Before he ever set foot on campus, Jerome Tillman knew about the rivalry between Ohio and Miami.
Tillman had heard a lot about the rivalry while being recruited by the Bobcats. He also heard it from his dad, who was good friends with RedHawks coach Charlie Coles.
When he finally did come to Ohio, his teammates told him what to expect.
But it wasn't until he stepped onto The Convo floor on Jan. 29, 2006 that he truly experienced what the rivalry was all about.
The first time I got to step in it was like 'Oh
this is a rivalry ' Tillman said. You really don't know until you experience it.
It's doctrine by fire.
Tillman said it is the similarities between the schools that make the game so special.
Just the level of competitiveness, the senior forward said. Miami is a mirror image of (Ohio).
John Groce got his first taste of the rivalry this season when the Bobcats went into Millet Hall and beat the RedHawks 66-62
on Jan. 14.
Groce was impressed with his first experience in the game
and he used to coach in one of the biggest rivalry games in the country at Ohio State.
It's certainly one of the most storied rivalries, Groce said. There's a special feeling to it.
Just the importance of it to both communities.
Tonight will be the 183rd matchup between the schools.
Ohio has a 94-88 lead over Miami, but the RedHawks are 6-4, including the Mid-American Conference tournament, in Tillman's career.
Tillman will be making his last appearance in the game, barring another matchup in the MAC tournament.
It's going to be a high- emotion game
Tillman said.
And he has a chance to go out with a bang.
Ohio has not swept Miami in nearly a decade. The last Bobcat team to win both games against their rival was the 1999-00 season.
Tillman also has a chance to knock the RedHawks off their perch near the top of the MAC East Division.
Miami is currently in a four-way tie for second place in the division.
Getting back-to-back wins (in the conference) against a team is tough for anybody
Tillman said. It's going to be big in terms of our basketball team.
It's going to be good to get everybody back on the winning trail and get momentum going into the (MAC) tournament.
,",2,Sports,Matt O'Donnell,27271a.jpg,Ohio forward Jerome Tillman goes up for a shot during the Bobcats
Jerome Tillman knew about the rivalry between Ohio and Miami.
Tillman had heard a lot about the rivalry while being recruited by the Bobcats. He also heard it from his dad
who was good friends with RedHawks coach Charlie Coles.
When he finally did come to Ohio
his teammates told him what to expect.
But it wasn't until he stepped onto The Convo floor on Jan. 29
2006 that he truly experienced what the rivalry was all about.
The first time I got to step in it was like 'Oh, this is a rivalry,' Tillman said. You really don't know until you experience it.
It's doctrine by fire.
Tillman said it is the similarities between the schools that make the game so special.
Just the level of competitiveness
