menu
Logo
99+
Bobcat Attack Menu
Logo
99+
Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: The official I J prediction thread
Page: 10 of 11
mail
M.D.W.S.T
2/27/2024 5:05 PM
J.B.Hoy wrote:expand_more
A novel (if not delusional) take:
Boals is acting like a decent human and taking care of one of his own. It is not my issue, it is between a player and his coach. Maybe down the road this pays dividends and players chose to stay in a program where they are treated well.

Go Bobcats. ☮
That's certainly a new recruiting pitch.

"You haven't heard of him, because he polishes bowling balls in Viriginia now..."
mail
GraffZ06
2/27/2024 6:32 PM
J.B.Hoy wrote:expand_more
A novel (if not delusional) take:
Boals is acting like a decent human and taking care of one of his own. It is not my issue, it is between a player and his coach. Maybe down the road this pays dividends and players chose to stay in a program where they are treated well.

Go Bobcats. ☮
Blasphemy. Who would even DARE suggest it.
mail
FearLeon
2/27/2024 7:58 PM
2-27-2024 (Home to Akron)

Bahamas Ezuma is not with the team on the bench.

61 consecutive games.

A nation waits.
mail
person
BillyTheCat
2/27/2024 9:30 PM
J.B.Hoy wrote:expand_more
A novel (if not delusional) take:
Boals is acting like a decent human and taking care of one of his own. It is not my issue, it is between a player and his coach. Maybe down the road this pays dividends and players chose to stay in a program where they are treated well.

Go Bobcats. ☮
+1
mail
spongeBOB CATpants
2/29/2024 11:07 AM
J.B.Hoy wrote:expand_more
A novel (if not delusional) take:
Boals is acting like a decent human and taking care of one of his own. It is not my issue, it is between a player and his coach. Maybe down the road this pays dividends and players chose to stay in a program where they are treated well.

Go Bobcats. ☮
I absolutely love that we have a ball coach with a big heart, HOWEVER, we don't have any idea as to what happened.

If Boals is taking care of the kid, what exactly happened that required assistance and big heart? Whatever it is, it prevented him from being part of the basketball team and prevented somebody else from being rostered and contributing at a position of need....for 2 seasons. No denying that.

A common guess is academic eligibility issues. If that's the case, my opinion is that this isn't something that a coach with winning intentions has time for. Staying eligible is the absolute bare minimum a player can do to contribute to the program, its not difficult considering the many free resources men's hoops gets access to. Many players with academic issues have come through Athens and had no problems staying eligible, not gonna name names but there's several former players that come to mind.

Boals gaining a reputation for treating players well only goes as far as the checkbook in today's NIL/portal world. I don't think that this case is going to be a topic of conversation during recruiting/transfer negotiations.
mail
person
cc-cat
2/29/2024 11:18 AM
it really isn't any of our business. We may have an interest as fans, but player and coach see it as a private issue. So be it. Because he is suppose to wear a jersey with "Ohio" on the front does not mean we have a right or privilege to know more. A lot of people are dealing with things we know nothing about.
mail
shabamon
2/29/2024 11:46 AM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
it really isn't any of our business. We may have an interest as fans, but player and coach see it as a private issue. So be it. Because he is suppose to wear a jersey with "Ohio" on the front does not mean we have a right or privilege to know more. A lot of people are dealing with things we know nothing about.
Of course. We're not entitled to know the specific issue. But as of today, his headshot is still on the website roster, yet he hasn't appeared on the bench with the team in a month. We have only 13 scholarships to offer and he was offered one in exchange for helping us win basketball games. Redshirting for one year to get his head on straight or handle some personal stuff, whatever it is, is a lot of leash but understandable and could pay off. But now we're in year two. And the only public acknowledgment of the topic is Russ saying in a coaches show that he is NOT going to ask about it.
mail
person
cc-cat
2/29/2024 1:00 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
it really isn't any of our business. We may have an interest as fans, but player and coach see it as a private issue. So be it. Because he is suppose to wear a jersey with "Ohio" on the front does not mean we have a right or privilege to know more. A lot of people are dealing with things we know nothing about.
Of course. We're not entitled to know the specific issue. But as of today, his headshot is still on the website roster, yet he hasn't appeared on the bench with the team in a month. We have only 13 scholarships to offer and he was offered one in exchange for helping us win basketball games. Redshirting for one year to get his head on straight or handle some personal stuff, whatever it is, is a lot of leash but understandable and could pay off. But now we're in year two. And the only public acknowledgment of the topic is Russ saying in a coaches show that he is NOT going to ask about it.
My question would be on a scale of 1 (he got caught pissing on the steps of a dorm or frat house and is being disciplined) to 10 (he is privately facing a very serious medical situation) where do you think we are? I'm guessing it's absolutely not a 1,2,3, probably (and hopefully not higher than) a 6,7 and god forbid not a 9,10.

