Undefeated Miami Hosts Akron in MAC Showdown

OXFORD, Ohio (Interstat) — The unbeaten and surging Miami (Ohio) Redhawks put their perfect record on the line Saturday when they host the Akron Zips in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball clash at Millett Hall.

The Redhawks (14-0), one of the nation’s remaining undefeated teams, enter conference play as the league’s hottest team. Miami last played on Dec. 30, securing a 93-83 road win at Bowling Green. Junior guard Peter Suder has been a model of consistency, averaging 13.2 points and 4.6 assists over his last seven games. In the win over the Falcons, he posted 17 points and five assists.

They face an Akron squad (9-3) coming off a dominant 115-64 victory over Concord on Monday. The Zips are powered by guard Tavari Johnson, who erupted for 28 points in that win and has averaged 24.7 points over his last three contests, including a 28-point performance in a loss to Murray State.

This matchup pits Miami’s flawless start, which includes road wins at UNC Asheville, Ball State and Wright State, against an Akron team that has shown a high-powered offense but stumbled against top competition, with losses to Purdue, Yale and Murray State.

The Redhawks have won their games by an average margin of 22.6 points. Akron, meanwhile, averages 97.1 points per game, setting the stage for a compelling contrast in styles.

Saturday’s game tips off a critical January slate for both teams. Miami continues its conference schedule at home against Western Michigan on Tuesday, while Akron hosts Central Michigan on Jan. 6.

The Redhawks will aim to protect their perfect mark in front of a home crowd, while the Zips look to hand Miami its first loss and make an early statement in the MAC race.