Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Ohio-Brown recap
Special to The News
By Nick Brockman
ATHENS, Ohio — For Ohio’s seniors the Bobcats’ first-round College Basketball Invitational game meant postponing their collegiate basketball retirement one more game, but for younger players it provided valuable experience.
Ohio defeated Brown 80-74 in the first round of the inaugural CBI Tournament, and although the ’Cats usual leaders stepped up, the team’s younger players gained the most.
“I was so proud of Tommy Freeman’s performance as a freshman,” Ohio coach Tim O’Shea said. “What a valuable thing for him to have that postseason. Asown Sayles, we wanted to give him a chance. He got extended minutes tonight and really did a lot with it I thought. These are guys that are building not only for this season, but for next year.”
Freeman started his third game in a row and scored 11 points, two shy of his career high. Freeman’s biggest shot of the game came with 55 seconds remaining when he knocked down a 3-pointer to give Ohio a 72-67 lead. The shot was Ohio’s last field goal of the game.
“Just getting that three, getting it to a two-possession game really let us control the rest of the game,” Freeman said.
Freeman later added the last two points of the game on free throws to seal Ohio’s win.
Along with Freeman, Sayles made the most of his opportunities. Sayles played a season-high eight minutes and even started the second-half. Sayles tied a season-high with three rebounds and recorded one assist as well.
“I really thought Sayles and Freeman opened my eyes,” O’Shea said, “because they’re both back next year, in terms of what they could mean for the program.”
Ohio’s upperclassmen also contributed with impressive performances. Junior Michael Allen had 10 points and senior Bubba Walther finished with a career-high 12 assists and had 10 points for a double-double. Jerome Tillman dropped a team-high 21 points and 11 rebounds while Leon Williams ended perhaps his final game at home with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Williams said he was happy when he learned the team’s season would continue in the new CBI Tournament.
“It felt good when we found out we were going to play another game,” Williams said, “at least to me it did, because me being a senior I didn’t want it to end.”
The Bobcats needed Williams’ points as well as every one his teammates to defeat Brown who dominated from three-point range throughout the game’s duration. The Bears finished 16-of-31 from beyond the arc.
“That’s hard to do if you’re playing a game of ‘H-O-R-S-E’ and nobody is guarding you,” O’Shea said after the game. “They did it with guys with hands up and guys closing out.”
Brown senior Damon Huffman, brother of former Kent State guard Trevor Huffman and also a three-point threat, scored a career-high 39 points. He tied a school record by hitting nine of his 15 three-point attempts.
O’Shea said he is familiar with Huffman’s older brother.
“I think that’s the last of the Huffman clan, I hope there are no more,” O’Shea said. “That has to be the best performance of any player that has stepped on the Convo floor this year from the opposing team. I don’t think there’s any question about it.”
While one player ends his career, Ohio’s Freeman, who became part of Ohio’s first team to earn a post-season win since a 1995 N.I.T. victory over George Washington, said he hopes this is just the beginning of his four-year run.
“Just getting that opportunity to play in the postseason for my first year at Ohio, that was a big thing,” Freeman said. “One of my goals is go to the postseason all four years. Going the first year was real exciting just to get that experience under my belt.”
Ohio advances to play the winner of Wednesday night’s first-round CBI game between Bradley and the University of Cincinnati next Monday. Times and locations have yet to be determined.
By Nick Brockman
ATHENS, Ohio — For Ohio’s seniors the Bobcats’ first-round College Basketball Invitational game meant postponing their collegiate basketball retirement one more game, but for younger players it provided valuable experience.
Ohio defeated Brown 80-74 in the first round of the inaugural CBI Tournament, and although the ’Cats usual leaders stepped up, the team’s younger players gained the most.
“I was so proud of Tommy Freeman’s performance as a freshman,” Ohio coach Tim O’Shea said. “What a valuable thing for him to have that postseason. Asown Sayles, we wanted to give him a chance. He got extended minutes tonight and really did a lot with it I thought. These are guys that are building not only for this season, but for next year.”
Freeman started his third game in a row and scored 11 points, two shy of his career high. Freeman’s biggest shot of the game came with 55 seconds remaining when he knocked down a 3-pointer to give Ohio a 72-67 lead. The shot was Ohio’s last field goal of the game.
