And then there was one.
Miami (OH) is the lone remaining unbeaten Division I team after Arizona lost on Monday at Kansas.
The RedHawks (24-0, 11-0) put their unbeaten mark against visiting Ohio (13-12, 7-5) in a Mid-American Conference clash on Friday.
Miami holds a one-game lead over Akron in the MAC. The only conference loss for Akron was a 76-73 defeat at Miami on Jan. 3. It’s very possible that Miami, despite its record, will have to win the MAC Tournament to assure itself an NCAA berth.
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The RedHawks haven’t played a demanding schedule, which is why they are only 84th in the most recent KenPom ratings, and their strength of schedule is 311th.
Miami is coming off Saturday’s 90-74 win at Marshall in the MAC-Sun Belt Conference Challenge. The RedHawks shot 33-for-59 from the field (.559), including 8-for-18 from three-point range (.444). It was the 18th time this season that the RedHawks have shot at least 50 percent from the field.
Ohio’s two-game win streak was snapped with Saturday’s 78-72 loss at Old Dominion in the MAC-SBC Challenge. The difference was at the foul line. Ohio shot 10-for-15 (.666) while ODU was 16-of-18 (.889).
Miami and Ohio will also meet in the final MAC game of the regular season, March 6 in Athens, Ohio.
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Ohio at Miami (OH) Odds
As of this writing, Miami (OH) is a 10.5-point college basketball betting favorite, according to BetMGM.
The Over/Under is 163.5 points.
Ohio at Miami (OH) On TV
Tipoff is expected shortly after 9 p.m. ET.
The game will be televised by ESPN.
Ohio at Miami (OH) Prediction
It’s a big number, but I like Miami (OH) to cover.
Earlier this year, Ohio lost at home by 21 points to Miami’s leading challenger, Akron. Now the Bobcats have to play on the road, in front of what will be an energized crowd and a national television audience.
Ohio is just 3-6 on the road this season. Miami is 13-0 at home. The RedHawks’ home winning streak is now 28 games.
Miami will want to play a fast-paced game. The RedHawks are first in the MAC in scoring, averaging 92.7 points per game. Miami allows 74.3 points, a byproduct of its up-tempo style.
Ohio averages 77.7 points and allows 77.3 points.
Both teams like to play an up-tempo game.
Miami is 44th in the country entering Wednesday’s action with an adjusted tempo of 70.2, according to KenPom. Adjusted tempo consists of possessions per 40 minutes. Ohio has an adjusted tempo of 69.1, which is 86th. Miami averages 11.83 fastbreak points per game, compared to 8.52 for Ohio.
Where Miami has a real edge is in three-point shooting. The RedHawks lead the MAC in three-point percentage (.398). Ohio is shooting just .307 from deep. Miami attempts 27 three-pointers per game, while Ohio averages 22.6. The RedHawks are third in the MAC in three-point percentage defense, allowing teams to shoot .318 from deep. Ohio is 13th at .358.
So, even though Ohio likes to play a fast-paced game, it would benefit the RedHawks to slow things down against Miami.
Miami also has a decisive edge in free-throw percentage (.768 to .699).
The RedHawks have a balanced scoring attack with seven players averaging between 9.7 and 14.7 points per game. The leading scorer is 6-foot-8 redshirt sophomore Brant Byers (14.7 PPG), who is also shooting .408 from deep. Peter Suder, a 6-foot-5 senior, averages 14.2 PPG and shoots .429 from deep.
Ohio 6-foot-2 senior Jackson Paveletzke leads the team in scoring (16.6 PPG) and assists (5.2 per game). Aidan Hadaway, a 6-foot-8 senior, averages 14.2 points and a team-high 7.5 rebounds.
