Sports
Ohio Basketball 2017-18 Season Preview
By: Mitchell Lyons
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It is that time of the year again. College basketball is right around the corner.
After an off-season that saw several key players graduate or transfer to other schools, the Bobcats have five new players.
Despite the roster turnover, the Ohio Bobcats are still one of the favorites in the Mid-American Conference East Division.
The Buffalo Bulls received 24 of the 30 first-place votes and are the preseason pick to win the eastern division. Kent State was the six seed in last year’s tournament, but the slipper fit and Cinderella made the Big Dance. Despite losing superstar forward Jimmy Hall, the Golden Flashes were picked second in the east division.
The Bobcats received three first-place votes but were picked third. Akron, Bowling Green and Miami wrap up the east division.
In the west division, Western Michigan and Ball State received all 30 of the first place votes, with Western Michigan receiving 22 and getting the nod to win the division.
Western Michigan was picked to win the MAC tournament. Buffalo and Kent State received the second and third most votes to win the tournament. Toledo, Bowling Green, and Miami also received votes.
Junior Jordan Dartis and sophomore Jason Carter were named to the Preseason All Mid-American Conference East Division team. Kent State guard Jaylin Walker and Buffalo’s Nick Perkins and C.J. Massinburg round out the squad.
Last year, Dartis was named to the Second Team All-MAC. He averaged 12.6 points per game and shot over 44 percent from beyond the arc.
Last year, Carter was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team. Carter averaged 9.9 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game over the course of the 2016-17 season. Carter had six double-doubles last year and is a true contender for MAC Player of the Year this season.
Ohio’s first game is a scrimmage on Nov. 4, at 3:30 p.m. against Capital. The regular season starts the following Saturday against Alabama A&M. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center.