Brittany Bott / Staff Photographer / bb211605@ohiou.edu

Ohio’s Leon Williams goes up for the shot against Mercyhurt’s Milos Bogetic in the game on Saturday. The bobcat’s next game will be tonight against New Mexico State.

Maybe revenge is a dish best served not at all.

Ohio opens up the regular season tonight at The Convo against New Mexico State. The Aggies defeated the Bobcats 77-72 last season in an ESPNU BracketBuster contest.

Forward Leon Williams and coach Tim O’Shea downplayed the effects last year’s loss would have on Ohio tonight.

“It’s a good incentive for us to come out and play hard,” Williams said. “We know what type of team they are. I’m sure we’ll be ready for them, but I don’t think it plays that much of a factor.”

Opening against New Mexico State was more a matter of convenience, O’Shea said, than anything else. Students would be able to attend the game, and the team wouldn’t have to travel during finals week.

“It’s such an early game for both teams,” O’Shea said. “It’s an unusual way to open the season. This date was available, so I grabbed it. I thought it would be a great early-season treat for our team and our fans.”

The Aggies return three starters and seven lettermen from last year’s 25-9 squad. After winning the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship, New Mexico State fell to Texas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Bobcats should have a solid grasp on what to expect from the Aggies, Williams said, and the team is excited to play such a respectable opponent so early.

“It shows the confidence the coach has in us,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to start off with a win against a great opponent.”

For the fourth straight year, Ohio will kick off the season at The Convo, and the Bobcats came out on top in the previous three outings. Since 2000, Ohio has won 80 percent of its home games.

Playing in front of the O-Zone is a big advantage for the players, Williams said.

“I love our fans,” he said. “I hope it’s packed here tomorrow. It gives us energy when we need it, so it’s a great opportunity for the fans and us.”

“It’s an ideal way to start the season,” O’Shea added.

Bert Whittington IV, a junior transfer from Ohlone College (Calif.), said he’s excited for his first opportunity to play in front of a lively home crowd.

“I haven’t had these many people watching a game in a long time, since high school,” he said. “It’ll be different.”

Whittington had a stellar start to his Bobcat career in Ohio’s exhibition game against Mercyhurst. In 29 minutes of play, he scored 15 points to lead the team along with guard Bubba Walther.

On the flip side, however, Whittington committed three turnovers at the point guard position. He said he worked with the coaches during practice this week to prevent such mistakes in the opener.

“That’s not me usually,” he said. “I also don’t need to gamble as much. Everybody likes to get steals, and that’s the kind of player I am, but I’m going to stay solid on defense.”