DaytonDailyNews.com

SPOKANE, Wash. — Charlie Coles believes his Miami University basketball team had a good number of overachievers this season, a campaign that ended Friday in the NCAA Tournament.

The RedHawks nearly knocked off third-seeded Oregon before suffering a 58-56 defeat in a Midwest Regional opener at Spokane Arena, but Coles was happy with the fact that Miami was even here at all.

"I'm a pessimist when it comes to winning games," said Coles, whose squad got off to a 5-10 start. "We had some things we couldn't do this year, but the kids made up for it with a big heart. I think we ended up being one of the better defensive teams in the country."

Consistent, punishing defense powered MU to an 18-15 record and the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship, with the RedHawks giving up just 57.4 points per game.

Coles said his three departing seniors — Nathan Peavy, Doug Penno and Monty St. Clair — won't be easily replaced. Peavy finished with 1,081 career points, while Penno earned his place in Miami history by banking in the last-second trey that beat Akron in the MAC Tournament title game.

"That was some of the best leadership I've ever had as a coach," Coles said. "Those three guys set our course straight. We'll have to get back some of that leadership."

Junior forward Tim Pollitz, sophomore guard Michael Bramos and freshman guard Alex Moosmann will be returning starters in 2007-08, and Miami figures to have a somewhat different, more guard-oriented look next year.

Moosmann was pushed into a major role because sophomore Carl Richburg got hurt and only played nine games. Moosmann was erratic at times as a true freshman, yet also showed considerable potential while collecting 2.8 assists per game.

Freshman guards Geno Harris, Evan Allen and Antonio Ballard all saw minimal action and are expected to be factors next season. Sophomore guard Eric Pollitz averaged double-digit minutes this year, and junior guard Isiah Carson will be eligible to play after sitting out this season because of a transfer.

Coles said the RedHawks may use two point guards next year. He's got 6-foot-2 guard Kenny Hayes from Cincinnati State (and Clayton Northmont) as one of three incoming recruits — 6-7 forwards Dwight McCombs of Chicago and Nick Winbush of Shaker Heights are the others. And Coles noted that he's still looking for another guard on the recruiting trail.

"We should have a better balance of size and quickness next year," said Bramos, a natural 6-5 swingman who is expected to be more of an inside-outside player as a junior after being forced to focus on perimeter play this season.

Bramos and Tim Pollitz figure to be MU's headliners in 2007-08. Bramos has the game to be an all-around force, while the 6-6 Pollitz shot 57.4 percent from the floor this year and led Miami in scoring (16.1).

Coles said Pollitz will benefit from a faster pace next season.

"I've never seen a kid shoot percentages like he does," Coles said. "He's amazing. I don't know if I've ever had somebody play that consistently."

Coles has compiled a 193-141 record in 11 years at the MU helm. The RedHawks have won 18 or more games the last four seasons.