Rebuilding the Redhawks

[grahoben]

For many years in the 1980s and 90s, Miami University had a rich history of men's basketball, making 7 NCAA Tournaments including a surprise run to the Sweet 16 in 1999. Since then, the RedHawks haven't enjoyed nearly as much success, making the Big Dance only once in 2007, and failing to win 20 games in a season at any point in the 21st century. Jack Owens was removed as head coach after five underwhelming seasons, and has been replaced by Joe Tucker, who at 30-years old becomes the youngest person to lead a Division 1 program in 2022.

Roster:
PG - Oliver Snoddy (6-4 Sr.)
SG - Nate Morris (6-1 Jr.)
SF - Tyson Jones (6-6 Jr.)
PF - David Shipley (6-7 Jr.)
C - Aquil Smalls (6-9, Sr.)
F - Pete Williams (6-8 Jr.)
G - Andrew Tubbs (6-2 Fr.)
G - Kevin Houston (6-0 So.)
C - Dane Davis (6-9 Jr.)
F - Arthur Williams (6-7 Fr.)
G - Brett Howland (5-8 Fr.)
G/F - Kevan Tyler (6-5 Fr.)
G - Trey Anderson (6-0 Fr.)
F - Gregg Jenkins (6-7 So.) (W)
F - Keyon Tucker (6-8 So.) (W)

2022-23 Schedule:
11/16 - @ Stephen F. Austin
11/19 - @ Georgia
11/23 - USC Upstate
11/25 - Baylor (ESPN Events Invitational)
11/30 - Furman
12/3 - Loyola Chicago
12/7 - @ Old Dominion
12/14 - High Point
12/21 - @ Indiana State
12/26 - @ Toledo
12/29 - @ Northern Illinois
1/2 - @ Buffalo
1/5 - @ Western Michigan
1/9 - Bowling Green
1/12 - Akron
1/16 - Kent State
1/19 - @ Ohio
1/23 - @ Central Michigan
1/26 - Eastern Michigan
1/30 - Ohio
2/2 - Central Michigan
2/6 - @ Akron
2/9 - @ Kent State
2/13 - Buffalo
2/16 - Western Michigan
2/20 - Toledo
2/23 - Northern Illinois
2/27 - @ Eastern Michigan
3/2 - @ Ball State

[grahoben]

Miami was dominated in the second half in its first competition of the season, getting outscored by 18 as Stephen F. Austin put on an offensive clinic. Sherman Peterson led the Lumberjacks with 21 points, but it was a team effort as the home squad had five players in double figures. Overall, the RedHawks were outplayed on the perimeter allowing SFA to go 13-22 from three, while also getting outrebounded by 13.

[PointGuard]

Tough opening loss, but it was an away game. Hopefully the team does a better job on the boards in the future.

[grahoben]

Game 2 went better for Miami, but a horrendous shooting night from the outside didn't give them a chance to win inside an SEC gym. The starting backcourt of Snoddy and Morris combined to go 2-17 from deep in the loss, although Aquil Smalls had a big game chipping in 22 points. Unfortunately, the big man couldn't play all 40 minutes, as the RedHawks were -16 in the 15 minutes he was off the floor.

MTE Summary:
Alabama defeats NC State in the Phil Knight Invitational

[grahoben]

Joe Tucker's first game at Millett Hall resulted in a rock fight of a win, as the RedHawks came away with a victory despite another dreadful three-point shooting performance. Aquil Smalls dominated for the second game in a row, recording his first double-double of the season, and leading Miami to a huge rebounding advantage.

MTE Summary:
Arizona defeats UNLV in the Preseason NIT
UConn defeats Syracuse in the Maui Invitational
Memphis defeats Colorado in the Battle 4 Atlantis
Auburn defeats Temple in the Paradise Jam
Harvard defeats Georgetown in the WSSN Classic
Creighton defeats Iowa State in the Sunshine Slam

[grahoben]

The RedHawks fought hard in the second half against #15 Baylor, but a 16-point halftime deficit was too much to overcome against likely the strongest team Miami will face all season. Oliver Snoddy's best scoring effort of the season wasn't enough, but the point guard has started to turn a corner after a difficult beginning to the season.

[grahoben]

Furman shot the lights out at Millett Hall, going 10-20 from three and opening up a huge lead early on. The Paladins got out in transition frequently due to 17 turnovers by Miami, and it was Frank Morris who took the biggest advantage of these opportunities with a game-high 29 points.

MTE Recap:
Pitt defeats Baylor to win the ESPN Events Invitational
Saint Mary's defeats SMU to win the Myrtle Beach Invitational
Louisville defeats TCU to win the Legends Classic

[grahoben]

Zack Crawford continued his red-hot start to the season, and took advantage of a struggling Miami defense to lead Loyola with 31 points in their road victory. Miami doubled up the Ramblers 40-20 in points inside the paint, but allowed the visitors to make 9 threes and contribute 21 free throws.

AP Top 25:
1. UConn (8-0)
2. Duke (6-0)
3. Arizona (6-2)
4. Creighton (7-1)
5. Alabama (7-0)
6. Pitt (8-0)
7. NC State (7-1)
8. Baylor (7-1)
9. Iowa State (7-1)
10. Texas (6-1)
11. Wisconsin (5-0)
12. Memphis (7-0)
13. UCLA (5-1)
14. Kansas (4-3)
15. Harvard (8-0)
16. Saint Mary's (7-1)
17. Ohio State (6-0)
18. Providence (6-1)
19. Georgetown (6-2)
20. Tennessee (4-1)
21. VCU (4-2)
22. Gonzaga (5-1)
23. Illinois (4-0)
24. Syracuse (6-2)
25. St. John's (6-0)

[grahoben]

The RedHawks opted to slow the game down against Old Dominion, and it paid dividends as the RedHawks played their best game of the season, winning by 17 on the road. Lockdown defense on the perimeter held the Monarchs to 14% shooting from deep, while offensively Miami had a balanced attack with four starters reaching double figures. Despite a season-low 11 assists, the visitors were able to find enough efficient possessions against a strong Old Dominion defense.

[grahoben]

It was a tale of two halves for Miami, but fortunately they built a large enough lead in the first half to avoid giving High Point its first win of the season. The RedHawks finally got some production from off the bench, as Andrew Tubbs and Dane Davis each came through with double digit points. Outside of a late charge by the Panthers, Miami's defense also continued to play well for the second consecutive game.

MTE Recap:
Michigan defeats Rhode Island to win the Charleston Classic
Missouri defeats Villanova to win the Wooden Legacy
Wisconsin defeats Eastern Washington to win the Cayman Islands Classic