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In a season too similar to last year to ignore, the Miami University men's basketball team was unable to recapture the magic of 2007 that led to its NCAA Tournament appearance last year.
The RedHawks fought their way to the semifinals of the MAC Tournament and later earned their fourth consecutive postseason berth with a ticket to the inaugural College Basketball Invitation (CBI).
Still playing without head coach Charlie Coles and also without outstanding forward Michael Bramos, Miami's season came to an end with a 61-45 loss to Tulsa in the opening round of the CBI.
"We were playing for Coach (Coles)," said associate head coach Jermaine Henderson.
Before the start of the MAC Tournament, the players met with their leader for the first time since he left the sidelines March 1.
Henderson, who has filled in for Coles during his absence, said the meeting was inspirational for all involved.
"Never underestimate the relationship between a player and coach," Henderson said. "It was exciting for everyone. Coach (Coles) broke down after seeing them. It was bittersweet because we haven't seen him in a while and (we knew) he was not coming with us to the MAC Tournament."
Henderson said Coles plans on returning next season and hopes the offseason will give him ample time to recover. Coles underwent an unspecified heart procedure. The 66-year-old coach has a history of heart troubles with bypass surgery in 1986 as well as going into cardiac arrest at the MAC tournament in 1998.
Motivated by their recovering coach, the RedHawks faced the University at Buffalo in the first round of the MAC Tournament.
Despite handling the Bulls easily during the regular season, Miami had to battle Buffalo down to the wire to avoid their upset bid with a 69-68 win.
After surviving its opening contest, the Red and White notched a 74-61 victory over rival Ohio thanks to Bramos' second consecutive 23-point effort.
"We were just prepared," said junior guard Eric Pollitz. "We executed our game plan."
Despite the slightly lopsided score, Miami overcame a nine-point deficit in the first three minutes of play and an uncharacteristically poor performance from First Team All-MAC forward Tim Pollitz. The lone Miami senior finished with only four points after shooting two of 11 from the field.
"We were fighting for our tournament, season life," Henderson said. "If we didn't beat Buffalo and Ohio (University), there would be no CBI (invitation)."
After coming from behind in two consecutive contests, the Miami magic disappeared into thin air in the semifinals as the RedHawks fell to top-seeded Kent State 49-47.
Even though Miami held the Golden Flashes to a mere 36 percent shooting, a double-clutching 15-foot jumper by Al Fisher with three seconds left ended the RedHawks tournament title defense.
"It came down to who had the ball last honestly," Bramos said. "We played pretty good defense and had a shot to tie it (at the buzzer)."
Playing in their third game in as many nights, fatigue didn't help the RedHawks down the stretch.
"They made a few more plays when they needed it," Eric Pollitz said. "Guys were starting to feel it a little bit in the legs, they were more fresh."
A last second runner in the lane by Pollitz couldn't recreate Doug Penno's miraculous shot from a year before to pull out the unlikely win.
"Kent (State) was a slug fest," Henderson said. "It came down to a few bounces here and there, a couple of shots, (but) we could have done better."
To make matters worse, Miami lost Bramos to a hand injury during the game that held him out of the CBI as well.
"You got to go to the postseason fully loaded," Henderson said. "Michael (Bramos) headlines what we want to do. Michael gives us 15 or 16 (points) a night, that's a big deal. To travel to another guy's gym, (while) they're in their own bed, (it's tough)."
Wounded and undermanned, Miami was no match for Tulsa in the CBI opening round. Freshman guard Rodney Haddix led Miami for the first time all season with only 12 points off the bench.
"Some guys were up to the challenge," Eric Pollitz said. "(The University of Tulsa) wanted it more than us. They didn't want their season to end and they showed it."
Playing in his final game alongside his brother Tim, Eric Pollitz relished the moment. "We've been playing together since we were little kids," he said. "To get the opportunity for Tim to play another game (in the postseason), compete together, it means a lot … It's definitely going to be a change (without Tim next year). I'm so used to him being there. It'll be a growing process for me, (but) I'm looking forward to it to be honest. I want to make my own mark."
In spite the RedHawks' season ending on a sour note, Henderson still sees the positives in their losing efforts.
"(Kent State and Tulsa) are not bad losses," he said. "They may be more impressive than our wins."
While Miami ended their season with two consecutive losses, the ball has already begun to roll for next year.
"We have to raise our expectations," Henderson said. "Good is just OK. Something is happening with our team, we're getting better."
