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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Portal starts up again March 18th
Page: 9 of 31
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JimLurker34
3/27/2024 11:01 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
I think this is a good depth add. It's size, experience, and he has the ability to hit a 3 (10/29; small sample I know) if needed. We could have used him this past season all things considered.

He almost feels like a poor man's Troy D'Amico and moneyball-like addition considering it's one year.

We've been connected to much more premium talent; I'm not too worried.
Which now leaves bigger $$ for the next portal target.

Good on the math by Boals. Nice strategy. Now time to reel in a bigger fish.
How much did we spend and what's our budget?
It would be cool someday if this info became available -- say to collective backers for the specific school, similar to professional team's salary caps.
That day will be sooner rather than later, and expect a public outcry when those numbers are made public.
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
3/27/2024 11:06 AM
JimLurker34 wrote:expand_more
That day will be sooner rather than later, and expect a public outcry when those numbers are made public.
My guess is the numbers are going to be way, way lower than the conventional wisdom around here suggests.

There'll be ~20 schools with big NIL collectives spreading good money around. Everybody else will be getting a few grad in walking around money. And the long tail of players will be getting basically nothing.
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Bobcat1998
3/27/2024 11:25 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
How much did we spend


Some, probably not a lot.

and what's our budget?
Very little. Not enough.
I'll also add we probably had to pay Clayton and Mitchell. I know that was an internal concern once the season ended. What we have left, remains to be seen and might not be a lot.
If we can get Keeslar I don't think we need a big name transfer. Searls will be a nice rotational guy and Keeslar has been consistently excellent while not pushing for more points. Consummate team guy. If we keep the guys we keep then we have our starting five of AJB, Reef, James, Hadaway and AJC with key bench guys Ajay and Ike. I would assume Ayden Evans is ready to play and toss in a hopeful year of learning from Nichol. Someone mentioned Schmock. He was fantastic. Searls and Keeslar are of that toughness mold and both offer length.
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Cats5
3/27/2024 11:26 AM
WxM wrote:expand_more
Boals is now following Drew Thelwell, the point guard from Morehead State fresh off their tournament appearance. Would be a tremendous get, but he's surely looking for a bigger jump for his last season. 8 points, 4 assists, and 1 turnover against Illinois. He was really efficient in the couple of games I watched him. Knows his role and can play.
Aj Brown retweeted Drew’s transfer tweet. Gotta think they know one another and maybe that’ll give us a step up on others.
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M.D.W.S.T
3/27/2024 11:37 AM
Cats5 wrote:expand_more
Boals is now following Drew Thelwell, the point guard from Morehead State fresh off their tournament appearance. Would be a tremendous get, but he's surely looking for a bigger jump for his last season. 8 points, 4 assists, and 1 turnover against Illinois. He was really efficient in the couple of games I watched him. Knows his role and can play.
Aj Brown retweeted Drew’s transfer tweet. Gotta think they know one another and maybe that’ll give us a step up on others.
Thelwell is also from Orlando.

More importantly, AJB is still RT'ing OU related stuff. As is Elmore. Two I thought were definite flight risks.
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Cats5
3/27/2024 11:53 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
Boals is now following Drew Thelwell, the point guard from Morehead State fresh off their tournament appearance. Would be a tremendous get, but he's surely looking for a bigger jump for his last season. 8 points, 4 assists, and 1 turnover against Illinois. He was really efficient in the couple of games I watched him. Knows his role and can play.
Aj Brown retweeted Drew’s transfer tweet. Gotta think they know one another and maybe that’ll give us a step up on others.
Thelwell is also from Orlando.

More importantly, AJB is still RT'ing OU related stuff. As is Elmore. Two I thought were definite flight risks.
Elmore kinda reminds me of Miles. Not really big or shy on social media. Aj seems to love everything OU. He's constantly posting or commenting on anything related to the team or the university in general. I'd like to see how his brother plays out at Florida. I could definitely see him transferring to OU to play with Aj again.
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FJC31
3/27/2024 12:09 PM
Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
How much did we spend


Some, probably not a lot.

and what's our budget?
Very little. Not enough.
I'll also add we probably had to pay Clayton and Mitchell. I know that was an internal concern once the season ended. What we have left, remains to be seen and might not be a lot.
If we can get Keeslar I don't think we need a big name transfer. Searls will be a nice rotational guy and Keeslar has been consistently excellent while not pushing for more points. Consummate team guy. If we keep the guys we keep then we have our starting five of AJB, Reef, James, Hadaway and AJC with key bench guys Ajay and Ike. I would assume Ayden Evans is ready to play and toss in a hopeful year of learning from Nichol. Someone mentioned Schmock. He was fantastic. Searls and Keeslar are of that toughness mold and both offer length.
The more I look into Keeslar, the more I'm interested. The size plays, but he does everything. The 3PT % could be better, but the assist and steal numbers are what jump out to me. Three straight seasons of 5apg (6apg last season) while posting 42, 49, and 46 steals. All on top of averaging at least 14ppg and 7rpg in those 3 years. Regardless of D2, you have to like that combination.

