Dec. 29, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
REDHAWKS ROUND OUT 2008 AT NORTHWESTERN STATE: In the second game of a home-and-home series with Northwestern State, Miami travels to Natchitoches, La., to battle the Demons at 8 p.m. (ET) on Dec. 30 in the final game of the 2008 calendar year for the RedHawks. Both teams had strung together four straight wins before dropping their last contests.
NATIONAL NUMBERS: In the latest release of the NCAA statistical rankings (Dec. 21), senior forward Michael Bramos ranked among nation's top 45 in several categories and continued to rank among the top 15 on two lists. Bramos ranks 11th in 3-point field goal percentage (.500) and 14th in 3-pointers per game (3.6). Bramos also ranks 41st in scoring, averaging 19.6 ppg. As a team, the RedHawks boast a seventh-place ranking in 3-point field goal percentage (.422).
ABOUT NORTHWESTERN STATE: The Demons enter Tuesday's game with an 8-5 mark. Northwestern State had put together four straight wins against LSU-Shreveport (85-64), Grambling State (83-79), Houston Baptist (84-75) and Southern-New Orleans (92-64) before suffering a 95-56 loss at Arkansas on Saturday. The Demons have protected their home court well this season and are 4-0 in Prather Coliseum in 2008-09. Devin White and Damon Jones lead the team in scoring, averaging 12.3 and 12.1 ppg, respectively. Keithan Hancock follows with 9.5 ppg. William Mosley paces the team on the boards, averaging 7.8 rpg, while White hauls in 7.3 rpg. White and Mosley have teamed up for 70 percent of the team's blocked shots with 33 and 29 apiece, respectively. Michael McConathy is dishing out an impressive 4.7 assists per game.
THE SERIES WITH THE DEMONS: This is the second meeting in the series with Northwestern State. The two schools previously met this season on Dec. 6 in Oxford with Miami capturing a 94-66 win. Senior forward Michael Bramos amassed 31 points, going 8-for-11 from 3-point range, while senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds and senior guard Kenny Hayes added 11 points and eight assists.
UP NEXT: The RedHawks will play their first game of 2009 when Miami travels to local rival Dayton for a 7 p.m. game on Jan. 6 to round out a three-game road stretch. Miami returns home to host its first two Mid-American Conference games, entertaining Akron on Jan. 10 and Ohio on Jan. 14.
RedHawks On The Airwaves
MIAMI ISP SPORTS NETWORK: 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: Tuesday's game will not be televised.
COLES REACHES 300; CLOSING IN ON MIAMI ALL-TIME WIN MARK: Miami head coach Charlie Coles earned his 300th career win with a 70-66 triumph over Weber State on Nov. 12. In his 19th season as a head coach, Coles owns a 305-243 record. Coles boasts a 213-159 mark at the helm of the Miami program and is four wins away from breaking the all-time win mark. Coles owns the third-most wins of any coach in Mid-American Conference history and is second all-time in league wins. He needs 12 MAC wins to break the league record for career conference wins.
CLOSING IN ON DECEMBER WIN MARK: Miami has posted a 4-1 record thus far in December. Four is the most wins in December a Miami team has recorded under head coach Charlie Coles. With one December game remaining, the RedHawks could post a new high for December wins under Coles.
ROAD WARRIORS: Miami has had its road stamina tested early this season, playing its first six games on the road. Miami logged approximately 6,270 round-trip miles in games played through Dec. 3. After completing a three-game homestand, Miami is amidst another three-game, non-conference road stretch between Dec. 20 and Jan. 6. Miami will trek another 2,600 round-trip miles during that stretch, giving the RedHawks a grand total of approximately 8,870 round-trip miles during non-conference play.
TRIPLE THREAT: Senior forward Michael Bramos has been knocking down 3-pointers at a torrid pace. For the season, Bramos is shooting 50.0 percent from 3-point range, draining 36-of-72 treys. Over Miami's four-game win streak, Bramos shot 68.4 percent from beyond the arc, nailing 26 of Miami's 39 treys during that stretch. While Bramos has been a 3-point machine over the past several games, it is senior guard Kenny Hayes who is leading Miami and ranks third in the MAC in 3-point field goal percentage this season, shooting 53.3 percent (16-of-30). As a team, Miami has hit a MAC-leading 42.2 percent from 3-point range for the season and 52.0 percent during its four-game win streak from Dec. 3-13.
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 two of Miami's last three games, hauling in 11 boards against Northwestern State (Dec. 6), 10 rebounds against UW-Milwaukee (Dec. 11) and chipping in eight against Valparaiso (Dec. 13). For the season, Dierkers leads the RedHawks and ranks fourth in the MAC in rebounding, averaging 6.9 rpg.
