Next game
Who: South Carolina State at Miami, 3:30 p.m.
When: Saturday, Jan. 2
TV: ESPN3
Radio: WMOH 1450
Miami University took its best shot at remaining a relevant opponent to longtime rival Dayton on Tuesday night.
The Flyers’ recent NCAA tournament success has coincided with a Miami slide in its proud men’s basketball program. That led to the rivals not playing in the 2013-14 season, something akin to the Bengals not playing the Browns for most fans of both programs.
The series was rekindled last season when Dayton won 66-62 at Millett Hall. Dayton made it two straight wins and eight in the last nine meetings when Kyle Davis bottomed a leaner with 2.1 seconds remaining that stood up for a thrilling 64-63 Flyers win on Tuesday before another near-capacity crowd at UD Arena.
Both schools have discussed continuing the series. UD initiated the 2013-14 series break.
“We would like to play Dayton, certainly,” assured Miami coach John Cooper following the loss. “I know they’ve got to make their decision. I know my athletic director has talked to them. It’s not on me. I know we would like to continue it, and we’ll see. We’ll see how Dayton decides and how (UD coach) Archie (Miller) goes forward.”
Miami (6-6) isn’t anywhere near the NCAA tournament giant-killer status it proudly maintained for several decades. Still, there’s enough grittiness in the current RedHawks to rekindle a promising fire. Pushing UD (9-2) to the limit was another step in that direction.
“I can see why,” said guard Eric Washington, who led Miami with 15 points on a variety of nifty finger rolls. “We haven’t been as successful as Dayton, so I can see why they want that. But if you were at this game, you could see Miami basketball is still relevant. We’re not as successful as Dayton has been the last four, five years, but we’re just as good as them we think.
“It’s been a while and with the guys we have, we’ve got a chance. I think we proved that (Tuesday).”
Miami will look to get back on track on Jan. 2 when South Carolina State visits.
Miami was all set to spoil Dyshawn Pierre’s return to Dayton’s lineup. Instead, Pierre spent his first game back anchored at the end of the UD bench and not in uniform.
Pierre was eligible to make his season debut. He rejoined the Flyers and resumed as a student just this week following a fall semester suspension after being accused of sexual assault. Criminal charges were not pursued.
Pierre, UD’s leading returning scorer, could make his season debut in UD’s next game on Dec. 30 against visiting Arkansas.
Count Cooper all in on continuing the UD/Miami series that dates to 1909. The only team UD has played more is Xavier.
“Maybe the series ends on a home-and-home basis,” he said. “Maybe we get a buy game out of it. If it’s two (games) and it’s away, we’d do that, too.”
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