To put the steals in perspective, Shereef had 45 this past season.
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shabamon
3/27/2024 12:41 PM
Louisville close to a deal with CofC's Pat Kelsey. If that happens, some of the latter's guys might bolt. We offered two of their freshmen, James Scott and Mayar Wol, in the past.
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GoCats105
3/27/2024 2:18 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
Louisville close to a deal with CofC's Pat Kelsey. If that happens, some of the latter's guys might bolt. We offered two of their freshmen, James Scott and Mayar Wol, in the past.
Great hire IMO, but my oh my will the Louisville fans be pissed off about that one. They just went through the Chris Mack era and how that ended abruptly and left a sour taste in everyone's mouths - so let's hire a former Mack assistant!
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M.D.W.S.T
3/27/2024 2:25 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
Louisville close to a deal with CofC's Pat Kelsey. If that happens, some of the latter's guys might bolt. We offered two of their freshmen, James Scott and Mayar Wol, in the past.
Should've held out for that Toledo money.
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FJC31
3/28/2024 7:05 AM
We’ve reached out to AJ Smith of of Southern Indiana.

14ppg and 9rpg.

https://x.com/hoopscoopmedia/status/1773091604254835116?s...
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FJC31
3/28/2024 8:40 AM
WxM wrote:expand_more
Boals is now following Drew Thelwell, the point guard from Morehead State fresh off their tournament appearance. Would be a tremendous get, but he's surely looking for a bigger jump for his last season. 8 points, 4 assists, and 1 turnover against Illinois. He was really efficient in the couple of games I watched him. Knows his role and can play.
Thelwell is now following both Boals and his son on IG. We know that happens this time of the year and could mean nothing. However, it might also mean there's mutual interest when you factor AJB's Orlando ties into it. They clearly know each other.
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Cats5
3/28/2024 8:56 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
We’ve reached out to AJ Smith of of Southern Indiana.

14ppg and 9rpg.

https://x.com/hoopscoopmedia/status/1773091604254835116?s...
Had a double double against Duke. Yes please.
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FearLeon
3/28/2024 9:37 AM
As I read more and more about Thelwell from Morehead State and watch video, this is the PG I want. PG with length who is a pass first guy. Question is….I have to believe larger schools than Ohio are interested. Would he view Ohio as a much bigger step than Morehead State? But Boals would give him the keys day one to run the offense.
Last Edited: 3/28/2024 9:38:30 AM by FearLeon
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JimLurker34
3/28/2024 10:10 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
As I read more and more about Thelwell from Morehead State and watch video, this is the PG I want. PG with length who is a pass first guy. Question is….I have to believe larger schools than Ohio are interested. Would he view Ohio as a much bigger step than Morehead State? But Boals would give him the keys day one to run the offense.
With dreams of JP and DJ dancing in my head!
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GraffZ06
3/28/2024 10:29 AM
I know it's the day and age of AAU team jumping via the portal, but thankfully Boals has avoided this on a mass scale so far, and most guys stick around for a few years together. We already brought in a 1 year rental in Searls. While Thelwell sounds like a good get, grabbing a 2nd 1 year stop gap isn't ideal because you're right back here trying to find their replacements next year. Onesie is fine but when it's multiple guys I fear it leaking into a culture of roster turnover we've tried so hard to successfully avoid.
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shabamon
3/28/2024 10:33 AM
Excellent idea to combat the NIL/Portal blues. This could benefit power teams AND mid-low majors:

https://twitter.com/DanielPoneman/status/1773163426258227439
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greencat
3/28/2024 10:45 AM
UAB junior Daniel Ortiz has entered the transfer portal.

Ortiz previously played at North Alabama where he averaged 14.8 points, and shot 40% from 3 (105/257)

6-0/185 guard

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

Central Arkansas freshman Tucker Anderson has officially entered the transfer portal.

The 6’9” forward appeared in 31 games, averaging 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. Anderson shot 38% from 3 (75/197).

