Ohio and Eastern Michigan will matchup Tuesday with high-octane offenses.
Ohio coach Saul Phillips wants to win the Mid-American Conference Championship by 2017.
Forward Antonio Campbell, however, said he wants to win a MAC Championship now.
"We've all realized what we can get done," Campbell said. "Everyone realizes we can get something done this year."
Campbell and company looks to continue their recent, winning ways when Ohio (16-8, 7-5 MAC) welcomes Eastern Michigan (13-12, 5-7 MAC) on Tuesday at The Convo.
The Bobcats have won five of their previous six games and go into the matchup riding mid-season momentum after notching two road conference wins against Ball State and Buffalo.
Another win Tuesday could further pull Ohio closer to the top of conference standings, as five teams, including the Bobcats, obtain a 7-5 record in the MAC.
"I think we're in a good spot right now, but the way the conference is this year, it's neck-and-neck with everybody," Ohio guard Jaaron Simmons said. "So we're in second, but we could also be third, fourth or fifth. So I'm happy where we are right now, but we got a long way to go."
Phillips said Monday he doesn't know if forward Kenny Kaminski, who is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, will suit up against Eastern Michigan.
Kaminski has started every game this season (24) and averages 13 points per game for the Bobcats.
Regardless, Ohio could be looking in the mirror Tuesday night, as both teams head into the matchup with high offensive production and some questions on defense.
Ohio ranks third in offense and 10th in defense.
Eastern Michigan ranks second in offense and 11th in defense.
Phillips said the Bobcats will lock in on Eagles' forward James Thompson IV, who averages 16 points and 11 rebounds per game.
"I started watching them, and I knew (Thompson) put up good numbers, but then I was like, 'Oh boy, he's the real deal.' Just another high-end big man in our league, that's all. He's really, really good."
Campbell said the Bobcats look to contain the Eagles' transitional offense and hopefully contain them inside the half court, a relatively tough task for defenses in the MAC.
The Eagles average 78 points per game this season.
"Just get the ball past the first wave of defense that they got, and you're looking at a 3-on-1 against their big guys," Campbell said. "Containing them in transition, they like to leak out a lot. Just make sure one to three get back when the shot goes up, we should be good."
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The Bobcats have flipped the switch after starting MAC play 2-4, and since throwing their hat in the mix, have made their journey to a MAC Championship a reality.
Only Eastern Michigan and four other opponents are in the way.
"If this is what we aspire to be at this point, as a program, we're vastly underestimating what this program is capable of," Phillips said. "Until we get to the point where I'm comfortable where we're at ... I try to frame it like this. You got a taste of success. It should just make you hungrier."
@Lukeoroark
Lr514812@ohio.edu
