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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 27 Thread: Akron
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Alan Swank
2/23/2025 1:06 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
I really think there's an inverse relationship between how well we play and how many posts are on this board. Interesting. If we had lost badly, there'd likely be 150 posts on here.
QFT.

Biggest win of the year and we've had 20 posts in 16 hours.
Sadly in these trying times, that has become the norm of human nature for so many. A customer approaching the service desk at the store automatically scares the heck out of the guy behind the counter because rarely does a customer stop to compliment but so often stops to complain.
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FearLeon
2/23/2025 1:25 PM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
First, I agree with DFC to the point of posting after road games vs home. I am much more likely to post quickly after a road game when the thoughts are fresh. Even if I drive straight home I am less likely to post because things just fade. Also, if we do post more after a loss it is likely related to the negative posts prompting a lot of replies and discussion. People are more likely to chime in on that then they are "wow we were great."

Also I agree there was a clear shift to reporting actual attendance a few years ago. It definitely used to be inflated. 7k sounds about right.

But anyway, wow we were great and what a great day in Athens. What being a sports fan is all about when you see your time fire on all cylinders (and maybe turn a corner?). JP was fantastic going downhill all game and avoiding mistakes. That is our game, no doubt about it as Reef/EE/Elmore are similar style. When we got up huge and deliberately tried to chew shot clock we struggled. Attacking the rim with reckless abandon should be our #1 strategy.

As others said, that is the player we need Clayton to be. Shoot/make some threes but get in there and mix it up and have a nose for the rebounds. I was shocked to see we ended up outrebounded. I thought we did a great job positioning and securing boards.

And that defense needs to stick around. It was absolutely NOT just an off night for Akron, the guys deserve a lot of credit for the way they defended. Many times they just kept running into closed doors and had to force bad shots.

Anyone else notice no starter played more than 22 minutes for Akron? The bench actually played more minutes than the starters. Nate Johnson (leadng scorer) had 4 points and Isiah Gray (3rd leading scorer was skunked with 0. Unreal. Groce packed it in when we went up about 25 with 15 to go. They barely pressed at all. I understand the thinking but maybe a little surprising. No ill will towards Groce & Dustin...but it still mkaes me happy when they have bad days in Athens.

I don't know if trap is the right word but quite the throwaway road trip to Kalamazoo in between our 2 biggest home games of the year. Guys needs to stay focused on that mission and get the job done. If they do we've got a great shot at the 2/3 seed, only further embarrassing those that expressed concern about making it to Cleveland.
Great recap as always. To be fair about posters thinking negatively about Cleveland three weeks ago. I know my thoughts about Cleveland were made when I truly thought we’d be without Captain Chaos, Clayton, and Elmore for the rest of the season.
Last Edited: 2/23/2025 1:34:20 PM by FearLeon
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MonroeClassmate
2/23/2025 2:01 PM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
And that defense needs to stick around. It was absolutely NOT just an off night for Akron, the guys deserve a lot of credit for the way they defended. Many times they just kept running into closed doors and had to force bad shots.
Absolutely.

A full 40 minutes of intensity is required. We could all see that Bobcat complacency set in towards the end of the game and then Amani Lyles and Co started feeling their oats. Night and day difference from the game in Akron with this fantastic defensive effort. Switches were smooth and passing lanes were taken away to slow those easy layups the Zips got in Akron. I really hope there is a rubber match between these two in March!
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GraffZ06
2/23/2025 2:20 PM
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
I really hope there is a rubber match between these two in March!
Speak for yourself. Akron is still the best team in the conference, and I'd much rather maximize our chances of punching a ticket to the dance by avoiding them in Cleveland altogether.
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MonroeClassmate
2/23/2025 2:47 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
I really hope there is a rubber match between these two in March!
Speak for yourself. Akron is still the best team in the conference, and I'd much rather maximize our chances of punching a ticket to the dance by avoiding them in Cleveland altogether.
Well it was only one Saturday night special and OHIO has got to show that they can string several performances together BUT. Three things are different now than when OHIO played in Akron. A true freshman is rapidly maturing.2nd, he only got four points and fouled out but Reef was then a shadow of his current self. 3rd, the muscular bulldog EJ is back in the lineup. A fourth factor is Clayton, had a terrible game in Akron likely because he was already hurting and now knows his limits and probably has confidence that Vic can take more of his minutes if the foot is bothering him. What I am trying to say is thet we are close to being as good as the Zips and Tuesday will add to the story if Ball State makes it two in a row for the Zips. They won't be caught but the reputation could be tarnished by Cleveland.
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LuckySparrow
2/23/2025 3:46 PM
Haven't posted much this season, but have been following every game as per usual...

