The RedHawks suffered their third straight defeat last night in losing to the Akron Zips 52-45. Miami got back to playing Miami defense last night in holding down a talented Zip team and allowing them only 25% shooting in the second half. Unfortunately the RedHawks shooting woes continued as they only shot 26.9% in the 2nd half and 36.7% for the game. The Zips had a good defensive effort, particularly when it came to forcing the RedHawks to the outside and not allowing any inside shots. Miami had open looks from the outside but simply couldn't find the range as the RedHawks mad just 3 of 21 trey attempts for the game. The RedHawks will have to start consistently hitting some of those outside shots in order to continue to contend for the MAC East crown.
If there is a "silver lining" in this 3-game losing streak it is that this is, so far, another typical MAC season where there is no team that is rising clearly above all of the others and is going to run away with it. Both Kent State and Ohio suffered losses last night, with Ohio losing their 2nd conference game at Buffalo and Kent State losing at home to Bowling Green.
While the biggest game of the season is always your next game, it can't be truer for Miami than now. As the RedHawks try to put the brakes on this losing streak when they travel to Athens for a Sunday game against the arch-rival Ohio University Bobcats. The Bobcats are 12-4 on the season and 6-2 in conference play. In losing 70-51 at Buffalo last night, the Bobcats were held to their lowest point total of the season. Their second leading scorer, forward Leon Williams didn't take a shot and was held scoreless for the first time in his collegiate career. The Bobcats probably have more raw talent than any other MAC team and were the pre-season pick to win the MAC East. In addition to Williams down low, Ohio is led by the guard tandem of Mychal Green and Jeremy Fears. Green is their leading scorer with 12.4 points a game while Fears is averaging 10.6 a game. The Convo, as always, will be a tough place to play. The Bobcats are unbeaten there this year and have lost only one time in their last 23 games at the Convo. Look for it to be a loud, raucous environment for the noon tip-off this Sunday in Athens.
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