I doubt a P5 is JJ’s destination — still too many holes in his game. More likely his agent is convinced he can find more money for him on the open market. Which is entirely possible.

Sharron Young in portal. Guessing some of these Akron entries find their way to Charleston.

https://x.com/jonrothstein/status/2040129964226273465?s=4...

Last season’s team no. Given how different next season’s team is going to be, you’d think that combined with being more of a focal point could convince him to stay.

All said, it’s very possible Kelly didn’t have confidence in the direction of the program and decided to leave.

Are you saying it wasn't fun playing for Miami either? Perry, Byers? Or Bulls Sabol and Freitag? Or Toledo's Wilson and Blyden? Isn't it just more of a MAC thing?

Miami played in meaningful games. So did Akron. So did Toledo.

We haven't in a long time.

A related question: How would this year's Bobcat aquad faired against SMU?

There’s what I think and then there’s what I’ve heard. What I’ve heard is more optimistic than what I believe.

I think he is weighing his options, and there will be many. If it were me - I do not know that I could turn down the lights of the Big 10 for a chance to put up better numbers in the MAC, but he’s not one of these guys jumping from title team to title team averaging 20 a night. He’s a solid starter that would likely be moved to the bench next season. That’s real. So maybe he’s having a moment of reflection. I can be a 15-20 min a night guy in the Big 10, or start over somewhere else and fight for a starting role. Or I can drop down in comp, with a guy my coach loves and has likely put in a good word, still close to home, hook up with some other Columbus area guys from camps and aau etc and see if I can drop 20/10 a night. Leverage that into a European career. He’s a 6’6” PF. He was built for the MAC. He’s a skilled tweeter who has had a solid career. Up to him see what that next step forward is. I don’t think it’s being moved to a P5 bench, but it’s a damn hard thing to walk away from.

Let’s go with 25%. 1/4 shot we get him in the building. Up to them to sell the dream.



I would not be remotely surprised to see him in Cincinnati, or a Big 10 rival.

Gabe Cupps is also in the portal. I don’t remember where I wrote it - but this is a guy I wanted. This is a guy I think we can sell on being Jack Pav 2.0

This is probably the most important credential for a prospective transfer that I think I've ever read on any board anywhere. If we could only recruit a starting lineup with five skilled tweeters I think we'd be destine for the Final Four!

Yeah but I was meaning if we got Royal, Jones, Javan, Dior (pending approval) and I feel like I'm forgetting someone else.

I don't know how much you can "guarantee" anything in these arrangements, but as much as he could have, Boals should have absolutely guaranteed JJ a prominent role. Aiming higher than JJ would be a foolish move by coach, and bringing him back should have been a top priority.

Personally, I thought JJ's underwhelming 2nd half was somewhat of a blessing in disguise as he settled into that narrow zone of being good enough to be excited to have him back but not so good he gets poached up the ladder of college basketball. I think he didn't reach his potential in this offense and expected BIG things for him next year. When you have Pav taking the ball up, Hadaway and Simmons both a bit of a black hole with the ball, and Sheldon firing 3s...JJ was kind of lost.

My fandom of JJ is no secret, I think this is a really big loss and expect him to do very well. Just hope it isn't in the MAC. I still maintain Boals' puzzling decision to sit JJ for the final 18 minutes of the 2nd half and all of OT versus Miami played no small factor in JJ's departure. He tried his best to remain a supportive teammate but as time went on you could see the bewilderment and sadness in his face, not being a part of the biggest moments of the season.

But in the end, in this environment, none of us know all that went into his departure and our lack of being able to bring him back.

I'm pretty sure he tweaked something in the Miami game which is why he sat but I agree that he's probably gonna be a good player later on. If he is more consistent with his shot and gets stronger in the ball handling department, he'll be NBA worthy.

Volume of posts might be an unlock we haven't considered!

Ahhhh got ya.