Ohio (15-15 overall) has punched its ticket to Cleveland next week, but before taking the trip up north for the Mid-American Conference Tournament, the Bobcats will finish off their regular season with a matchup against arch-rival Miami (30-0 overall), which is looking to finish off its undefeated regular season.
The RedHawks have been on fire all year long behind a high-powered offense led by players who have continued to grow in head coach Travis Steele’s system. This group has averaged over 90 points per game this season, which is a 10-point jump from last year, and it leads the MAC in scoring. Miami will look to get out and run against the Bobcats, whom they have outscored this year by an average of 13 points.
Ohio is coming back home on a two-game lull. It will hope to regroup in front of the hometown fans and end the regular season on a high note. This game will be big for Ohio’s seniors, who are playing their final home game in The Convo and have never lost to Miami in that building during their time here.
“We've never lost to Miami here, and I don't plan for that to change just because they've had a really good season,” senior forward Aidan Hadaway said. “It's hard to come in here and win. Not a lot of teams can do it.”
The tensions will be high between these teams to close out the season as both teams prepare for the MAC Tournament. Ohio needs to win to guarantee itself the fifth seed in the tournament, while a win for Miami will complete its undefeated season, as well as make it the outright MAC champions for the 2025-2026 season.
The stakes are set, now let’s take a look at Miami
Game Information
Opponent: Miami RedHawks
Location: The Convocation Center (Athens, Ohio)
Time: Friday 9 p.m.
Where to watch: ESPN2
Follow live stats here
Meet the Opponent:
Head coach: Travis Steele (4th season)
Projected Starters:
#0 Eian Elmer
#3 Luke Skaljac
#5 Peter Suder
#13 Antwone Woolfolk
#22 Brant Byers
Statistical leaders:
Points: Suder (14.8 per game)
Assists: Skaljac (4.7 per game)
Rebounds: Elmer (5.9 per game)
Steals: Suder, Skaljac and Woolfolk (1.4 per game)
Blocks: Woolfolk (0.8 per game)
FG%: Woolfolk (63.4%)
3-point percentage: Suder (42.5%)
Ohio player to watch: Jackson Paveletzke
Paveletzke will step on The Convo floor for the final time Friday night and try to lead Ohio to a win. The senior guard has been the engine behind the Ohio offense all year long, but will need to put another fantastic night of basketball together for the Bobcats to get the job done.
In Ohio’s previous matchup with Miami, Paveletzke put up 22 points on 44% shooting. This performance was not enough as Ohio lost in Oxford, but this time the Bobcats will lean on Paveletzke, who will have to be the facilitator on top of this scoring output.
