OXFORD, Ohio—Before the season begins, Miami University’s men’s basketball team is already setting records. The RedHawks will host a program record 16 home games during the 2010-11 season, three regular-season home games more than any other season.
Couple that with a slate that boasts two of the last three NCAA National Champions and the 2010 NIT Champion which bolsters the RedHawks’ schedule as one of the most impressive and challenging Miami men’s basketball has ever put together, and MU fans have much to look forward to this season.
“I hope our fans will be as excited about this schedule as I am because it has a little bit of everything,” said Miami University Head Coach Charlie Coles. “Sixteen home games give our athletes more opportunities to play in front of our fans at Millett Hall than ever before, which was important to us as we put our schedule together. Included in those are a home tournament and hosting local schools Xavier and Cincinnati, which is the Bearcats’ first trip to Millett Hall in nearly 20 years. We’ll get to go toe-to-toe with some of the best college basketball players in the country, test ourselves against some great programs and visit some of the most legendary venues in college basketball.”
Miami opens the season at home on Nov. 12 against Towson before hitting the road to take on the 2010 NCAA Champion Duke Blue Devils on Nov. 16. The RedHawks then host a three-day, six-game, sub-regional Nov. 20-22 as part of the 2010 O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic. Teams projected to play in Oxford for the CBE Classic sub-regional are San Diego State, Green Bay and IUPUI. Matchups for the sub-regional will be announced at a later date. To round out the month of November, Miami heads to 2007 NCAA national runner up Ohio State for a Nov. 26 meeting.
On Dec. 1, Miami entertains Xavier in the first meeting of its four local rivals. Dayton, the 2010 National Invitation Tournament Champion, is a road game for the RedHawks on Dec. 4 before Miami returns home to host a pair of contests against Saginaw Valley State (Dec. 7) and Troy (Dec. 11). After taking a week off for final examinations, the RedHawks travel to Wright State for a Dec. 18 meeting.
Highlighting its record number of home games, Miami will host Cincinnati on Dec. 21, marking the first time the Bearcats have played in Oxford since the 1992-93 season, which, coincidentally, also was the last time Miami faced Ohio State when it defeated the Buckeyes in the opening round of the NIT. The RedHawks travel to Belmont for a Dec. 30 meeting before heading to 2008 NCAA National Champion Kansas for a Jan. 2 game. In February, Miami will participate in the ESPN BracketBuster in which it will be a road team. The BracketBuster opponent will be announced in early February.
“When you look at our non-conference schedule, and our schedule as a whole, it’s not going to be easy but it’s truly exciting and something we are really looking forward to as a team. As young men, we are coached by our coaches to be champions, and we are ready for this challenge,” said junior forward Julian Mavunga. “It’s what we’ve been working toward the entire off-season, and we play to win no matter who the opponent is that day. Playing all four local schools allows us to compete against other athletes who are close to us, and gives each of us a chance for bragging rights in the area. And having Cincinnati on our home court for the first time since 1993 is something really special along with the record number of times we will get to play in front of our home crowd. We know it’s a tough schedule, which always prepares us for our conference schedule, but we are excited as a team at the challenges ahead and are really looking forward to the season.”
Ten of Miami’s 14 non-conference opponents advanced to postseason play last year, including five NCAA Tournament participants (Duke, Ohio State, Xavier, Kansas, San Diego State). Three of those teams advanced to the Sweet 16 (Duke, Ohio State and Xavier), including the national champion. Three teams competed in the NIT (Dayton, Cincinnati and Troy), while Green Bay and IUPUI both participated in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI).
Season tickets can be purchased by visiting the Miami University Athletic Ticket Office or by calling 1-866-MUHAWKS or 513-529-HAWK.
For the Ohio State game, season ticket holders may purchase an equivalent number of tickets to their 2010-11 season tickets. Red & White Club members may purchase tickets based on the following: Active Member-$249 = maximum of two tickets; $250-$999 = maximum of four tickets; $1,000-$2,499 = maximum of six tickets; $2,500 and above = maximum of eight tickets. Ticket requests should be made either based on Red & White Club giving levels or on number of season tickets purchased, not a combination of the two. Quantities will be filled in the above fashion on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
The Red & White Club is the official membership organization that supports Miami University Athletics' annual scholarship needs. Active membership begins at $100 each year. Gifts to the Red & White Club go directly into the Red & White Club Scholarship Fund, which annually provides scholarship assistance to varsity sports programs at Miami.
For more information about the Red & White Club or to join, contact us at: (513) 529-8097 or RWClub@muohio.edu. Your gift DOES make a difference in the lives of Miami student-athletes.
Miami University Men’s Basketball 2010-11 Non-Conference Schedule
Nov. 12 vs. Towson
Nov. 16 at Duke
Nov. 20-22 Hosting 2010 O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic Sub-Regional (San Diego State, IUPUI, Green Bay)
Nov. 26 at Ohio State
Dec. 1 vs. Xavier
Dec. 4 at Dayton
Dec. 7 vs. Saginaw Valley
Dec. 11 vs. Troy
Dec. 18 at Wright State
Dec. 21 vs. Cincinnati
Dec. 30 at Belmont
Jan. 2 at Kansas
