Ohio (7-9.1-3 Mid-American Conference) has not gotten the start that it was looking for to start its MAC schedule. The team has played in four games and lost all but one of them. On Tuesday night, the team will return to The Convo looking for a win against Central Michigan (8-8, 3-1 MAC) to get back on track.
Here is all you need to know for the game:
Game Information
Opponent: Central Michigan (8-8, 3-1 MAC)
Location: The Convo (Athens)
Time: 7 p.m.
How to watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here
Meet the Opponent
Head Coach: Tony Barbee (third season)
Probable Starters
#0 Brian Taylor
#3 Derrick Butler
#2 Cayden Vasko
#15 Markus Harding
#30 Anthony Pritchard
Statistical Leaders for Central Michigan
Points: Pritchard (13.4 per game)
Rebounds: Taylor (7 per game)
Assists: Pritchard (75)
Steals: Pritchard (30)
Blocks: Taylor (16)
Field Goal Percentage: Harding (54.8%)
3-Point Percentage: Butler (48%)
Free Throw Percentage: Taylor (85%)
History
Ohio has won each of its last seven games against Central Michigan to even its all-time record to 9-9 against the team in 18 total matchups.
It’s been a series of streaks between the two teams since 2011, when they first faced off. Central Michigan had its own winning streak of eight straight games from 2014-2019; since then Ohio has won every matchup.
Player to Watch (Central Michigan)
Brian Taylor – Taylor has been one of the best rebounders in the MAC so far this season, ranking in the top 10 in both average rebounds per game and total rebounds. Ohio is a team that has struggled to outrebound its opponent all season.
Ohio was outrebounded by a total of 46-29 in its most recent game against Western Michigan, which it lost by a narrow 81-79 final. Rebounding will be a key against Central Michigan.
Player to Watch (Ohio)
Ajay Sheldon — Sheldon has been on fire off the bench for Ohio to start MAC play. While the team has struggled, Sheldon has come in and given the team some meaningful offensive minutes off the bench when the rest of the team is struggling to score.
Sheldon has scored 9 plus points in three of Ohio’s first four MAC games, averaging two made 3-pointers per game in that span.
