Miami is 10-9 this year. They lost their first four MAC games but since then have won two in a row. They lost at home to CMU and NIU, and then @Buffalo and @Toledo. Then, they beat Akron at Millet and in the surprise of all, won in Muncie against Ball State.
The two teams split the games last year, with both teams winning a road game. BG has won 3 out of 4 in Oxford, The teams are 5-5 over the last 10 meetings.
To date, in MAC only games, Miami is the worst defensive team in the MAC. They are #9 in offense. BG is #1 in both offense and defense in MAC play, so they're on the plus side of both of these matchups. What is amazing is the BG offense. Last year, BG was last in the MAC in conference games at 1 point per possession. The team's ability to score this year is simply amazing.
Miami plays the #10 pace in the MAC, which is just above EMU and something BG's hopefully prepped for.
As mentioned, Miami is #8 in offensive efficiency in the MAC. They are #7 in shooting and #8 in turnovers. Their weakest area is offensive rebounding, where they were #11. They are the top team in the MAC in getting to the FT line, though they are 9th in making their FTs.
They try a lot of 3s. They are 2nd in the MAC in terms of 3FGs as a proportion of all FGAs. However, they are only 6th at making them, which is going to impact your shooting. BG leads the MAC in 3FG% defense, so that will be a key battle. Miami is 5th at 2FGs. Lastly, BG should be able to keep them almost completely off the boards.
Flipping it around, as mentioned, Miami is last in defensive efficiency. That's surprising because they aren't awful in any of the elements. They force almost no turnovers, but they are 8th in defending the shot, 8th on offensive rebounding and #7 in keeping their opponents on the line. They are 9th in defending the 2FG, which could be helpful for BG.
Individually, they are led by Nike Sibande. He scored 20 points in the game last year in Oxford. He was also MAC Freshman of the Year last year. He scoring an inefficient 15 PPG, shooting 38% and 35%. Also, in MAC games he has 1 assist and 13 turnovers.
Delonte Brown is scoring 11 a game, shooting 49% and 39%. He's from Bowsher and scored 16 against BG at the Stroh last year.
Darrion Ringo is back. During the off-season, he was gone at one point and then he was back. He is scoring 10.8 PPG shooting 45% and 30%. He leads the team with about 5 assists per game.
Their leading rebounder is 6'5" G Jalen Adway at 6.8 RPG per game. JUCO Transfer Bam Bowman averages 6.5 RPG. BAM!
So, that's the RedHawk story. Even as BG has been winning, they have continued to bring their best game every time, and I think if they do it again, they should be able to win this one.
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