Ohio-Miami update

Ohio 55, Miami 46, 11:23 second half

The Bobcats keep making shots even though Tillman committed his third personal foul with 12:41 remaining. Can the Bobcats keep up their hot shooting?

Ohio 49, Miami 42, 15:59 second half

Point guard Michael Allen has scored the first eight points of the second half to increase the Bobcats' lead to as big as nine. Ohio is a few points away from breaking the game open.

Ohio 41, Miami 37, halftime

Coleman and Freeman each hit 3-pointers before the first half to give Ohio the lead into the locker room.

The stat of the night so far: The Bobcats are 7-of-8 from 3-point range. Coleman leads the way with 12 points and Orr has 11. Tillman has a quiet eight points.

Miami is being led by the 1-2 combination of Bramos and forward Tyler Dierkers.

If the Bobcats can keep this shooting up Miami has no chance. But expect the RedHawks to try to slow down the pace in the second half.

Ohio 31, Miami 29, 3:47 first half

The pace of this game definitely favors the Bobcats. Miami isn't used to the fast-paced play of Ohio. Coleman continues to provide a spark off the bench with nine points.

But whenever the Bobcats seem poised to pull away from the RedHawks, Bramos buries a big shot to keep Miami in it.

Ohio 19, Miami 18, 10:01 first half

Steven Coleman has come off the bench and energized the Bobcats with two baskets. Guard Tommy Freeman also hit a 3-pointer in the corner after Miami guard Michael Bramos drilled a 3 on the RedHawks' previous possession.

Ohio 11, Miami 11, 16:05 first half

The RedHawks have coming out on fire making three 3-pointers. The Bobcats, though, haven't been fazed thanks to seniors Justin Orr and Jerome Tillman who have scored all 11 of Ohio's points.

It is very loud.

Ohio vs. Miami

I'm here live at the Ohio-Miami game tonight. Ohio won at Oxford 66-62. Since that game though, the Bobcats have a record of just 4-7.

Here is a link looking at tonight's game from Matt O'Donnell of The Post

Also I wrote a column for The Post about Miami coach Charlie Coles' influence on the rivalry

I'll be live blogging tonight's action throughout the night.

Ohio update

It's been a while since I've posted an update on the Ohio team. The Bobcats lost both of their games last week on the road to Kent State and Eastern Kentucky.

Ohio's record is 13-13 and 6-6 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bobcats' season essentially comes down to the four-game stretch that begins Thursday against Miami.

Ohio will play Miami and Buffalo at home and then Akron and Bowling Green on the road. Personally, I think the Bobcats will be lucky to win one or two of those games.

Ultimately, Ohio didn't have enough talent to compete in the MAC this season. They overachieved at the beginning of the year winning at Miami, but they have come back to earth.

I'd say that fans for the most part have viewed Ohio's drop from glory with acceptance because they knew that the chances of winning the league this year would be difficult.

But some fans are calling this season a "letdown," which, I think is unfair considering the pieces new coach John Groce was left with entering this year. They lost their leading scorer (Leon Williams), best perimeter player (Bubba Walther) and a player who was expected to contribute inside (Maurice Pearson). Groce got the most out of his talent.

Here's a link to a thread about whether the team has regressed this season from bobcatattack.com, the top message board for Ohio athletics:

What I am wondering is if Ohio players will continue to play hard. Groce said yesterday he doesn't think that will happen. He knows Ohio could still make some type of tournament with a strong finish.

Read more in my article from today's Post about the state of the team.

Also here is a column from Matt O'Donnell in The Post comparing Miami and Ohio alumni.

I'm curious to see if the passion is there from Bobcats' fans this season because it's a down year.

I expect a good crowd, especially because of this.

Thanks to The Post's Kyle Grantham for the photo.

Ohio basketball update

Ohio defeated Toledo 91-58 Saturday at The Convo. The Bobcats dominated throughout the entire game and had little trouble putting the Rockets away. Ohio used an 11-2 run to start the second half to ensure a victory.

The question remains: Will the team build off this win or continue to struggle on the road?

We'll find out Tuesday, when Ohio travels to Kent State.

Here is the story I wrote for The Post on the game:
http://www.thepost.ohiou.edu/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=27085&TM=73721.98

Ohio-Toledo update

Ohio 39, Toledo 29, halftime

The Bobcats are in control of this one. Toledo did close the half on a 5-0 to cut Ohio's largest lead of the half.

Once again, Tillman leads the way for Ohio with 13 points. DeVaughn Washington added seven points and Mike Allen and Justin Orr each have six points.

Ohio started off 6-10 from 3-point range, but they missed their last four of the half to finish 6-14.

Defensively, the Bobcats have forced nine turnovers and committed six.

Ohio-Toledo update

Ohio 35, Toledo 21

The 3s keep falling for the Bobcats. Orr and Tillman have made 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to push Ohio's lead to 14.

Ohio-Toledo update

Ohio 29, Toledo 19, 6:19, first half

The Bobcats go on an 8-0 run fueled by two 3-point field goals. Steven Coleman stole the ball and scored on a layup to start the run. After a failed Toledo possession, point guard Michael Allen hit a 3-pointer. On Ohio's next possession Justin Orr hit a 3 and DeVaughn Washington was fouled. Washington then made two free throws to move the score to 23-9.

Ohio-Toledo update

Ohio 15, Toledo 9

Ohio continues its stout defense. Jerome Tillman leads the way early for Ohio with six points.

Ohio-Toledo update

Ohio 9, Toledo 4.

The Bobcats race out to an early lead thanks to good defense. Ohio gets Toledo to have a shot clock violation and causes a couple of early turnovers. Coach John Groce is very pleased.

Ohio-Toledo live blog

I'm live today from The Convo for Ohio's game against the Toledo Rockets. I'll be providing periodic updates of the game on here.

Starting lineup for Ohio:
G: Mike Allen
G: Steven Coleman
G: Tommy Freeman
F: Jerome Tillman
F: DeVaughn Washington

The game should be a blowout today because Toledo is quite terrible.

Welcome

My name is Steve Gartner and I have created the Bobcats' basketball blog for a project for my online journalism class at Ohio University.

I will profile the Ohio University men's basketball team throughout their Mid-American Conference season.

I will provide insight and analysis on the Bobcats and how their quest to win the MAC title.

Ohio won its game last night against Eastern Michigan 57-45. Here is a link to the game story from The Post

http://thepost.ohiou.edu/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=26973&TM=58258.39

If you have any questions or problems with corrections while I update this blog, send me an email at steve.j.gartner@gmail.com. Or you can comment on the problematic post.