If all the news surrounding Jeremy Fears turns out be true, that being he transfers to another school to play basketball closer to home, I hope every Ohio basketball fan realizes what he has done for this program.
While it wasn't solely Fears that helped the Bobcats pull a complete 180 last season from the year before, he was a big factor why Ohio is now on the map as a current up-and-coming mid-major team.
Fears came in as part of the bevy of fresh faces the Bobcats quickly placed into the starting lineup. Along with Fears was fellow freshman Leon Williams and junior college-transfer Mychal Green, who all found themselves starting for Ohio.
When I first took the position of being a beat writer on the Ohio men's basketball team last year for The Post, I had no idea what these players could and would do for Ohio basketball. What I would end up watching was the surprise turnaround of Ohio from being picked to finish last in the Mid-American Conference to winning the MAC Tournament.
A prime reason was Fears. All of a sudden we had a flashy, energetic guard that was bringing the Ohio fans to their feet every game. It became a common occurrence to see Fears throw one down in The Convo each game.
Many fans I have talked to are disappointed that Fears might be finished with his career in an Ohio jersey and instantly focus on the negatives concerning his taking a leave of absence from the team. To those I say: Be thankful for the year he gave us and try to remember the memories he supplied last year. Also, be respectful to the young man who is figuring out what he wants to do with his life and overcome personal problems that led to his leaving of the team.
Some of those memories are as follows: Fears giving it everything he had as he helped the Bobcats fight back to win many games they trailed in, including the MAC championship.
His game winning shot at Detroit in last year's Bracket Buster game, where he let every Ohio fan know of his training in gymnastics as he pulled out the cartwheel-backflip combination. One of two fans who traveled to Cleveland would see as the 'Cats clawed their way back into the championship game against Buffalo.
How about his lightning fast passes that left many of his teammates open for crowd-rocking slam dunks? Those include the full-court pass to Sonny Troutman at the end of regulation in the MAC Finals where he showed off the arm he developed by playing quarterback for his high school football team.
And finally, his prolific scoring night against Buffalo at home on senior night where he paced the Bobcats with 33 points. That victory would clinch Ohio a home game for the first round of the MAC Tournament.
So now, for whatever comes your way or wherever you wind up, this is a big-time thank you, Jeremy Fears, for everything you did for the Bobcats this season and last.
-Nick Miller is a junior journalism major who is glad he had the chance to cover Fears and wishes him the best in his future. E-mail him at nm202803@ohiou.edu.
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Nick Miller
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Bobcat guard Jeremy Fears drives past Cardinals center Pat Nelson during a 71 - 60 Ohio victory against Ball State Jan. 8th in The Convo.
