Before the Bobcats get the chance to take on the Mid-American Conference, they first will attempt to hone their skills against one of the nation’s best.
In what is referred to as a “secret scrimmage,” Ohio will face Ohio State Sunday in Columbus.
In accordance with NCAA regulations, neither Ohio coach John Groce nor any of the players could comment on the scrimmage.
Groce previously worked as an assistant coach at Ohio State under head coach Thad Matta.
The Bobcats and Buckeyes have not played in a regular-season game since the 1994-95 season. Ohio won the last meeting 74-67.
The secret scrimmages are common among college basketball teams. More than 100 games are reportedly being played through Nov. 6.
Ohio is not the only MAC school getting in on the secret fun.
According to CBSSports.com, Toledo will visit Michigan, Miami will host Marshall, Buffalo will play Cleveland State in Erie, Pa., Northern Illinois will travel to Drake, Kent State will host St. Bonaventure, and Bowling Green will play Loyola Chicago in Indianapolis.
During Groce’s tenure in Athens, his teams have had a tendency to face tough competition during the non-conference schedule. In the past three seasons, Ohio has faced Louisville, Pittsburgh and Kansas, and it will play Louisville again this season.
In his fourth year as Ohio’s head coach, Groce said he wants to take Ohio’s program to the next level.
“The biggest thing for us right now is trying to get better every day,” Groce said. “We’ve got to get a lot tougher and we’ve got to defend better. The biggest step for our program is to get to that point where we play consistent basketball.”
Though Ohio does not have a returning senior on its roster, it does return with two of its top three leading scorers from last season in D.J. Cooper and Ivo Baltic.
As the only two-year starter on Ohio’s roster, Cooper laid out his expectations for the team.
“Just play consistent ball and be able to overcome adversity and stick together throughout the season,” Cooper said. “We just want to win the MAC and win the MAC Tournament.”
Along with the returnees, the Bobcats have added six other players. Baltic said he expects those players to contribute immediately. He also stated the team’s main goal.
“We’re trying to win it every year,” he said. “That’s our biggest concern.”
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