Harper visits Miami for coach’s tribute

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2:10 AM Sunday, December 18, 2011

By Pete Conrad

Staff Writer

OXFORD — Ron Harper attended Saturday’s game at Millett Hall. The former Miami University and NBA star from Dayton said he’s “just enjoying life.”

Two of his younger children play basketball, he said. “I drive a lot and watch basketball a lot,” Harper said with a laugh, noting that his 11-year-old son already is 5-foot-8.

One reason Harper was on hand for the RedHawks’ 66-61 victory over Belmont, he said, was that he’d heard his first head coach at Miami, Darrell Hedric, would be honored at the game.

“I love coach Hedric,” Harper said. “He was a tremendous basketball coach and he influenced me a lot. I can remember my last year in high school (at Kiser). He was there almost more than I was (during the recruiting season). That was one reason I came here. That, and my high school coach also was from here.”

Harper said his decision to attend Miami “was a great choice. It was an easy drive for my mom and we always played against UD.”

The two-time Mid-American Conference Player of the Year (1985 and ‘86) is one of only three players in NBA history to win back-to-back championships with two different teams (Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers). He owns a total of five rings, having won three with the Michael Jordan-led Bulls.

Edwards sidelined: Miami’s transfer from Penn State, sophomore forward Bill Edwards, is out indefinitely with an injured wrist which has bothered him all season.

Edwards had played in all of Miami’s first seven games, starting four. He scored a total of 35 points in the first two, but has not scored in the RedHawks’ last three contests.

Another double-double: Julian Mavunga’s 17 points and 10 rebounds gave him his fifth double-double of the season.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or Pete.Conrad@coxinc.com.

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