POLLITZ MAKING HIS MARK: Senior guard Eric Pollitz has started Miami's last seven games, playing an average of 26.6 minutes per game. Over Miami's last seven games, Pollitz is averaging 5.0 ppg, 3.9 apg and 2.9 rpg. He had one of his strongest all-around performances of the season against Valparaiso on Dec. 13, amassing 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and no turnovers in 29 minutes of action. He led all RedHawks with seven rebounds at West Virginia on Dec. 20.
RICHBURG STEPS UP FOR `HAWKS: Starting his first game since Nov. 17, 2006, and making his fourth career start, senior guard Carl Richburg made the most of his opportunity against UW-Milwaukee on Dec. 11. Richburg amassed 14 points off 5-of-8 shooting from the field, and handed out four assists. Both are career bests for him at Miami. Richburg also had two steals and three rebounds in 28 minutes of action. Freshman guard Kramer Soderberg had a solid game against the Panthers, recording a season-high seven points, while dishing out two assists and snagging two steals in 16 minutes of action. Richburg made his second start of the season at West Virginia on Dec. 20, scoring four points and dishing out four assists. Soderberg played a season-high 15 minutes against the Mountaineers.
TONING DOWN THE TURNOVERS: In its first five games of the season, Miami dished out 47 assists and committed 64 turnovers for a 0.70 assist/turnover ratio. The RedHawks surpassed that assist total in their next four contests, handing out 67 assists while committing 38 turnovers. Miami's assist/turnover ratio during that stretch was a solid 1.80, while its opponents produced a combined 0.70 assist/turnover ratio. Miami looks to get back on track after faltering at West Virginia with a season-high 26 turnovers, while handing out just nine assists.
ROARING 20's: Senior guard Kenny Hayes and senior forward Michael Bramos have teamed up to score in the 20s a combined six times. In Miami's season opener against Weber State, Hayes scored a game-high 24 points, 17 of which came in the first half. At Wright State (Nov. 24), he led all scorers with 20 points, the seventh time he reached the mark during his Miami career. Bramos scored 22 points against No. 4 UCLA (Nov. 13). At Temple (Dec. 3), Bramos amassed 26 points, 21 coming in the second half. After posting 31 points against Northwestern State (Dec. 6), Bramos tossed in 26 points against UW-Milwaukee (Dec. 11) and 28 against Valparaiso (Dec. 13), marking the 19th 20-plus point scoring performance of his career.
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. Bramos becomes 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.
SECOND HALF BRAMOS: Senior forward Michael Bramos has done most of his damage in the second half in two of Miami's last four games. At Temple, Bramos amassed 21 of his game-high 26 points in the second half, while pouring in 23 of his game-best 31 points against Northwestern State over the final 20 minutes. Although not as drastic, Bramos compiled 11 of his 26 points in the second half against UW-Milwaukee on Dec. 11, while posting 15 of his 28 points against Valparaiso and nine of his 14 points at West Virginia in the second half. For the season, he is averaging 11.6 ppg in the second half. The second half also is when Bramos has been his hottest from 3-point range. For the season, he is shooting 54 percent from beyond the arc in the second half (21-of-39). During Miami's four-game win streak, Bramos nailed a scorching 81.8 percent of his treys in the second half (18-of-22).
BRAMOS SEIZES THIRD MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR OF SEASON: For the second straight week and third time this season, senior forward Michael Bramos was named Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week (Dec. 15). It was the third straight week a RedHawk took home the honor. Bramos helped the RedHawks to a pair of victories in a three-day span with a 69-45 over UW-Milwaukee on Dec. 11 and a 62-50 win over Valparaiso on Dec. 13. He averaged 27.0 ppg for the week, hitting 60.0 percent (18-of-30) from the floor and 70.6 percent (12-of-17) from 3-point range. He went 6-for-8 from beyond the arc (.750) against UW-Milwaukee en route to a game-high 26 points and then made 6-of-9 treys toward 26 points vs. Valparaiso.
ODDS `N ENDS: Miami has captured four of the first five Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week honors with Michael Bramos earning the weekly award on Nov. 17, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 and senior guard Kenny Hayes garnering the award on Dec. 1... sophomore guard/forward Antonio Ballard suffered an injury to his right hand and is projected to be out for six weeks ... Kenny Hayes did not dress for Miami's Dec. 11 game against UW-Milwaukee due to an injury to his wrist ... he started and played 20 minutes versus Valparaiso on Dec. 13, but did not dress for Miami's game at West Virginia on Dec. 20 ... he will be out for the Northwestern State game ... in his final year of eligibility, senior guard Eric Pollitz is currently pursuing a master's degree in sports studies ... Pollitz earned his bachelor's degree in sports studies from Miami University in May 2008 ... the RedHawks faced three Horizon League opponents in non-conference play, posting a 3-0 mark with wins against Wright State, UW-Milwaukee and Valparaiso ... as of Dec. 29, Miami ranked 18th in the RPI on www.CollegeRPI.com and its strength of schedule was ranked 10th.
