The whole season for the Bucs comes down to Friday as they try to prove themselves worthy of being in the category beyond a mere Cinderella.
Facing the University of Cincinnati (24-6) at 3 p.m. Friday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, ETSU will try to pull off a first-round upset of the Bearcats in their home state.
Standing in their way is Jason Maxiell, a 6-7, 250-pound forward with the ability to play above his height. Jerald Fields will hold the task of guarding Maxiell down under.
“The big guy (Maxiell) in the middle is pretty good,” Fields said. “They’re hoping he will step up and play big. Of course, that’s the guy I will be guarding, so I’m going to have my hands full on that one. Tony Bobbit is also a guy that has come off the bench and hit some big shots. All of them are real good athletes, but we have some real good athletes ourselves.”
All of the Bearcats losses came to Division I teams. Their first loss did not come until Jan. 21, and it was a scathing 93-66 loss to Louisville.
“We are not the biggest team in the world, so their size and power are a concern,” head coach Murry Bartow said. “They’ve got big guards. Bobbit can shoot it. They play an aggressive style of basketball. They are going to trap, and they are going to press you. I think last year’s experience helps us, and we are really excited about the game.”
Both teams average about the same amount of points each game; between 76 and 78. Cincy and ETSU come to Ohio mostly injury free. ETSU’s James Anthony has been out with a shoulder injury, but Bucs’ assistant coach Mike Boyd said he would probably play Friday.
Center Robert Whaley was out for Cincy, but as of Wednesday, he was reinstated after he quit the team in February. Whaley quit the team because he was unhappy with his limited playing time.
Bartow’s (0-7 versus UC) six seasons in Conference USA gives him much needed experience against the fifth winningest active coach, Bob Huggins.
Huggins is ranked 13th in lifetime victories, and 0-1 against ETSU. While at UAB, Bartow did not hold a winning record to the Bearcats.
“To be honest, in my games against Bob, I haven’t faired too well,” he said. “This is a new day, new team, new season. I’ve got a lot of experience playing him, but again, I haven’t been overly successful. I think playing them will help me as far as preparation.”
“I have played them enough to know what to expect. I have told the players what to expect. Obviously when you’re a 13 seed, it’s going to be a tough game.”
Defensively and offensively, both teams matchup almost evenly. Defensively, neither team will allow the other over 70 points a game. The Bearcats have a slight edge over ETSU in rebounding and other areas.
In their last 10 games, ETSU was 9-1 through the Southern Conference Championship, and UC was 7-3. All of their losses came while they were away. In the games the Cats lost the most, they were out rebounded.
“We are going to have to limit our mistakes and their second chances,” Tim Smith said on ETSU’s hopeful win against Cincy.
“If we can eliminate their second chances, I think we have a good shot at putting them away. The key will be for us to block out and rebound.”
UC has depth on their bench – eight players on the team are averaging six or more points a game. Bobbit is the third leading scorer (13.3 ppg) in the nation for players coming off the bench.
The SoCon player of the year Zakee Wadood is happy to be back in the tournament and feels blessed to be able to play in it two straight years.
“It feels just like yesterday I was walking in here as a freshman,” he said. “I really didn’t think I would achieve everything that I have accomplished over the past four years. Being part of four North Division titles and two NCAA Tournaments is more than I can ask for.”
ETSU has a 2-7 record in the NCAA Tournament while Cincy is making their 13th straight trip, losing to No. 9 Gonzaga in the first round last year.

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