The professional sports world may have a laser-like focus on Capitol Hill and what was actually injected in Roger Clemen's rear end, but here at Miami University, three teams enter the final stretches of their seasons in the hunt for a conference championship.
The best race to watch will be at Steve Cady Arena this week as the ice hockey team looks to take down inter-state rival the Ohio State University. The RedHawks' sweep of Western Michigan University this weekend combined with the split series between The University of Michigan and Michigan State University puts Miami only three points behind the Wolverines for the top spot in the CCHA with two conference games left to play.
Ohio State will stagger into their date with the Red and White this week as the second-to-last team in the conference with a 0-3 record against Miami this season. The RedHawks trounced the Buckeyes in both games of their first series of the season and beat them a third time at the Ohio Hockey Classic.
For Miami to win the CCHA regular season championship outright, the 'Hawks will need another sweep of Ohio State and a little help from heartbreaker Ferris State. Two weekends ago the Bulldogs shocked Miami, handing the RedHawks their first weekend sweep of the season. The Red and White hope that some of that upset magic will return to Ferris State when they take on the Wolverines.
Miami will also see a struggle for conference supremacy out on the hardwood.
The women's basketball team currently boasts the second best record in the MAC, trailing Bowling Green State University by only one game after Saturday's loss to the Falcons at Millett Hall.
The Red and White had a chance to take over the top spot in the conference as these MAC co-leaders squared off. Nevertheless, with two of their three remaining conference contests coming against the bottom two teams in the MAC East, the Lady RedHawks still have a realistic shot to win the regular season crown.
Heading into their clash with Bowling Green, Miami was playing their best basketball of the season, rattling off six straight wins. Although Saturday's loss was a missed opportunity, the RedHawks are kicking into high gear at just the right time.
Meanwhile the schizophrenic men's basketball team has let a possible regular season title slip from their grasp, but is trying to position themselves for another MAC Tournament.
The 'Hawks seemingly righted the ship with a five-game winning streak to resuscitate their conference title aspirations. Since, they have lost three of four, including two double-overtime games within a week and a half span.
Miami hasn't beaten any of their three remaining conference opponents, but a little revenge can give some added incentive to finish strong.
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The RedHawks are currently fifth in the MAC, but only needed a four-seed in last year's tournament to run the table and go dancing.
Luckily for Miami, the three-headed monster of Tim Pollitz, Michael Bramos and Kenny Hayes is playing its best basketball of the year as March looms; however, the bread and butter RedHawk defense has allowed over 70 points five times this season after going a national-best 45 games holding opponents under 70 points.
All three teams face uphill battles, but they do call it March Madness for a reason.
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