Center releases fustration against RedHawks

by Chris Littmann
For The Post

The Miami RedHawks and Ohio men’s basketball center Patrick Flomo do not mesh.

“I don’t like Miami. I’ve never liked Miami and I don’t think I’ll ever like Miami,” Flomo said.

Flomo took out his frustration by having a well-rounded performance against the RedHawks. He had nine points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocks in the Bobcats’ 85-61 win Saturday.

Flomo’s statistics were not out of the ordinary, but the nine-point effort against Miami was more than he had scored in the previous three games combined.

Ohio coach Tim O’Shea said Flomo benefited from finding the right opportunities against the RedHawks.

“Patrick was able to get out in transition and get some easy baskets to get him going,” O’Shea said.

Flomo said he wants to become more of an offensive presence in the post.

“Brandon (Hunter) is a really good option down low,” Flomo said. “But if I can score, it will help take some of the pressure off of him.”

 

In The Zone

They won’t play it every game, but against Miami, the 1-3-1 zone defense kept the RedHawks down. O’Shea and his staff implemented a zone defense with a twist for Miami.

Flomo was moved underneath the basket, while guard Jason Crawford was moved out to the point of attack in the zone.

“Miami is good at going off of the dribble, and I remembered as a point guard in college I hated facing a 1-3-1,” O’Shea said.

Flomo said he liked his position in the zone defense.

“I like being close to the basket,” he said. “A lot of shots come from the corner, and I would rather it be my fault if someone scores than someone else.”

Ohio forward Sonny Johnson said the trapping and pressing makes the1-3-1 zone work.

“I like to press so we can get turnovers and get easy buckets,” Johnson said. “Our four and five men run the break just like our guards, so we use that to our advantage.”