Ohio and Miami will meet Saturday in The Convo for the 206th “Battle of the Bricks” meeting, but there’s not much intrigue surrounding either team in this season’s first installment of the Mid-American Conference East Division rivalry.
The Bobcats and RedHawks are the bottom two teams in the MAC standings and have only four combined conference wins. Three of those wins have come against Eastern Michigan, who began the conference schedule with seven consecutive losses.
Someone will take the first step toward snapping the losing skids Saturday.
Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
Game information
Opponent: Miami RedHawks (9-13, 2-7 MAC)
Game time: 3:30 p.m.
Venue: The Convo
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Ohio IMG Sports Network
Meet the opponent
Starters
01 Nike Sibande (6-4, 183)
13 Dalonte Brown (6-7, 200)
03 Dae Dae Grant (6-2, 180)
11 Myja White (6-1, 188)
14 Bam Bowman (6-8, 273)
Individual Statistical Leaders:
Points: Sibande (13.4 points per games)
Rebonds: Brown (5.8 rebounds per games)
Assists: Mekhi Larry (3.1 assists per game)
Field goal percentage: Larry (45.1%)
3-point percentage: Grant (37.5%)
Free throw percentage: Sibande (80%)
Team Statistical Profile:
Points Per Game: 73
Rebounds Per Game: 35.9
Assists Per Game: 12.7
Turnovers Per Game: 11.7
Field goal Percentage: 43.1%
3-point Percentage: 35.1%
Free throw Percentage: 72%
The series
Ohio leads the all-time series, 111-94. The Bobcats last played the RedHawks on March 8 when Ohio defeated Miami 66-57. This will be Jeff Boals’ first game as coach of the Bobcats in the “Battle of the Bricks.” Ohio has also won eight in a row at home against Miami.
Player to watch
Dae Dae Grant — The freshman guard stepped up in Miami’s last game against Western Michigan with 20 points after Sibande left with an injury in the first half. If Sibande isn’t available, Grant could be the RedHawks’ top offensive weapon again. He does most of his damage from the 3-point line, but he’s not as talented as other top shooters the Bobcats have faced in the past month when they’ve seen the conference’s top three scorers in consecutive games.
