Preview: Unbeaten Miami (Ohio) Hosts Ohio in MAC Showdown OXFORD, Ohio (Interstat) — The nation’s last remaining undefeated team in Division I men’s basketball puts its perfect record on the line Friday night when the No. 1-ranked Miami (Ohio) RedHawks host the Ohio Bobcats in a Mid-American Conference matchup at Millett Hall. The RedHawks (24-0, 11-0 MAC) are one of the season’s most remarkable stories, navigating a conference slate that has included multiple overtime thrillers to emerge unscathed. They enter on the heels of a 90-74 road win at Marshall last Saturday, led by forward Eian Elmer’s 18 points and nine rebounds. Elmer has been a consistent force for Miami, averaging 17.9 points over his last seven games, including a 30-point performance in a narrow win over Massachusetts on Jan. 27. His versatility as a scorer and rebounder will be central to the RedHawks’ attack. Standing in the path of history are the .500 Ohio Bobcats (12-12, 5-6), who have shown flashes of potent offense but struggle with consistency. The Bobcats are coming off a 78-72 loss at Old Dominion, where guard Ajay Sheldon scored 19 points. Sheldon, Ohio’s primary offensive catalyst, is averaging 13.0 points over his last three contests. His ability to penetrate and create will be critical against a stout Miami defense that allows just 71.2 points per game in conference play. The matchup pits the MAC’s top team against one in the middle of the pack, but the rivalry aspect adds intrigue. Ohio’s high-scoring wins, like a 95-83 victory at Buffalo, prove they can challenge any league foe on the right night. Containing Elmer and the balanced RedHawks, who have four players averaging double figures in MAC play, presents a far greater challenge. Miami won the first meeting this season in Athens, 76-65, on Jan. 9. The teams are scheduled for a regular-season finale rematch in Athens on March 6. Friday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. EST. Miami will look to extend its historic start, while Ohio aims to play spoiler and bolster its conference standing.