Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official MAC Tourney First Round Thread: Miami (OH)
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allen
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Posted: 3/5/2018 10:05 PM
Word is that we just turned down an off to play in the CBI or the CIT. The season is over.

Sincerely,

Sarah Huckabee Sanders
OU SLAM
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Posted: 3/5/2018 10:13 PM
We did cut the lead to 6 but couldn’t take advantage of Miami turnovers. Good effort and looking forward to an off season to heal.
GraffZ06
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Posted: 3/5/2018 10:14 PM
Nah, there's still a chance something weird could happen. We refuse to accept the season is over at this point. NCAA collusion perhaps?

- Hillary Rodham Clinton

Edit to say -

allen wrote:expand_more
Word is that we just turned down an offer to play in the CBI or the CIT.
When that happened last year, as much as I like him as a PERSON (and still do), that was the first major red flag for me with SP and the beginning of the decline in caring/enthusiasm for this program. If they don't care enough to keep playing and competing, why should we? Lost a LOT of respect when that news came out.

Then again, maybe he knew Jaaron wouldn't deem the CBI worthy of his time. After all he had the NBA to prepare for. Oh wait....
Last Edited: 3/5/2018 10:19:47 PM by GraffZ06
Felix
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Posted: 3/5/2018 10:17 PM
What has SP done at Ohio to give any hope for next season? Seems like the optimists look only at his success in a different conference 5 years ago. Even his winning percentage is padded with cupcake wins.
cbus cat fan
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Posted: 3/5/2018 10:24 PM
Basketball frustration on our board seems to bring out two extremes of people; those who do nothing but complain, can't objectively analyze the situation (probably because they never played or coached at even the high school level;) and those who look at life through rose colored glasses thanking the coaching staff like I would for my grade school kids soccer coach, just grateful someone stepped up and took the job.

Let's face it, $500,000 a year to coach even with the cost of living and inflation figure dwarfs the greats of MAC coaches like Danny Nee, Rick Majerus and Jim Larranaga made when they coached here. All of those guys fought through bad hands dealt to them like injuries. As I mentioned here before, Coach Nee and Coach Majerus didn't accept failure and they put the fear of God into anyone who did. They didn't inherent any great teams. Coach Nee had people in Columbus singing his praises and wishing he were there in his fourth year in a time when we got no respect in the Capital City.

The late Coach Majerus (who I wasn't particularly fond of) took Ball State from a disaster to a team that in a few short years became a near giant killer. His assistant and successor Dick Hunsaker nearly defeated UNLV in the year when they won the national title. The closest game anyone gave the Runnin Rebels were the Ball State Cardinals!

Coach Phillips and his staff are to be commended for keeping the team from imploding when it looked like that was about to happen. The players too are to be commended for their leadership as well. However, the off season is going to be a serious time of appraisal of what needs to be done. We should come back healthier and with the knowledge that some serious fortitude was created and hurdles overcome, but some serious missteps were made as well. Unfortunately as has been mentioned, there are some strong MAC teams not rebuilding but reloading. Next year is where it all comes to a head, seven years out from making the Sweet 16 and an overtime from nearly defeating the vaunted Tar Heels and subsequently losing our coach to the Big Ten, and five years out from losing our next coach to the ACC. Let's hope we can all unite and put this season behind us and get ready for a better next year!
Last Edited: 3/5/2018 10:33:45 PM by cbus cat fan
shabamon
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Posted: 3/5/2018 10:41 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Not much more needs to be said about this season. Next year, I'm very concerned about athleticism. Losing Laster and Mickle in this category is going to hurt big time. Glad I was wrong about Mickle. He showed up and exceeded expectations. Miami seems more athletic than us. And we know Buffalo has a ton a guys who can run the floor, plus they have a 4-star recruit coming in.

