By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

While Miami stumbled during a nonconference schedule ranked among the country's five toughest, the RedHawks had one thing to cling to - they were 1-0 in the Mid-American Conference.

Unfortunately for Miami (3-7), that conference win over Western Michigan on Dec.7 is its last victory. The RedHawks are 0-4 since then and will try to avoid their first five-game losing streak since 1989-90 when they return to MAC action today against Central Michigan. Tipoff at Millett Hall is 3p.m.

"We've got one thing in the world going for us," said Miami's Charlie Coles, who coached at Central Michigan from 1986-1991. "We're hanging by a thread. We've slipped up when we thought we wouldn't, and we've played good when we thought we wouldn't. We've been relatively decent against some good teams, but we haven't played very well against some not-so-good teams."

Despite their disappointing record, the RedHawks have enjoyed their share of first place in the MAC East Division. Miami and Marshall are both 1-0, while preseason favorite Ohio is 0-1 in the MAC and 3-5 overall. Defending conference champion Kent State, the media's pick to finish third, is 7-1 going into its MAC opener tonight against Eastern Michigan.

In the West, preseason favorite Ball State is 5-5 while adjusting to the loss of senior forward Theron Smith (knee). Toledo, picked to finish third, and Bowling Green, tabbed for fifth, are both 1-0 in the conference.

"Without seeing some of the teams, I think it's open," Coles said of the conference. "Ball State is down without Smith. They still have a nice team, but I don't think they'll win it. They've adjusted well.

"I think eight teams could win it. That being said, I also think six of the eight could finish in the lower division. There might be a team like Kent State this year, but it doesn't appear that way. You could say that there's somebody as good as Kent, but I don't think so. Nobody has been a surprise."

Central Michigan, picked sixth in the West, goes into its conference opener with a 7-2 record, its best since starting 10-1 in 1974-75. Junior Chris Kaman, a 7-foot center, leads the Chippewas in scoring and is third in the nation in rebounding (12.3 a game), but he missed Monday's win over Spring Arbor with a foot injury. He's expected to play today.

"He's good, too," Coles said of Kaman. "He's going to be a millionaire real quick. He can run and jump, and he has a great spirit for the game. He's going to be OK. I hope he has a great year and comes out (for the NBA draft).'"

Coles is just as concerned with 6-5 senior forward Mike Manciel, who has been plagued the last two seasons by foot problems stemming from a fracture that cost him the 1999-2000 season. Coles remembers the 27 points Manciel scored against Miami in 1998-99, when he was named MAC Freshman of the Year.

"He's finally healthy," Coles said. "He's a good player for them."

Tipoff: 3 p.m. today, Millett Hall (9,200), Oxford.

Records: Miami (3-7, 1-0 MAC),

Central Michigan (7-2, 0-0).

TV: None.

Radio: WCKY-AM (1360), WMOH-AM (1450), WFMG-FM (101.3).

Series: Miami leads 38-16.

Line: No line.

MIAMI

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Juby Johnson	Jr.	6-5	12.7
Danny Horace	So.	6-5	10.2
Chet Mason	Jr.	6-3	9.9
Bryan Reed	Sr.	6-6	2.4
Josh Hausfeld	Fr.	6-3	4.0

Coach: Charlie Coles (110-85, seventh season; 202-171 overall).

CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Chris Kaman	Jr.	7-0	19.6
Mike Manciel	Sr.	6-5	14.9
J.R. Wallace	Sr.	6-0	10.3
Gerrit Brigitha	Jr.	6-8	3.3
T.J. Meerman	Jr.	6-3	4.9

Coach: Jay Smith (57-89, sixth season; 80-95 overall).