“Just getting that three, getting it to a two-possession game really let us control the rest of the game,” Freeman said.
Freeman later added the last two points of the game on free throws to seal Ohio’s win.
Along with Freeman, Sayles made the most of his opportunities. Sayles played a season-high eight minutes and even started the second-half. Sayles tied a season-high with three rebounds and recorded one assist as well.
“I really thought Sayles and Freeman opened my eyes,” O’Shea said, “because they’re both back next year, in terms of what they could mean for the program.”
Ohio’s upperclassmen also contributed with impressive performances. Junior Michael Allen had 10 points and senior Bubba Walther finished with a career-high 12 assists and had 10 points for a double-double. Jerome Tillman dropped a team-high 21 points and 11 rebounds while Leon Williams ended perhaps his final game at home with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Williams said he was happy when he learned the team’s season would continue in the new CBI Tournament.
“It felt good when we found out we were going to play another game,” Williams said, “at least to me it did, because me being a senior I didn’t want it to end.”
The Bobcats needed Williams’ points as well as every one his teammates to defeat Brown who dominated from three-point range throughout the game’s duration. The Bears finished 16-of-31 from beyond the arc.
“That’s hard to do if you’re playing a game of ‘H-O-R-S-E’ and nobody is guarding you,” O’Shea said after the game. “They did it with guys with hands up and guys closing out.”
Brown senior Damon Huffman, brother of former Kent State guard Trevor Huffman and also a three-point threat, scored a career-high 39 points. He tied a school record by hitting nine of his 15 three-point attempts.
O’Shea said he is familiar with Huffman’s older brother.
“I think that’s the last of the Huffman clan, I hope there are no more,” O’Shea said. “That has to be the best performance of any player that has stepped on the Convo floor this year from the opposing team. I don’t think there’s any question about it.”
While one player ends his career, Ohio’s Freeman, who became part of Ohio’s first team to earn a post-season win since a 1995 N.I.T. victory over George Washington, said he hopes this is just the beginning of his four-year run.
“Just getting that opportunity to play in the postseason for my first year at Ohio, that was a big thing,” Freeman said. “One of my goals is go to the postseason all four years. Going the first year was real exciting just to get that experience under my belt.”
Ohio advances to play the winner of Wednesday night’s first-round CBI game between Bradley and the University of Cincinnati next Monday. Times and locations have yet to be determined.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Special to The News
By Nick Brockman
ATHENS, Ohio — Bubba Walther saw his Ohio basketball memories flash before him while Bobcat fans witnessed flashes of brilliance from the team’s seniors on Sunday afternoon.
Walther treated the home crowd one more time to his characteristic long three-pointers and Leon Williams dominated inside as Ohio locked up a bye in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, defeating Buffalo 94-80.
“It was my last day,” Walter said. “In those two minutes I was standing at half-court it all like flashed in front of me.”
By the end of the game Walther scored 17 points, including 5-of-9 from three-point range, and had seven assists. Walther’s teammate Williams had an equally impressive Senior Day performance. Williams scored a game-high 30 points, just one point shy of trying a career-best.
“It was my last game in The Convo,” Williams said. “I just wanted to leave on a high note and give the fans something to remember me by.”
Williams scored his last points on the Convo floor with 3:27 left to give Ohio a 92-74 advantage. Walther tried to find Williams on a designed three-point attempt in the final minutes, but Williams had other plans. The crowd roared as Williams went for the pump, but decided to pull the ball back down.
Williams who attempted and made his first career three-pointer against George Mason said the attempt was not worth it.
“I was really close, but I was hesitant because I didn’t want to miss it and mess my percentage up,” he joked after the game.
Ohio’s third senior, walk-on Andrew Vroman, also contributed in the final minute. Vroman scored his first career points by sinking two free-throws with under two seconds left.
The Bobcat junior class also stepped up to secure the bye. Jerome Tillman had a career-high 25 points to lead the younger ’Cats. Michael Allen and Bert Whittington IV combined for 13 assists and 11 points as well.
By game’s end, however, the Bobcats’ attention was on wrapping up the fourth seed.
“We’re just happy to get the bye,” Ohio coach Tim O’Shea said. “That was huge. The teams with the bye in these types of tournaments have their chances go up significantly of having a chance to win the tournament.”
