Ohio clinched a spot in the 2023 Mid-American Conference Tournament with Tuesday’s win over Northern Illinois, and is likely locked into the fifth spot as it holds a two-game lead on the No. 6 teams and trails the No. 4 team by two games.
The Bobcats travel to Oxford on Saturday to take on Miami in the second edition of the Battle of the Bricks this season with an opportunity to pick up their seventh-straight win.
Here is everything to know about Saturday’s matchup:
Game Information
Opponent: Miami
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Millett Hall (Oxford, Ohio)
How to watch: ESPN3
How to listen: The Varsity Network
Follow live stats here
Meet the Opponent
Head Coach: Travis Steele (first season)
Probable starters
02 Mekhi Lairy
03 Julian Lewis
13 Ryan Mabrey
22 Morgan Safford
45 Anderson Mirambeaux
Statistical leaders
Points: Lairy (17.2 per game)
Rebounds: Safford (6.0 per game)
Assists: Lairy (4.0 per game)
Blocks: Mirambeaux (23 blocks)
Steals: Lairy (37 steals)
Field goal percentage: Jaquel Morris (56.8%)
3-point percentage: Billy Smith (36.2%)
Free throw percentage: Lairy (92.7%)
Series History
After Ohio defeated Miami 78-68 on Feb. 4, things were not looking good for the RedHawks. However, they have won their last two games and are only one game out of the final spot in the MAC Tournament.
While a loss on Saturday will not eliminate the RedHawks from MAC Tournament contention, the Bobcats could certainly make it a lot harder for their rivals to qualify.
Ohio head coach Jeff Boals is a perfect 6-0 against Miami as head coach after the win earlier this season. Overall, Ohio has won seven straight Battles of the Bricks and 21 of the last 24.
Player to watch
Dwight Wilson III - After taking a backseat in the scoring department for a few games, Wilson put in a vintage performance against Northern Illinois on Tuesday with 24 points and 10 rebounds. He also had 21 points and nine rebounds in the first matchup with Miami.
