Miami RedHawks (10-15; 3-9 MAC) at Akron Zips (20-6, 10-3 MAC)
Game 26: Saturday, February 22 • 4 p.m.
James A. Rhodes Arena (5,500) • Akron Ohio
Series vs. Akron/Streak: Series tied 32-32/Akron-3
Last Meeting: Akron 81 Miami 60, January 21, 2020
TV: ESPN3 • Michael Reghi (PxP) Jacki Windon (Color)
Radio: Miami Sports Network from Van Wagner • Steve Baker (PxP) Terry Bridge (Color)
Miami Sports Network from Van Wagner Affiliates: WMOH 1450 Hamilton; WFMG 101.3 Richmond; WDBZ 1230 AM/101.5 FM Cincinnati
 
AKRON, Ohio - After a week to rest and heal up, the Miami University men's basketball team begins a two-game road trip to Northeast Ohio with a contest at Akron on Saturday. Tip time is at 4 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN3. An audio broadcast will be available on the Miami Sports Network from Van Wagner.

OTHERS STEPPING UP: With Miami's top two scorers in juniors Nike Sibande and Dalonte Brown out against MAC West-leading Northern Illinois last Saturday, the RedHawks needed others to step up. Several were up to the task, led by redshirt sophomore guard Isaiah Coleman-Lands who had 15 points and five rebounds. Freshman guard Dae Dae Grant finished with 11 points, while sophomore forward Elijah McNamara and senior forward Bam Bowman each had 10. The RedHawk defense held NIU to 39.6 percent shooting, including a 5-for-16 (31.3 percent) performance from behind the arc.

SIBANDE AND BROWN DAY-TO-DAY: After suffering an injury that forced him to leave the game against Toledo on Feb. 11 and miss the game last Saturday against Northern Illinois, junior forward Dalonte Brown is officially listed as day-to-day. Junior guard Nike Sibande missed the game against the Huskies with an illness and is also day-to-day.

ABOUT AKRON: The Zips have been one of the strongest teams in the league this season. They are 20-6 overall and tied for the MAC lead with a 10-3 record. They have won four games in a row, including a 71-67 victory on the road at Western Michigan in their last action on Tuesday. Defensively, Akron is one of the strongest teams in the MAC, giving up an average of 65.5 points per game. The Zips have four averaging in double figures, led by redshirt junior guard Loren Cristian Jackson. He is averaging 19.3 points per game. Senior forward Xeyrius Williams, a transfer from Dayton, nearly averages a double-double at 13.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest.

THE SERIES WITH AKRON: The series between Miami and Akron is all tied up at 32 wins apiece. The Zips have won the past three meetings however. That includes an 81-60 victory in the first meeting this season between the two teams on Jan. 21 in Oxford. Akron used a hot shooting performance, going 14-for-24 from behind the arc to earn the victory. Freshman guard Dae Dae Grant led the RedHawks with 16 points.

UP NEXT: Miami remains in Northeast Ohio as it travels to Kent State on Tuesday. Tip is at 7 p.m. and it will air live on ESPN+. An audio broadcast will be available on the Miami Sports Network from Van Wagner. The RedHawks next home game comes Thursday, Feb. 27 when they host Central Michigan at 7 p.m. That game was rescheduled from Jan. 28 and tickets from that previous date will be honored for this one.