Miami Redhawks Visit Butler on Tuesday

With a berth in the 2006 Postseason National Invitation Tournament, Miami University's Redhawks makes the program's 22nd postseason appearance, including its second straight NIT appearance.

The RedHawks, who play at Butler on Tuesday, March 14, make their sixth NIT appearance, including their fifth appearance over the last 14 years.

After losing in the Horizon League Tournament championship game to Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Butler earned a Postseason National Invitation berth and makes its eighth Postseason NIT appearance.

The Bulldogs have five players averaging 9.8 ppg or better with Horizon League Player of the Year Brandon Polk leading the way, averaging 18.2 ppg. Polk also has an impressive 48 blocked shots on the season and averages 4.6 rpg.

A.J. Graves averages 13.4 ppg, while Bruce Horan averages 10.9 ppg and has knocked down 105 of the Bulldogs' 283 3-pointers on the season. Brandon Crone averages 9.9 ppg and a team-leading 5.1 rpg, while Avery Sheets averages 9.8 ppg and has dished out 100 assists, boasting a 2.63 assist/turnover ratio.

The Bulldogs are a potent 3-point shooting team, ranking fourth among NCAA Division I leaders in made 3-pointers (283), knocking down 9.1 treys per game and collecting more than one third of their points from long range.

Tuesday marks the 12th meeting in the all-time series between Miami and Butler with the Bulldogs holding a 10-1 lead. Butler is 6-0 against the RedHawks when playing on its home floor and has won the last five meetings between the teams, including a 61-48 win last season in Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Miami's lone win in the series came by two points at home on January 10, 1950. While the teams have met 11 times, Tuesday is the first time they will clash in post-season action.

Miami will have a tough time dealing with Butler on Tuesday. Can Miami pull an upset? Log on and visit Bodog for odds on that one.