Ohio faces a former friend tonight when the men's basketball team takes on Danny Nee's Duquesne Dukes in Pittsburgh.
Nee coached the Bobcats from 1980-1986, guiding them to two NCAA appearances before leaving to coach at Nebraska. He is now in his third season at Duquesne (4-7).
He had good years here
Ohio coach Tim O'Shea said. It was a little bit of a golden era for Ohio basketball. During his tenure they went to the NCAA (Tournament) a couple times had the 19- and 20-win seasons. He had a great run here.
Nee is still looking for his first winning season with Duquesne and so far has not seen the same success as he did with the Bobcats. Duquesne has struggled in close games, a similar problem for Ohio (3-8). Five of the Dukes' seven losses have been decided by single digits, including their three overtime losses.
I think they are looking at this as 'Hey it's a home game
we've got to win it. This is a team we can beat
' O'Shea said. I would be looking at it that way if I were them. Our standpoint: 'Hey
we are going to go on the road and have another tough game.'
Ohio has been on the road for four straight games now and has won just two games away from The Convo this season. Recently, shooting has been the downfall, as the Bobcats' shooting percentage dipped below 30 in a 73-63 loss at Northern Illinois on Saturday
For me personally
I haven't shot as well as I need to
and I know I am a better shooter than what I have been shooting
but it's coming around
Ohio guard Thomas Stephens said. I know I can shoot
so in the games when I get my open looks I just have to be confident and take them and that goes for all the guys. Instead of coming out and being like 'I've been missing
