MONDAY'S GAME: Miami men's basketball enters the 2023-24 regular season opener against Evansville. Travis Steele enters his second season at the helm of the program after completing his first season with a 12-20 (6-12 MAC) record. The opening tip is slated for 8 p.m. (EST).

ABOUT EVANSVILLE: The University of Evansville went 5-27 and 1-19 in conference play last year. Head coach David Ragland begins his second season with the Purple Aces after taking over the program on May 24, 2022. There are five returners and 12 newcomers for Evansville this year. 

THE SERIES WITH THE PURPLE ACES: Monday will be the 19th all-time meeting between Miami and Evansville. The Purple Aces lead the series 13-5. The two teams last faced each other on Nov. 7, 2022, a 78-74 Evansville win at Millett Hall.

UP NEXT: Miami Men's Basketball will play 15 home games this year at Millett Hall. The Miami men will host six non-conference games, including a three-game homestand in mid-November, as well as nine Mid-American Conference contests. The 2023-24 home opener for Travis Steele's squad is set for Saturday, Nov. 11 vs. Texas State. This game is a part of the MAC vs. Sun Belt Challenge.

NEW FACES: The RedHawks boast seven freshmen, three sophomores, two juniors, a senior and two graduate students. Three of these players are finding a new home in Oxford after transferring to Miami University this season. 

FRESH ON THE SCENE: Bryce Bultman is a forward from McKendree University where he averaged 15.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists. In his final year with McKendree, Bultman earned Unanimous First Team All-GLVC, NABC All District All-Midwest District First Team and D2CAA First Team All-Region. 

Bradley Dean is a guard from the University of Virginia College at Wise. During his tenure he averaged 14.8 points, 3.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds. In his last campaign with the team, Dean was named a member of the D2CCA All-Southeast Region First Team, he was a D2CCA All-American Honorable Mention and earned NABC Second Team Southeast All-District. He also was named the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Player of the Year and made First Team All-SAC.

Darweshi Hunter is a wing from Northern Illinois University. While attending he averaged 6.4 pts, 2.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists with the Huskies. Prior to Northern Illinois, Hunter attended both Weber State and Central State (division II). While attending Central State, Hunter was named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Associations (D2CCA), All-South Region First Team and All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) First Team. He also earned SIAC Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.

2023-24 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

(First Place Votes)

1. Akron (11) – 121  

2. Kent State – 104

3. Ohio (1) – 102

4. Toledo – 93

5. Northern Illinois – 82

T6. Bowling Green – 64

T6. Miami – 64

8. Ball State – 55  

9. Buffalo – 38

10. Western Michigan – 33  

11. Eastern Michigan – 22  

12. Central Michigan – 14

Tournament Champion: Akron (9), Kent State (1), Ohio (1), Toledo (1)
 

2023-24 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason All-MAC Teams

First Team

Ali Ali, Guard, Akron, Sr.

Enrique Freeman, Forward, Akron, Sr.

Chris Payton, Forward, Kent State, Grad.

Jaylin Hunter, Guard, Ohio, Sr.

Dante Maddox Jr., Guard, Toledo, Jr.

Second Team

Tyson Acuff, Guard, Eastern Michigan, Jr.

Jalen Sullinger, Guard, Kent State, Jr.

Anderson Mirambeaux, Center, Miami, Sr.

David Coit, Guard, Northern Illinois, Jr.

AJ Brown, Guard, Ohio, So