Badin vs. Fredericktown
Miamisburg graduation 2012
Valley View vs. Greenville
Miami's Bramos getting his shot back
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
OXFORD — Sure, Michael Bramos said, Miami University's basketball team has been stung by adversity this season. He's in a position to know better than anyone.
Bramos, who is back after missing four games with a high ankle sprain, said adversity itself isn't the reason the RedHawks have been forced to struggle back to the .500 mark after opening their season with three impressive wins in their first four games.
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"We faced some tough teams, we had some bad-luck injuries, and (Tyler Dierkers) got sick," Bramos said of the RedHawks, who lost five straight during one stretch.
"But we have to take responsibility," he said. "We weren't holding ourselves accountable. We had to take a look at ourselves in the mirror. Then we dug ourselves out."
The RedHawks seek their fourth straight victory tonight at Millett Hall when they face the Toledo Rockets in a rematch of last year's Mid-American Conference tournament semifinal.
"It might have something to do with the competition, too," Bramos said of the RedHawks' winning streak, "but we've also taken care of our leads."
During the five-game losing streak, Miami faced teams with a current record of 80-27. The record of Miami's last five opponents is 31-69.
Bramos returned to the court Jan. 30 at Northern Illinois, and the only shot he made in nine attempts was a breakaway slam dunk.
His shooting was much improved three days later at Ball State, especially after he banked in a halfcourt shot at the halftime buzzer. He finished with 15 points, going 3-for-5 from the 3-point arc.
"I'm feeling better each game," Bramos said. "I still wouldn't say I'm 100 percent. It may take another couple games to get back to 100 percent."
Toledo has lost 13 straight road games dating back to the 2006-07 season and will try to put together back-to-back wins for only the second time this year. The Rockets are coming off a 59-56 upset over Kent State.
Toledo does have the league's leading scorer in Tyrone Kent, and Jonathan Amos ranks first in the MAC with 2.8 steals per game.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.
