I have already seen a couple of comments about Miami and how they suck and lost to Wilmington.  Well, I guarantee you they will coming in looking for a win and if we do not bring OUr "A" game this is gonna be real disappointing.  These guys are better than they were in December and they are right on our heels in MAC play.
I've seen it happen before but I hope NOT to see a repeat!
Go CATS!

if the MAC tournament started tomorrow we would be the 5 seed, if we lose to Fiami we'll drop to 6. Not cool.

They suck.

I miss Charlie Coles. This will be the first time Ohio and Miami have faced each other since he passed away in June. Coach Coles taught me a lot. About basketball. About life.

He taught me there is value in getting up early. If you have to get up at 4 AM, you'll need to get to sleep before 10:00, and you won't miss anything that happens after 10:00.

He taught me there is often a game within the game. In 2007 or so, Miami beat Xavier and later on Thad Matta asked Coles how Miami beat their press. Coles replied that they didn't; the press had created 19 turnovers, but XU only scored on 2 fast breaks because Miami's game prep revolved around admitting there would be turnovers, and if a turnover is going to happen to make sure the ball gets out of bounds and stops the clock.

He taught me not to stay in the same hotel as the team you're playing at a neutral site, because seeing the guys that beat you last night is bad for morale.

He taught me you ain't always supposed to win. And that's no reason not to try.

And he taught me that you can compete against your biggest rival without hating your biggest rival. That realization changes a guy. Why revolve around anger? Why not embrace joy?

Come on people, now, smile on your brother. Everybody come together. Try to love one another right now.

John Cooper has brought the open collar look to the sidelines at Miami. This is probably why Miami fans are still not coming to Millett Hall. Know your audience, Coach.

Miami just scored a season low at NIU on Tuesday. They scored 4 points in the final 14 minutes. If Ohio plays defense as well as they did at WMU, Miami may improve on that mark.

Will Sullivan leads the conference in three-point accuracy, shooting 47% from outside. It was over 50% before his 0-5 effort in DeKalb. The rest of the Redhawks combine to shoot 19% beyond the arc. Sullivan wears number 3. He should not be hard to identify.

Miami has two players that average double figures. One of them is Reggie Johnson, who left the team after 9 games and 6 losses. Miami is 6-5 since then. Johnson gave only vague reasons for his departure; his former teammates don't seem to miss him much.

Saturday may bring more snow to the area. Be sure to plan properly and wear proper footwear. Once your feet are cold, the miserable index rises exponentially.

It would be a great tribute if JC and staff rocked green turtlenecks for the game. For viewing pleasure, the Charlie post UK rant.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UnilJdwyPRs

Still one of my favorites all time. The best is when he asks the reporter where he's from.

According to my early week correspondence with the AD, there will be both an in-game tribute to Charlie and some sort of tribute by JC.  The turtleneck idea is something that I mentioned to my buddy on Monday.  Not sure what Jim has up his sleeve but I'm looking forward to it.  Charlie will be sorely missed.

But similarly, Patas, good defensive teams usually follow poor defensive showings with extra effort.  I'm expecting a solid Ohio defensive effort tomorrow after giving up 90 in two consecutive games.  We weren't poor defensively vs. Toledo, but we didn't bring it defensively vs. WMU Wednesday. 

Attendance prediction:  If the weather wasn't so bad with snow and ice all over the place, I'd say 10,500 paid.  With the bad weather, I'm guessing fewer kids in town for Sibs Weekend and fewer fans driving in for the game.  9,600 paid. 

Miami's stat sheet can be hard to evaluate.  They aren't very good in most of their stats.  Defensive FG % not good.  Defensive 3 pt % is a shocking .391.  That must be last in the nation, right?  They only have one kid above 31% from three, and that is the MAC leader Will Sullivan.  Their team FT is very good at 75%.  They get outrebounded.  They have a negative assist to turnover ratio.  Opponents get more assists than turnovers. 

But...they've won four out of their last six games.  They're better than they were earlier.  OTOH, their last game was a horrible offensive effort in a loss at NIU, 53-41. 

Don't let Sullivan get open threes.  Keep our turnovers low.  Don't send them to the line much.  Take advantage of our inside game.  Get offensive rebounds and putbacks. 

I attended my first MAC Tournament 4 years ago when they were still running the day-long format without byes. Games started on Thursday at noon and you ran until about midnight. My buddy and I had started at the Clevelander early and then took in a huge day of hoops. I saw Charlie Coles sitting watching the games starting at noon by himself in general admission. With my liquid courage I went up to him and shook his hand, telling him I was from OU. He looked me dead in the eye and said, "Well I shouldn't say it's a pleasure to meet you but it is. Sit down." I proceeded to sit with him for an entire half and he asked me when I attended Ohio, asked about my family and told me how much he loved our campus. Great man, great builder and wonderful person.

We are 9 point favorites.




GO BOBCATS