Next year's recruiting class doesn't appear to be ready to step in and fill a void. And then of course, many questions about Garreri and BVP. Will Carter fully recover? Will Dartis hip injury linger? Block really disappeared offensively these last couple of months. He needs to find his Clemson mojo. The only good thing about this season is that it didn't end with our point guard dribbling out the clock. Reality has set in for Saul. Next season starts right now. #12Months #6YearsRemovedFromLastBigDanceAppearance
Raw athleticism is overrated. If you are a mid-major and your game is predicated on out-athleting the other team, you'll never win an NCAA tournament game. Give me scheme and BBIQ first.
Bobcat1998
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Posted: 3/5/2018 10:42 PM
Felix wrote:expand_more
What has SP done at Ohio to give any hope for next season? Seems like the optimists look only at his success in a different conference 5 years ago. Even his winning percentage is padded with cupcake wins.
It pains me to agree...but I agree. Where is the player development? Give me a program-building win in his four years. Our guys don't seem jacked up often enough. I love the swag of the Ball State or Buffalo players. Gollon and Kirk are seemingly the only guys with it on our team.
FearLeon
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Posted: 3/5/2018 10:46 PM
Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
What has SP done at Ohio to give any hope for next season? Seems like the optimists look only at his success in a different conference 5 years ago. Even his winning percentage is padded with cupcake wins.
Give me a program-building win in his four years..
Still waiting. Christian never had one either.
Mark Lembright '85
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Posted: 3/5/2018 10:49 PM
Hey, the Women won tonight!!! Good for them! Being totally, totally serious. 👏👏👏
Last Edited: 3/5/2018 10:55:45 PM by Mark Lembright '85
Maddog13
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Posted: 3/5/2018 11:12 PM
I never thought that I would see Ohio become a football school, and that basketball, by comparison, would decline so much in such a short amount of time. I applaud the players, themselves, for never giving up and making the best of this year. I have to assume that the coaches did their best as well with what they had. I hope that everyone learned a lot and will grow from the experience.

As a fan, I will never stop following the Bobcats and rooting for them. I love Ohio University and Athens, Ohio. Therefore, I can tolerate a losing season here and there. However, I know that this program can win, because I have seen it done before in Athens. The usual formula: someone is brought in with exceptional talent and durability, and a supporting cast is built around them. That supporting cast has often been gutty, scrappy, and competitive.

Granted, I am not a pro scout or an expert at all on Basketball. Just a dedicated fan. Unfortunately, I just don't see a college star in the making among this group, let alone someone who is going to be able to make a living playing at the next level. It also seems to me that Saul, despite being a super nice guy, is simply a small college coach, who is in over his head in the MAC. No shame in that by the way. However, the MAC is very competitive, and I don't see the intensity that I usually see from a winning coach at this level.

I mean we are not even in the same Universe right now as Buffalo and Toledo. While I can see Toledo having a recruiting edge over us due to it's location, I don't get Buffalo. I mean, has anyone ever been to Buffalo in the winter? If Buffalo can recruit the kind of team they have now, I think that the same level of talent can be brought into Ohio too. I mean, the football team seems to be doing it, so why not the basketball program as well?

Go 'Cats!!!!
FearLeon
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Posted: 3/6/2018 12:12 AM
Maddog13 wrote:expand_more
Granted, I am not a pro scout or an expert at all on Basketball. Just a dedicated fan. Unfortunately, I just don't see a college star in the making among this group, let alone someone who is going to be able to make a living playing at the next level. It also seems to me that Saul, despite being a super nice guy, is simply a small college coach, who is in over his head in the MAC. No shame in that by the way. However, the MAC is very competitive, and I don't see the intensity that I usually see from a winning coach at this level.

I mean we are not even in the same Universe right now as Buffalo and Toledo. While I can see Toledo having a recruiting edge over us due to it's location, I don't get Buffalo. I mean, has anyone ever been to Buffalo in the winter? If Buffalo can recruit the kind of team they have now, I think that the same level of talent can be brought into Ohio too. I mean, the football team seems to be doing it, so why not the basketball program as well?

Go 'Cats!!!!
Super analysis and spot on....all of it. ^^^^^^^^^^^ Scary to think we aren't there with Buffalo and Toledo talent wise.
jh25
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Posted: 3/6/2018 12:42 AM
Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more
Hey, the Women won tonight!!! Good for them! Being totally, totally serious. 👏👏👏
Glad someone mentioned it on here, the women deserve the credit. Hung in there on many occasions when Akron just kept hitting ridiculous shot after ridiculous shot.

They're hungry for Miami. Hope all can follow along come Wednesday.
bobcatpaul
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Posted: 3/6/2018 2:12 AM
I'm proud of these guys for battling to the end under just horrid personnel circumstances. I never sensed any quit in them. It was an entertaining, if difficult, season. Now go get healthy, Bobcats!!!
Last Edited: 3/6/2018 2:12:38 AM by bobcatpaul
100%Cat
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Posted: 3/6/2018 8:14 AM
jh25 wrote:expand_more
Hey, the Women won tonight!!! Good for them! Being totally, totally serious. 👏👏👏
Glad someone mentioned it on here, the women deserve the credit. Hung in there on many occasions when Akron just kept hitting ridiculous shot after ridiculous shot.

They're hungry for Miami. Hope all can follow along come Wednesday.
Akron was ridiculous from three last night. Good work on another season, Jake. Are you back for more next year?
LuckySparrow
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Posted: 3/6/2018 9:36 AM
If we're healthy and a couple guys have rebound seasons we will be solid next year.

