Preview: Eastern Michigan visits men’s basketball at Millett Hall

The Miami University RedHawks men’s basketball team (14-5, 6-1 in conference play) will entertain the Eastern Michigan University Eagles (10-9, 4-3 in conference play) at Millett Hall for a 7 p.m. matchup tonight.

Following their loss to the University of Akron Zips on Jan. 25, the RedHawks’ 6-0 start to Mid American Conference (MAC) play came to a halt. Akron outscored Miami 52-28 in the first half, pushing a second-half comeback out of reach for the Red and White.

Junior guard Peter Suder (18), redshirt first-year wing Brant Byers (14) and sophomore guard Evan Ipsaro (12) scored in the double-digits, with Ipsaro posting his second-best performance of the season. The RedHawks in total had 24 rebounds, their second-lowest of the season.

While Miami’s winning streak concluded on Saturday, Eastern Michigan eclipsed the University of Buffalo Bulls in a 90-77 victory. The Eagles came back after trailing 48-45 at halftime.

Five players scored in the double-figures. Junior guard Christian Henry and senior forward Jalin Billingsley matched each other with 18 points, while senior forward Da’Sean Nelson’s 17 marked his 15th game in a row with at least 10 points.

Nelson, the MAC’s seventh-highest scorer (287), averages 15.9 points per game. His efficiency at the free throw line puts him second in the conference with 78 free throws.

Henry’s 283 points this season makes him the second-highest scorer for the Eagles. Miami will need to watch him from behind the arc, as 114 of his points derive from his 38 3-pointers, the second-most on the roster. Senior guard Jalen Terry leads the team with 46. Both players rank in the top 10 for 3-pointers made in the MAC.

Eastern Michigan’s field goal percentage (.464) ranks it fourth in the conference, while Miami (.499) leads the MAC. The Eagles shot 35-58 (.603) against the Ohio University Bobcats on Jan. 21, their highest percentage of the season.

The Eagles’ field goal accuracy and lethality from a distance will prove to be difficult for a RedHawks’ defense that allowed opponents to make 168 3-pointers so far, the second-most in the MAC.

Miami has found success against Eastern Michigan historically, holding a 55-29 record against the Eagles. The RedHawks are on a two-game winning streak after defeating the Eagles twice last season.

Their last loss to Akron ended a historic start to the RedHawks’ conference play, but a rebound tonight against the Eagles can keep Miami on track for a deep postseason push once March arrives.

Tipoff is at 7 p.m. at Millett Hall. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.