Tar Heels only one of many high profile opponents in Ohio history

by Lonnie McMillan
Staff Writer

While Ohio takes on North Carolina tonight, it is not the first high-profile team the Bobcats have faced.

Ohio has played ranked opponents 48 times in its history. Though the Bobcats have won 10 of those games, they have played well, especially in their last few tries.

The Bobcats traveled to face then No. 16 Virginia last season. Ohio hung with the Cavaliers before Virginia pulled away for the 91-70 win.

Ohio guard Jason Crawford said Virginia was the best team he played against.

“They really pressured us,” he said. “They really had a swarming defense. They played way more aggressive and we just kind of melted in the end.”

Ohio forward Patrick Flomo said Cincinnati was Ohio’s toughest opponent. The Bobcats faced then No. 1 Cincinnati during the 1999-2000 season, but again could not come away with avictory. The Bobcats lost 73-59.

Ohio stayed close again, trailing 34-29 at halftime. While center Kenyon Martin, now with the New Jersey Nets, had nine points and eight rebounds, the 1999-2000 National Player of the Year’s versatility presented a challenge for Flomo.

“He was just a super athlete,” he said. “(He) gets off the ground. (He is) really explosive. He’s a great athlete.”

Ohio dropped a tough double-overtime loss to then No. 19 Wake Forest earlier that season in the Rainbow Classic.

Ohio’s last win against a ranked opponent came in the 1998-99 season at then No. 11 Syracuse. The Bobcats pulled out a 61-55 win against the Orangemen.

Crawford said Ohio was the more prepared team against Syracuse.

“They probably overlooked us, but we just went in there with our game,” he said. “We just stuck around and kept fighting. I think that was the case. We matched their energy.”

While Ohio’s record against ranked opponents is not impressive, the Bobcats, who have been ranked during four different seasons, have managed to win four of their last 13 such games. In addition to winning against Syracuse, Ohio beat No. 14 Connecticut in the 1993-94 season, No. 14 Virginia in 1994-95 and No. 23 Eastern Michigan in 1995-96.

Ohio’s greatest feat against ranked opponents was defeating No. 4 Kentucky and No. 2 Michigan in consecutive games in the 1963-64 NCAA Tournament. Ohio won consecutive games against ranked opponents in 1969-70, beating No. 13 Purdue and No. 16 Ohio State.

The Bobcats have faced North Carolina one time as a ranked opponent. Ohio lost to the No.1 Tar Heels, 99-57, during the 1985-86 season.

Though the Tar Heels are not ranked this time, Crawford said it still is a great opportunity for the team.

“Any big game like that, especially when you play an ACC or Big Ten team, you get an opportunity to represent the MAC,” he said. “It’s time to show the world what the MAC is capable of.”