March 5, 2002

THE GAME In its 14th consecutive Mid-American Conference Tournament quarterfinal appearance, No. 7 Miami (13-17) takes on No. 2 Ball State (19-10) at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Miami's "March Magician" Charlie Coles tries to attain his 200th career win and work more of his March Magic that has led the RedHawks to the MAC title game every year since taking the reins of the program six years ago. Miami and Ball State split the regular-season series this year, each winning on its home court. In MAC tournament action, Ball State owns a slight 4-3 advantage, having won the most recent post-season meeting and only clash in Cleveland in the 2000 championship game. Only twice have the two teams met in a quarterfinal round with each taking a game. The RedHawks posted a 69-43 win in Oxford as the No. 1 seed in the 1999 MAC Tournament, while the Cardinals earned an 85-79 win as the No. 4 seed in Muncie in the 1983 tourney. On a neutral court, the Cardinals hold a 3-2 edge over the Red and White, all in MAC Tournament action. Miami is second only to Ball State in MAC Tournament winning percentage, winning 62.2 percent of its games (28-17) to the Cardinals .717 winning percentage (33-13). The Cardinals are paced by Theron Smith, who averages 19.6 points per game and 11.0 blocks per outing. Patrick Jackson follows, averaging 17.0 ppg. Alex Shorts paces the RedHawks with 13.4 ppg.

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