John Groce saw the Bobcats do things defensively against Western Michigan that they hadn't done all season. And they certainly weren't positive.
We had a couple of guys in the wrong defense
he said. I don't think our mindset was where it needed to be.
Ohio's defensive mindset certainly wasn't up to where it had been earlier this season.
The Bobcats allowed the Broncos to shoot 63 percent from the field in the second half. Opponents average 43 percent from the field against Ohio.
Groce said the defensive breakdowns occurred because his team couldn't keep the Western Michigan players in front of them. When the Broncos blew past them, the only thing Ohio could do was foul, which they did 22 times.
The biggest concern I have after last night is the inability to keep the basketball in front of us Groce said. Obviously when you don't do that that leads to a pronounced foul situation.
The Bobcats had better keep Toledo guard Jonathan Amos in their sight or they could be fouling a lot again tomorrow. Amos shot 19 free throws in Wednesday's game against Bowling Green.
We've got to contain the basketball
Groce said. A lot of that is because he's putting his head down and driving the ball and making good plays for the team.
Ohio (12-11, 5-5 Mid-American Conference) couldn't contain Western Michigan guard David Kool. He scored 24 points and helped the Broncos build an early lead, which was too steep for the Bobcats to overcome.
In many of Ohio's losses, they have fallen prey to early deficits that they couldn't overcome.
I'm more concerned with how we react when we're down like that
Groce said. There's too many times this season where we've gotten ourselves in a hole like that.
Groce said he and his captains need to get the team back to the way it played earlier in the conference season.
Damaged DeVaughn
Ohio forward DeVaughn Washington wore a facemask in Ohio's game against Western Michigan. He broke his nose the day before the game in practice.
He played 21 minutes, scoring two points and committing four fouls against the Broncos.
He never complained
just threw the mask on and played
Groce said. He was one of the brighter spots in terms on competitive toughness.
2
Sports
Steve Gartner
