Where: Millett Hall, Oxford
Radio: 1450, 1230, 980, 101.3
Probable Western Michigan starters: Nate Hutcheson, 6-7, Sr., F, 11.3; Darius Paul, 6-8, Fr., F, 10.6; Shayne Whittington, 6-10, Jr., C, 11.8; Jared Klein, 6-1, Fr., G, 4.6; Brandon Pokley, 6-4, Sr., G, 9.3
Probable Miami starters: Will Felder, 6-7, Jr., F, 11.6; Quinten Rollins, 6-0, Jr., G, 5.8; Allen Roberts, 6-3, Jr., G, 12.6; Jon Harris, 6-8, Jr., F, 7.7; Will Sullivan, 6-3, So., G, 3.8
About Western Michigan: The Broncos lead the MAC in rebounding with 38.7 boards per game (Miami is last at 27.8), paced by Whittington (8.2) and Paul (6.1). Conversely, WMU is last in the conference in steals per contest (4.9). … Western is 6-1 at home, 4-6 on the road and 2-0 on neutral courts this season. … The Broncos are shooting 72.1 percent from the charity stripe and have eight players shooting 70.0 percent or better, led by Pokley (89.6).
About Miami: The RedHawks lead this series 81-39 and hold a 51-6 advantage at home. MU lost to Western at Millett Hall in 2011, but before that, the Broncos hadn't won in Oxford since Feb. 4, 1989. … The MAC East Division is becoming more of the haves and have-nots. Akron and Ohio are tied for first at 6-0, while Miami, Kent State, Bowling Green and Buffalo are all 2-4. … Rollins leads the conference in assist/turnover ratio (2.4). … Roberts scored a season-low two points on a pair of free throws last Saturday against Ball State, snapping his streak of seven straight double-digit performances.
Coach John Cooper on Western Michigan: "A very well-coached team. They're going to move the ball around, they've got good size … heck, everybody's big compared to us at this point. But to be honest, I'm more focused on our group and getting back to some basic things. We're having some breakdowns that we shouldn't have, especially from a defensive standpoint."
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