The Weis Guy
Leon Williams leaves legacy, closes out career
Bobcats fall in MAC quarterfinals
By Michael Weisman, Senior Sports Writer
March 16, 2008 | 3:31 a.m.
All senior forward Leon Williams could do was look at the scoreboard with his hands clasped on his head, shaking it in disgust as he could do little to stop his storied career as a Bobcat from coming to a close.
Williams, the lone Bobcat still on the team from the 2004-2005 squad that won the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship, would have no repeat of his freshman year, where he had the game-winning tip-in over Buffalo to send the Bobcats to the NCAA Tournament with an 80-79 victory. This time around, Williams watched as RedHawk after RedHawk drained free throws to seal Miami’s 74-61 victory, bouncing the Bobcats from the MAC Tournament quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.
They say nice guys finish last. Although Williams and Ohio did not finish last in the MAC Tournament, one might have thought so after seeing Williams’ face in the post-game interview. The usually positive Williams had little to say, struggling to find answers and hold back tears. His effort showed in his eyes, too, with a bright red left eye as a reminder of his battle wounds.
“I tip my hat to a guy like Leon Williams, who for four years has just been a nightmare not just for the league, but certainly for the RedHawks,” RedHawks interim coach Jermaine Henderson said in his opening statement after the game. “You grow close to the other team sometimes when they play so hard. Other than our guys, [Williams] was my favorite player to watch -- to coach against -- because he brings out the best in you.”
Bobcat junior forward Jerome Tillman, knew how badly his three-year teammate wanted this game.
“I know for me, it’s real tough seeing Leon [Williams] and Bubba [Walther], especially Leon because that’s my guy,” Tillman said. “I feel like I let him down. I’m always behind him and that’s why he’s my guy. I love him to death.”
Tillman, however, was not solely to blame, as it looked as though the Bobcats had to play the first-round game and Miami had the bye, even though it was actually the other way around. The RedHawks even struggled to get by No. 12-seed Buffalo in the opening round Wednesday, winning by only one, but they showed no signs of that on only one day’s rest.
Miami used their bench to help with possible tired legs, outscoring Ohio’s bench 19-9. Take a closer look, however, and you’ll see that Ohio's 9 bench points were from senior Bubba Walther, who played 23 more minutes than starter Tommy Freeman, who played all of six minutes. So, in reality, the 'Hawks had a 19-0 advantage off their bench.
That wasn’t the only advantage Miami exploited, outrebounding Ohio 42-31 only one night after the RedHawks were outrebounded by 19 themselves. Despite Williams’ and Tillman’s strong, inside presence, Miami scrapped and hustled, keeping plays alive and grabbing 15 offensive boards, which they converted into 14 second-chance points, even though Ohio was the fresh and rested team.
“Anytime you play OU, it’s just going to be a battle underneath for the rebounds, especially with Tillman and Leon being great players that they are," said Miami junior center Tyler Dierkers. "You just got to go into the game with the mentality you’re going to fight and scrap and do anything you can to get the ball, and I think that went both ways. I think where we won is our guards really got in there, and we got solid contributions on the boards from everyone.”
Tillman knew exactly to what Dierkers was referring, and there was little Ohio’s big men could do to change it.
“We didn’t do that great of a job on the offensive glass or defensive glass for that matter," Tillman said. "I think me and Leon, we pretty much controlled our game. It’s something where the [Ohio] guards weren’t rebounding too, so [Miami was] really keying on that.”
Ohio’s four guards combined for four rebounds.
“I think everybody who entered the game gave us (Miami) something, gave us another look, gave us some hustle, gave us some energy, and that’s what you need,” Henderson said of his team.
With Williams trying to complete his career with symmetry by going out on top, every Bobcat needed to contribute, and they did not, whether it be the guards on the glass or Walther and Bert Whittington IV going a combined 2-13 from three-point land.
Even with the disappointment for Williams, his career as a Bobcat speaks for itself. Ohio’s coach, however, summed up his mentality and intangibles.
“The one thing I said in the locker room after [the game], was I really just thanked Leon for the four years we’ve had him," coach Tim O'Shea said. "He’d been unbelievable."
O'Shea said he could not recall Williams' ever missing a practice or showing up late, and that O'Shea never had to discipline him.
"He’s one of those kids 10 years from now, someone says ‘who’s you’re all-time favorite player?’ -- if he’s not the first name out of my mouth, he’ll be the second name," O'Shea said. "He’s been wonderful. He’s on target to graduate. I think he’s got a lot more basketball left in his future. And it’s unusual to have a guy that’s your best player that’s also always on time, has your best attitude, and is always a team-first guy.”
O’Shea should be thankful for Williams, as should all Bobcat fans, considering the 2008 First-Team All-MAC selection started all 124 games in his Ohio career.
Williams also closed out his career the only way he knew, with his 42nd career double-double, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
“I love Ohio, it’s been a great four years," Williams said somberly, adding that he thanks the crowd and loves the fans.
“I wish I had another year,” he said.
Don’t we all, Leon, don’t we all!
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