With 13 days until the first round of the Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament the hopes for a game in The Convo on March 8 are on life support.
A record of 6-8 in the MAC at this point has Ohio packing its bags and heading off to an opposing gym for the first round, something that has not worked out favorably for the Bobcats this season. Going winless on the road in the conference - an outcome that is not out of the question at this point - will spell the end of any hopes for a home game.
Perhaps worst of all is the manner in which Ohio has lost these road games. At first, the team was finding itself on the short side of blowout losses at places like Western Michigan, but recently the losses have come in a more gut-wrenching fashion against teams like Miami.
Because this team likes to heave from well beyond the three-point line early and often, there are three simple steps to fixing the road woes and locking down an all important first round home game.
Last season Ohio depended on Brandon Hunter to go get the ball, but to survive on the glass during this stretch run, it will take a total team effort on the blocks from players like Clay McGowen, Delvar Barrett and Terren Harbut.
2. Share the rock - Not to call this team selfish, but they rank dead last in the MAC in assists.
When Ohio is at its worst, the Bobcats settle for quick jumpers with one player taking the ball coast to coast. At their best, the ball moves seamlessly in transition with quick movement into and out of the post for open perimeter jumpers or aggressive post moves when the opposing big man has not gained position on the block.
3. Play a full 40 plus - If Ohio has not lost the last two contests on offensive rebounding it has been the inability to play a consistent game throughout the contest.
At Miami, a stretch of nearly 13 minutes without a field goal put Ohio in a deep hole, a hole that the Bobcats fought out of, which made it difficult to get the win in overtime. A stagnant first half offensively at Butler was followed by a stellar run in the second half, but the run came up short when overtime came.
The Bobcats have fought out of tremendous deficits - 10 at Miami and 15 at Butler - but have not been able to finish the job when the extra session has arrived.
-Littmann is a junior journalism major. Send him an e-mail at chris.littmann@ohiou.edu.
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Chris Littmann
