As a senior who has played substantial minutes since his freshman year, Tommy Freeman has seen a lot of scenarios during his career as a Bobcat.
But what transpired Saturday against Buffalo, whether it was the blown 18-point lead or Ohio's record eighth loss at The Convo, was unlike anything he's witnessed in his four years.
We basically just acted like our dog got ran over
Freeman said sullenly after the loss.
As Freeman sat at the podium answering questions, the most experienced Bobcat talked with a frustrated look on his face as he mulled over Ohio's 73-68 loss.
He called for a more successful rotation of players. He said he hoped the Bobcats would be hungrier the second time around against their Mid-American East foes. Throughout the news conference, his unsatisfied tone revealed perhaps a call for change.
If we haven't learned anything from playing the East opponents this time around if we haven't gotten a little extra fire for them the next time around Freeman said, then it's going to be real disappointing.
Freeman came into the season expected to be a top leader on the team. His honesty about the team's effort showed that he's adapted to the role, although his absence because of foul trouble limited his impact in the game.
In his most candid statement of the season, Freeman lamented about the lack of focus and fight in the Bobcats in the second half.
We just couldn't get anything
couldn't get anyone amped up
couldn't get any type of spark
Freeman said.
Cooper Shut Down
Trying to stop Ohio's offense, Buffalo went straight at the team's top source of offense to limit its attack.
After letting D.J. Cooper drive into the lane and dish to his teammates during the first half, Buffalo upped its defense against Ohio's sophomore point guard in the second half. Guard Byron Mulkey guarded Cooper tightly while other Bulls quickly double-teamed him after other players set screens.
The strategy worked. Cooper never found space in the second period, whether he went for his own shots or tried to pass to teammates. He finished with six points on 2-for-10 shooting and never developed a rhythm with his cohorts.
(Mulkey) is a competitor
Groce said. I enjoyed watching him on film leading up to the game. He's a heck of a competitor ... He was imposing his will on the game and was really affecting and inspiring his teammates.
Groce particularly noted a time when Mulkey slapped the floor while he was on defense and how that invigorated the rest of the Bulls.
The pressure forced mistakes out of other Bobcats, too. Reggie Keely and Asown Sayles turned the ball over on key possessions. And trailing 60-55 with 40 seconds to play, the Bobcats squandered their final chance to come back as Sayles and Cooper tossed up desperation 3-pointers.
The sophomore guard turned the ball over three times in the half, while only accumulating two assists. Ohio had eight turnovers during the period.
I thought (Mulkey) did a good job of getting into D.J. and taking him away
Groce said. When he wasn't out there
we were definitely more fluid.
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