The game over, the battle won, Ben Vander Plas took a moment to talk with Tony Bennett. Together they turned and pointed up into the stands inside Assembly Hall. Ohio’s forward and the Virginia men’s basketball coach were acknowledging Dean Vander Plas – Ben’s (full name Bennett, or this week Maximus as dubbed by Jeff … Continue reading Vander Plas provides biggest moments in Ohio’s upset
Tag: Ben Vander Plas
Bobcats keep dancing as Ohio upsets Virginia 62-58
The Bobcats don’t always make the NCAA Tournament. But when they do? Well, you’ll want to give them the benefit of a doubt in their first-round matchup. The Ohio Bobcats celebrate after their 62-58 win over the Virginia Cavaliers in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament held at at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall … Continue reading Bobcats keep dancing as Ohio upsets Virginia 62-58
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
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
Flashes pound the glass, and the paint, and the Bobcats
It was never said in the nearly 20 minutes of postgame interviews, but the word that hung over Ohio’s 89-79 loss to Kent State on Saturday was the one no coach or player ever wants to hear. Soft. Ben Vander Plas, seen here on Jan. 5, 2021, had a season-high 24 points and a career-high … Continue reading Flashes pound the glass, and the paint, and the Bobcats
R-E-L-A-X time for Ohio as it travels to Ball State
With his team facing its most difficult stretch of the season, Ben Vander Plas said now is not the time to panic. To drive that point home, Vander Plas -- from Wisconsin -- quoted Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. “It’s funny, I just saw (Rodgers’) highlight clip the other day, the one where he goes … Continue reading R-E-L-A-X time for Ohio as it travels to Ball State
