Preview of Saturday’s Mid-American Conference Men’s Basketball Game

OXFORD, Ohio (Interstat) — The nation’s only remaining undefeated team looks to continue its historic run Saturday when the No. 1-ranked Miami (Ohio) RedHawks host the Northern Illinois Huskies in a Mid-American Conference matchup at Millett Hall.

Miami (Ohio) (21-0, 8-0 MAC) has navigated a perfect season behind a high-powered offense, averaging 91.2 points per game. The RedHawks are coming off a tense 86-84 home win over Massachusetts on Tuesday, secured by a standout performance from guard Eian Elmer, who scored 30 points. Elmer has been a consistent force, averaging 18.1 points over his last seven games, including a 25-point effort in an overtime win at Kent State.

Northern Illinois (7-13, 3-5) enters as a significant underdog but is buoyed by its most complete performance of the season, an 85-65 rout of Western Michigan on Tuesday. Guard Dylan Ducommun led the Huskies with 21 points in that victory, part of a recent surge where he has averaged 15.7 points over his last three contests.

The Huskies will need Ducommun and backcourt mate Gianni Cobb, who dished eight assists against Western Michigan, to control the tempo against Miami’s relentless attack. Northern Illinois has struggled on the road this season, posting a 1-8 record away from DeKalb.

History is firmly on Miami’s side. The RedHawks have won 21 consecutive games dating to last season and have not lost a conference home game in over a calendar year. A victory would extend the best start in program and MAC history.

The game tips off at 2 p.m. EST Saturday. Miami (Ohio) hits the road next for a Tuesday game at Buffalo, while Northern Illinois does not play again until Feb. 7 at Georgia State.