Miami RedHawks (4-4; 0-0 MAC) at Evansville Purple Aces (6-3; 0-0 MVC)
Game 9: Saturday, December 7 • 2 p.m. (EST)
Ford Center (8,930) • Evansville, Ind.
Series vs. Evansville/Streak: Evansville leads 11-5/Miami-1
Last Meeting: Miami 70 Evansville 67, Dec. 30, 2018
TV: ESPN+ • Kyle Peach (PxP) Marcus Wilson (Color) Kenton Crews (Sideline)
Radio: None
 
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The Miami University men's basketball team hits the road for Evansville for a Saturday matinée. Game time is 2 p.m. (EST) and it will air live on ESPN+. Due to the MAC Football Championship going on at the same time, there will be no radio coverage of this game.

HOMECOMING FOR LAIRY:  This game will be a homecoming for sophomore guard Mekhi Lairy, an Evansville native. A four-year letterwinner, he is the all-time leading scorer for his school with 2,237 points. In fact, that is the most points scored all-time by any high school player from Evansville. He was a McDonald's All-America nominee as a senior and was the runner-up for Mr. Basketball in Indiana in 2018. On Friday, he will have his jersey retired at his high school.

So far this season, Lairy is third on the RedHawks averaging 8.0 points per game, and leads the team with a 3.8 assists per game average.

GETTING OFFENSE BACK ON TRACK: Miami had a tough night from the field in its 76-54 setback to NKU on Tuesday. The RedHawks are looking to get their offense back to the level they know it can perform at. In the first four games of the season Miami averaged 81.0 points and cracked the 80-point barrier three times. In their last four contests, the 'Hawks are averaging 64.5 points per game.

ABOUT EVANSVILLE: The Purple Aces are 6-3 on the season. They have had a breakout campaign so far after finishing 11-21 last year. They made national news back in November when they traveled to then top ranked Kentucky and pulled the upset, 67-64. In their last game, the Aces knocked off Western Illinois, 90-86, on Wednesday. Evansville has been led by senior guard K.J. Riley and sophomore forward DeAndre Williams. Each is averaging 16.0 points per game.

THE SERIES WITH EVANSVILLE: The Purple Aces have an 11-5 lead in the all-time series with the RedHawks. Miami won the last meeting however, 70-67, on Dec. 30, 2018 in Oxford. After falling behind by seven early in the second half, the 'Hawks stormed back and used some timely offensive rebounds to secure the victory. Dalonte Brown scored 16 points to lead Miami, while Mekhi Lairy finished with 14.

MIAMI VS. MISSOURI VALLEY: Known for its runs in the NCAA Tournament (including Loyola's Final Four journey two seasons ago), the Missouri Valley Conference is made up of 10 schools located in the middle part of the United States. Miami is 22-21 all-time in games against the current members of the MVC. In addition to a 5-11 record against Evansville, the RedHawks are 1-1 record against Drake, 4-1 vs. Illinois State, 3-4 vs. Indiana State, 4-1 vs. Loyola (Chi.), 2-1 vs. Missouri State, 2-1 vs. Southern Illinois and 1-1 vs. Valparaiso. Miami has never faced Bradley (but will for first time on Dec. 21) or Northern Iowa.

UP AHEAD: With final exams upon Miami, the team will be off for eight days following Saturday's game. The RedHawks return to action on Sunday, Dec. 15 when they welcome Mississippi Valley State to Millett Hall. Tip time is at 2 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN3. An audio broadcast will be available on the Miami Sports Network from Van Wagner.