WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Back in the OAC Semifinals for the first time since the 2006-07 season, the No. 20 nationally ranked Otterbein University men's basketball team will host Ohio Northern University on Thursday evening in the Rike Center. Otterbein posted a 21-4 overall record, 13-3 in the OAC, earning the No. 2 seed in the tournament and a first round bye.
 
The Cardinals and the Polar Bears split the season series, with each team taking the win on its home court. Both games were decided within single digits, as Otterbein won the first matchup back in January, 74-66. Five Cardinals scored in double figures to lead the balanced attack, paced by Troy Scowden's 13 point effort. In the second matchup a week ago, the Polar Bears ended the game on an 8-1 run to upset Otterbein 54-53.

SCOUTING OTTERBEIN (21-4, 13-3): Julian Heckman orchestrates the momentum on both sides of the ball to lead a Cardinal team that can make plays from all over the court. Heckman ranks second on the team in points per game (13.2) and averages 5.4 assists per game. Jarius Jones has been tremendous as of late, leading the team in scoring (13.3 PPG). Troy Scowden, Chase Garito and Dominic Theado all average over nine PPG, while sophomore Micah Germany can burn defenses from beyond the arc.

Otterbein has put together a masterful season, reaching the 20-win threshold for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign (20-7). The Cardinals have spent the past five weeks in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, peaking at 17. This is the first time since the 2004 season the Cardinals have spent time in the national rankings. 

SCOUTING OHIO NORTHERN (18-8, 12-4): Earning the No. 3 seed in the OAC Tournament, the Polar Bears knocked off Wilmington Tuesday night, 88-69. Senior Will Miller's 15.9 points per game lead ONU, as Aiden Harris (13.2) and Theo Maag (11.5) also average double figure performances. Maag is a force inside for the Polar Bears, leading the way with 5.8 rebounds per game.