The future of Miami University basketball is here.

Despite being seven games under .500, the Red and White have new life and it comes in the form of a freshman guard from Upper Arlington, Ohio, Brian Sullivan.

Sullivan was named the Inaugural Mid-American Conference (MAC) Freshman of the Month for January after leading the RedHawks with 15.1 points per game in eight contests, leading the team in scoring in four of those games.

The freshman phenom has been a stud from beyond the arc this season for the 'Hawks and is 13th in the nation in three-point field goal percentage, hitting over 48 percent of his shots. He also leads the MAC in three-point shooting.

In contrast, Duke University's all-time scoring leader J.J. Redick only shot 39.9 percent from three-point land as a freshman and shot 40.5 percent for his career.

In the month of January, Sullivan scored in double-figures in six of eight games and knocked down eight three-pointers, the third most in program history, on Jan. 2 against Vanderbilt University en route to a career-high 24-point performance.

Sullivan gives Miami a deep threat to compliment the inside presence of players such as senior forward Julian Mavunga and redshirt sophomore center Drew McGhee.

After a monster win Saturday afternoon against Central Michigan University, the Red and White have now won three of their last four games and still have the opportunity to pick up more momentum with six games remaining on their schedule before they head into the MAC Tournament at the beginning of March.

Sullivan is averaging 10.3 points per game this season, which trails only senior standout Mavunga, who is averaging 17.1 points per game. Sullivan is also second on the team in field goal percentage.

He has averaged 10 points per game over Miami's last four contests, and his production will be key for the Red and White down the stretch.

If the RedHawks can get consistent performances from players such as Sullivan, Mavunga and sophomore forward Jon Harris, this team has the potential to make a run in March.

Miami must continue to play strong defense, make effective halftime adjustments, and use a variety of looks on the offensive end of the court to begin to string wins together as the season draws to a close.

Sullivan and the 'Hawks other guards give Miami the ability to do this and they will be able to make a statement this Wednesday when the Red and White travel north to take on the MAC East-leading University of Akron Zips.

The Zips have two of the top three-point shooters in the MAC in sophomores Brian Walsh and Alex Abreu, and Miami and Sullivan's ability to shut down and counter these two scorers will be one of the keys to the game.

Sullivan's strong play early in his career is very promising for a team that has struggled over the past few seasons, and Sullivan's potential alone should be enough to keep Miamians excited for the next few years.