead in the all-time series which stretches back to 1908. When playing in Athens, Ohio holds a 58-26 advantage. Miami has lost four of its last five meetings with the Bobcats in Athens, including the previous two. Earlier this season, Ohio won a close matchup against the RedHawks in Oxford, 66-62, on Jan. 14. In that game, Ohio forward Jerome Tillman scored a career-high 35 points.

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: Thursday's game will not be televised.

UP NEXT: After playing five of its last six games on the road, Miami returns 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.

RPI UPDATE: As of Feb. 24, Miami was 76th in the RPI according to CollegeRPI.com. The RedHawks also had the No. 114 strength of schedule and their opponent winning percentage ranked 107th. Prior to its game at Dayton, Miami reached No. 9 in the RPI.

A TALE OF TWO HALVES: In its opening half at Evansville, Miami tied for the most points it scored in a first half and the second-most points it has scored in either half this season, amassing 40 points over the opening 20 minutes. The RedHawks also had their best shooting effort from the floor, knocking down a stifling 70.8 percent of their field-goal attempts, while posting their most field goals in a half with 17. Senior forward Michael Bramos scored 17 first-half points against the Purple Aces, going an impeccable 8-for-9 from the floor. In the second half, Miami shot 37.5 percent from the floor and compiled just 21 points. Bramos finished the game with 17 points off 8-of-12 shooting.

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 314-249 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 222-165 in his 13th season leading the RedHawks. He has a career record of 314-249 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 eight 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 five outings, Winbush averaged 7.8 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 ranks fourth in the MAC in rebounding, averaging 7.4 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 nine games. Over Miami's last nine, Dierkers is averaging 10.9 ppg while shooting 56.2 percent from the field.

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 36.12 minutes per game on the season, while Bramos averages 34.40 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 70.6 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 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 7.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg and shooting 52.9 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 six starts, while senior guard Eric Pollitz has started the last 11 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. 23), senior forward Michael Bramos ranked among the nation's top 100 in one category. Bramos ranked 77th in free-throw percentage (.833). As a team, the RedHawks ranked sixth in scoring defense (57.6) and 13th in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.304).

MAC NUMBERS: As a team, Miami ranks among the top three Mid-American Conference statistical leaders in 10 categories in games played through Feb. 21, while five individuals have combined to place their names among league leaders in numerous statistical category.

Miami--ALL GAMES: Rebounding defense (1st, 30.6); scoring defense (1st, 57.6); free throw percentage (2nd, .718); 3-point field goal percentage (2nd, .304); 3-point field goal percentage defense (2nd, .304); scoring margin (3rd, +4.1); field goal percentage (3rd, .438). 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, 2.20); scoring (3rd, 16.8); free-throw percentage (4th, .833); blocked shots (5th, 1.04); 3-point field goal percentage (12th, .355); minutes (2nd, 34.40). 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, 1.76); rebounding (4th, 7.4); offensive rebounds (3rd, 2.76); field goal percentage (6th, .497); defensive rebounds (6th, 4.64); blocked shots (11th, 0.72); minutes played (1st, 36.12). 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 (t-7th, 3.00); assist/turnover ratio (2nd, 1.63); minutes played (24th, 27.88). 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 tied 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 16-10 overall and 9-4 in MAC play.
•	Give the RedHawks a regular-season split in the series with each winning on the other's home floor.
•	Be Ohio's fourth loss in five games.

A MIAMI LOSS WOULD ...
•	Drop Miami to 15-11 overall and 8-5 in MAC play on the season.
• 	Have the Bobcats sweep the regular-season series.
•	Be Miami's fourth loss in five games.