Although most teams turn to their veteran players at this point in the season, Ohio will look to one of its youngest for a late-season boost.
Following a solid start on Senior Day, the Bobcats will go with freshman guard Tommy Freeman as the latest to start at the wing position, with the Bobcats set to begin postseason play Thursday.
We are looking for a little tweak late in the year to give us something extra going into the tournament
coach Tim O'Shea said following the team's victory against Buffalo. He's played so well in practice and played well in the limited opportunities that he has had.
Freeman, who scored six points on two 3-point field goals against the Bulls Sunday, has seen his role vary from game to game for the Bobcats.
The self-professed gym rat replaces guard Allen Hester in the starting lineup. Hester, who had started his previous five games, did not see any action Sunday for the first time
all season.
That was just a coaches' decision O'Shea said. We're going with the guys that are playing well.
O'Shea added that he would likely continue to bring guard Bubba Walther off the bench in the Mid-American Conference Tournament and will opt to go with forward Justin Orr or guard Bert Whittington IV depending on the opponent.
Slam Time
After undergoing a midseason slump, forward Jerome Tillman has responded during his past two games, averaging 21.5 points and 9.5 rebounds.
Tillman said he has been more aggressive on the offensive end, similar to last season when he led the team in scoring. - he said. We have to do what we've been doing at the beginning of the season that gave us success
which was playing loose and everybody just playing their game.
Stat Stuffers
Multiple Bobcat players finished regular season play near the top in several statistical categories. As a team, Ohio led the conference in assists per game, tallying 14.17 per contest.
Individually, guard Michael Allen finished second in the MAC with 129 assists, also finishing second with an average of 4.45 apg.-
he's always been known to really compete hard and be a first class young man who carries himself well
Witherspoon said.-
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