The Ohio men's basketball team will get to play for a berth in the NCAA Tournament after a 63-56 victory against the Miami RedHawks last night in the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals.
The Bobcats made their case by playing a physical game inside that brought them to the free throw line where they shot 20-of-23, which ended up a being the deciding factor in the game.
However, the 'Cats' inside battle slowed down in the second half, where the RedHawks switched to a zone and giving up multiple 3-pointers for the Bobcats.
Given how badly we shot the ball - it was our defense that kept us in the game and when our shots started falling we got a great victory
coach Tim O'Shea said. I am very pleased with the victory. >After missing 11 3-pointers in the first half, forward Sonny Troutman knocked down three clutch 3s and guard Mychal Green hit two, swinging the momentum back to the Bobcats after they fell behind by six in the closing minutes of the game.
Troutman, who ended up with a game-high 19 points, said he knew his team's shots should start falling after their offense drought.
The whole team was getting open shots we were just missing them. Eventually the shots are going to fall; you just have weather the storm he said. I just got hot for a stretch there. >Even though the Bobcats were lacking in their perimeter game, Leon Williams carried the load scoring all 12 of his points during the first half. The 'Cats continued attacking the basket and drawing fouls, which brought them to the charity stripe and kept them in the game.
They went to a zone so they collapsed on me and Terren (Harbut) more
so it opened it up for our perimeter to guys to hit the 3s
Williams said. I think we handled the pressure well.The team concluded in the post-game press conference that its success has come from team game and having no single star. O'Shea waned about not having an all-conference player on his team and went on a rant during which he praised his players.Thank you
Troutman told his coach.
The difference with this season and last is that we are all playing together as a team and have one goal: getting to the tournament
Troutman continued. I think we all just trust each other and we have been focused on playing hard the whole season. >With the team's second win against Miami this season, O'Shea explained why his team deserves an at-large bid into the big dance if they don't win the game tomorrow.
We have won the most games in the MAC
we are going into the championship game sweeping Buffalo
beating Miami two out of three times and beating Kent State two out of three times
he said. I think we are the best team in the MAC. >When asked to rank the MAC's three best teams, O'Shea gave a simple answer.
No. 1: Ohio
he said. No. 2: Ohio. No. 3: Ohio.
