Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 16 Thread: Ball St.
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Ted Thompson
1/12/2025 7:20 PM

Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we may have a separate travel thread.

Date: Tuesday  January 14th, 2025 7:00 PM

Opponent: Ball St.  (8-7, 2-1 MAC)

Site: Convocation Center

TV/Streaming: ESPN+

Radio: Ohio RadioThe Varsity Network App (free)

Ball St. statisticsroster and media guide

Ball St. message board:  OverThePylon

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Pataskala
1/12/2025 11:06 PM
Ohio is working on three straight halves of 50+ pts, due mostly to the three-pt shooting coming alive. 23 of 44 over that span. It might be tough keeping that going vs BSU. They're second in the MAC overall (30.6%) and in conference games (28.4$) in defending threes (Ohio is best in MAC play at 26.4%) This one might be a struggle for Ohio.
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M.D.W.S.T
1/13/2025 8:56 AM
BALLS brought in a JUCO sharp-shooter who is killing it, #1 Hill, and Sparks is always a problem.

I think we're starting to figure it out a bit having won 7 of the last 8, so I'm feeling confident, I'm sure the team is as well. We're in a good spot heading into the meat of the schedule.

Secure the W at home. Eyes turn to Akron. Friday night game at the JAR. Should be rowdy.
Last Edited: 1/13/2025 8:58:31 AM by M.D.W.S.T
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FearLeon
1/13/2025 10:06 AM
And now the MAC season begins. Ball State is gonna be a handful to deal with down low. Hope Reef got his offensive mojo back with his strong finish to the NIU game.

Weird season for Ball State…..they have four losses to teams ranked 200+ in Ken Pom. Seems like they have figured it out since November.
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FJC31
1/13/2025 10:27 AM
This is going to be a tough game. We don't match up particularly well with Ball State's interior. Sparks has been on a tear lately averaging 17ppg and 14rpg the last 4 games. He and Pearson really open things up for one another down low.
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shabamon
1/13/2025 10:44 AM
Clayton was named the Lou Henson National Player of the Week.
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GoCats105
1/13/2025 11:46 AM
In four career games against Ohio, Payton Sparks is averaging 16.5 ppg and 10 rpg.

All four games were Ohio wins though...
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MonroeClassmate
1/13/2025 11:49 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
And now the MAC season begins. Ball State is gonna be a handful to deal with down low.
On their message board it is full of comments about how their guards provide little value on offense especially at the point.

So, we might see one of their posters saying, "OHIO is gonna be a handful to deal with EVERYWHERE OTHER THAN THE PAINT."
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Clown Ohio Fan
1/13/2025 1:57 PM
Anything can happen but ESPN's BPI gives Ohio an 82% chance of winning and KenPom gives Ohio a 77% chance with a predicted score of 80-72.
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Andrew Ruck
1/13/2025 2:26 PM
Looks like the Athletics department is asking everyone on the bench side to wear white and everyone on the student/band side to wear green tomorrow. I don't recall them ever attempting this. We'll see how it goes, I will be sure to comply and wear white.
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Pataskala
1/13/2025 9:52 PM
FormerMember wrote:expand_more
Anything can happen but ESPN's BPI gives Ohio an 82% chance of winning and KenPom gives Ohio a 77% chance with a predicted score of 80-72.
Being unbeaten at home probably helps.
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Bobcat1998
1/14/2025 9:14 AM
Would be nice to be 4-0 starting MAC Play and heading into Kron. I like the cohesiveness of this team and I feel more comfortable when Elliott and Evans get time as opposed to previous years when 9 and 10 were in the game. I just hope we continue to find cutters and work inside.
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SBH
1/14/2025 9:16 AM
A very good source told me that Boals openly complained during the non-conf. schedule that there was no "leader" in the locker room. Wonder if/how that issue has been resolved?
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M.D.W.S.T
1/14/2025 9:55 AM
SBH wrote:expand_more
A very good source told me that Boals openly complained during the non-conf. schedule that there was no "leader" in the locker room. Wonder if/how that issue has been resolved?
We've been saying that for two years. We have a lot of good shooters and no GUY. I thought AJB would assert himself as the leader a while ago, but maybe injuries really kept him from taking that role. Reef should be the guy since he's in year 6, but lack of time is likely keeping him from that as well.

For years it seemed like we had at least one guy that when we went cold, Leon, DJ, Tillman, Campbell, JP, Sears, DW3 would step up and take over and will the team forward.