MAC NUMBERS: As a team, Miami ranks among the top two Mid-American Conference statistical leaders in five categories in games played through Dec. 27, while three individuals have combined to place their names among league leaders in every statistical category. Miami leads the MAC in 3-point field goal percentage (.422), rebounding defense (32.1) and free-throw percentage (.725), while ranking second in scoring defense (60.4) and 3-point field goals (7.30).
Michael Bramos: Scoring (1st, 19.6 ppg); 3-point field goals (1st, 3.60 per game); 3-point field-goal percentage (4th, .500); free-throw percentage (5th, .809); minutes played (6th, 33.20); blocked shots (t-7th, 1.00 per game).
Kenny Hayes: 3-point field-goal percentage (3rd, .533); assists (5th, 3.75 apg); free-throw percentage (7th, .794); 3-point field goals (t-7th, 2.00 per game); assist/turnover ratio (8th, 1.20); scoring (11th, 13.9 ppg); field-goal percentage (11th, .466); minutes played (14th, 31.13).
Tyler Dierkers: Free-throw percentage (2nd, .870); rebounding (4th, 6.9 rpg); offensive rebounds (t-6th, 2.50 rpg); defensive rebounds (4th, 4.40 rpg), field goal percentage (9th, .478); steals (t-7th, 1.60 spg); minutes played (1st, 35.70).
CAREER NIGHT FOR FLETCHER: A native of St. Albans, W. Va., and playing the first game in his home state since joining the RedHawk program, junior center Adam Fletcher had a solid outing at West Virginia on Dec. 20. Fletcher scored six of Miami's first 10 points. He tied a career high of eight points and played a career-high 31 minutes of action. He also made his ninth start of the season.
WINBUSH UPS SCORING OUTPUT IN LAST FIVE: Over Miami's last five games, sophomore forward Nick Winbush has been one of Miami's strongest scoring contributors off the bench, averaging 7.8 ppg during that stretch. At West Virginia, Winbush knocked down a career-high 11 points, going 4-for-6 from the floor, including 2-for-4 from 3-point range.
FRESHMEN MAKE EARLY CONTRIBUTIONS: Two of Miami's three true freshmen have seen action in all of Miami's games this season, making early contributions. Forward Julian Mavunga was the first to see game action, coming off the bench in the first half against Weber State on Nov. 12. Mavunga recorded six points and played 11 minutes. Guard Kramer Soderberg entered the game in the second half against the Wildcats, nailing a quick long-range 2-point field goal and then driving to the bucket and tossing in a layup late in the game to give Miami its first lead since the start of the half. Mavunga is averaging 2.6 ppg and 2.2 rpg in an average of 10.2 minutes of action, while Soderberg averages 2.2 ppg in an average of 8.7 minutes per game this season.
BRAMOS BECOMES 33rd MIAMI PLAYER TO SURPASS 1,000 CAREER POINTS: Behind a 22-point effort against No. 4 UCLA on Nov. 13, senior forward Michael Bramos became the 33rd player in Miami men's basketball history to surpass 1,000 career points. Bramos needed just nine points to reach the benchmark entering the game. He owns 1,174 career points.
HAYES TIES SINGLE-GAME 3-POINT FIELD-GOAL PERCENTAGE RECORD: Sinking 7-of-7 3-pointers against Weber State, senior guard Kenny Hayes tied a single-game 3-point field-goal percentage record at Miami. (Craig Michaelis went 6-for-6 against Nebraska on Nov. 27, 1989.) Hayes' seventh trey of the game may have been the most critical as he nailed the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining in the game. His seven treys against the Wildcats also ties for fifth on Miami's single-game list.
BIG 33: Four current RedHawks share Miami's single-season record for games played (33) with seven other individuals. Senior forward Michael Bramos and senior center/forward Tyler Dierkers played in all 33 games in 2006-07, while senior guard Kenny Hayes and senior guard/forward Eric Pollitz played in all 33 games last season.
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 at 7-4 on the season. • Make Miami 2-0 in the series with Northwestern State. • Give Miami its most wins in December under head coach Charlie Coles.A MIAMI LOSS WOULD ... • Drop Miami to 6-5 on the season. • Even the series with Northwestern State at 1-1. • Make Northwestern State 5-0 at home this season.
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