By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor

As much as Miami senior Juby Johnson loves Millett Hall, he wouldn't mind if the RedHawks' game against Marshall today is the last one he plays there in his life.

If Johnson, fellow senior Gene Seals and their teammates wrap up the regular season with a win over the Thundering Herd (11-15, 8-9 Mid-American Conference), Miami (16-10, 11-6 MAC) will clinch third place overall in the MAC and earn a first-round bye in the conference tournament. MU would be off until Thursday's quarterfinals at Cleveland's Gund Arena.

If the RedHawks lose, they return to Millett on Monday to play 13th-seeded Central Michigan.

Either way, Johnson is closing a career that has led to prominent positions on several Miami record lists. After today's game, the Cleveland native needs to appear in only two more games to tie Ron Harper (1983-86) for third, with 120 games played in his career. Starting them will move him into a tie with Devin Davis (1994-97) and Craig Michaelis (1990-93) with 114.

If he adds his season scoring average to his current point total, he will leapfrog Wayne Embry (1956-58) and David Scott (1989-92) into eighth place on the career scoring list. Johnson is already tied with Jason Grunkemeyer (1998-2001) for fifth with 152 career 3-pointers, but it will be a stretch to reach the 177 compiled by Matt Kramer (1990-93).

Seals, who was recruited out of Saginaw, Mich., is the team's sixth man.

"I don't know if we've had two better people come through the program," said former Miami player and sixth-year assistant coach Jermaine Henderson. "The first thing that comes to mind is they're two terrific people. There hasn't been one day gone for lost. It gives me chills. It's hard to imagine that there's not one day that we've regretted having them in the program."

"It's crazy," said Johnson, who has been dubbed the Mayor of Millett. "It hasn't really hit me. I haven't thought about it. I never want to leave this place. Going from being a freshman to the 'Mayor of Millet' brings a smile to my face."

Johnson's memories are mostly snapshots of great plays such as the time teammate Doug Williams stripped Buffalo's Roderick Middleton to prevent a breakaway layup last season. Williams saved the ball from going out of bounds and found a teammate to start a possession that ended in a Josh Hausfeld 3-pointer. Miami went on to wipe out a 15-point second-half deficit and edge the Bulls, 57-55.

"We needed to win that game," Johnson said. "It was just a great team win."

Another standout memory is Miami's 78-63 win over previously undefeated Dayton last season, highlighted by Chet Mason's behind-the-back pass to Danny Horace for a rim-rattling dunk during a 17-0 second-half run. It made up for the embarrassing 60-23 loss at Dayton the previous season.

"I couldn't ask for better teammates," Johnson said. "My game developed each year. The coaches have been great. It's been everything you could ask for."

Except, that is, for Miami's inability to win a MAC championship and get into the NCAA Tournament.

"I won't be proud until we go to the NCAA Tournament," Johnson said. "People say I'm a great player, but I disagree, because great players win championships, so I can't say I'm a great player until we win a MAC championship."

Miami vs. Marshall

Tipoff: 4 p.m. today, Millett Hall (9,200), Oxford.

Records: Miami 16-10 (11-6 Mid-American Conference), Marshall 11-15 (8-9).

TV: None.

Radio: WMOH-AM (1450).

Line: Miami by 9 1/2.

Series: Miami leads 45-27.

MIAMI

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Chet Mason	Jr.	6-4	10.1
Josh Hausfeld	So.	6-3	7.1
Juby Johnson	Sr.	6-5	16.7
Monty St. Clair	Fr.	6-9	4.0
Danny Horace	Jr.	6-6	10.1

Coach: Charlie Coles (136-103, eighth season; 228-187 overall).

MARSHALL

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Marvin Black	Sr.	6-7	14.2
Ronny Dawn	Jr.	6-3	8.1
Ardo Armpalu	Sr.	6-10	5.3
A.W. Hamilton	Jr.	6-3	8.7
Tre Whitted	Fr.	6-4	6.5

Coach: Ron Jirsa (11-15, first season; 46-45 overall).