Ohio: The Cinderella that doesn't believe it's Cinderella
ST. LOUIS – Norfolk State and Lehigh may have pulled off the bigger upsets in the NCAA tournament, but Ohio is the biggest Cinderella remaining.
That is, if the Bobcats are a Cinderella story. They certainly don't believe they are one.
“No we're not offended because we are the 13 seed or whatever,” Ohio junior guard D.J. Cooper said. “But nobody in our locker room feels like we're a Cinderella team. We feel like we can compete with anybody on the national stage.”
The 13th-seeded Bobcats are one of three double digit seeds remaining the Sweet 16 along with No. 10 Xavier and No. 11 N.C. State. Yet the Bobcats are the biggest long shots, especially facing No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Midwest Regional semifinals Friday night.
“Our guys don't see themselves necessarily as a 13-seed or Cinderella story,” Ohio coach John Groce said. “Our basketball team's been pretty consistent.”
The Bobcats (29-7) are 16-3 in their last 19 games and have won six consecutive games, including the MAC tournament and upsetting No. 4 seed Michigan and No. 12 South Florida in their first two NCAA tournament games.
Ohio ranks four in the nation in steals per game (9.3) and sixth in turnover margin (+4.2).
North Carolina coach Roy Williams, who is good friends with Groce, is looking forward to the matchup.
“It's North Carolina playing Ohio, big school/little school, big guy/little guy, ugly guy/good-looking guy,” Williams said. “It doesn't make any difference. We get to play each other out there on the court.”
That is, if the Bobcats are a Cinderella story. They certainly don't believe they are one.
“No we're not offended because we are the 13 seed or whatever,” Ohio junior guard D.J. Cooper said. “But nobody in our locker room feels like we're a Cinderella team. We feel like we can compete with anybody on the national stage.”
The 13th-seeded Bobcats are one of three double digit seeds remaining the Sweet 16 along with No. 10 Xavier and No. 11 N.C. State. Yet the Bobcats are the biggest long shots, especially facing No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Midwest Regional semifinals Friday night.
“Our guys don't see themselves necessarily as a 13-seed or Cinderella story,” Ohio coach John Groce said. “Our basketball team's been pretty consistent.”
The Bobcats (29-7) are 16-3 in their last 19 games and have won six consecutive games, including the MAC tournament and upsetting No. 4 seed Michigan and No. 12 South Florida in their first two NCAA tournament games.
Ohio ranks four in the nation in steals per game (9.3) and sixth in turnover margin (+4.2).
North Carolina coach Roy Williams, who is good friends with Groce, is looking forward to the matchup.
“It's North Carolina playing Ohio, big school/little school, big guy/little guy, ugly guy/good-looking guy,” Williams said. “It doesn't make any difference. We get to play each other out there on the court.”
