The Convo was an unfamiliar place Saturday afternoon. The overwhelming feeling was vulnerability.
For the women’s team, Ohio stumbled against Kent State, despite a pair of game-tying opportunities within the final 10 seconds of the game. As for the men, the team was held to its worst offensive performance this season in an avoidable loss to Eastern Michigan.
The losses were the first inside The Convo for both programs this season, which, in all honesty, shows both how quickly both teams have turned into conference title contenders.
Both losses had justifiable excuses.
The women had to play without their two best players the final two-and-half minutes and could only score five more points. The men played almost entirely without their best player and didn’t score a point the final four minutes of the game.
But neither team had a coach or player make excuses. Instead, both spent their interview time explaining ways to find solutions.
That shows how far both programs have come. Four years ago, the women had their worst season in school history. Now in year four under coach Bob Boldon, the Bobcats are trying to win the Mid-American Conference regular season title for the third-consecutive year.
The men, who were 10-20 in coach Saul Phillips’ first year, are in year three of Saul Ball and are competing for their first conference title since 2012.
Now, past the midpoint of the season, we’re witnessing Ohio basketball at its best point combined since any of the student body enrolled at OU. (If you’re a sixth-year, I apologize.)
That’s exciting, and the quest for the NCAA Tournament should make the remainder of the season entertaining. Despite the losses Saturday, the atmosphere of both games was something this year lacked to this point.
Hopefully that intensity continues.
Watching a successful men’s and women’s program win from the same university isn’t unfamiliar: Buffalo won the MAC and made the NCAA Tournament with both teams last year.
But it’s rare, and having two strong Ohio teams, at least recently, has been rare. Here’s to hoping fans will make the most of it. I get the sense The Convo won’t feel unfamiliar again this season.
