That 1980-81 season was the first under Danny Nee, who replaced Dale Bandy. The 1979-80 team, Bandy's sixth and final season, saw the Bobcats finish 8-18. Nee started bringing in size and talent with a NYC/Philly/DC pipeline as Ohio followed up his rookie season (7-20) with win totals of 13, 23, 20, 22 and 22. Ohio won the MAC tourney in his 3rd and 5th seasons.
My freshman season saw the end of the Bandy era with Nee coming in my sophomore season, when Ohio won a combined 15 games. But the convo was rocking for my jr and sr years, including a Valentine's Day sellout crowd as Ohio beat DePaul in 1983.
Sorry, but OUr sorry start has me doing some reminiscing of OUr glory days. With Maine coming to Athens Wednesday, I showed my son Tommy Freeman's game-winning 3 v. Miami, and the students rushing the court. He said that that looks fun and he's hoping, as I am, we see such sights before he graduates from Ohio in 4 years.
Last Edited: 11/26/2025 6:30:19 PM by bobcatsquared