Each day before practice, the Ohio coaching staff uses Scotch Tape to adhere 17 laminated numbers to a piece of ragtag, plain foam board.
During the session, players strive to tear down the numbers. To do so, they have to make what coach Jim Christian calls “identity plays.”
Christian has said that Saturday’s exhibition game against Division II opponent Mercyhurst College (Pennsylvania) will be yet another step toward establishing the Bobcats’ identity. What he’s looking for isn’t only the up-tempo run-and-gun style Ohio has become synonymous with, but the little things that open the floor for fast-paced upcourt movement.
“Defense and defensive rebounding has always been a key for us,” said Nick Kellogg, a junior guard. “That leads to transition points because we like to push it. I think it all starts with defensive rebounding.”
That’s a good place to start for the Bobcats, who were outpaced on the defensive glass by one grab a game the past season despite regularly outworking their opponents on the offensive glass.
Policing the basket will be a priority against Mercyhurst, which features five players who are 6-foot-5-inches or taller.
“Identity plays” aren’t exclusive to the defensive side of the floor. Christian is able to rattle more than a half dozen off the top of his head, including setting an exceptionally good screen, making a hustle pass on offense, or being the first to dive on a loose ball.
The sound of Scotch Tape being ripped from laminate has become music to the Bobcats’ ears, reminding them to focus on the little things early this season.
Senior guard D.J. Cooper said that one of his personal points of emphasis is pushing the pace offensively, but, like Kellogg, attributed that to play under the basket.
“We crack teams with our pace in the second half,” he said. “More of our identity is going to be in rebounding and getting the ball out and finding guys.”
Ahead of schedule, Cooper will have one of his favorite wing options open for action against the Lakers. Junior forward T.J. Hall, who had knee surgery in May, said that his recovery is “ahead of progress” and that he expects to play “a couple minutes” Saturday.
“I’m not really trying to force everything in an exhibition game,” Hall said. “I just want to see how I look out there and then hopefully play against Portland.”
Hall said the Bobcats are focused on attacking the basket offensively and generating opportunities other than just those created off set pieces. But still, he traced back his reasoning to the defensive end of the floor.
“We want to make guys make more plays by themselves instead of just running through screens and stuff like that,” Hall said. “Obviously we’re a defensive team — one of the top defensive teams last year — so defensive hustle is still our identity from last year. We want to bring that back.”
jr992810@ohiou.edu
