By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

Charlie Coles knows a rugged nonconference schedule is supposed to toughen his Miami RedHawks for their Mid-American Conference opponents, but he's not sure the formula is working.

For the fifth consecutive season, the RedHawks are no better than .500 against nonconference teams as they enter MAC play exclusively, starting tonight at Buffalo (5-5, 1-1 MAC). They're trying to avoid a fifth straight season without winning or claiming a share of the MAC East Division championship.

Miami, the media preseason pick to win the division title, is 4-4 outside the conference and lost its first conference game 61-38 at Western Michigan on Dec. 6.

"We've done what we usually do," Coles said Monday. "That's about what we do this time of year. We're never above .500 going into league play. We've very seldom done that over the years. To say we've struggled is probably right."

Though Coles says the exposure that comes from playing national powers, including the University of Cincinnati and Xavier, is good for the university, he adds that it might be hurting his team.

"I don't know if it (helps) anymore," Coles said. "It used to. If you talk to any Miami coach in the past, and if you talked to me back when we were really rolling, I think it helped. I don't know if it helps with our current group. It hasn't helped us for the last three years. In fact, it's hurt us."

For now, nonconference play is next season's concern. Miami's more immediate worry is the MAC and a Bulls team that has been rejuvenated by 6-foot-10 freshman center Yassin Idbihi of Morocco.

"He had some international experience and is less hesitant than we've found freshman post players to be," Buffalo coach Reggie Witherspoon said. "He's skilled and aggressive, but he's still learning how the game is played in this country."

The RedHawks could counter by giving 6-10 sophomore Nate VanderSluis more playing time, now that he has overcome injury problems that kept sidelined for the first seven games of the season.

"He's big," Coles said. "Why not? He's got good size and good touch around the hoop. When he was healthy, he was our best post man by far. I don't know if he'll ever be completely healthy, so we might as well take him at 75 percent."

Miami at Buffalo

Tipoff: 8 p.m. today, Alumni Arena (8,500), Buffalo, N.Y.

Records: Miami 4-5 (0-1 Mid-American Conference), Buffalo 5-5 (1-1 MAC).

TV: None

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

Line: Miami by 1.

Series: Miami leads 9-1.

MIAMI

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Chet Mason	Jr.	6-4	10.4
Josh Hausfeld	So.	6-3	9.7
Juby Johnson	Sr.	6-5	13.6
Danny Horace	Jr.	6-6	9.7
Tim Schenke	Jr.	6-6	4.2

Coach: Charlie Coles (124-97, eighth season; 216-182 overall).

BUFFALO

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Turner Battle	Jr.	6-3	13.4
Jason Bird	Jr.	6-4	7.2
Daniel Gilbert	Jr.	6-6	6.4
Mario Jordan	So.	6-6	9.7
Yassin Idbihi	Fr.	6-10	9.0

Coach: Reggie Witherspoon (29-90, fifth season; same overall).