Hunter takes MAC East Player of the Week

by Chris Littmann
For The Post

Ohio forward Brandon Hunter claimed the first individual award of the season for the Bobcats by winning MAC East Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 11.

Hunter averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds per game, both totals exceeding his season average.

He started the week with 12 points and six rebounds at Miami Feb.11. Hunter then bounced back with 21 points and eight rebounds in a Bobcats victory against Central Michigan two days later.

Hunter exploded on the national stage, scoring 27 points and grabbing a career-high 22 rebounds in a nationally televised win against Marshall.

 

Bobcats Lock In Strong Non-Conference Schedule

The struggle to find quality opponents for a team such as the Ohio Bobcats is never-ending, but Ohio coach Tim O’Shea is trying to change that.

“I am trying to build a national name for this program by playing the big opponents,” O’Shea said.

The Bobcats will have no shortage of marquee opponents in the non-conference schedule for 2002-03. The biggest name to battle with the Bobcats at home next season is Virginia from the Atlantic Coast Conference. Ohio also locks up with Southeastern Conference power Kentucky at a neutral site in Cincinnati at the Firstar Center.

O’Shea said the game against Kentucky is a great opportunity for Cincinnati natives Brandon Hunter and Steve Esterkamp.

“It should be a thrill for the Steve and Brandon to play at home in front of their friends and family,” O’Shea said.

Ohio also will go on the road to face the Wisconsin Badgers and the DePaul Blue Demons from Conference USA.

The times and dates of the games are still to be announced.

 

Bobcats try to maintain focus

The letters ESPN mean one thing to an athlete: a national stage to showcase their talent. The hype surrounding a nationally televised game can become a distraction too great for a team to handle.

The Bobcats dropped a game televised by Fox Sports Net against Miami Feb.11. O’Shea said the team was not focused.

“You really want to focus on the court for the TV games. Earlier in the season it was a distraction,” O’Shea said.

The Bobcats are in the middle of a stretch where four of five games are being televised. Ohio is 1-1 on television. After tonight’s contest against North Carolina on ESPN2, the Bobcats face Kent State on Fox Sports Network.

O’Shea said the win at Marshall showed the team had overcome over the distraction.

“I hope it’s a sign of maturity on the part of our team,” O’Shea said.