MAC Monday

[hellah10]

After a disappointing 2-3 Saturday mark, Iam looking to rebound on tonights MAC Match-ups....

I like...

Akron PK hosting Western Michigan

Ohio +4 at Miami(OH)


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Cant see Western Michigan winning twice on the road. They just played a tough game Saturday in Buffalo and know they are back on the road to play at Akron. Akron did knock off BG at home. And Rashon Brown has finally been playin good lately.

Ohio has always been a good team when they rebound and stay out of foul trouble. They are now playing for 3rd place in the MAC. I believe Brandon Hunter returns for Ohio. This will be a good match-up between Alex Shorts and Brandon Hunter who leads the team in scoring and rebounding.

 

[superbook]

hellah --

FWIW, Brandon Hunter played last Saturday vs Ball State and scored 30 and pulled down 10 boards.

Check out my thread if you get a chance, I'm going with Miami, OH in large part due to Ohio's poor track record on the road.

gl

 

[superbook]

Ohio's Hunter brings big game, body to Oxford


By Ian Duthie
Enquirer contributor
OXFORD ? Miami coach Charlie Coles calls Ohio's Brandon Hunter the Superman of the Mid-American Conference.

?Just a big-time player,? Coles said of the 6-foot-7, 260-pound Hunter, whom the RedHawks (10-12, 7-4) will try to contain tonight in Oxford.

Harris has the body to punish people on the inside, where a team's only defense is to foul him. He went to the line 271 times last season (9.3 attempts a game), and six times last season hit 10 free throws in a game.

?I think Brandon is so physical, so much more physically mature than the rest of the guys in the league,? said Miami assistant coach Jermaine Henderson. ?It gives them more than a edge ? it gives them a presence.?

And he keeps improving, adding the 3-point shot to his arsenal this year. After only attempting nine shots from behind the arc last year, Hunter has hit 41 percent of his 41 attempts this season.

?Not many people thought I would work this hard to improve my game,? Hunter said. ?I worked with a lot of drills and they helped. Now I am expected to pull up for a three as I am to play down low.?

Named to the MAC's first team last year, Hunter has continued his dominance this season, averaging 18 points and nine rebounds a game, placing him in the top 10 of both categories within the league.

The only person that has stopped Hunter thus far is himself. Earlier this month, coach Tim O'Shea suspended the star for one game after violating unspecified team rules.

Not even mononucleosis stopped him from playing as freshman. Hunter has started every game he has played in since arriving in Athens. Does that sound human?

?There is not much he can't do,? Henderson said with a sigh when asked how he would stop Hunter. ?Brandon has done a lot with his game since Miami recruited him and he has been driven to improve his game.?

Miami pushed hard to get Hunter out of Withrow, where he averaged 19.5 points as a senior, along with 15 rebounds.

The recruiting effort came up short, but Hunter says he's excited to play the RedHawks.

?It's cool my family will get a chance to see me play,? Hunter said. ?Some of them don't get the chance too often, and playing Miami is always a thrill.?

Last year, in three contests with Miami, Hunter scored 55 points and grabbed 35 rebounds. Earlier this season, he scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Ohio's (13-7, 8-4) 85-61 victory at home.

?We are going to have to adjust big time,? said Coles, whose team won its second straight game on Saturday against Toledo. ?We are going to play better inside defense than last time. It's not going to be easy.?

Miami hasn't lost a conference game at home (5-0) and the winner of tonight's game will remain in second place in the East with only four losses.

 

[crib_19]

Super and hellah...here's some more game info....IMO..this game is very difficult for me to play...Ohio road record ATS is 1-4, however, Miami has an overall 4-5 ATS home record and is 2-4 as a home favorite...this game is traditionally a hard fought battle..in years past ...when I've played this series...I lean towards the homr team..its a pass for me..got this article from todays Oxford paper...good luck w/ this one guys!....crib

The Johnson Brothers Square Off in Second Meeting of Season



Charlie Coles



Men's Basketball Home


HEADLINES
Men's Basketball Team Hosts Ohio in Battle for Second in East Division
RedHawks Run Past Rockets, 64-54











Feb. 10, 2002

THE GAME
In the thick of its grueling five-game, eight-day stretch, Miami (10-12; 7-4 Mid-American Conference) hosts Ohio (13-7; 8-4 MAC) at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the second of its two-straight home contests. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio. Overcoming an 11-point deficit, the RedHawks rebounded to capture a 64-54 win over Toledo on Saturday to preserve their pristine league record at home (5-0) and extend their string of home MAC wins to eight. Bolstered by a 56.7 percent first-half shooting effort, Ohio upended West Division leader Ball State, 85-71, in Athens. Both Miami and Ohio suffered just four league losses and are battling for second in the East Division. Ohio and Bowling Green tie for second with 8-4 marks (.667), while Miami sits just behind with a 7-4 record (.636). Ohio topped Miami in the earlier meeting in Athens, 85-61. Brandon Hunter leads the Bobcats with 18.0 points per game and 8.9 rebounds per game, and scored 30 against the Cardinals on Saturday. Sonny Johnson, brother of Miami's Juby Johnson, comes off the bench to average 16.7 ppg, while Steve Esterkamp averages 13.3 ppg. Alex Shorts, who has been relatively quiet in league play for the RedHawks this season, had two strong efforts last week to average 17.0 ppg in 19.5 minutes of play off the bench, hitting 77.8 percent of his field goals. Shorts leads the team, averaging 13.9 ppg, and has hit 22 successive free throws. Danny Horace paces Miami on the boards, grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game.

 

[hellah10]

That is some excellent insight. And greatly appreciated. I think every single MAC school has a problem with winning on the road, espeically Bowling Green. IMO I just dont think that anybody can match-up with Brandon Hunter. I mean sure...Alex Shorts will get in his 20 points but Hunter is awesome. Here in MAC country we call him "Shaq of the MAC" On top of that, he can hit the outside jumper. He is like Dirk Nowiztki, he's a big man that can knock down the 3 pointers. Iam sure Miami has revenge on their minds because the last time these 2 schools played eachother...it was ugly Ohio won 85-61.

GL!!

 

[hellah10]

ouch......I got the 0fer for tonight.

 

[hellah10]

good call superbook

 

[superbook]

Hellah --

I dabble in the MAC but I know the Ivy. Put $10 on Penn tomorrow.

 

[hellah10]

Penn for ten it is....thanks for the pick.

 

[taoist]

That is some excellent insight. And greatly appreciated.

...hellah, you ARE the CLASS of the MAC!!! ...i really appreciate the contributions you make to this board...even if you're not always on the winning side. You show in your posts that you are a true gentleman!

...look forward to the fall and the next CFB season... :toast:

 

[hellah10]

Thanks taoist....and trust me...I cant wait for CFB either!!! Hopefully I will be the starter...so far it doesnt look good for me for the starting nod...but I still have all spring and summer to work on it! GL to ya!