Miami RedHawks (14-12; 6-7 MAC) at Akron Zips (14-12; 6-7 MAC)
Game 27: Saturday, February 23 • 2 p.m.
James A. Rhodes Arena (5,500) • Akron, Ohio
Series vs. Akron/Streak: Miami leads 32-29/MU-4
Last Meeting: Miami 68 Akron 61, January 19, 2019
TV: ESPN+ • Michael Reghi (PxP) Jacki Windon (Color)
Radio:   Miami IMG Sports Network • Terry Bridge (PxP)
Miami Sports Network from Learfield IMG College Affliliates: WMOH 1450 Hamilton; WFMG 101.3 Richmond; WONE 980 Dayton
 
AKRON, Ohio - The final stretch of the regular season begins for the Miami University men's basketball team as it faces rematches with all of its Mid-American Conference East Division rivals. It starts with a trip to Akron on Saturday. Tip time is 2 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN+. An audio broadcast of the game will be available on the Miami Sports Network from Learfield IMG College Tunein App.

AYAH STEPS IN: When sophomore forward Dalonte Brown (who is day-to-day) went down with an injury only 1:31 into Miami's last game against Ball State, redshirt sophomore forward Precious Ayah was called upon to help fill that void. He responded in a big way, setting career-highs in points (11) and rebounds (13), to get his first ever double-double in a career-high 27:52 of playing time. Ayah was 5-for-8 from the field and had five offensive rebounds. The RedHawks were +7 for the game when he was on the court.

TOURNAMENT SEEDING TO BE DECIDED: The final five games will separate a tightly bunch group when it comes to MAC Tournament seeding. Miami currently holds the sixth seed at 6-7, only one game behind fifth seed Central Michigan at 7-6. Akron is tied with the RedHawks at 6-7, but Miami currently holds the tiebreaker and can clinch it with a win on Saturday. Eastern Michigan is also 6-7, while Ball State and Northern Illinois are both 5-8. Seeds five through eight will host seeds nine through 12 in the first round of the MAC Tournament March 11.

ABOUT AKRON: The Zips are 14-12 overall and 6-7 in the MAC. While they have dropped their past three games, none have been by more than six points. That includes a 73-69 loss at Bowling Green in their last action on Tuesday. Akron has had the top defense in the MAC this season, holding opponents to only 62.7 points per game. Four players average in double figures, led by junior forward Daniel Utomi. He averages 13.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Another key player is senior guard Jimond Ivey. He averages 12.8 points and a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per contest.

THE SERIES WITH ZIPS: The RedHawks hold a 32-29 lead in the all-time series with the Zips. Miami has won four straight against Akron, including a 68-61 win in Oxford in the teams first meeting this season on Jan. 19. The game remained tight throughout until the RedHawks went on a 10-0 run in the middle of the second half to build a 57-45 advantage and were able to cruise to the win from there. Senior guard Darrian Ringo had 16 points and nine assists in the victory, while junior forward Bam Bowman had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

UP AHEAD: Miami remains on the road as it travels to current MAC leader Bowling Green Tuesday. Tip time is 7 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN+. An audio broadcast of the game will be available on the Miami Sports Network from Learfield IMG College Tunein App.