The Miami RedHawks men’s basketball team is gearing up for an exciting conference matchup against Central Michigan at Millett Hall on Tuesday, January 13, at 7 p.m. The Red and White proudly bring a record of 17-0 and 5-0 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), marking the best start in program history. Miami boasts exceptional statistics, leading the nation in effective field goal percentage (63.0%), field goal percentage (53.4%), and three-point percentage (41.5%). They also rank highly in scoring offense (ninth, 92.9 points per game), scoring margin (ninth, 20.6 points), and free throw percentage (eighth, 78.6%).
Central Michigan, on the other hand, stands at 5-12 overall and 1-4 in MAC play, recently securing an impressive 87-85 win against Kent State. The Chippewas, under the guidance of first-year head coach Andy Bronkema, had a more challenging season last year, finishing with a 14-17 record. Key players for Central Michigan include senior center Nathan Claerbaut, senior guard Tamario Adley, and sophomore guard Phat Phat Brooks, all contributing significantly to the scoring.
The upcoming game will mark the 85th meeting between Miami and Central Michigan, with the RedHawks leading the series 58-26. Miami has been particularly strong at home against the Chippewas, holding a 29-10 advantage when playing in Oxford. The RedHawks currently enjoy a two-game winning streak against Central Michigan, their last victory being a 76-70 win in February 2025.
Looking ahead, Miami will next host the Buffalo Bulls on Saturday, January 17, at 1 p.m. on ESPN+. The RedHawks are coming off a strong performance, having defeated Toledo 87-73, with standout contributions from multiple players. Particularly noteworthy was their achievement of shooting over 50% from the field for the 13th time this season. Miami extended its home win streak to 24 games following a victory against Western Michigan, surpassing their previous record from 1996-1998.
Moreover, Miami recently received recognition with 49 votes in the Associated Press Top 25 men’s basketball poll, reaching their highest ranking of the 2025-26 season at No. 2 on the Mid-Major Top 25® Poll announced by Collegeinsider. The RedHawks are among only five teams that remain undefeated at the Division I level, demonstrating their exceptional performance and solidifying their position as a contender in the ongoing season.