Bubba Walther can relate to Bert Whittington IV's recent shooting struggles. The senior guard, who was mired in a shooting slump of his own earlier in the season, knows all about late nights spent at The Convo trying to regain a lost stroke.
The difference is people are focusing on him
Walther said. Bert's a great shooter and with people guarding him more it puts a lot of pressure on him. He's going to break out of it.
Whittington IV, who has shot just 6-for-29 from the field over his last five games, attributed his slump to his mentality on the floor.
It's in my mind really he said. I'm thinking negatively instead of making the shots.
For Whittington IV, the decline in his offensive output of late is a stark contrast from earlier in conference play, when he averaged 20.6 points per game during a three-game stretch. His play in that span prompted coach Tim O'Shea to keep the junior guard in the starting lineup, and bring Walther, who had been struggling from the field, off the bench.
With Walther now regaining his hot hand, Whittington IV said he has turned to Walther to see how he can overcome his slump.
I just watch what he does right now
he said. I have seen what he has done differently to get his shot right
and he's using confidence to get his shot right.
Walther, who rooms with Whittington IV on the road, said that he has not discussed Whittington IV's shooting struggles with him because he did not find it helpful.
We don't really talk about it because it adds more stress
he said. When I was struggling I wanted to talk about it and I think that the more I talked about it the more I worried about it.
O'Shea will employ a strategy similar to one he used with Walther today against Bowling Green, where he will bring the junior-college transfer off the bench in favor of forward Justin Orr.
That's how shooting is sometimes
O'Shea said. It's not unusual for shooters for (their stroke) to come and go. You tweak it every now and then and hope for a good result.
Walther said coming off the bench was what helped turn around his shooting struggles, and added that he could see it make a difference in bringing Whittington IV back to his prowess from 3-point range.
It's going to be that way with him being a spark plug off the bench
he said. I think it did relax me coming off the bench
so hopefully it does for him.
With Ohio reaching the critical point in its season, both players acknowledged that having two of the team's best long-range shooters playing well would be huge, especially for the team's inside game.
It just opens up everything for Leon (Williams) and Jerome (Tillman)
Walther said. If two people shoot well like me and Bert should do it helps them in the post and obviously that helps us as a team.
Whittington IV echoed Walther's sentiments and stressed the importance of improving with the Mid-American Conference Tournament less than a month away.
To get both of us shooting well at the same time coming up on tournament play would be great
Whittington IV said. That's better for Leon when they start doubling him.
