The set-up: The 13-6 Ohio Bobcats will travel to University Arena to take on the 6-14 Western Michigan Broncos Tuesday night in MAC hoops play. The Bobcats are 5-3 (2nd in the East), while the Broncos are 2-6 in league play, leaving them in last-place in the West (this is NOT football!).

Ohio: Saul Phillips is in his third season in Athens and after winning just 10 games in his first year, was looking to build on last year's 23-win campaign with four starters back for this season. The Bobcats are 13-6 but Ohio just lost its best player, the 6-9 Campbell (16.4 & 8.9) for the season due to a foot injury (Jan. 19). The 6-8 Kaminsky (12.8) is a decent scorer but averages a woeful 2.8 RPG. That leaves the team with the 6-8 Carter (7.1 & 5.2) as its best rebounder. PG Simmons (13.3 & 7.0 APG) and Dartis (12.8) form a quality backcourt duo but without Campbell????

Western Michigan: The Broncos are not a very good team but can match Ohio in the backcourt with Wilder (17.7 & 4.0) and Haymond (14.0 & 4.4). WMU has size at the center position, as the 7-0 Dugan (6.0 & 5.4) and the 6-10 LaMont (7.8 & 4.4) share time. Throw in 6-8 PF Johnson (8.0 & 5.4) and the Broncos just may be OK.

The pick: Yes, the Bobcats have won both road games since Campbell was lost for the season but I'm backing the home dog here to 'bark' loudly. Make Western Michigan a 10* play.