Two of the Mid-American Conference’s best turnaround teams will meet in a quarterfinal showdown on Thursday night when Ohio (20-10) takes on Northern Illinois (21-11) inside Quicken Loans Arena.
The Bobcats at 10 wins better than a year ago, and Ohio is ahead of schedule in head coach Saul Phillips’ second season. With MAC Player of the Year Antonio Campbell, second team all-conference pick Jaaron Simmons and a team-first attitude, the ‘Cats have positioned themselves for a potential run at the MAC’s tournament championship and the NCAA automatic berth that goes with it.
“This group has a chance because they listen, they take care of their work and they care about each other,” Phillips said.