2008 Woodie Awards
Miami's Laura Markwood denies Kent State's Stephanie Gibson during Saturday afternoon's game. The RedHawks won 64-59 giving them their first MAC victory.
Mike Zoller
Issue date: 1/15/08 Section: Sports
Ever since upsetting the University of Illinois in Champaign Dec. 20, the hardwood has not been kind to the Miami University men's basketball team.
After falling to the University of Kansas and University of Cincinnati to wrap up non-conference play, the RedHawks dropped their Mid-American Conference opener to the University of Akron. Saturday afternoon Miami looked to snap a season-long three-game losing streak and notch its first win in conference play against the Ohio University Bobcats.
Unfortunately for the RedHawks, the Bobcats were able to shutdown senior Tim Pollitz and the 'Hawks fell 73-62, losing their fourth game in a row.
"I think (Ohio is) better than they were last year," Miami Head Coach Charlie Coles said. "Their guard play is much faster than last year. My worries today are not only that they beat us, but that they beat us pretty good today.
Just like the Akron Zips, the Bobcats put one of their bigger players on Pollitz in an effort to shut him down. Bobcat forward Leon Williams was in Pollitz's face all night, and held Miami's main offensive weapon to just 13 points.
"Basically they tried to double team me every time I touched the ball," Pollitz said. "Once I touched the ball they sent guys over the top. I'm not going to do a fade away over these guys so I had to kick it out. That's how it went for the first half. I have to do a better job moving the ball around. Back in the day I used to catch the ball and do whatever I want. This year it's been different."
Pollitz has not been able to perform as well as last year because this year teams are preparing for him differently.
"People use to try and put guys Tim's size on him and that's tough to do," Coles said. "Putting a guy like Leon Williams on him, and it's much tougher on Tim."
With Pollitz a main focus point for the Bobcats, it was up to the other RedHawks to shoot well and lead the team. However, Pollitz's 13 points were a team-high for Miami, as junior Michael Bramos was the only other starter in double-figures with 11 points.
After falling to the University of Kansas and University of Cincinnati to wrap up non-conference play, the RedHawks dropped their Mid-American Conference opener to the University of Akron. Saturday afternoon Miami looked to snap a season-long three-game losing streak and notch its first win in conference play against the Ohio University Bobcats.
Unfortunately for the RedHawks, the Bobcats were able to shutdown senior Tim Pollitz and the 'Hawks fell 73-62, losing their fourth game in a row.
"I think (Ohio is) better than they were last year," Miami Head Coach Charlie Coles said. "Their guard play is much faster than last year. My worries today are not only that they beat us, but that they beat us pretty good today.
Just like the Akron Zips, the Bobcats put one of their bigger players on Pollitz in an effort to shut him down. Bobcat forward Leon Williams was in Pollitz's face all night, and held Miami's main offensive weapon to just 13 points.
"Basically they tried to double team me every time I touched the ball," Pollitz said. "Once I touched the ball they sent guys over the top. I'm not going to do a fade away over these guys so I had to kick it out. That's how it went for the first half. I have to do a better job moving the ball around. Back in the day I used to catch the ball and do whatever I want. This year it's been different."
Pollitz has not been able to perform as well as last year because this year teams are preparing for him differently.
"People use to try and put guys Tim's size on him and that's tough to do," Coles said. "Putting a guy like Leon Williams on him, and it's much tougher on Tim."
With Pollitz a main focus point for the Bobcats, it was up to the other RedHawks to shoot well and lead the team. However, Pollitz's 13 points were a team-high for Miami, as junior Michael Bramos was the only other starter in double-figures with 11 points.
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