DaytonDailyNews.com

SPOKANE, Wash. — History says the Pacific 10 Conference should be wary of the Miami University basketball program.

MU is 2-0 when facing Pac-10 squads in the NCAA Tournament, upsetting Arizona (71-62) in 1995 and Washington (59-58) in 1999.

Today, the 14th-seeded RedHawks will be underdogs again when they face another Pac-10 opponent, No. 3 seed Oregon, at Spokane Arena. But Miami coach Charlie Coles said he won't touch that angle with his players.

"It doesn't work," Coles said. "With our guys, the more we've made it like it's us against them and our manhood's at stake, we've failed miserably. And I really mean it.

"This team responds when we make basketball the focal point," he continued. "I'm not even so sure focusing on the opponent has helped much this year. I know that seems out of order, but that's true."

A coach's style

Coles was asked about his coaching style during Thursday's news conference at Spokane Arena, and he admitted he does his share of yelling at his players, though he doesn't always enjoy it.

"I don't think there's any game this year where somebody hasn't felt my wrath or one of my assistants' wrath," Coles said. "We tell them that's our style, that's the way we conduct business. It's not personal. But by the same token, we cry a lot of tears together and we have a lot of laughs together. It's the full thing, just like you would have in your family.

"That's what I think coaching is," he added. "Whatever those kids experience in their family, coaching is an extension of that."

Notable

• Miami sophomore guard Michael Bramos, who hails from Harper Woods, Mich., played against Oregon's Tajuan Porter and Malik Hairston in high school. Porter and Hairston both attended Detroit Renaissance.

• Oregon's 313 conversions and 813 attempts from 3-point range this season are school and Pac-10 records.

• The most points the RedHawks have allowed in a game this year is 69. Miami defeated Ohio by three in that overtime affair on Jan. 21.

• Ducks junior guard Bryce Taylor is the son of Brian Taylor, who was a Princeton University standout and played 10 seasons of professional basketball.

• The lowest NCAA Tournament seed earned by a Mid-American Conference team was Ball State's No. 15 seed in 1993.

• MU's Charlie Coles and Oregon's Ernie Kent are coaching their alma maters.

Quotable

 • Miami guard Michael Bramos: "Everyone's nervous in the NCAA Tournament. If you're not nervous, then something's wrong with you. But once the ball's thrown up, it's just like playing when you were growing up. There's just tons of people watching."

• Oregon guard Aaron Brooks: "I think we all know the value of this game. We're not going to overlook anything. We're happy to be here, and it's going to show on the court in our energy level."

• Ducks coach Ernie Kent: "The Pac-10 has you ready for this tournament. There's every kind of style you can imagine in the Pac-10 Conference. There will be no surprises (today)."

• RedHawks forward Tim Pollitz: "It's been a little crazy (the last several days). You see Doug (Penno) on Cold Pizza. It was like, what, Doug? It's been different, but we try to keep it the same because we've got to come in here and be relaxed and ready to play ball against Oregon."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.