At the time, it felt like an indictment. In reality, it was a turning point. Defense led to Ohio's mid-season turnaround, and lots of good times in Cleveland during the 2021 MAC Tournament. Photo courtesy of Ohio Athletics/Midge Mazur The Ohio University men’s basketball team begins play in the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Saturday as … Continue reading Bobcats’ turning point came at a low moment, and just in time
Category: Ben Vander Plas
Of love and basketball
Surrounded by his (basketball) family, Jason Preston’s first thoughts following dynamic and championship-winning run through the Mid-American Conference Tournament were of the most important member of his circle who wasn’t there. Ohio's Jason Preston and Ben Vander Plas embrace following the Bobcats' win in the 2021 MAC Tournament championship game on Saturday, March13 in Cleveland. … Continue reading Of love and basketball
Dream fulfilled: Ohio blisters Buffalo in MAC title game
Jeff Boals has been dancing all season, and typically greets his team with an ad-libbed set of steps and gyrations after each big win. Now the rest of the Bobcats and Ohio University can feel free to join in. Ohio's Ben Roderick (3), Lunden McDay (15) and Jason Preston celebrate the Bobcats' win in the … Continue reading Dream fulfilled: Ohio blisters Buffalo in MAC title game
Ohio takes out top-seeded Toledo in MAC semifinals
Jason Preston and Ben Vander Plas broke the Rockets early on, in the middle of the contest and then again at the end. And now the Ohio duo will have a chance to help the Bobcats break a nine-year Mid-American Conference Tournament championship skid. Preston scored 27 points, Vander Plas added 26 and the Bobcats … Continue reading Ohio takes out top-seeded Toledo in MAC semifinals
No passing fancy: Bobcats locked in again
Normally, playing Eastern Michigan’s 2-3 zone is a test of a team’s patience and survival skills in what could be a slog of a game. Normally, a three-week break would shatter a team’s offensive rhythm and cohesion. Ohio's Lunden McDay (right, 15) watches a corner 3-pointer fall through during the Bobcats' win over Eastern Michigan … Continue reading No passing fancy: Bobcats locked in again
Vander Plas could be focal point again as OU hosts EMU
The calls started isolated, one or two at a time. But over the course of mere minutes, they became a chorus. “Church!” “You know it, Church!” “Church him!” “CHURRRCH!” Ohio junior forward Ben Vander Plas goes to work inside during the Bobcats' home win over Akron on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. Photo by Jason Arkley … Continue reading Vander Plas could be focal point again as OU hosts EMU
Worth the wait
Built in 1968, Ohio University’s Convocation Center has been the host venue for – as of Tuesday afternoon – 700 Bobcat men’s basketball games. Ohio has been on the winning side (526-174 home record) far more often than not. But few of those previous 525 wins were as unexpected as the 90-73 shiner the Bobcats … Continue reading Worth the wait
Bobcats squeeze past Buffalo, 76-75, with Wilson’s game-winner
The last time he played in Buffalo, Ohio junior forward Ben Vander Plas had a career-high 28 points and seemingly couldn’t miss. In Friday’s return bout, Vander Plas traded in those points for gritty plays in the closing seconds and likely felt much better about the outcome. Ohio forward Ben Vander Plas (5), seen here … Continue reading Bobcats squeeze past Buffalo, 76-75, with Wilson’s game-winner
SUACBobcats.com 