Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Miami RedHawks: Preview, How to Watch, Listen, Stream

One of the more intriguing games of the day takes place in Oxford as the Miami RedHawks play host to the Eastern Michigan Eagles as both teams have some ground to make up in the overall MAC standings. Miami (9-11, 2-5 MAC) is coming off of a huge win over the defending MAC champion Buffalo Bulls and have earned both of its MAC wins this season in the friendly confines of Millett Hall. Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan (12-8, 4-3 MAC) is trending in the wrong direction with back-to-back losses at Akron and against Ball State while the team is 3-5 in road games this season.

The RedHawks have been competitive for the most part since entering MAC play as Logan McClane and Michael Weathers are tied with a team-high 15.8 points per game as Weathers also is second in the league with six assists per game as a true freshman. McClane’s 7.7 rebounds per game is good enough to be tops on the team while Marcus Weathers (Michael’s brother) has picked up his game lately with 11.7 PPG in MAC games.

However, the defense has let the ‘Hawks down frequently this season as opponents have shot .502 from the floor and maintain an average rebounding advantage of +4.5 in the last seven games.

On the flip side, EMU has had great individual performances all season long as five players average over ten points per game with Willie Magnum IV leading the way with 16 PPG and James Thompson IV adding 10.3 boards per game to his 14.4 PPG. Despite the constant threat to score, the Eagles have started really slow in the last two games as they shot under 35% from the field in the first half against both Akron and Ball State.

For Miami to pull off another home upset, it needs to start fast against a very good offense and has to take care of the basketball in the late stages of the game. Eastern Michigan have to be the aggressors on both ends, as the RedHawks are just a week removed from giving up 20 three-pointers to the Central Michigan Chippewas and their young players can be forced into some bad decisions on the offensive end. Regardless of the result, the Eagles and the ‘Hawks should combine for one of the more entertaining match-ups on the #MACsketball court today.

When: Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 3:30 p.m.

Where: Millett Hall, Oxford, Ohio

Watch: ESPN3

Listen: WMOH 1450 AM (Hamilton, OH)

Line: EMU -4