CLEVELAND -- The Ohio men's basketball team (13-12, 7-5 MAC) is back in action for a primetime 'Battle of the Bricks' matchup on Friday, Feb. 13 when the Bobcats head to Oxford, Ohio to take on No. 23 Miami (24-0, 11-0 MAC). Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET and can be seen nationally on ESPN, where Eric Rothman and Mark Adams will have the call.

The Bobcats' matchup can also be heard on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield, presented by Holzer Health System. Jason Toy begins his second season on the mic for the Bobcats and will be joined by veteran college basketball analyst Dave Cecutti. WXTQ (Power 105) in Athens returns as the 11-station net- work's flagship and can be heard on the Varsity Network App. 

TIP-OFF
This is the 217th all-time meeting between Ohio and Miami.

Ohio leads the all-time series, 120-96.

 Ohio and Miami met twice last season, splitting the two games. Miami took the first game in Oxford, 73-69, before Ohio took the second game in Athens, 75-66.

Ohio is 26-8 against Miami since 2009-10, while the Bobcats are 9-2 against the RedHawks under Jeff Boals.

This is the first time since 2019 since that Ohio have faced off with a ranked MAC team, with on March 5, 2019 when Buffalo was ranked 19th.

Ohio is 12-61 all-time against ranked opponents.

The Bobcats are currently ranked 216 in the latest NET rankings, with opponent Miami in at 50.

Ohio is coming off a 72-78 loss at Old Dominion Saturday night.

Against ODU on Feb. 7, senior guard Ajay Sheldon scored a season-high 19 points, going 5-of-7 from three.

Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons recorded a career-high 24 points and grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds on Jan. 31 in Ohio's win at Buffalo.

SCOUTING No. 23 MIAMI
Miami is currently 24-0 overall and 11-0 in MAC play and are ranked 23rd in this week's AP Rankings. The RedHawks are coming off a 90-74 win over Marshall last Saturday in Huntington.  

Overall, Miami averages 92.7 points per game, while shooting 53.6 percent from the field, 39.8 percent from three and 76.8 percent from the line. Meanwhile, opponents are averaging 74.3 points per game, while shooting 42.8 percent from the field, 31.8 percent from three and 74.6 percent from the line. 

Miami is averaging 35.9 rebounds, 17.1 assists, 7.9 steals and 3.6 blocks a game, while forcing opponents to turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times a game. Miami opponents are averaging 32.7 rebounds, 12.8 assists, 6.7 steals and 2.3 blocks a game, while forcing 11.0 turnovers a contest. 

Miami is led by Brant Byers with 14.8 points and 4.0 rebounds a game, while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from three. Peter Suder averages 14.2 points and 4.6 rebounds and is shooting 55.9 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three. Eian Elmer adds 11.8 points and 6.0 boards a game, while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from three. 

SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio is 13-12 overall and 7-5 in MAC play and are coming off a 78-72 loss at Old Dominion last Saturday. 

Ohio is averaging 77.7 points a game, while shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 30.7 percent from three and 69.9 percent from the line. The Bobcats also add 33.9 rebounds a game, while dishing out 13.7 assists and recording 6.6 steals a contest. Ohio is also forcing opponents to turn the ball over 12.6 times a game, scoring on average 14.4 points off them. 

Meanwhile, Ohio opponents are averaging 77.3 points a game, while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, 35.8 percent from three and 72.8 percent from the line. Opponents are averaging 35.8 rebounds, 13.2 assists and 6.2 steals a game, while forcing Ohio to turn the ball over an average of 11.6 times a game, while scoring on average 12.8 points off them. 

Individually, Ohio is led by senior guard Jackson Paveletzke with 16.6 points and 5.3 assists a game, while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from three. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway averages 14.2 points and a team-leading 7.5 rebounds a game, while shooting 48.8 percent from the field, while redshirt junior froward Javan Simmons adds 14.0 points and 5.4 rebounds, while shooting 51.3 percent from the field. 

ALL-TIME AGAINST MIAMI
This is the 217th all-time meeting between Ohio and Miami.

Ohio leads the all-time series, 120-96.

Ohio and Miami met twice last season, splitting the two games. Miami took the first game in Oxford, 73-69, before Ohio took the second game in Athens, 75-66.

Ohio is 26-8 against Miami since 2009-10, while the Bobcats are 9-2 against the RedHawks under Jeff Boals.
 
LAST TIME AGAINST MIAMI
Ohio and Miami last met on March 1, 2025 in Athens, with Ohio winning, 75-66. 

Ohio shot 50.8% from the field, 38.9% from 3-point range and 57.1% from the free throw line. Senior AJ Clayton led the Bobcats with 20 points, going 8-of-12 from the field and hitting three 3-pointers. Graduate student Vic Searls followed with 13 points and seven rebounds, while graduate student Shereef Mitchell added 11 points and four rebounds.

OHIO VS RANKED OPPONENTS
Ohio is 12-61 all-time against ranked opponents.

The Bobcats are 10-50 all-time against those in the 10-20.

This is the second ranked opponent Ohio has faced this year after facing off with then #12 Louisville on Nov. 15. 

This is the first time since 2019 since that Ohio have faced off with a ranked MAC team, with on March 5, 2019 when Buffalo was ranked 19th.

OHIO IN THE MAC
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently ninth in the conference in scoring (16.6), third in assists (5.3) and first in minutes (36.1). 

Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is sixth in the league in rebounding (7.5).

Senior guard Ajay Sheldon is seventh in the MAC in steals (1.6). 

OHIO IN NET
The Bobcats are currently ranked 216 in the latest NET rankings, with Miami ranked at 50

Miami leads the conference in NET this week.

BOBCATS IN THE NCAA
Ohio is currently ranked 96th in team field goal percentage (.467). 

Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently 18th in the nation in minutes per game, 49th in assists, 74th in free throws, 82nd in free throw attempts and 54th in assists per game. 

Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons is 82nd in the nation in free throw attempts. 

Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is 88th in rebounds and 83rd in defensive rebounds. 

UP NEXT
The Bobcats return to Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 17 when the Bobcats host Ball State. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center and can be seen on ESPN+.