With the Mid-American Conference Tournament looming in the distance, the Bobcats are running out of time to get into a rhythm.
If the 'Cats want to have any chance of a high seed in the conference tourney, there are a few things the team has to do.
1. Stay out of foul trouble.
This is crucial for Ohio, as its big men have to remain on the floor for the Bobcats to have any chance at success. The New Mexico State loss was a prime example of what happens to this team when the three post players pick up cheap fouls.
If Leon Williams, Jerome Tillman and Kenneth van Kempen can avoid early fouls it will allow them to continue playing aggressive defense and stay assertive on offense. Ohio must have production from its forwards in order for its outside game to get going.
2. Must have multiple threats from outside.
Though Ohio has had consistent scoring from the inside all season, one thing the team has been missing lately is more than one threat from the perimeter. While the five starters all average double figures in scoring, the Bobcats rarely have nights where more than one guard is hitting from downtown.
If Ohio is to have success on offense, someone other than Bubba Walther needs to punish opponents from behind the arc. If all the guards can convert on some 3-pointers, opposing defenses will have to respect every player and contest all shots.
When just one player is knocking down shots from outside, the defense swarms him and bogs down the paint so the 'Cats have trouble playing under the basket. Of course this sounds like textbook basketball, but this team has to start shooting better than 40 percent, which they haven't done in the last three out of four games.
3. Get some bench production.
OK, so the Bobcats have made it this far into the season and are still within reach of getting a first-round bye in the conference tournament with minimal help from the bench. This has to turn around immediately. Regardless of whether Ohio gets a bye, the team will run out of gas without substantial minutes from some reserves.
There is no way the Bobcats can win four straight games without some clutch performances from Stephen King and van Kempen. While van Kempen's defense has been huge for Ohio this season, he will have to be a threat on offense as well come tourney time.
The same goes for King. He had some big games this season that really lifted the Bobcats, but he is going to need to have at least two more for Ohio to have a chance at going dancing.
So as Ohio hits the home stretch, those are the keys for its success.
17 Archives
Nick Miller
Ohio still in the hunt for first round bye in the Mid-American Conference tournament
