The demise of Ohio men's basketball might have been a bit overstated in the preseason.
While the Bobcats (5-11 overall, 2-4 Mid-American Conference) are not at the top of the league, the record this season is not far from last season. Through 16 games last season, Ohio had a record of 6-10, only one game better than this season. It is without one player to the NBA and another player to professional basketball in Europe.
A rebuilding year like this season was something that was very predictable based on the personnel lost in the last two seasons, Ohio coach Tim O'Shea said.
Ohio guard Jaivon Harris has taken on the scoring load coaches and teammates hoped he could carry with the loss of forwards Brandon Hunter and Steve Esterkamp, particularly in the last five games when Harris averaged 19.6 points per game.
I always had the green light
but I never utilized it to the fullest potential I should've been Harris said.
After struggling in the early portion of the season with offense and going away from the run-and-gun style the team practiced in the preseason, O'Shea made a return to the up-tempo play which has led to the recent success for Ohio.
I like to score points I'm not one of these guys that love to play these 40-point games
O'Shea said. Princeton is unique
they've got their own thing going on in New Jersey. I'm not that intellectual and neither are my players.
Many people like to discount preseason predictions, but if the season ended today, Ohio would be right where it was chosen before the season began, fifth in the MAC East ahead of Buffalo.
One key component missing for much of the early season was forward Sonny Troutman, O'Shea said.
When Troutman's available to us
he makes us a lot a better
O'Shea said. He can look and fake away defenders.
Troutman has averaged eight points and 4.7 assists per game in the last three contests since his return to the lineup from a foot injury suffered against DePaul on Jan. 9.
Ohio faces Marshall at 7 p.m. Saturday in Huntington, W. Va.
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Chris Littmann
