But coach Bob Boldon will likely still find things to critique his team on.
I used to think Ohio coach Bob Boldon was critical of his team because he wanted to motivate the group.
When Ohio was midway through its 10-game losing streak two years ago, Boldon, who was in his first year with the Bobcats after coaching at Youngstown State, had no problem mentioning that his team was "terrible."
Even last year, when Ohio was upset by Eastern Michigan at The Convo and its commanding lead in the Mid-American Conference was in jeopardy, Boldon said he wasn’t sure his team would win another game. The Bobcats would win the MAC outright a few weeks later.
So it wasn’t really a shock Saturday afternoon when the third-year coach said he wanted more from Ohio’s 62-59 loss to Vanderbilt.
After all, a missed 3-pointer at the buzzer prevented overtime, stifling Ohio’s impressive comeback throughout the contest. But it’s apparent Boldon is proud of his team.
He should be.
Through five games of the season, the Bobcats are 3-2, and while the team probably won’t match last year’s win total of 27, it can be argued that the start of the 2015-16 season has teased another strong year ahead.
For the first time since Boldon took over, and potentially the first time ever in program history, Ohio resembles a complete basketball team.
The Bobcats are certainly taller than they’ve been in years prior, but they also shoot the ball better, play suffocating defense, force opponents to audible and play to their own weaknesses.
But what’s just as notable is how quickly the players within Ohio’s roster assimilate into their roles.
During the first month of the season, both Lexie Baldwin and Jasmine Weatherspoon have been influential in the low post, with at least one of the two forwards getting a double-double on a somewhat consistent basis.
Quiera Lampkins, who does more of the dirty work, perfectly complements Kiyanna Black, the team’s most consistent scorer and deadliest option behind the 3-point line.
Even Yamonie Jenkins, a point guard who didn’t start last year, has come in and led the Bobcats up the floor.
For not playing a home game yet — the first will be Thursday morning — it’s a promising start for a team already full of promise.
I’m sure Boldon will still find something to point out and critique. It’s worked well for him in the past.
@charliehatch_
gh181212@ohio.edu