My point of reference is a classmate of my son's and a neighbor who received an athletic scholarship to one of the top schools in the sport. Ended up having to battle (and continues battle) a life threatening disease. Stayed on the roster, on scholarship, but never played, and the situation was never addressed by the university -- for obvious reason. Now I am not saying that is the case here - I have no idea - and it's none of my business. But it certainly isn't about peeing on campus. And we have not heard through any backdoor gossip any of his teammates having any issue. That also says something.

Again, it is what it is and I've stayed away from the topic for 9 3/4 pages - but I figured I'd throw in a perspective from another situation. I'll wait until and if the story unfolds - until then, hoping he just has a very active bladder.
Last Edited: 2/29/2024 2:19:51 PM by cc-cat
mail
person
FJC31
3/1/2024 7:32 AM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
it really isn't any of our business. We may have an interest as fans, but player and coach see it as a private issue. So be it. Because he is suppose to wear a jersey with "Ohio" on the front does not mean we have a right or privilege to know more. A lot of people are dealing with things we know nothing about.
Of course. We're not entitled to know the specific issue. But as of today, his headshot is still on the website roster, yet he hasn't appeared on the bench with the team in a month. We have only 13 scholarships to offer and he was offered one in exchange for helping us win basketball games. Redshirting for one year to get his head on straight or handle some personal stuff, whatever it is, is a lot of leash but understandable and could pay off. But now we're in year two. And the only public acknowledgment of the topic is Russ saying in a coaches show that he is NOT going to ask about it.
My question would be on a scale of 1 (he got caught pissing on the steps of a dorm or frat house and is being disciplined) to 10 (he is privately facing a very serious medical situation) where do you think we are? I'm guessing it's absolutely not a 1,2,3, probably (and hopefully not higher than) a 6,7 and god forbid not a 9,10.

My point of reference is a classmate of my son's and a neighbor who received an athletic scholarship to one of the top schools in the sport. Ended up having to battle (and continues battle) a life threatening disease. Stayed on the roster, on scholarship, but never played, and the situation was never addressed by the university -- for obvious reason. Now I am not saying that is the case here - I have no idea - and it's none of my business. But it certainly isn't about peeing on campus. And we have not heard through any backdoor gossip any of his teammates having any issue. That also says something.

Again, it is what it is and I've stayed away from the topic for 9 3/4 pages - but I figured I'd throw in a perspective from another situation. I'll wait until and if the story unfolds - until then, hoping he just has a very active bladder.
I appreciate the optimistic and empathetic spin, but I think we’ve seen the last of him and I don’t think he’s being kept on scholarship for whatever reason. IJ’s last game on the bench (1/30) coincided with our first outreach to Daniel Nixon, a 6’7 JUCO.

