Ohio (13-12, 7-5 Mid-American Conference) will again come into The Convo after a heartbreaking road loss in its most recent game. The Bobcats now face arguably the most important week of its season thus far, with two home games against conference opponents.
In the first game of a short two-game homestand, Ohio will take on Central Michigan (11-14, 4-8 MAC), an opponent it beat back in early January.
The last time these two teams faced off, it was a low-scoring affair that saw Ohio come out on top 57-55. While each team has seen some changes since that game, the goal remains the same coming into a rematch at The Convo.
Here is everything you need to know before Ohio takes on Central Michigan Tuesday night in The Convo:
Game Information
Opponent: Central Michigan
Location: The Convo
Time: Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Where to watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here
Meet the opponent
Head coach: Tony Barbee (12th season)
Projected starters
#0 Brian Taylor
#4 Kyler Vanderjagt
#13 Bryan Ndjonga
#21 Ugnius Jarusevicius
#30 Anthony Pritchard
Statistical leaders
Points: Jarusevicius (15.5 per game)
Rebounds: Jarusevicius (7.4 per game)
Assists: Pritchard (131)
Steals: Pritchard (54)
Blocks: Ndjonga (16)
Field Goal Percentage: Jarusevicius (52%)
Three-Point Percentage: Vanderjagt (39%)
Free Throw Percentage: Vasko (86%)
History
Ohio holds a nine-game winning streak against Central Michigan, with its most recent win coming this season. Its current streak is the longest in series history for either team.
In the Bobcats’ January matchup with the Chippewas, AJ Brown was Ohio’s leading scorer with 14 points in addition to a team-leading two steals. For Central Michigan, Jakobi Heady led the way with 15 points for his squad. Heady has recently fallen from the starting lineup for Central Michigan but still scored 13 points in his most recent game against Akron.
Player to watch: Ugnius Jarusevicius
Ugnius Jarusevicius has been Central Michigan’s leader in just about every stat since the two teams' last matchup. Jarusevicius scored 11 points against Ohio in January, but more notably had a game-leading 11 rebounds. The Bobcats have struggled to out-rebound teams of late, and if it wants to win comfortably against Central Michigan, Jarusevicius will have to be contained both on the glass and from the field.
