And it's missing all the fencing every ramp, and dozens of rent-a-security dudes paid for doing absolutely nothing other than herding all to one ramp therefore easier/bigger target.....

Have stayed off this conversation but have to comment after seeing the reaction of our PD/Security. I have worked in various positions (security/law enforcement) for over forty years. Have never seen the response that we have at our events anywhere. Officer with an AR-15 at football entrance, officers everywhere. The cement blockade to get in the parking lot. Not able to park under Convo or able to walk around it. I am all for safety but there are stadiums that still park at them and have thousands more fans than us. My black seats and green lot get me close parking. but really. Seems to me to be over kill (no pun intended). But I guess I can feel safe.

Just responding to RSBobcat comment about the Convo. Don't like oatmeal but thanks for the award though.

I still believe this as much about some makin'$'s as much or more than actual security - or maybe wastin' $ due to poor decision making. Yeah - AK's at the gate - Really?

Mickle was trying to do that, but he had an injury. The officials told him to play on, and then when the Cats got possession they called time out.

I'd rather have a Sheriff's deputy with an AK that's not needed than to have a terrorist or luny conduct some kind of massacre at the Convo or in Peden. It's an unfortunate thing in our society today, but these folks look for easy targets, and being prepared is a deterrent. I've been told that the OU PD police chief is quite well versed on these issues. I do find some of the things they've done quite inconvenient, like the barricades you have to weave around to get to the Peden Parking lot and the guards who prevent you from walking around the outside concourse at the Convo. However, I also understand the reason for them and reluctantly must admit in today's society they are necessary for our own protection.

I think this team will be fine. Its a process with a rebuilding year. Last year was our big chance, but Campbell injury was a bad break. This year more modest expectations. A close game does help a team learn how to close out games and win tight games. Not a bad think to get a scare early like this a teams learn how to play defense and reduce bad turnovers late in games plus hit pressure free throws. I don't see how a blowout help a team get ready for conference play. There are no easy games in the MAC. Close games force a team to focus on the details. They got a win despite a rough shooting day from behind the arc. They may be forced to play better defense knowing that they have fewer scoring options than past couple seasons.

Honestly I do. Alabama A&M had literally the worst D1 record last year. No way they're thinking at-large. They're hoping they win 5 or 10 this year. Furthermore, I think probably a hundred or more teams are more focused on getting ready and being hot at the right time (March) than at-large. Win the conference tournament. I would say all MAC schools this year(wish I was wrong). But then again I'm only guessing. Maybe some are that delusional. I'd bet Saul doesn't have an at-large goal right about now. Maybe 2 weeks ago, or maybe before JS took off to ride the pine at Michigan. Who knows. Not that he'd tell us.

I'm in the "don't sweat it" camp at the moment. We will take our lumps, because we are missing two of five previously expected starters. One to defection, one to injury. Thankfully one will be back at some point this year. Got a heck of a short bench at the moment with 3 injuries, 1 unused scholarship, and 1 guy unable to earn time. And with those 8 left, 2 are brand new, and 1 (Gollon) is coming off nearly 2 years without playing so he's basically brand new, and one transfer. We've only got 4 returners at the moment.

Ugly as heck game, but it was never in doubt. Ohio made a ton of mistakes and Saul let them play through them, because we weren't about to lose. We shot cold, things will come around. FTs always frustrating, not sure if that will come around :) We had plenty of rust to knock off(refs too), we had a lot of new players to integrate into the system, but it worked out. In hindsight this was a good game to start out with. Next week might bring a few thumpings, but who knows. Will be good experience for sure. I'll be there to root them on win or lose.

Nice play by TK, hope he keeps improving. Hope he & Butler can be the full time PGs so Jordan doesn't have to share time. Mickle will get used to the extra minutes and learn to be counted on more. Gavin seemed more aggressive than last year. That's great. JD was smooth as always. I want him to take about 20 shots a game. Doug got pounded/hacked - with very few calls, but I think that will happen to the big guy a lot. Hope he fights through it. Excited to see what Gollon turns into. I think we'll get a lot more out of Dartis/Laster/Taylor really soon.

And last of all, we need @ConvoBat back... Flies are everywhere on the court this time of year.
[/QUOTE
What he said.....++.

Yes, it's possible.

I want to join you all in the "no big deal we got dis" camp, but sorry that was pretty terrible. I know, we were missing our best player, and it is very early. But...

Alabama A&M is really, really bad. It isn't like they got hot and shot the ball great to force them into the game. They didn't shoot it well at all.

We turned the ball over 15 times. They gave it to us 24 times, thankfully. Without a few of those, this could have been a loss. Many of those TOs were barely earned by us.

I really like Kirk...he is absolutely a dribble drive point guard. 2 games in and he still has not attempted a 3. I'm OK with that but hope he has it in his arsenal.

Mickle will be thrown into it without Carter around. He looks capable but needs some polish.

We were a few bounces away from the worst loss in program history. Hard to be positive after that. I still believe in this team, all I'm saying is that was not a good performance.

Also - Love the comments about overkill security. It annoys the crap out of me.

Lastly...The Ozone is dead. Bad opponent, football Saturday, early open to the season...I get it. But we've had lots of those hurdles before and we've never seen the Ozone (if it was a large enough group to call them that) sit the entire game. I know, it isn't just us with this problem and it's a generational thing, but it just makes me sad.

I think what we saw was a team trying to figure itself out without its offensive focal point. Everybody on the team is adjusting to new roles except Jason Carter. The biggest positive I take away from Saturday is that all 8 players that saw the court look like they can play. But even with Jason Carter this team is a work in progress on the offensive end. We've got until January to figure it out. Obviously Saturday was frustrating but I'm overall encouraged by the pieces that I saw out there. Looking forward to the ride.

It was pretty bad, but I'll still be there for most of 'em, at least at the start.