For the seniors a last victory on the home floor may have meant even more than a higher seed in the MAC Tournament.
“It was emotional,” Williams said. “Seeing all the fans, my family was here, and just getting the win all meant a lot. These past four years have meant a lot too. Playing for Ohio is a great place to be, so getting the win was really emotional and it felt good.”
Ohio next plays in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament against the winner of fifth-seed Miami and 12th-seed Buffalo. The game is set for 9:30 p.m. tip-off and can be seen on Fox Sports Net Ohio.
By Nick Brockman
ATHENS, Ohio — Bubba Walther saw his Ohio basketball memories flash before him while Bobcat fans witnessed flashes of brilliance from the team’s seniors on Sunday afternoon.
Walther treated the home crowd one more time to his characteristic long three-pointers and Leon Williams dominated inside as Ohio locked up a bye in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, defeating Buffalo 94-80.
“It was my last day,” Walter said. “In those two minutes I was standing at half-court it all like flashed in front of me.”
By the end of the game Walther scored 17 points, including 5-of-9 from three-point range, and had seven assists. Walther’s teammate Williams had an equally impressive Senior Day performance. Williams scored a game-high 30 points, just one point shy of trying a career-best.
“It was my last game in The Convo,” Williams said. “I just wanted to leave on a high note and give the fans something to remember me by.”
Williams scored his last points on the Convo floor with 3:27 left to give Ohio a 92-74 advantage. Walther tried to find Williams on a designed three-point attempt in the final minutes, but Williams had other plans. The crowd roared as Williams went for the pump, but decided to pull the ball back down.
Williams who attempted and made his first career three-pointer against George Mason said the attempt was not worth it.
“I was really close, but I was hesitant because I didn’t want to miss it and mess my percentage up,” he joked after the game.
Ohio’s third senior, walk-on Andrew Vroman, also contributed in the final minute. Vroman scored his first career points by sinking two free-throws with under two seconds left.
The Bobcat junior class also stepped up to secure the bye. Jerome Tillman had a career-high 25 points to lead the younger ’Cats. Michael Allen and Bert Whittington IV combined for 13 assists and 11 points as well.
By game’s end, however, the Bobcats’ attention was on wrapping up the fourth seed.
“We’re just happy to get the bye,” Ohio coach Tim O’Shea said. “That was huge. The teams with the bye in these types of tournaments have their chances go up significantly of having a chance to win the tournament.”
For the seniors a last victory on the home floor may have meant even more than a higher seed in the MAC Tournament.
“It was emotional,” Williams said. “Seeing all the fans, my family was here, and just getting the win all meant a lot. These past four years have meant a lot too. Playing for Ohio is a great place to be, so getting the win was really emotional and it felt good.”
Ohio next plays in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament against the winner of fifth-seed Miami and 12th-seed Buffalo. The game is set for 9:30 p.m. tip-off and can be seen on Fox Sports Net Ohio.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Ohio vs. Akron article
Just thought I would throw out my latest article for Parkersburg News. It's from last night's Ohio vs. Akron game. It was actually their first home loss of the year and consequently my first losing recap I had to write. Luckily, I still know how to do that from the last Ohio football season.
Bobcats lose first home game of year
NICK BROCKMAN, Special to The News
ATHENS, Ohio — Despite outstanding performances from seniors Leon Williams and Bubba Walther the Ohio Bobcats dropped their first home game of the season.
Williams and Walther combined to score 45 points, but neither could do enough to lift the ‘Cats past the Zips as Ohio lost 80-77 on Tuesday night.
Ohio coach Tim O’Shea said he was proud of the team’s effort, but Akron prevailed with greater execution.
“I thought we played well for a good portion of this game,” O’Shea said. “I thought we did a lot of really good things out there. (Akron) came in here. They made 3s, they played with great poise. We pushed them to the limit.”
The Bobcats trailed the entire second half, but made multiple runs to get within one possession.
“We made a couple runs at them, we just couldn’t get over the hump,” O’Shea said. “It was one of those games where you needed to tie it up, get the lead, and see if you could get a run going.”
Ohio’s final burst came during the last 1:30, led by Walther.Down 76-69 Walther nailed a 3-pointer, and then stole the ball from Akron’s Nick Dials on the ensuing Zips’ possession. Walther dribbled toward halfcourt before being fouled. Walther converted the pair of free throws to bring Ohio within two points with just 52.9 seconds remaining.
