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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: March Madness
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Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 3/18/2026 5:19 PM
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I always root hard for any MAC team in the tourney, or really anywhere out of conferemce.

But...I talked a lot of shit about Miami all season being frauds, lucky, not actually anything special beyond a normal top 3 MAC team, etc. If they get waxed and prove me right, I can live with that.
CatsUp
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Posted: 3/18/2026 8:51 PM
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Kent State was an absolute embarrassment to themselves and the MAC in the first half tonight at Illinois State. No effort whatsoever. They apparently do not want to be playing anymore. If you don’t want to play don’t accept the invitation.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 3/18/2026 10:09 PM
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Bruce Pearl during the halftime show brings up how SMU is playing without their injured player and how much they miss him. Fails to mention Miami playing the last 20 games without its starting point guard and leading scorer, Ipsarro.
Last Edited: 3/18/2026 10:10:45 PM by bobcatsquared
100%Cat
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Posted: 3/18/2026 11:01 PM
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Miami does such a good job of getting the shots they want. And then knocking them down when they do.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 3/18/2026 11:26 PM
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Nice game from SMU guard Boopie Miller with 15 points. It took me almost the entire game to remember where I've heard that name before. He was on the 21-22 MAC all-freshman team from CMU.
Casper71
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Posted: 3/18/2026 11:30 PM
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Congrats to Miami. I have said this whole year… College basketball is a three-point shooting game now you have to shoot them and have to defend them if you don’t you lose.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 3/18/2026 11:35 PM
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Casper71 wrote:expand_more
Congrats to Miami. I have said this whole year… College basketball is a three-point shooting game now you have to shoot them and have to defend them if you don’t you lose.
And Miami's three point game opens up the middle and neutralizes the SMU height advantage. I really like the way Miami plays team ball. Steele just said, "My team plays for each other and not for stats." I think you can see that when you watch them play.
Last Edited: 3/19/2026 12:09:16 AM by OhioCatFan
OhioBobcat
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Posted: 3/19/2026 12:26 AM
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Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
I always root hard for any MAC team in the tourney, or really anywhere out of conferemce.

But...I talked a lot of shit about Miami all season being frauds, lucky, not actually anything special beyond a normal top 3 MAC team, etc. If they get waxed and prove me right, I can live with that.
Well - they certainly proved you wrong! That game was simply AWSOME for both Miami and the MAC! In this day of NIL in college sports, to see a MAC school having this kind of season, get an at-large bid and get a win over a power conference team in the NCAS Tournament - it was fantastic! I loved every minute of it and hope Miami can keep it going. Well done, Miami!
Casper71
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Posted: 3/19/2026 12:41 AM
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I think Pearl was right though, Tennessee is gonna come after them physically. It will be interesting to see if they can run them off the three point line. It will also be interesting to see if Miami can keep hitting threes like they did tonight.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 3/19/2026 12:58 AM
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Casper71 wrote:expand_more
I think Pearl was right though, Tennessee is gonna come after them physically. It will be interesting to see if they can run them off the three point line. It will also be interesting to see if Miami can keep hitting threes like they did tonight.
In virtually every game I've watched Miami play this year they've hit threes well. They usually have a few dry spells, but then the threes start dropping again. The key is that many times every player they have on the court is a threat from three, so the opposition can't just key on one or two outside threats. This, as I said, then opens up the inside game. I would not count them out against Tennessee. It'll be a tough contest no doubt, and UT will have a height advantage and a tough inside presence, but points in the paint don't count as much as points from beyond the line. I hate to utter these words, but GO MIAMI!

And, I was very proud of Atlason who made some key shots in the second half as well as one very key rebound toward the end of the game. If my Mom was still alive and we had the cadre of Iceland students at Ohio that we did then, maybe she could coax him to Athens next year.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 3/19/2026 6:59 AM
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It's hard to win 30 games in a row against anybody. Miami is clearly a good team.

I would guess our longest winning streak in the Boals era is probably less than 10.
FJC31
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Posted: 3/19/2026 7:42 AM
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Congrats to Miami. Nice to see a MAC school get it done.

It’d be ironic if Tennessee sent Miami home the way it did us in 2010. That said, Miami is such a good shooting team it’ll have a punchers chance.

Can’t out muscle a P5 team, but you can outshoot one.

One thing I’m watching for is Christian Anderson now at Tech. He suffered a groin strain 4 days ago and the last update I saw was “he’s available”. If he’s not 100%, that’s huge for Akron, especially with Toppin already out.

Anderson averages 19ppg.
Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 3/19/2026 8:37 AM
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OhioBobcat wrote:expand_more
I always root hard for any MAC team in the tourney, or really anywhere out of conferemce.