Was named A-SUN Freshman of the Year
Last Edited: 3/28/2024 10:48:24 AM by greencat
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FJC31
3/28/2024 11:00 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
As I read more and more about Thelwell from Morehead State and watch video, this is the PG I want. PG with length who is a pass first guy. Question is….I have to believe larger schools than Ohio are interested. Would he view Ohio as a much bigger step than Morehead State? But Boals would give him the keys day one to run the offense.
This was my initial thought; but the AJB/Orlando connection makes me think we could have a puncher's chance at landing him.

I might be in the minority, but I would love Thelwell and the Walsh kid. The latter brings size in 6'7 and the ability to play inside/outside. His assist numbers in tandem with Thelwell would really help keep the ball moving for a roster that was stagnant many times this past season.
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GoCats105
3/28/2024 11:02 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
We’ve reached out to AJ Smith of of Southern Indiana.

14ppg and 9rpg.

https://x.com/hoopscoopmedia/status/1773091604254835116?s...
Breakout year this past season after not seeing much time as a frosh. Was pretty consistent all year, scoring double figures in every game but six. Went on an absolute tear in February, averaging 18.6 ppg and 9.6 rpg. Doesn't turn the ball over much and knows how to get to the FT line - had six games with double digit FT attempts.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/aj-smith-3.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB8HILO3AtY

I really like this guy.
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FearLeon
3/28/2024 11:09 AM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
We’ve reached out to AJ Smith of of Southern Indiana.

14ppg and 9rpg.

https://x.com/hoopscoopmedia/status/1773091604254835116?s...
Breakout year this past season after not seeing much time as a frosh. Was pretty consistent all year, scoring double figures in every game but six. Went on an absolute tear in February, averaging 18.6 ppg and 9.6 rpg. Doesn't turn the ball over much and knows how to get to the FT line - had six games with double digit FT attempts.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/aj-smith-3.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB8HILO3AtY

I really like this guy.
And a stat I I never really even considered until researching.....Thelwell hardly fouls. He's near the top of NCAA in least fouls committed per 40 minutes. I don't think it has anything to do with him not being aggressive defensively, I think he's smart and not committing silly fouls 40 feet from the basket.
Last Edited: 3/28/2024 11:16:43 AM by FearLeon
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FearLeon
3/28/2024 11:09 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
As I read more and more about Thelwell from Morehead State and watch video, this is the PG I want. PG with length who is a pass first guy. Question is….I have to believe larger schools than Ohio are interested. Would he view Ohio as a much bigger step than Morehead State? But Boals would give him the keys day one to run the offense.
This was my initial thought; but the AJB/Orlando connection makes me think we could have a puncher's chance at landing him.

I might be in the minority, but I would love Thelwell and the Walsh kid. The latter brings size in 6'7 and the ability to play inside/outside. His assist numbers in tandem with Thelwell would really help keep the ball moving for a roster that was stagnant many times this past season.
I agree with this.
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FearLeon
3/28/2024 11:12 AM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
I know it's the day and age of AAU team jumping via the portal, but thankfully Boals has avoided this on a mass scale so far, and most guys stick around for a few years together. We already brought in a 1 year rental in Searls. While Thelwell sounds like a good get, grabbing a 2nd 1 year stop gap isn't ideal because you're right back here trying to find their replacements next year. Onesie is fine but when it's multiple guys I fear it leaking into a culture of roster turnover we've tried so hard to successfully avoid.
It's an interesting point about having multiple 1 year stop gaps on a roster, but this is where we are in college hoops right?

So if we can get Thelwell then staff has time to find that 3-4 year HS PG next class. I agree the whole thing is tricky to navigate. But I'd rather have Thelwell at the point for one year and let the staff figure out the recruiting for that position with the next class.
Last Edited: 3/28/2024 11:13:08 AM by FearLeon
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FearLeon
3/28/2024 11:14 AM
JimLurker34 wrote:expand_more
As I read more and more about Thelwell from Morehead State and watch video, this is the PG I want. PG with length who is a pass first guy. Question is….I have to believe larger schools than Ohio are interested. Would he view Ohio as a much bigger step than Morehead State? But Boals would give him the keys day one to run the offense.
With dreams of JP and DJ dancing in my head!
Agree. Doesn't he sound like someone who is truly a combination of both JP and Cooper?

Just love his length.
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brucecuth
3/28/2024 2:12 PM
We could do worse than take a look at Antowne Woolfolk, a Cleveland kid who's in the portal from Rutgers with at least 2 yrs left. 6'8", 250. Was initially thought to be more of a football player than a hooper, but took the Rutgers hoops offer. Was hurt and didn't play much. Situation reminds me a lot of a Columbus kid, J.D. Weatherspoon, who initially went to OSU a decade ago. Transferred to Toledo and was a solid MAC big man for a couple years.
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