No. 9 seed Ohio plays No. 1 seed Bowling Green today at 7 p.m. in the second round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Ohio hopes to earn its first victory this year against the Falcons. Bowling Green beat the Bobcats 52-51 in The Convo on Jan. 24 and dominated the Bobcats 75-41 last Sunday. Can Ohio avenge its losses and continue its run?
Point guard
Michael Allen has been one of Ohio's most consistent players this season. He averages around 6.9 points per game and four assists. When he is manning the point, the Bobcats' offense is smooth and efficient.
Joe Jakubowski runs the point for the Falcons and is more of a scorer, averaging 8.1 points per game. He averages 3.5 assists per game and shoots 41.6 percent from 3-point range.
Advantage: Ohio. Allen's play is more critical for his team.
Shooting guard
Steven Coleman finished the season strong, scoring double figures in six of his last eight games. He's showed the poise of an upperclassmen in his freshman season.
Brian Moten has stepped into the starting lineup late in the season and shined. He averages 11.4 points per game and leads the team with 65 3-pointers.
Advantage: Bowling Green. Moten is much more consistent than Coleman offensively.
Small forward
Justin Orr rebounded from an inconsistent
season last year to serve as one of the Bobcats' most reliable outside scorers. His driving ability opens shots for Ohio's other wing players.
Darryl Clements is another Bowling Green senior that has come on strong in his final season. He has no problem getting to the free throw line where he is an 82 percent shooter.
Advantage: Ohio. Orr has been playing better as of late, which is why he gets the nod.
Power forward
Jerome Tillman has been the heart and soul of the Bobcats. He has struggled lately, however, but is still Ohio's No.1 option.
Nate Miller may be undersized, but he's certainly not overmatched. This MAC Player of the Year candidate led Bowling Green to a No. 1 seed in his senior season.
Advantage: Even. Tillman would take the edge if not for his late-season struggles.
Center
Kenneth van Kempen has supplanted forward DeVaughn Washington as the team's starter because of his 6-foot-10-inch frame. He hasn't done much offensively, though, playing only 15 minutes against Western Michigan.
Otis Polk isn't one of
the Falcons most prolific offensive players (6.4 ppg), but he killed the Bobcats last Sunday with 14
points.
Advantage: Bowling Green. Polk sees more floor time and is much more of a threat.
Bench
This isn't a strength for either team. The Bobcats have guard Tommy Freeman and Washington.
The Falcons don't have much here as Chris Knight's injury has limited their depth. Knight is listed as day-to-
day, but didn't play last Sunday.
Advantage: Ohio. The Bobcats have more weapons off the bench.
Coaching
John Groce has had lots of experience in a tournament atmosphere at Ohio State and Xavier, but has just entered the
Western game as a head coach.
Louis Orr is the MAC
Coach of the Year and led Seton Hall to the NCAA Tournament. He is one of the most experienced coaches in the MAC.
Advantage: Bowling Green. Experience trumps all this time of the year.
2 Sports
Steve Gartner
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DeVaughn Washington attempts to steal the ball away from a Western Michigan opponent in a previous game. Ohio will take on Bowling Green in round two of the MAC Tournament tonight. Photo by Kyle Grantham.