But...I talked a lot of shit about Miami all season being frauds, lucky, not actually anything special beyond a normal top 3 MAC team, etc. If they get waxed and prove me right, I can live with that.
Well - they certainly proved you wrong! That game was simply AWSOME for both Miami and the MAC! In this day of NIL in college sports, to see a MAC school having this kind of season, get an at-large bid and get a win over a power conference team in the NCAS Tournament - it was fantastic! I loved every minute of it and hope Miami can keep it going. Well done, Miami!
Yes as I got into the game I was able to stomach rooting for them, but it wasn't easy because I do so hate them and their bandwagon fans. But very happy with their performance and avoiding an uncomfortable national take about how the MAC was exposed. Quite the opposite. A win vs Tenn would be awesome, but the biggest goal is just to be competitive and avoid the blowout. Same goes for Akron. Excited for tomorrow afternoon.
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Posted: 3/19/2026 8:58 AM
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Casper71 wrote:expand_more
I think Pearl was right though, Tennessee is gonna come after them physically. It will be interesting to see if they can run them off the three point line. It will also be interesting to see if Miami can keep hitting threes like they did tonight.
Tennessee is top ten in the nation in defense and rebounding.

They played OOC games vs Kansas, Houston, Louisville, Illinois.

Rick Barnes has 836 career Division I wins, ranking 9th all-time and first among active coaches.

Gee, I don't know if UT can keep it close. /s
100%Cat
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Posted: 3/19/2026 9:09 AM
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FishBates wrote:expand_more
I think Pearl was right though, Tennessee is gonna come after them physically. It will be interesting to see if they can run them off the three point line. It will also be interesting to see if Miami can keep hitting threes like they did tonight.
Tennessee is top ten in the nation in defense and rebounding.

They played OOC games vs Kansas, Houston, Louisville, Illinois.

Rick Barnes has 836 career Division I wins, ranking 9th all-time and first among active coaches.

Gee, I don't know if UT can keep it close. /s
The reality is, Miami had a blessing in disguise with the First 4 game. They got to play the 11th ranked ACC team down a key player in essentially a home game in Dayton. Playing a true neutral site game against the 5th ranked team from the SEC will be a different animal. I'm not saying they can't keep it close or pull an upset, but having this game out of the gate would have been much tougher. They can still say "we have a tourney win" this way...which is more than Akron can say. Ever.

(Sorry, not sorry.)
FishBates
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Posted: 3/19/2026 9:27 AM
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100%Cat wrote:expand_more
I think Pearl was right though, Tennessee is gonna come after them physically. It will be interesting to see if they can run them off the three point line. It will also be interesting to see if Miami can keep hitting threes like they did tonight.
Tennessee is top ten in the nation in defense and rebounding.

They played OOC games vs Kansas, Houston, Louisville, Illinois.

Rick Barnes has 836 career Division I wins, ranking 9th all-time and first among active coaches.

Gee, I don't know if UT can keep it close. /s
The reality is, Miami had a blessing in disguise with the First 4 game. They got to play the 11th ranked ACC team down a key player in essentially a home game in Dayton. Playing a true neutral site game against the 5th ranked team from the SEC will be a different animal. I'm not saying they can't keep it close or pull an upset, but having this game out of the gate would have been much tougher. They can still say "we have a tourney win" this way...which is more than Akron can say. Ever.

(Sorry, not sorry.)
With Toppin out injured for TTU, I would have given Akron a decent shot at this until they played so undiscipline vs Toledo the other night. Toledo looked like the better team for most of the night. Akron has a better chance at an upset than fiami does though. Most NBA teams don't start a frontline as tall as Tennessee.
100%Cat
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Posted: 3/19/2026 11:13 AM
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I do hope Akron does well. They have a great program. But eventually you've got to get a win in the tournament. They have sent some really good teams into the Madness and they've all lost. I thought they had UCLA a few years ago but that one slipped away.
BobcatSports
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Posted: 3/19/2026 3:00 PM
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Miami is unique in their ability to have a near roster full of guys who can consistently hit 3’s. While Suder was MAC player of the year, he doesn’t have to be the main act and wasn’t last nite for Miami to win.Miami is well coached, plays selfishly, and their ball movement is something to behold. If you appreciate good basketball, rivalries aside, Miami is easy to watch. I commend them on their accomplishments this season.
Bobcat1996
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Posted: 3/19/2026 5:36 PM
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100%Cat wrote:expand_more
I think Pearl was right though, Tennessee is gonna come after them physically. It will be interesting to see if they can run them off the three point line. It will also be interesting to see if Miami can keep hitting threes like they did tonight.
Tennessee is top ten in the nation in defense and rebounding.

They played OOC games vs Kansas, Houston, Louisville, Illinois.

Rick Barnes has 836 career Division I wins, ranking 9th all-time and first among active coaches.

Gee, I don't know if UT can keep it close. /s
The reality is, Miami had a blessing in disguise with the First 4 game. They got to play the 11th ranked ACC team down a key player in essentially a home game in Dayton. Playing a true neutral site game against the 5th ranked team from the SEC will be a different animal. I'm not saying they can't keep it close or pull an upset, but having this game out of the gate would have been much tougher. They can still say "we have a tourney win" this way...which is more than Akron can say. Ever.

