PREVIEW: MIAMI AT OHIO UNIVERSITY
Thursday, March 01, 2007
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Convocation Center (13,068), Athens
Extras
Radio: WMOH-AM (1450), WSAI-AM (1360), WONE-AM (980)
Records: Miami (15-12, 10-4) vs. Ohio (17-11, 8-6)
Series: Ohio leads 91-85.
Probable starters
About Ohio
Miami's arch-rival is one of the few teams in college basketball with all five starters scoring in double figures. Ohio is led by its two big men. Sophomore power forward Jerome Tillman (Beavercreek) ranks fourth in the conference in scoring (15.4), fourth in rebounding (8.4) and sixth in field goal percentage (56.8). Junior center Leon Williams is eighth in scoring (14.7), second in rebounding (9.2) and third in field goal percentage (60.4). To clinch a first-round Mid-American Conference tournament bye, OU must go 2-0 in its last two games, have Miami go 0-2, and have Kent State NOT win the overall conference title.
Miami facts
If the RedHawks win tonight, they clinch a first-round bye to the MAC tourney and remain in the running for a share of the East Division title. Over the last five seasons, Miami and Ohio have met 12 times. The RedHawks hold a 6-3 advantage in regular-season games, but are 0-3 in the MAC tourney — the quarterfinals in 2003, the semifinals in 2005 and the quarterfinals in 2006.
Coles' take
"It should be real interesting. We'll have to come ready to play, and we may have to come ready to play (against Ohio) more than once." — Miami coach Charlie Coles, who thinks the RedHawks and Bobcats may square off again in the MAC Tournament.
—Pete Conrad, Staff Writer