Man, I can't remember the last time we took it to a good Akron team like that. Our offensive strategy was sublime. Fast paced, attacking the paint, getting tons of attempts. Elliott is the real deal, he is such a smooth player for a freshman.

I feel like we can beat anyone in the tournament. This is a repeatable performance. This wasn't an outlier game where we hit tons of threes.

Looking at the seeding right now - I would love to grab the three seed. I would rather save a showdown against Kent or Akron for the championship game.
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FearLeon
2/23/2025 4:01 PM
LuckySparrow wrote:expand_more
Haven't posted much this season, but have been following every game as per usual...

Man, I can't remember the last time we took it to a good Akron team like that. Our offensive strategy was sublime. Fast paced, attacking the paint, getting tons of attempts. Elliott is the real deal, he is such a smooth player for a freshman.

I feel like we can beat anyone in the tournament. This is a repeatable performance. This wasn't an outlier game where we hit tons of threes.

Looking at the seeding right now - I would love to grab the three seed. I would rather save a showdown against Kent or Akron for the championship game.
Sure would be nice for Kent/Toledo to play in the 4-5 game.
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GraffZ06
2/23/2025 6:06 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Haven't posted much this season, but have been following every game as per usual...

Man, I can't remember the last time we took it to a good Akron team like that. Our offensive strategy was sublime. Fast paced, attacking the paint, getting tons of attempts. Elliott is the real deal, he is such a smooth player for a freshman.

I feel like we can beat anyone in the tournament. This is a repeatable performance. This wasn't an outlier game where we hit tons of threes.

Looking at the seeding right now - I would love to grab the three seed. I would rather save a showdown against Kent or Akron for the championship game.
Sure would be nice for Kent/Toledo to play in the 4-5 game.
Hundo P.

Give me a path of Balls and Fiami to the finals as the 3 seed rather than Kant and Akron as the 4 seed.

I liked our chances to make it to the finals if we got the 3 seed BEFORE we beat down Akron. Even moreso now.
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100%Cat
2/24/2025 8:15 AM
The Akron message board was just as expected. Blaming the officiating for getting soundly beaten on national TV. Love it.
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Kinggeorge4
2/24/2025 8:27 AM
Loved the defense we played Saturday. It was amazing and we need to see that more often. Did want to mention that I thought Elmore had a really good game. He played hard, was very physical with Akron and was a difference maker.
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spongeBOB CATpants
2/24/2025 9:25 AM
Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:expand_more
I really think there's an inverse relationship between how well we play and how many posts are on this board. Interesting. If we had lost badly, there'd likely be 150 posts on here.
That is a very real thing on this board!
I think there are multiple factors here. yes, message boards are a good outlet for frustration during a loss... but we win a lot more at home and a lot of the folks on this board are more likely to be at a home game rather than watching the streams and simultaneously venting.
Count me in the group that was at the game. I'm sure there were others that were celebrating on Court Street rather than hopping on the message boards. The game was a rare Friday night as well.

Anyway, the crowd wasn't as big as I was hoping but was engaged from tip and loud. Just an awesome college hoops atmosphere all around.

Loved the physicality of both teams, that was by far our best defensive game all year, couldn't have came at a better time.

Huge momentum swing on the season and the timing is right. We're now facing massive let down spot with a trip to Kalamazoo on a Tuesday night followed by Miami at home on Saturday. We can't let the foot off the gas in a game that shouldn't be close.
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Casper71
2/24/2025 3:41 PM
Let’s not give up the big win at home for a loss to Western Michigan on the road. Have to agree with all the comments, it was the best game we’ve played all year. Scored over 80 gave up less than usual to a good offensive team.
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