Buffalo vs. Miami (OH): 2018-19 College Basketball game preview, TV schedule
Keys to the game
In the first meeting this year, Buffalo got off to a cold shooting start and led 36-32 at halftime before turning it on in the second half. The Bulls ended up winning 88-64, although they ended up shooting just 41.5% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. But UB’s defense was phenomenal as they forced 18 turnovers.
Jeremy Harris topped four Bulls in double-figures with 17 points. Sibane had 18 points as the Redhawks also had four players score in double figures.
Slow the pace down
The Bulls are very athletic and uses a four-guard lineup, and they like to get out and run. UB ranks 16th in the NCAA in pace as they average nearly 75 possessions a game. They are also 18th in the country with an offensive rating of 113.5. Buffalo produces over 85 points a game and has topped 90 points on four occasions.
Miami plays at one of the slowest paces in the country, averaging around 68 possessions a game. While the Redhawks don’t have any players taller than 6-foot-9, only two of their top 11 players are 6-foot-2 or shorter. Miami is averaging under 69 points a game during MAC play, and they are 5-1 overall when the game is played in the 60s.
Limit turnovers
Miami averages 13 turnovers a game during conference play or 16% of their possessions overall, both of which is about average nationally. This is particularly important for the Redhawks as the Bulls are fantastic at forcing turnovers. Point guards Darrian Ringo (2.7 per game) and Mekhi Leary along with guard Abdoulaye Harouna are the most prone to turning the ball over. The Redhawks turned the ball over 18 times in the teams first meeting.
UB ranks 19th in the nation in opponents’ turnovers at 16 a game or 19.1% (41st) of their opponents’ possessions. The Bulls average 7.2 steals a game. Point guards Davonta Jordan and Dontay Caruthers — are among the peskiest on-ball defenders in the MAC. Both are strong defensively. Massinburg, Harris and Jayvon Graves are also strong on-ball defenders who also play the passing lanes well
Knockdown 3s
The Redhawks love the 3-point line, although they are only average in terms of making them. 45.2% of their shots are from beyond the arc, which ranks as the 32nd highest percentage in the country. They are making over eight triples (top-60 in the nation) a game while shooting at a 34.2% clip (187th). Sibande is a decent three-point shooter, sinking 133 treys over the last two years including 66 (seventh most in MAC) this season. Brown is also close to making two threes a contest. Miami made 10 of 25 three-pointers in the first matchup this year with Sibande draining four of seven.
Keep the Bulls off the offensive glass
UB is a very good shooting team, ranking 69th in the nation in field goal percentage at 46.6%. When they do miss, the Bulls are very good at hitting the offensive glass capturing 32.1% (70th) of all available offensive boards. The Bulls average over 12 offensive rebounds a game with Massinburg and Perkins notching two a game. Montell McRae is also very good on the offensive glass. Buffalo grabbed 13 offensive rebounds or 34.1% of all available offensive rebounds against Miami in their last outing.
Miami does an excellent job at defensive rebounding, hauling in 65.9% which ranks among the best in the nation. The Redhawks are permitting conference opponents just 9.1 offensive rebounds a game.
Defending the three-point line
The Bulls also like launching up 3-pointers as 42.6% (82nd) of their shot attempts are from deep. They are averaging 9.5 trifectas a game at a 34.0% clip.Massinburg is the most dangerous outside shooter, knocking down 2.8 threes a game at a 43.4% clip. Harris (1.7), Graves (1.5) and Perkins (1.3) are the other players making at least one triple a game. UB was nine of 30 from beyond the arc in the first meeting.
The Redhawks do a pretty good job at defending the 3-point line, allowing opponents to shoot a touch below 33% from long distance. This is even more impressive considering that the Hawks’ opponents attempt slightly over 40% of their shots from beyond the arc.
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Keep the Bulls off the foul line
Buffalo drew 27 fouls on Miami and attempted 35 free throws, making 25, in the first meeting. The Redhawks, who are 10-3 at home, are much better at Millett Hall than on the road. However, the Bulls have too many weapons and firepower for the Hawks.