The Ohio men's basketball game at Marshall last year showed that records do not necessarily matter in a rivalry game. This year the records will not matter - they are too similar.
At this time last year when Ohio was preparing to head to Huntington, W.Va., the Bobcats looked to be in for a challenge. But, despite its 5-10 overall record, Ohio came out on top in double overtime to beat the 9-7 Thundering Herd.
It just shows how much records really go out the door
especially in games like this Ohio forward Jeff Halbert said.
This year the two teams enter the game on more level terms. Ohio (5-11, 2-4 MAC) bares almost the same record as the previous year, while Marshall (6-8, 3-3 MAC) also has struggled in the first half of the season. The Thundering Herd dropped both games to Ohio last year and looks for revenge with the benefit of the home court advantage.
Though Marshall has lost four of its last five games, that is no guarantee for a team struggling with continuity. Ohio looked to be making a turnaround, winning two straight conference games at home last week, but the Bobcats' problems on the road continued with an 84-76 loss at Akron Tuesday.
It's not that we haven't been playing well on the road; it's just that we haven't been winning Ohio guard Jaivon Harris said. Our defense has been lacking
and maybe our faithful O-Zone that shows up for this game will bring us some luck on the road.
Because of the closeness of Marshall and the rivalry, Halbert said this is an away game that Ohio fans usually show up for, especially with the success the Bobcats have had in recent years against Marshall.
Ohio coach Tim O'Shea said this will be a tough game for the Bobcats because Marshall has returned more of its team from last year. But while Ohio has had players step up to fill the gaps - such as Harris and guard Thomas Stephens, who both average double digits in points, forward Marvin Black is the only Thundering Herd to reach that mark with 13.8 ppg.
Black has stepped up a lot this season
Harris said. Hopefully (Ohio) forward Terren (Harbut), who guarded Smallwood versus Northern Illinois, will bring the same energy that he brought in that game and stop Black in similar ways.