In the final 1:44 of the game Walther scored all of the Bobcats’ 10 points.
“I got open and got a lot of good looks,” Walther said. “I did know I had to step up, but it just wasn’t good enough.”
A layup by Jeremiah Wood and two free-throws by Dials extended the Akron lead to six points with just eight seconds left. Walther sank another 3-pointer to pull within three points. Ohio failed to steal the in-bounds and elected not to foul with less than two seconds left.
While Walther did much of his damage in the final minutes O’Shea and the Bobcats appeared determined to work the ball to Leon Williams in the post during the first half. Williams made good on each of his first-half opportunities.
Williams converted on all five of his field-goal attempts and knocked down 7-of-10 from the free throw line to score 17 points in the first half.
Akron coach Keith Dambrot said his team could not provide an answer to stop Williams.
“He was just throwing guys around like they were pieces of Swiss cheese,” Dambrot said. “He just man-handled us. He’s never beat us that bad ever. He pounded us today.”
Williams scored just six points in the second half due to foul trouble, leaving at the 12:00 mark with four fouls.
O’Shea said with Williams out of the game Ohio’s offense tapered.
“It was a huge factor for us because he had to sit a good portion of the second half and he was playing great,” O’Shea said. “That was huge for us, there’s no question about it.”
Ohio can still lock up a first-round bye to the Mid-American Conference Tournament if the Bobcats defeat the Buffalo Bulls on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at The Convo.
Bobcats lose first home game of year
NICK BROCKMAN, Special to The News
ATHENS, Ohio — Despite outstanding performances from seniors Leon Williams and Bubba Walther the Ohio Bobcats dropped their first home game of the season.
Williams and Walther combined to score 45 points, but neither could do enough to lift the ‘Cats past the Zips as Ohio lost 80-77 on Tuesday night.
Ohio coach Tim O’Shea said he was proud of the team’s effort, but Akron prevailed with greater execution.
“I thought we played well for a good portion of this game,” O’Shea said. “I thought we did a lot of really good things out there. (Akron) came in here. They made 3s, they played with great poise. We pushed them to the limit.”
The Bobcats trailed the entire second half, but made multiple runs to get within one possession.
“We made a couple runs at them, we just couldn’t get over the hump,” O’Shea said. “It was one of those games where you needed to tie it up, get the lead, and see if you could get a run going.”
Ohio’s final burst came during the last 1:30, led by Walther.Down 76-69 Walther nailed a 3-pointer, and then stole the ball from Akron’s Nick Dials on the ensuing Zips’ possession. Walther dribbled toward halfcourt before being fouled. Walther converted the pair of free throws to bring Ohio within two points with just 52.9 seconds remaining.
In the final 1:44 of the game Walther scored all of the Bobcats’ 10 points.
“I got open and got a lot of good looks,” Walther said. “I did know I had to step up, but it just wasn’t good enough.”
A layup by Jeremiah Wood and two free-throws by Dials extended the Akron lead to six points with just eight seconds left. Walther sank another 3-pointer to pull within three points. Ohio failed to steal the in-bounds and elected not to foul with less than two seconds left.
While Walther did much of his damage in the final minutes O’Shea and the Bobcats appeared determined to work the ball to Leon Williams in the post during the first half. Williams made good on each of his first-half opportunities.
Williams converted on all five of his field-goal attempts and knocked down 7-of-10 from the free throw line to score 17 points in the first half.
Akron coach Keith Dambrot said his team could not provide an answer to stop Williams.
“He was just throwing guys around like they were pieces of Swiss cheese,” Dambrot said. “He just man-handled us. He’s never beat us that bad ever. He pounded us today.”
Williams scored just six points in the second half due to foul trouble, leaving at the 12:00 mark with four fouls.
O’Shea said with Williams out of the game Ohio’s offense tapered.
“It was a huge factor for us because he had to sit a good portion of the second half and he was playing great,” O’Shea said. “That was huge for us, there’s no question about it.”
Ohio can still lock up a first-round bye to the Mid-American Conference Tournament if the Bobcats defeat the Buffalo Bulls on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at The Convo.
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