ESPN REPORT: Another Mega Star Commits To Ohio Bobcats men’s basketball……….
The Miami University RedHawks (15-15, 9-8 in MAC play) will meet the Ohio University Bobcats (18-12, 12-5 in MAC play) in the Battle of the Bricks this Friday to wrap off their regular season.
The University of Toledo Rockets handed the RedHawks a hard-fought 97-63 loss. With 18 points, rookie guard Eian Elmer led the club in scoring; junior guard Bradley Dean chipped in with eight.
Ohio recently won their fifth straight game, defeating the Buffalo Bulls 78-66. Leading the Bobcats in scoring were junior big AJ Clayton and senior guard Shereef Mitchell, each with 23 points. With an average of 4.5 rebounds per game, Clayton leads the club in rebounds as well.
Senior guard Jaylin Hunter leads the Bobcats in assists and scoring with 5.0 assists and 14.1 points per contest.
Miami’s last meeting with Ohio took place in Athens, when they were defeated 78-69. Senior center Anderson Mirambeaux led the RedHawks in scoring with 16 points, while Elmer contributed 14. Jaylin Hunter and Clayton combined for 37 points for the Bobcats, with Hunter scoring 22 and Clayton scoring 15.
In that contest, the RedHawks ran out to an early 19-10 lead before Clayton made four straight three-pointers to put the Bobcats up 22-21. By the end of the half, Ohio had increased its lead to seven and never looked back.
Five minutes remained in the game, and Miami had cut the margin to three. However, the Bobcats scored six straight points to retake the lead at nine and end the game.
That day, the Bobcats’ eight more three-pointers than the RedHawks’ proved to be the difference-maker. Miami will need to match Ohio’s behind-the-arc approach if they hope to pull off an upset.
The Battle of the Bricks was started by the two teams back in 1908. The Bobcats have outscored the RedHawks 119-95 ever then, with an 8-2 record across the previous ten games.
At the moment, Miami is ranked sixth in the conference. But a victory and a defeat at Bowling Green would move them up to sixth, setting up a possible meeting with the Central Michigan University Chippewas in Cleveland. This scenario makes this Friday’s matchup with Ohio even more crucial. The RedHawks trounced the Chippewas the last time they played, winning 88–60.
Based on ESPN metrics, Miami’s chances of winning are currently 36.6%. Now is the ideal time for the RedHawks to step on the pedal and push into March as the MAC tournament draws near.
