Pearson just might be MAC's best

The Rockets' Rian Pearson (5) stands his ground as tensions rose during Wednesday's UT-Ohio game at Savage Arena. THE BLADE/LORI KING Enlarge | Photo Reprints

This may seem hard to believe, or maybe not considering how precious few banners the University of Toledo's men have draped from the rafters at Savage Arena in recent memory, but it has been three decades since a Rocket has been named player of the year in Mid-American Conference basketball.

If you're rolling that around in your memory bank right now, the name you're looking for is Harvey Knuckles as a senior in 1980-81. That's a long time ago.

That drought isn't highly likely to end this season, even after Wednesday night's 77-73 UT ambush of an Ohio University team that was bidding for its 20th victory. The Rockets finally finished one off after holding a healthy lead, but it was not without some anxious moments down the stretch.

Of course, the early moments of the game were no less stressful. OU's Bobcats were unstoppable early and led 15-0.

The 4,139 fans on hand made it from the ragged start to the almost-too-thrilling finish courtesy of Rian Pearson, who should get some serious league MVP consideration regardless of the Rockets' record, which is now 11-13 overall and 3-7 in MAC play.

"Absolutely," said UT coach Tod Kowalczyk. "And I'll tell you what. If the season ended today, based on what I've heard from other coaches in the league, Rian gets the award. That's not my opinion. That's from other coaches."

If the season ended today, Pearson would be the MAC's leading scorer, both in all games (17.3 ppg) and in conference games (19.2). He would be in the top five in rebounding (8.3 overall and in MAC play) and would be among the top 10 in steals.

Against Ohio, and despite a dreadful night at the free throw line, Pearson scored 18 points, grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds, dished off three assists, and had a pair of steals.

Forget the numbers, though. From the point UT trailed 15-0 to the point the Rockets led by 13 -- it was 61-48 after a tip-in basket by Pearson with 6:50 to play -- Pearson made sure he left not a drop of effort unexpended.

Some other Rockets could say the same. Matt Smith, an undersized sophomore post player, was aggressive and competitive and dominating at times with 18 points, six rebounds, and a couple blocked shots. Curtis Dennis was big off the bench, making seven free throws in a row and scoring 15 points.

But when Ohio coach John Groce talked about his team losing "the hustle statistics" he was talking about Pearson winning them.

"I thought Pearson was terrific," Groce said. "That's the first time I've coached against him, but I really appreciated what I'd seen of him on film. He's certainly one of the better players in our league. He got nine offensive rebounds, [and] he did a lot of that on our quote-unquote tough guys, [Walter] Offutt and [Ricardo] Johnson. I thought he was tougher than them tonight and imposed his will at a high level."

There was not one aspect of the game UT's slender, 6-4, left-handed guard did not influence in a positive way, give or take that 6-of-13 mark from the foul line.

"Bad night there," Pearson said, shaking his head. "But I tried to bring the energy. I try to do that day in and day out so that I play emotional and hopefully other guys will too. I tried to keep everybody up and focused on winning the game. Ohio's a really good team; the No. 1 team in the [MAC] East. I like to compete against the best. I try to do whatever I can to help my team win."

Pearson sat out last season after following Kowalczyk from Wisconsin-Green Bay.

"As a freshman at Green Bay I thought Rian's play was 50 per cent positive, 50 per cent negative," Kowalczyk said. "As a practice player last year, it was 80 per cent positive. Now, it's 100 per cent. He's playing with more energy than anybody I've ever coached. He's so important to our program right now.

"If he continues to play at this level, I don't know how he wouldn't get strong consideration for player of the year. I think he's the best player in the league. Of course, I'm biased."

Not really. Not when you weigh the numbers and the effort. No bias whatsoever.

Contact Blade sports columnist Dave Hackenberg at: dhack@theblade.com or 419-724-6398