(Sorry, not sorry.)
Yes, it was a blessing in disguise that the RedHawks played in the play in game vs SMU, who was missing a starter. However, it was probably a blessing in disguise that the Bobcats drew UVA in the NCAA tourney during Covid. This was the season that all league schools did not play the same amount of conference games. It was also the season that UVA did not participate in the ACC tourney because of Covid restrictions and was limited in practice coming into the NCAA tourney because of Covid rules. I’m sure the Bobcats and RedHawks are not giving back those NCAA tournament wins.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 3/19/2026 6:35 PM
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Bobcat1996 wrote:expand_more
I think Pearl was right though, Tennessee is gonna come after them physically. It will be interesting to see if they can run them off the three point line. It will also be interesting to see if Miami can keep hitting threes like they did tonight.
Tennessee is top ten in the nation in defense and rebounding.

They played OOC games vs Kansas, Houston, Louisville, Illinois.

Rick Barnes has 836 career Division I wins, ranking 9th all-time and first among active coaches.

Gee, I don't know if UT can keep it close. /s
The reality is, Miami had a blessing in disguise with the First 4 game. They got to play the 11th ranked ACC team down a key player in essentially a home game in Dayton. Playing a true neutral site game against the 5th ranked team from the SEC will be a different animal. I'm not saying they can't keep it close or pull an upset, but having this game out of the gate would have been much tougher. They can still say "we have a tourney win" this way...which is more than Akron can say. Ever.

(Sorry, not sorry.)
Yes, it was a blessing in disguise that the RedHawks played in the play in game vs SMU, who was missing a starter. However, it was probably a blessing in disguise that the Bobcats drew UVA in the NCAA tourney during Covid. This was the season that all league schools did not play the same amount of conference games. It was also the season that UVA did not participate in the ACC tourney because of Covid restrictions and was limited in practice coming into the NCAA tourney because of Covid rules. I’m sure the Bobcats and RedHawks are not giving back those NCAA tournament wins.
... nor is High Point going to give back today's win over Wisconsin.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 3/19/2026 6:41 PM
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I feel like the narrative last year was that the NCAA tournament would never have upsets again as a result of NIL, etc.

Half way through day 1, High Point wins, Duke needs a late comeback vs. a 16 seed, and McNeese stuck with Vandy.
FishBates
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Posted: 3/19/2026 8:15 PM
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
McNeese
Schools where current McNeese guys previously played:

Providence
Seton Hall
Creighton
LSU
Kansas St.
Cincinnati
Oklahoma
Tulsa
New Mexico State

Maybe why they won 28 games this year, 19-3 in their conference.

This, while our staff is busy scouting D-2 and NAIA players. If our coaching staff really wanted to win 28 games and go to the NCAA tourney and hang around with a team that finished 2nd in the SEC tournament...they might show some ambition in who they want to bring in.

What are the odds they don't bring in a single player from a big name program?

-----------------------------------------------

Based on standard Division I financial reports, Ohio University has a larger men's basketball budget than McNeese State.
Last Edited: 3/19/2026 8:17:52 PM by FishBates
FJC31
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Posted: 3/19/2026 8:42 PM
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FishBates wrote:expand_more
McNeese
Schools where current McNeese guys previously played:

Providence
Seton Hall
Creighton
LSU
Kansas St.
Cincinnati
Oklahoma
Tulsa
New Mexico State

Maybe why they won 28 games this year, 19-3 in their conference.

This, while our staff is busy scouting D-2 and NAIA players. If our coaching staff really wanted to win 28 games and go to the NCAA tourney and hang around with a team that finished 2nd in the SEC tournament...they might show some ambition in who they want to bring in.

What are the odds they don't bring in a single player from a big name program?

-----------------------------------------------

Based on standard Division I financial reports, Ohio University has a larger men's basketball budget than McNeese State.
Man, you really are Greencat - all emotion and no research. Half of the schools you listed apply to same the two players.

Garwey Dual - Providence/Seton Hall
Jerrell Colbert - LSU/K-State/SMU

And guess what? Those two averaged 5ppg and 8ppg.

The kid from Oklahoma - 6ppg
The kid from New Mexico/Memphis - 4ppg
The kid from Baylor - 2.5ppg
The kid from UC - .5ppg game

The only big school transfer having a huge impact is Larry Johnson from Creighton who led McNeese in scoring this season. Followed by the Tulsa kid and 6th year Javon Garcia from UMass. After that? DJ Richards who has been at McNeese for 3 seasons after starting at UTSA.

There’s a reason all those big school guys landed at McNeese and are hardly putting a dent in the Southland Conference. Ike Cornish and Wiz say hi. Not every P5 big brand transfer is going to make a huge impact.
FishBates
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Posted: 3/19/2026 9:31 PM
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VCU defeats North Carolina

Schools where current VCU guys previously played:

UConn
Oregon
Villanova
Xavier
LSU

Number of former D-2 and NAIA players at VCU: ZERO

Well, all you Boals groupies...enjoy the upcoming 5-win season.
JSF
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Posted: 3/19/2026 10:00 PM
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FishBates wrote:expand_more
Well, all you Boals groupies...enjoy the upcoming 5-win season.
You’re getting mad at phantoms again.
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