Preview: Buffalo Bulls at Miami (Ohio) Redhawks

OXFORD, Ohio (Interstat) — The nation’s last remaining undefeated team will put its perfect record on the line Saturday when the No. [rank would be inserted] Miami (Ohio) Redhawks host the Buffalo Bulls in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball showdown at Millett Hall.

The Redhawks (18-0, 4-0 MAC) are one of college basketball’s biggest surprises, navigating a challenging non-conference slate and a tight conference win over Akron to remain unblemished. They enter on the heels of a dominant 100-61 victory over Central Michigan on Tuesday.

Miami is powered by efficient offense, averaging over 89 points per game. A key catalyst is junior guard Brant Byers, who is coming off a 24-point performance in just 23 minutes against Central Michigan. Byers has scored 20 or more points in three of the Redhawks’ last five games, including a 26-point effort in their 76-73 win over Akron.

Standing in the way of win is a formidable Buffalo squad (13-3, 2-1) looking to rebound from its first conference loss. The Bulls fell 87-81 to Kent State on Tuesday, snapping a five-game winning streak.

Buffalo’s strength lies in its backcourt, led by dynamic sophomore guard Daniel Freitag. Despite the loss to Kent State, Freitag was spectacular, pouring in 33 points and dishing 7 assists. He has scored 33 points twice in his last three games and is averaging 22.8 points over his last five contests.

The matchup between Freitag and Miami’s defensive perimeter will be critical. The Redhawks have shown the ability to win both high-scoring affairs and grind-it-out defensive battles, while the Bulls have proven they can win on the road, boasting a 6-2 record away from home.

This contest is the first of a regular-season series, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 3 in Buffalo. A win for Miami would solidify its status as the MAC favorite and maintain its pristine record. A win for Buffalo would shake up the conference race and deliver a statement victory.

Tip-off is set for [time would be inserted] p.m. EST on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.