Bellbrook graduation 2012
Fairfield Senior 2012 graduation
Kroger Aquatic Center opens
MIAMI UNIVERSITY
RedHawks lose another guard
Miami faces Kent State this afternoon after Eric Pollitz is lost with a knee injury.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
OXFORD — The injury to Eric Pollitz didn't cause Miami University's current free fall, but it does give coach Charlie Coles another major problem to solve and the RedHawks are running out of time.
With three games left in the regular season, including the one this afternoon, March 1, at home against Kent State, Coles said Miami probably will have to win all three to gain a first-round bye to the Mid-American Conference tournament.
"If we can win the next three games, I think we'll get a bye," said Coles, whose team has lost three straight and four of its last five. "Two wins and we probably won't get one. Right now I'd be thankful for a win."
Pollitz became Miami's second starting point guard to be lost for the season when he suffered a serious injury to his right knee during the 75-56 loss at Ohio on Thursday, Feb. 26.
Senior Kenny Hayes was lost prior to the start of the MAC season with a wrist injury.
"I don't know exactly all the terminology for it," Coles said of Pollitz's injury. "It's more than a sprain. He hurt it good, he hurt it real good. From what I understand, there will be surgery on it.
"It hurts," Coles said, confirming that Pollitz will not be able to return. "But hey, I don't know, we're just going to have to be better. Eric was our best defender and he did a real good job for us this year. Eric was going to give us anywhere from six to 10 points, he was going to (defend the opponent's) top offensive guard."
Even with Pollitz, the RedHawk offense had produced fewer than 65 points in six straight games. And now a Miami defense which had allowed 75 points only three times in its first 24 games allowed has given up 75 in back-to-back games.
"We're hurting defensively as a team right now," Coles said.
The Miami coach said he is not without hope.
"We can make something out of this," he said. "We're in algebra, and sooner or later we'll find the answer ... We just have to have some guys play and defend better. We're going to have to do something. We're not playing very well at all."
Coles said senior Carl Richburg will start at point guard in place of Pollitz and freshman Kramer Soderberg will be the back-up.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.
