Rebuilding the Redhawks

[grahoben]

Indiana State lived at the free throw line in the non-conference finale for Miami, fouling out Jones and Shipley, and going 26-32 from the stripe. After the RedHawks took an early lead, the Sycamores dominated the glass in the second half, winning the rebounding battle by 17. After playing his best game of the season to date, Pete Williams suffered a sprained ankle late, and may be limited for the next few weeks.

MTE Recap:
Indiana defeats Butler to win the Hall of Fame Tip-off
West Virginia defeats Florida State to win the Jamaica Classic
UCLA defeats UCF to win the Bahama Classic

[grahoben]

Non-Conference Recap:
Akron 6-4 (NET 23)
Kent State 5-4 (NET 144)
Central Michigan 4-5 (NET 114)
Northern Illinois 4-5 (NET 123)
Ohio 4-5 (NET 202)
Toledo 4-5 (NET 253)
Western Michigan 4-5 (NET 206)
Bowling Green 3-6 (NET 303)
Eastern Michigan 3-6 (NET 256)
Miami OH 3-6 (NET 323)
Ball State 2-7 (NET 301)
Buffalo 2-8 (NET 210)



Oliver Snoddy couldn't find his shot against Toledo in the MAC opener, struggling to a disastrous 1-17 night from the floor. Toledo opened the game on an 8-0 run, and led by double digits until the final minute of the game when Miami started chipping away in garbage time.

MTE Recap:
Maryland defeats USC to win the JAG Holiday Invitational
UNC Greensboro defeats Milwaukee to win the Empire Classic
Illinois defeats Virginia Tech to win the Diamond Head Invitational

MAC Scores:
Eastern Michigan 73 @ Northern Illinois 60
Western Michigan 68 @ Central Michigan 87
Buffalo 61 @ Ohio 67
Kent State 78 @ Ball State 80
Akron 89 @ Bowling Green 79

[grahoben]

Despite a poor day shooting the basketball, Northern Illinois put 83 points on the board thanks to limiting turnovers and pounding the ball inside. This time, the RedHawks fell behind by 10 before scoring a point, and there just wasn't enough firepower to mount a comeback. With Andrew Tubbs having another steady game off the bench, he could continue to see more time on the court to replace Oliver Snoddy's dreadful shooting.

MAC Scores:
Eastern Michigan 59 @ Toledo 66
Buffalo 79 @ Central Michigan 74
Western Michigan 54 @ Ohio 80
Akron 73 @ Ball State 77
Kent State 97 @ Bowling Green 79

Top 25:
1. Arizona (12-2)
2. Wisconsin (13-0)
3. Duke (10-1)
4. UConn (13-0)
5. Texas (12-1)
6. Creighton (12-2)
7. Iowa State (12-1)
8. Alabama (12-1)
9. NC State (10-3)
10. Illinois (12-1)
11. Pitt (13-0)
12. Kansas (10-3)
13. UCLA (11-2)
14. Baylor (11-2)
15. Michigan State (10-1)
16. Kentucky (11-1)
17. Michigan (11-2)
18. Providence (10-2)
19. Gonzaga (9-5)
20. Auburn (11-2)
21. VCU (9-2)
22. Memphis (11-3)
23. Indiana (10-2)
24. Tennessee (9-1)
25. West Virginia (10-3)
Receiving Votes:
Saint Mary's (11-4)
Tulsa (11-1)
Georgetown (11-3)
Ohio State (8-3)
Pepperdine (13-0)
Saint Louis (10-1)
Miami FL (11-2)
Northwestern (9-2)
Missouri (11-2)
Virginia (9-3)
Iowa (9-3)

[grahoben]

Even though Miami shot well from distance, the road trip struggles continued in Buffalo. Tyson Jones was very effective as a scorer, but he, along with everyone else, did a poor job taking care of the basketball. The Bulls had turnover problems of their own, but an advantage in physicality was the difference as the home team did a better job of getting to the rim and pulling down rebounds.

MAC Scores:
Northern Illinois 61 @ Kent State 91
Eastern Michigan 60 @ Western Michigan 72
Toledo 74 @ Akron 87
Ball State 81 @ Central Michigan 70
Bowling Green 84 @ Ohio 73

[grahoben]

The RedHawks were great in transition with 16 fast break points, but when they weren't getting steals the half court game was another story. Western Michigan shot over 50% from the field and from three, and in the second half picked Miami apart to the tune of 52 points.

MAC Scores:
Toledo 67 @ Kent State 79
Northern Illinois 66 @ Akron 78
Eastern Michigan 86 @ Buffalo 77
Bowling Green 50 @ Central Michigan 76
Ball State 82 @ Ohio 66