Kirk
Dartis
Block
Carter
Taylor

That is a talented starting 5. The quality of our depth is TBD though.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 3/6/2018 9:49 AM
LuckySparrow wrote:expand_more
If we're healthy and a couple guys have rebound seasons we will be solid next year.

Kirk
Dartis
Block
Carter
Taylor

That is a talented starting 5. The quality of our depth is TBD though.
Block replaces Gollon in starting 5?
OUVan
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Posted: 3/6/2018 9:55 AM
allen wrote:expand_more
The Mac will be significantly better next year, the MAC lost 17 of their top 20 players last year. Ball State and Buffalo have great recruits coming in and Akron and Toledo should vastly improve. We need to get better. We need to have some serious player development this off season. Block needs to stalk Tommy Freeman this off season. In my dreams, Dartis should save some money and go play in the Seattle summer league. He can play against some great talent and find out how great players move without the ball.
What's the point of moving without the ball when your PG won't pass it to you when you are open? Dartis and Block were not even close to being our problem this year. A PG who thinks good offense is taking it strong to the hole against four defenders (I know you love guys like that) when Block, Laster, Dartis or Gollon don't have a defender within ten feet of them is the problem.
GoCats105
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Posted: 3/6/2018 10:04 AM
OUVan wrote:expand_more
The Mac will be significantly better next year, the MAC lost 17 of their top 20 players last year. Ball State and Buffalo have great recruits coming in and Akron and Toledo should vastly improve. We need to get better. We need to have some serious player development this off season. Block needs to stalk Tommy Freeman this off season. In my dreams, Dartis should save some money and go play in the Seattle summer league. He can play against some great talent and find out how great players move without the ball.
What's the point of moving without the ball when your PG won't pass it to you when you are open? Dartis and Block were not even close to being our problem this year. A PG who thinks good offense is taking it strong to the hole against four defenders (I know you love guys like that) when Block, Laster, Dartis or Gollon don't have a defender within ten feet of them is the problem.
Love TK, but this is spot on. Has to improve his decision making with film study and learning when and when not to attack. He had 14 games this year where he had more turnovers than assists. He had 7 games with 5+ turnovers. Simply can't have that from a PG, no matter how many points he's scoring.
Alan Swank
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Posted: 3/6/2018 10:05 AM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
If we're healthy and a couple guys have rebound seasons we will be solid next year.

Kirk
Dartis
Block
Carter
Taylor

That is a talented starting 5. The quality of our depth is TBD though.
Block replaces Gollon in starting 5?
Don't think so. Block will be the 6th man and after that a guy who hasn't played one minute of D 1 ball. Not much depth again at least in the early season.
Deciduous Forest Cat
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Posted: 3/6/2018 10:45 AM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
The Mac will be significantly better next year, the MAC lost 17 of their top 20 players last year. Ball State and Buffalo have great recruits coming in and Akron and Toledo should vastly improve. We need to get better. We need to have some serious player development this off season. Block needs to stalk Tommy Freeman this off season. In my dreams, Dartis should save some money and go play in the Seattle summer league. He can play against some great talent and find out how great players move without the ball.
What's the point of moving without the ball when your PG won't pass it to you when you are open? Dartis and Block were not even close to being our problem this year. A PG who thinks good offense is taking it strong to the hole against four defenders (I know you love guys like that) when Block, Laster, Dartis or Gollon don't have a defender within ten feet of them is the problem.
Love TK, but this is spot on. Has to improve his decision making with film study and learning when and when not to attack. He had 14 games this year where he had more turnovers than assists. He had 7 games with 5+ turnovers. Simply can't have that from a PG, no matter how many points he's scoring.
I think he improved as a distributor late in the season. he seemed to be getting into the paint with a purpose and finding Doug when those double teams hit. Look at how many dunks Doug had late in the season. That had a good bit to do with TK creating. I would look for his assists to double next season.
LuckySparrow
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Posted: 3/6/2018 11:25 AM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
If we're healthy and a couple guys have rebound seasons we will be solid next year.

Kirk
Dartis
Block
Carter
Taylor

That is a talented starting 5. The quality of our depth is TBD though.
Block replaces Gollon in starting 5?
Maybe, maybe not. With a full offseason to refresh I figure Block will find his way back to the starting 5.
Recovering Journalist
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Posted: 3/6/2018 12:51 PM
LuckySparrow wrote:expand_more
If we're healthy and a couple guys have rebound seasons we will be solid next year.
I agree, but that's a problem to me. I don't want to be a solid MAC program. It'll be year five of this regime and barring any shocking developments, we won't be competing for a championship. We pay the most in the league for our program and the results have not warranted the investment.
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