Gross wasn’t it? Just did not expect the preseason conference of the player of the year to be so disinterested in playing ball. His defense was brutal too. You just expect so much more out of 23 in his senior year to be a leader and have that dawg in him. But the body language on the court just isn’t there.

#23 wasn’t engaged in this one from the opening tip to the final horn.

Gross is right.

I know the preseason MAC player of the year is getting a chunk of NIL cash? Guessing at this point he and the coach are both overpaid. But hey it is all good because the regular season doesn’t matter.

Nah, but substitute GROVER for PING and you may be on to something!

For those in the Convo for the game, was the young girl who sang the national anthem the highlight of the day? SBH was critical of her rendition, but I thought she did a fantastic job, maybe outperforming whoever is scheduled to sing the anthem before tomorrow's Super Bowl.

Elmore passed up some open shots like the rest of the team did for some reason. AJC on the other hand, I’m starting to wish he transferred. I’ve never seen someone play like they don’t care like he did today. I was at the game and kept a close eye on how he acted during offensive and defensive possessions. He didn’t hardly move. Him throwing the ball out of bounds when trying to get it to AJB on our side of the court really should’ve been the last straw. I would’ve kept him on the bench the rest of the game. He’s not the best big in the MAC and definitely not the best player on the team. Vic at least scraps and wants to play on the block.

Anybody have a video of this "performance?'

Over 6,300 in the Convo today, a good crowd size in 2025, but a so-so, weeknight crowd in the previous century.

Alan's point stands, however. You want to put your best effort forward in front of the largest crowd of the year, or one of the largest crowds. Send them home happy.

By comparison, 9 of the 12 games in the SBC-MAC challenge today (all at MAC sites) had crowds less than 2,000. Miami, giddy about drawing 7,900 last Saturday for its game v. Ohio, drew a whopping 1,800 today.

UT (4,400) and Ball St. (3,400) joined Ohio in getting crowds that topped the 2,000 threshold.

Boy, has the MAC fallen big time. Not just in quality of basketball, but also in getting fans in the door.

On a positive, the MAC did win 8 out of 12 today v. the Sun Belt. And, a MAC team, Akron, now holds the nation's longest winning streak with Duke and Auburn losing today. Although that might be more of an indictment on the strength of the league than a compliment for coach Groce's team.

Just for kicks, I looked at the rosters of the top current Sun Belt teams.

Biggest players by team

Arky St. - 6-10 and 6-11
Troy - 6-9 and 6-9
South Alabama - 6-10
Appy - 6-9/6-9/6-9/6-11
JMU - 6-9/6-11/6-11
Marshall - 6-10 and 6-10

Other mid-majors in first place in their league:
North Alabama - 6-9/6-10/7-1
Lipscomb - 6-10/6-11
Jacksonville - 6-9/6-9/6-11
Utah Valley - 6-9/6-9/6-10
Bryant - 6-11 and 6-11
Northern Colorado 6-9/6-9/6-10/6-10/6-10

I would keep going but it seems like the point stands.

You toss around “disinterested” every time someone has a bad game. However you are implying that these young men don’t care. Just because you are not happy gives you no reason to question the character or motivation of others.

I just wish OHIO’s players could be as perfect as some of you. OHIO would be multiple time National Champions

You act like I’m the only one who made the same comment about Clayton‘s performance against Appalachian State.

Sorry….but when you are the highest paid player on the team (have to assume right?) and the MAC preseason conference player of the year…I think Ohio fans expect more than a two point effort at home against a Sun Belt team.

You and Bobcat1996 implied that Julie Cromer is sexist and fails to treat her employees with dignity, and you provided no evidence for either. You questioned her character publicly, got asked to provide evidence, and refused.

Those are farore serious accusations -- all of which would have a serious impact on her career -- than a basketball fan suggesting they didn't like the effort level of a player on the court. Maybe you aren't the best to me policing others?

Quite disparaging coming from someone who believes Neil Young has a good singing voice,

If the question still remains if Clayton is healthy or not completely 100% then he shouldn't be out there in the first place. He may have not been completely disinterested in playing yesterday, but he certainly avoided going inside the three point arc unless he absolutely had to. I think we all expected him to make some great leap to where he could be an outside-in big man, but he's just not. In reality he'd be a three and D wing for a bigger school, and probably what he'll be at the next level in Europe. He's basically Kenny Kaminski, but Ohio is relying on him to be BVP clone or even a Jason Carter. He's not that guy.

And that's on Boals for trying to make a guy play a position he's just not built for. Maybe the Hadaway injury makes a difference because he was the dirty work guy in the paint while Clayton hugged the perimeter, but every team experiences injuries and you have to adjust.

I've said it before, but with all of these guards, for the life of me I can't understand why we haven't seen an increase in ball pressure. We're 10th (!) in the country in fast break points according to yesterday's broadcast. Lean into that. Create turnovers and get out on the run.