2008 Woodie Awards
'Hawks prepare for MAC Tourney
MU to play in quarterfinals against Bowling Green - Ohio winner Thurs.
Ben Garbarek
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: Sports
|
The past five seasons the RedHawks have advanced to either the quarterfinals or the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament, only to fall short of their dreams of winning the championship, and earning a ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
In 2004-05, Miami won the regular season MAC title and even generated media buzz about an at-large bid into the March Madness NCAA Tournament.
However, a semifinal loss to Ohio knocked the 'Hawks out of the MAC Tournament and a visibly disappointed Miami squad went to the National Invitational Tournament instead of the NCAA Tournament, losing in the first round to Texas Christian University.
This year, Miami looks to carry its strong regular season finish into the MAC Tournament, which starts Wednesday.
Even with Sunday's 68-64 loss at Bowling Green, Miami clinched a first-round bye for the fifth straight season.
"It's not what we had hoped for, but momentum is a funny thing," said Assistant Coach Ryan Pedon. "One tournament win can change that."
The RedHawks will play the winner of the Ohio/Bowling Green game at 2 p.m. Thursday in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament.
"We have something to prove," Assistant Coach Franklin Smith said. "We have to prove that we can win games at the end of the year."
The RedHawks got off to a slow start during the first half of the season, going only 5-10, but the Red and White has returned to their winning ways, claiming victory in 10 of their last 14 games to compile a 15-14 record overall, and a solid 10-6 in conference play.
The 'Hawks know they have the tools necessary to win the MAC Tournament.
Defense is what has been the RedHawks' bread and butter all season. Completing the regular season Sunday, the 'Hawks were the only team in Division-I basketball to allow less than 70 points in all of their games this season.
"Our constant has been our defense," Pedon said.Â
Miami has enjoyed consistently strong performances from forwards Tim Pollitz and Nathan Peavy. Prior to Sunday's game at Bowling Green, Pollitz led the team in
scoring with 15.2 points per game, with Peavy right behind him, scoring 14.5 points per outing.
Be the first to comment on this story