The Bobcats are undoubtedly struggling, but a game at home could give them the opportunity to turn the tide with five games left.
Soon enough Saul Phillips is going to get sick saying the same things after every game.
After the Bobcats’ loss in Western Michigan — which capped an 0-3 record in the state of Michigan — the Ohio coach said he’s “sick about” letting another opportunity slip away.
But after the mid-week road game, Ohio (9-15, 4-9 Mid-American Conference) will have the chance to flip the switch back in a familiar crowd at home, where the Bobcats have won three of their last four games. But it won’t be like any other home game, after their opponent this weekend sent the Bobcats packing earlier this season.
Coming to Athens will be Kent State (18-8, 9-4 MAC), which has won three of its past four games. The last meeting between the Bobcats and Golden Flashes went down like most of Ohio’s road games this season — a loss. The game played in Kent back in January was the last of a four-game losing streak to open MAC play.
The Golden Flashes scored 69 points in that game, but throughout MAC play they have edged opponents in low-scoring games. They average just 64 points per game, which is second lowest in the MAC. Ohio is averaging 65.2 per game.
Kent State’s defense has been what’s kept it in games, as their MAC opponents are scoring just 63 points per game, second best to Bowling Green.
The Golden Flashes’ 3-point shooting, however, could cause some troubles for Ohio. The Bobcats have been able to keep up with several teams that can shoot threes, but the Flashes have been able to defend 3-pointers better than 10 of the remaining 11 teams in the MAC.
Kent State is shooting just over 34 percent, while Ohio is at 36, 1 percent from beyond the arc. But, Kent State has two top shooters in the MAC, with Derek Jackson at second in efficiency, having made 46.3 percent of his 3-pointers. Devaraux Manley sits at second with almost three points made per game.
There are five games left before the MAC Tournament — three of which will be played in The Convo. If the season ended today, the Bobcats would travel to face Buffalo in the first round of the tournament, which is played on campus sites.
In order to host a home game, they would have to jump both Eastern Michigan and Miami in the last five games, the last being against Miami.
But this weekend, Ohio is hoping to snap a losing streak and avenge its loss to Kent State in January.
@Alex_Busch91
ab109410@ohio.edu
