RedHawks Begin Conference Play at Ball State Saturday Afternoon

Saturday, December 20

Muncie, Ind.

2 p.m.

Miami University

Ball State

Photo by: Megan Walker

RedHawks Begin Conference Play at Ball State Saturday Afternoon

12/19/2025 12:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Miami Notes

SATURDAY: Miami wraps up its four-game road trip by beginning conference play at Ball State on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. The Red and White enter this game with an 11-0 record, its best start to a season in program history. Miami ranks among the top of the nation in numerous statistical categories heading into this game, which includes being third in the country in effective field goal percentage (0.618), sixth in field goal percentage (52.8), eighth in scoring margin (22.6), eighth in three-point percentage (40.5), 12th in scoring offense (92.3), 21st in threes per game (11.0), 31st in defensive rebounds per game (28.45), 34th in bench points per game (33.55) and 37th in turnover margin (3.8).

ABOUT BALL STATE: Ball State is currently 3-8 (0-0 MAC), as the Cardinals most recently dropped to Campbell 64-69 this past Sunday. Ball State went 14-17 (7-11 MAC) last year. Head coach Michael Lewis is in his fourth season with the Cardinals. Heading into the 2025-26 season, Ball State was selected to finish eighth overall in the 2025-26 MAC Preseason Men's Basketball Poll.

Junior guard Joey Hart (12.0/game), redshirt sophomore guard Davion Hill (11.2/game) and junior guard Armoni Zeigler (10.2/game) lead the Cardinals with double figures in scoring. Zeigler also leads the team in assists (2.5/game). Freshman forward Preston Copeland has blocked the most shots (0.8/game), and junior forward Mason Jones has recorded the most steals (1.9/game). Copeland (5.0/game), Zeigler (4.7/game) and Jones (4.7/game) have brought down the most rebounds.

THE SERIES WITH THE CARDINALS: This Saturday's away contest against the Cardinals will be the 114th meeting between the two programs. The RedHawks lead the series 70-43 all-time, as the Red and White are 27-27 when playing in Muncie. Miami is currently on a four-game winning streak versus the Cardinals, as the RedHawks won 79-66 at home last season on March 7.

UP NEXT: Miami returns home to host Milligan on Monday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m.

RANKINGS: The Miami University men's basketball team received four votes in the most recent Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball poll on Monday, Dec. 15. The Red and White earned its highest ranking of the 2025-26 season on the Mid-Major Top 25® Poll, as Collegeinsider announced that the RedHawks ranked No. 3 overall this past Monday as well. The RedHawks are just one of seven teams that are still undefeated at the Division I level (Duke, Iowa St., Nebraska, Vanderbilt, Arizona, Miami and Michigan).

RECENT ACTION: The Miami University men's basketball team took down Wright State for an 83-76 win at the Ervin J. Nutter Center on Tuesday night. Brant Byers led all players with a career-high 27 points, while Evan Ipsaro (12), Peter Suder (10) and Almar Atlason (10) added double figures in scoring. With this victory, Miami has secured its best start to a season in program history. The Red and White shot 28-of-51 (54.9%) from the field, marking the fifth consecutive game that Miami has shot over 50% from the field. The RedHawks went 10-of-19 (52.6%) from behind the arc (second time this season Miami has shot over 50% from beyond the arc).

LOU HENSON AWARD EARLY SEASON WATCH LIST: CollegeInsider.com has announced the 'Early Season Watch List' for the 2025-26 Lou Henson Award, which is presented annually to the top player in mid-major Division I college basketball. Miami's Evan Ipsaro has been named to this watch list for his play this season. The junior guard is currently averaging a career-best in points (14.8/game), assists (3.3/game), rebounds (2.3/game) and steals (1.4/game).

SHARPSHOOTING: The RedHawks are currently shooting 52.8% from the field, 40.5% from the three-point line and 74.6% from the free-throw line.

GUARD PLAY: Senior Peter Suder (sixth in MAC/61st nationally), junior Evan Ipsaro (fifth in MAC/55th nationally) and sophomore Luke Skaljac (third in MAC/41st nationally) lead the RedHawks in assist turnover ratio. Skaljac leads the team with a ratio of 3.31, while Ipsaro (3.00) and Suder (2.92) follow closely behind. Ipsaro is also 61st in the country in field goal percentage, as he is currently shooting 57.3% from the field.