The Mid-American Conference season continues Friday night when the undefeated Miami (OH) RedHawks (28–0, 15–0 MAC) travel to face the Western Michigan Broncos (10–18, 4–11 MAC) in Kalamazoo. Miami (OH) enters this contest as one of the hottest teams in college basketball and remains the only unbeaten Division I squad left in the country. The Broncos, meanwhile, are fighting to build positive momentum with a win after a recent victory over Bowling Green. Before tip-off in Friday’s MACtion, continue reading for my Miami (OH) vs Western Michigan prediction.
Our Miami (OH) vs Western Michigan Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Miami (OH) RedHawks @ Western Michigan Broncos
- Date & Time: Friday, February 27, 2026, 6:00 PM ET
- Venue: University Arena, Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Key Storylines
- Miami (OH) is the last unbeaten team in Division I and holds the best record in program history at 28–0. The RedHawks are ranked 21st in the nation and could end up with an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament if they can keep winning going into the MAC Tournament.
- Western Michigan has struggled to be consistent this season and enters the weekend with a losing record in conference play. The Broncos got a win over Bowling Green last time out and will try to earn a second victory in a row.
Key Players
Miami (OH) RedHawks
- Brant Byers – Leading scorer for Miami (OH) with around 15 points per outing, backed by consistent shooting and free-throw efficiency. Byers is critical to Miami’s offensive balance.
- Eian Elmer – A key rebounder and scorer, Elmer’s presence in the paint helps the RedHawks get second chances and make plays on both ends of the floor.
- Luke Skaljac – Skaljac can impact games with his scoring and he leads the RedHawks in assists per game as well. The Western Michigan defense will have to be careful of him at all times.
Western Michigan Broncos
- Justice Williams – One of WMU’s leading scorers at roughly 15 points per contest, Williams anchors the Broncos’ offense.
- Jalen Griffith – Contributes scoring, assists, and defensive plays when available, though his recent absence has impacted his production.
- Jayden Brewer – Provides rebounding and shot blocking, giving the Broncos an interior presence against stronger teams.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | Miami (OH) | Western Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Points per Game | 91.6 | 75.1 |
| Points Allowed per Game | 74.1 | 79.8 |
| Team Field Goal % | 53% | 44% |
| Rebounds Per Game | 36.0 | 36.3 |
| Assists Per Game | 16.6 | 12.8 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- Recent history between these two schools favors Miami (OH), including an 87–76 road win earlier in the season.
- Miami (OH) has the best record in college basketball against the spread this season at 19-6.
- Western Michigan is 14-12 against the spread going into Friday night’s play.
Miami (OH) vs Western Michigan Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
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