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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 2:24 AM Sunday, February 28, 2010

KENT — Simplicity has turned into confusion for the Miami University basketball team.

Had the RedHawks won their last two regular-season games, including their contest Saturday, Feb. 27, at Kent State, they would have clinched one of the top four seeds to the Mid-American Conference tournament and a first-round bye.

But Miami’s 66-58 loss to KSU left the RedHawks in a four-way tie for fifth place in the MAC’s overall standings, one game behind Buffalo, the opponent in their regular-season finale to be played Thursday at Millett Hall.

A Buffalo victory would give the Bulls the No. 4 seed. The winner of next Friday’s Kent State-at-Akron game will determine the No. 1 and 3 seeds. The MAC West Division winner will get the No. 2 seed.

But if Miami beats Buffalo, well, then the question of who will get the No. 4 seed gets jumbled. Miami is 8-7 in the league, and so is Ball State, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan.

On Thursday, Central Michigan plays at Eastern Michigan, and Ball State plays at Western Michigan.

So if Miami wins, at least three teams and maybe four will finish tied for fourth in the MAC’s overall standings at 9-7. One of those teams would be the West champion and No. 2 seed. Another would be the No. 4 seed. And everything would be decided by tiebreakers.

Notable numbers

Kenny Hayes scored 15 points and had four assists for the RedHawks. ... Miami’s Nick Winbush totaled 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots. ... KSU senior Frank Henry-Ala scored a career-high 12 points on senior night, and two other Golden Flash seniors also scored in double digits, Christ Singletary and Anthony Simpson, each with 11 points.

Gates returns

Antonio Gates, one of the top MAC basketball players ever to take the court against Miami, was back at M.A.C. Arena on Saturday night. He was honored at halftime by having his No. 44 jersey retired.

Gates was the driving force behind the Golden Flashes advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2002, averaging 20.6 points per game and leading Kent State to wins over three Top-25 teams.

Gates caught 79 passes for 1,157 yards and eight touchdowns as tight end for the San Diego Chargers this past season. He is a three-time NFL All Pro who signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent.

Gates never played in a college football game at KSU. He did participate in one spring practice season.

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