Men's Basketball: Tough defense propels Ohio to victory
By Michael Stainbrook | Feb. 3, 2012The only thing more prolific than Ohio’s 3-point offense Saturday was its five-star defense.
The only thing more prolific than Ohio’s 3-point offense Saturday was its five-star defense.
The Bobcats will take a weekend off from playing American Collegiate Hockey Association foes to help in the fight for a much greater cause.
Maybe it’s the flags hanging down from the rafters or the footsteps of past Bobcat greats echoing in the hallways. It might be the sounds of the pep band or possibly the familiarity of the locker room.
The past few years, a win was a win for the Bobcats. But with 18 victories in 22 games this season, some wins stand out as more impressive than others.
Every win counts the same in the standings, but a single-digit win against a two-win Northern Illinois team might not have been the outcome the Bobcats desired.
Ohio football recruiting coordinator Brian Haines walked into the National Signing Day news conference with a smile on his face. He exhaled, joked a bit and admitted he was glad the recruiting season was over.
Ohio knew the type of talent it would face when Tavelyn James made her visit to The Convo, but the team had no more luck corralling her than a weatherman has at stopping a storm.
Football coach Frank Solich received an early Christmas gift last year with his first bowl win for the Bobcats. Wednesday, he will receive a late holiday present: written commitments from a talented recruiting class on National Signing Day.
There comes a point where earning an “A” for effort in a close loss does as little for a team’s morale as it does for its place in the standings. In the Mid-American Conference, a couple teams have seen strong performances result in losses after just a few weeks of conference basketball.
Ohio will have its hands full Wednesday, as Eastern Michigan will try to make a dent in the Bobcats’ 8-4 record in the Convo.
There is an inconspicuous door at the back of the Aquatic Center that leads to a walkway behind the second-story bleachers. That corridor — complete with barren brown walls, several mats and a black heavy bag — is where Ohio swimmers hone their jabs and uppercuts.
Sending its football team to Boise for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl cost Ohio University more than $9,700. But that number does not include sending other university entities to the game.
Ohio earned its third win of the season on November 20. More than seven weeks later, the Bobcats will face a conference opponent still search for that elusive third win.
The best part about sports is the stories they create. Every David who beats Goliath gives us chills. Each championship brings tears or jubilation or frustration. But more than anything else, sports are about people.
ESPNU’s BracketBuster contests are meant to whet the appetite of fans and the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. Instead, Ohio’s recently announced matchup might leave both groups feeling unsatisfied.
A five-game losing streak isn’t common for the Ohio hockey team. In fact, coach Dan Morris can’t remember the last time his team had one.
Though the Ohio wrestling team wishes some moments of the season could be changed, it does not want to be judged solely by its record.
Three days after the fight at Central Michigan, Ohio went back to Michigan, this time without forward Porsha Harris, and came away with a win.
The Bobcats aren’t earning many brownie points with their wins, but picking up four straight victories at home still feels sweet.