AJC is the closest thing we have, but he's not strong enough to dominate the paint and not quick enough to be a true 3 and D guy. He's a good shooter, but hasn't ever really asserted himself as the rally-around-me guy.

My hope is Evans or Elliott are getting enough playing time now to take a giant leap next year and be those leaders, and dominators. Next year, again, or hopefully coming this season Elmore or AJB become the defacto GUY.
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shabamon
1/14/2025 9:57 AM
Looking over the upcoming home schedule, it appears we are back to having some sort of student promotion with a giveaway or food every game. Good to see. Hoping to see and hear an engaged student presence through tonight's stream that builds on the solid group I saw vs UNC-Asheville.
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Deciduous Forest Cat
1/14/2025 10:53 AM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
Looking over the upcoming home schedule, it appears we are back to having some sort of student promotion with a giveaway or food every game. Good to see. Hoping to see and hear an engaged student presence through tonight's stream that builds on the solid group I saw vs UNC-Asheville.
I imagine the single digit temps tonight won't help. Just a fact of life.

Also you won't hear sh** through the stream because the nat sound is embarrassingly bad, has been for years and never seems to get better.
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WxM
1/14/2025 11:14 AM
Anybody notice that the fan promotions have basically dried up? Two years ago a person could get a free shirt if he showed up early to about every other game, last year was greatly reduced (but there was at least an autograph session by this point in the year), and this year there's been nothing. I get that the fan base is a bit notorious for being cheap, but you'd think they could find a happy medium between mass giveaways and nothing.
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100%Cat
1/14/2025 12:43 PM
WxM wrote:expand_more
Anybody notice that the fan promotions have basically dried up? Two years ago a person could get a free shirt if he showed up early to about every other game, last year was greatly reduced (but there was at least an autograph session by this point in the year), and this year there's been nothing. I get that the fan base is a bit notorious for being cheap, but you'd think they could find a happy medium between mass giveaways and nothing.
There was an autograph session after a game in December this season, but I think it was after the students had left for break.
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Kinggeorge4
1/14/2025 3:18 PM
100%Cat wrote:expand_more
Anybody notice that the fan promotions have basically dried up? Two years ago a person could get a free shirt if he showed up early to about every other game, last year was greatly reduced (but there was at least an autograph session by this point in the year), and this year there's been nothing. I get that the fan base is a bit notorious for being cheap, but you'd think they could find a happy medium between mass giveaways and nothing.
There was an autograph session after a game in December this season, but I think it was after the students had left for break.
There used to be season ticket holder gifts too. I don't think we get those either anymore. I agree, the give away items are few and far between.
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SBH
1/14/2025 3:52 PM
OBC members get a gift now. That's how it should be as this is an increased investment above tickets.
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greencat
1/14/2025 5:24 PM
Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:expand_more
Also you won't hear sh** through the stream because the nat sound is embarrassingly bad, has been for years and never seems to get better.
ESPN+ is not free. Why do they put up with the horrible audio BS?

You have to crank it way up and then a commercial comes on blasting at the level of Black Sabbath concert. Yes, the audio has been crap forever. Why can't the quality of the audio match the picture quality?
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shabamon
1/14/2025 6:45 PM
greencat wrote:expand_more
Also you won't hear sh** through the stream because the nat sound is embarrassingly bad, has been for years and never seems to get better.
ESPN+ is not free. Why do they put up with the horrible audio BS?

You have to crank it way up and then a commercial comes on blasting at the level of Black Sabbath concert. Yes, the audio has been crap forever. Why can't the quality of the audio match the picture quality?
ESPN provides us the uplink and we can use their audio and video package. The quality of the production from an equipment standpoint is up to us (right?)
Last Edited: 1/14/2025 6:45:45 PM by shabamon
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Ryan Carey
1/14/2025 6:58 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
OBC members get a gift now. That's how it should be as this is an increased investment above tickets.
When was the last time they gave out OBC gifts? I haven't gotten anything for basketball in at least 2 years and I think the Rufus motorcycle bobblehead was a couple of football seasons ago, am I missing something?

I would also venture to guess the other freebie promos money is going to NIL now.
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Bobcat Tattoo
1/14/2025 7:04 PM
Jason Preston on the call!
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KC Bobcat
1/14/2025 7:13 PM
Is anyone else having trouble getting into ESPN+ ?
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