Miami returns home to host Ohio in the Battle of the Bricks on Friday, Feb. 13 at 9 p.m.
on ESPN. With No. 1 Arizona falling to Kansas on Monday night, Miami is the only remaining undefeated team in the country. The Red and White enter this Friday’s game with a 24-0 (11-0 MAC) record, its best start to a season in program history. The RedHawks have also secured the best start for a program in MAC history (originally set by WMU in 1975-76 at 19-0) and the longest win streak in MAC history (originally set by Kent State in 2001-02 at 21-0).
Ohio is currently 13-12 (7-5 MAC), as the Bobcats most recently dropped to Old Dominion (72-78). Last season, Ohio went 16-16 (10-8 MAC). Head coach Jeff Boals is in his seventh season
with the Bobcats. Heading into the 2025-26 season, Ohio was selected to finish fourth overall in the 2025-26 MAC Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll. Senior Jackson Paveletzke (16.6/game), senior Aidan Hadaway (14.2/game) and redshirt junior Javan Simmons (14.0/game) lead the Bobcats offense in points. Paveletzke has recorded the most assists (5.3/game) and Hadaway has totaled the most rebounds per game (7.5/game). Senior Ajay Sheldon leads the team in steals (1.6/game) and freshman JJ Kelly has put down the most blocks (0.9/game). AND OU SUCKS!
Game Outcome Prediction Using AnalyticsThe upcoming matchup is Ohio at No. 23 Miami (OH) on Feb 13, 2026 (MAC game at Millett Hall, 9:00 PM ET on ESPNU). These rivals play twice; this is the first (Miami home). No prior head-to-head this season.
Analytics-Driven Factors: Miami’s home form (88 PPG scored, 75.8 allowed) overwhelms Ohio’s away struggles (78.8 scored, 81.8 allowed). Miami’s +9.29 AdjEM and 62.6% eFG% give a massive edge over Ohio’s near-neutral metrics. Home-court (~3-5 points) and Miami’s 24-game win streak boost ~80-85% win probability (per implied KenPom/Torvik models). Ohio’s 13.6 assists could keep it close early, but Miami’s tempo (70.3) and low TO% (11.0%) wear them down.
Predicted Score: Miami (OH) 88, Ohio 72 (Miami covers ~12-14 point spread; total ~160, over typical O/U of 155).
Why Miami Wins: Superior efficiency (AdjO 117.0) and defense vs. Ohio’s vulnerabilities (losses to similar mid-majors); undefeated streak continues to 25-0.
I have to believe that even the Vatican wants us to win–and keep winning! The Pope is from Chicago and we have a bunch of alums and students from the area. So, can’t hurt.
Due to dislike, I will no longer post any content generated by AI. I thought I was adding something to these game previews, but apparently I am not. Sorry.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Ai article summation is basically like Dave Barry post syndication: not funny. But when he had an editor, his writing was on point. The tech will likely improve from where it’s at now
For me, this game is more about us playing with the right combination of focus and intensity. OU is a below average basketball team. The game plan is pretty straight forward to me. Offensively, OU wants to get in the lane and finish. They only shoot 30% from 3 and their 3 best offensive players aren’t prolific 3-point shooters. Paveletzke wants to get in the lane and shoot the turnaround or dish it back out so someone else can drive. Hadaway wants to slash to the basket. Simmons is Rob Whaley in an OU uniform He’s effective going left on the block and that’s his move. Ajay Sheldon wants to shoot 3s and he’ll shoot them from anywhere. Sheldon’s taken 123 3s and 29 2s. Kelly is coming on as an additional threat to score but it still comes down to limiting their big 3.
When we’re on offense, like most games, it comes down to patience and ball movement. No quick shots, make them work defensively. Getting good shots will put us in position to offensive rebound, which they’re not good at defending. Going inside-out isn’t a bad strategy either.
But this game is still more about us. Doing the road/home splits on Torvik’s site, we rank 58th away from home, are the #1 effective field goal percentage team and shoot 40% from 3. At home, we only rank 126th, our defensive rank is in the 200s and we only shoot 35% from 3. We don’t need to win the game in the first 4 minute stretch. Let’s be patient offensively, disruptive defensively and play 40 solid minutes.
Here are the Bobshitties game notes. I heard earlier in the week the Elliott and Fisher, 2 of their players off the bench might be injured. No idea of their status. Nor will it matter. They will lose.
Got a layover in Atlanta tonight for a couple hours which will coincide with the game. Since we’re on the main ESPN channel, I should be able to watch our boys right there at one of the airport bars or lounges, which is awesome.
