The Bobcats want to make a giant statement in tomorrow's game.
They know that, despite their tough schedule, other teams in the Mid-American Conference are looking at their 5-8 record.
We played a hard nonconference schedule
and it doesn't reflect how well we actually did play in our record junior Catherine Cain said. We just want to send a message to the rest of the MAC that we're a lot stronger than what is perceived.
Even in the preseason, the Bobcats were not expected to place high in the conference. In the preseason poll, the MAC coaches and the news media picked Ohio to finish third in the East Division.
The departures of Lauren Kohn, Quintana Ward and Simone Redd led to this positioning, Cain admitted.
She and her teammates are eager to prove the voters wrong.
We kind of have a chip on our shoulder Cain said. We all have something to prove.
The Bobcats get their first chance when Bowling Green comes to Athens tomorrow. The Falcons bring a 12-2 record with them, following a 77-71 win at Kent State on Wednesday.
The Bowling Green-Ohio match-up has featured some surprises in the last two seasons.
The Bobcats went to Bowling Green and shocked the No. 16 Falcons, 70-67, in 2007.
Last year, Ohio upset the Falcons again in the MAC Tournament semifinals. The Falcons were the top seed in the tournament and favored. The Bobcats won in double overtime, 68-66.
With that recent history, a rivalry has been born.
I think that both of our programs definitely marked this game on their calendar
junior Jennifer Bushby said.
The Falcons sat atop the East Division in the same preseason poll before this season.
Curt Miller and that team always come ready to play
Bushby said. They have been a sound program in the MAC for some time now.
The key to the game could lie in the three-point shooting by the Falcons. Bowling Green is ranked 33rd in the country in three-point shooting percentage, making 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and sinking almost seven shots a game.
Ohio's perimeter defense, however, also holds up well nationally. The Bobcats are, ironically, tied for 33rd in three-point defense, holding opposing teams to 26.7 percent shooting.
Ohio will make adjustments for Bowling Green's barrage of three's.
Coach (Randall) is definitely going to throw out some adjustments just so we can limit their three-point looks
said Bushby. Make them do some things they're uncomfortable with as opposed to just sitting on that line and shooting all day.
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Matt Wagner
