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MIAMI BASKETBALL
RedHawks face another stern test on the road
Ohio University hopes to add to Miami's early season struggles.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
OXFORD — This is all-too-familiar territory for the Miami University men's basketball team.
The RedHawks are on the road this afternoon against a very strong team in the Ohio Bobcats. Been there, done that, last week at Akron.
Extras
They're facing a team thirsty for blood, a team they eliminated from the Mid-American Conference tournament last March. Been there, done that, last week at Akron.
They find themselves in an early-season struggle, having lost three in a row to slip to 6-7 overall despite showing glimpses of unlimited potential. Been there, done that, last year when Miami was 5-10 in mid-January.
It's so familiar, in fact, that head coach Charlie Coles and his players see no reason to panic.
"We've just got to work our way out of it," Coles said, "and we usually do."
"It's kinda testing us mentally," junior center Tyler Dierkers said, "but we've had two good days of practice. We're feeling good right now."
Still, both Coles and Dierkers know the team's confidence and level of play has to improve, especially on offense, especially against the only MAC team which has an all-time winning record against Miami.
"It's so hard," Coles said. "Your team is judged by results and we haven't had good results lately. We've been beaten up a little bit. The first order of business is for us to get our confidence back.
"You have to go back and do the things you can do — give great effort and play as a team, and I think we're doing that this week."
Dierkers said he thinks the team has been a little too hesitant on the court.
"Once we become the aggressor and start playing our game," he said, "I think we'll really pick it up."
The Bobcats, who are coming off a 52-49 loss at Bowling Green, are led by 6-foot-8 senior center Leon Williams, who has averaged 18.2 points and 9.8 rebounds over his last five games.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.
Today's game
What: Miami RedHawks (6-7, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) at Ohio Bobcats (9-5, 0-1)
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Convocation Center (13,080)
Radio: WMOH-AM (1450),
WFTK-FM (96.5)
TV: None
Series: Ohio leads 92-86.
