Ohio’s long march through February continues when it travels to face Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant, Michigan on Thursday night.
The Bobcats (19-4, 10-2 Mid-American Conference) need a rebound. They were blown out by Toledo on Tuesday night and have been knocked down to second place in the MAC. They’ve also played four games in the past nine days and will be without more than a day of rest before they play in Mount Pleasant.
A rebound won’t come without struggle. Central Michigan (6-14, 5-4 MAC) has won four of its last five games and leaped to sixth place in the conference standings. However, three of those wins were by six points or less, and every win came against a team in the bottom half of the rankings. Central Michigan has been winning games, but it has yet to upset any of the top teams in the MAC.
Here’s a look at the Chippewas ahead of Thursday’s game:
Game information
Opponent: Central Michigan
Venue: McGuirk Arena (Mount Pleasant, Michigan)
Watch: ESPN+
Time: 7 p.m.
Listen: Ohio IMG Sports Network
Live stats: Live stats are provided here.
Meet the opponent
Probable starters
00 Brian Taylor
01 Ralph Bissainthe
02 Kevin Miller
11 Cameron Healy
22 Nicolas Pavrette
Individual statistical leaders
Points: Healy (11.6 points per game)
Rebounds: Bissainthe (6.6 rebounds per game)
Assists: Miller (4.3 assists per game)
Field goal percentage: Aundre Polk (51.4%)
3-point percentage: Healy (45.2%)
Free throw percentage: Jermaine Jackson Jr. (85.7%)
Team statistical profile
Points per game: 65.8
Rebounds per game: 31.4
Assists per game: 11.5
Turnovers per game: 13.9
Field goal percentage: 41%
3-point percentage: 36.7%
Free throw percentage: 67%
The series
Ohio leads the all-time series 48-32. Both teams were originally supposed to play inside McGuirk Arena on Jan. 15, but the game was postponed due to a COVID-19 pause by Central Michigan. The two programs last met on Feb. 2, 2021, when Ohio defeated Central Michigan 83-69.
Player to watch
Healy — The graduate transfer has broken out since the Chippewas entered conference play. Over his last seven games, Healy has averaged 17 points and is shooting 46.5% from the field. He’s also scored 20 points or more in three conference games, as opposed to once in nonconference play.