Instead of waiting for the portal to officially open and seeing who enters, the staff has gotten a head start on what’s most likely needed now more than ever with IJ gone. Last week, we reached out to a JUCO PG. To me, that indicates we have two schollies available and one is IJ’s.
Last Edited: 3/1/2024 8:24:59 AM by FJC31
mail
100%Cat
3/1/2024 8:08 AM
I have no inside information, this is only my gut feeling. I'd think if it was a serious medical issue, those words would be said and the "story" effectively dies. It wouldn't have to be anything specific, just say "medical issue" and the story's legs are removed. My gut feeling is that it's something the team doesn't want to come out, hence the vague and abrupt response from the program.
mail
spongeBOB CATpants
3/1/2024 10:36 AM
100%Cat wrote:expand_more
I have no inside information, this is only my gut feeling. I'd think if it was a serious medical issue, those words would be said and the "story" effectively dies. It wouldn't have to be anything specific, just say "medical issue" and the story's legs are removed. My gut feeling is that it's something the team doesn't want to come out, hence the vague and abrupt response from the program.
This is most likely the case, however, why was he on the bench for a portion of the season? Why would he travel to the Bahamas tournament if he broke a rule of some sort? To me, that says he didn't get in any sort of trouble and my mind goes back to academics.

Wasting 2 years worth of scholarship waiting for eligibility is a decision that puts the program back. Fans might not have a right to know specifics of the situation, but we surely have a right to an opinion on how Boals and co. handled the situation (to be clear, they ignored it completely).

I know most are sick of this story but I wish there was some accountability by the staff so it could be buried. If this happened at Ohio State, the local media would ask about it at every presser until it was addressed.

We're a team fighting for an auto-bid and we have open scholarships.
mail
FearLeon
3/1/2024 12:16 PM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
I have no inside information, this is only my gut feeling. I'd think if it was a serious medical issue, those words would be said and the "story" effectively dies. It wouldn't have to be anything specific, just say "medical issue" and the story's legs are removed. My gut feeling is that it's something the team doesn't want to come out, hence the vague and abrupt response from the program.
This is most likely the case, however, why was he on the bench for a portion of the season? Why would he travel to the Bahamas tournament if he broke a rule of some sort? To me, that says he didn't get in any sort of trouble and my mind goes back to academics.

Wasting 2 years worth of scholarship waiting for eligibility is a decision that puts the program back. Fans might not have a right to know specifics of the situation, but we surely have a right to an opinion on how Boals and co. handled the situation (to be clear, they ignored it completely).

I know most are sick of this story but I wish there was some accountability by the staff so it could be buried. If this happened at Ohio State, the local media would ask about it at every presser until it was addressed.

We're a team fighting for an auto-bid and we have open scholarships.
+1

And this sums up where I've been on this from day one. Sorry...but this issue with Bahamas has hurt us big-time the last two years on the court and if affected the way we recruited if this staff felt like he was going to be a vital piece for the next three years.

And if Bahamas played at Ohio State or Kentucky (even if he didn't see the floor), we'd know why a guy on full scholarship hasn't dressed this season. You just can't waste scholarships especially at a position where we've had a severe need this season.
Last Edited: 3/1/2024 12:40:58 PM by FearLeon
mail
person
GoCats105
3/1/2024 2:18 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
I have no inside information, this is only my gut feeling. I'd think if it was a serious medical issue, those words would be said and the "story" effectively dies. It wouldn't have to be anything specific, just say "medical issue" and the story's legs are removed. My gut feeling is that it's something the team doesn't want to come out, hence the vague and abrupt response from the program.
This is most likely the case, however, why was he on the bench for a portion of the season? Why would he travel to the Bahamas tournament if he broke a rule of some sort? To me, that says he didn't get in any sort of trouble and my mind goes back to academics.

Wasting 2 years worth of scholarship waiting for eligibility is a decision that puts the program back. Fans might not have a right to know specifics of the situation, but we surely have a right to an opinion on how Boals and co. handled the situation (to be clear, they ignored it completely).

I know most are sick of this story but I wish there was some accountability by the staff so it could be buried. If this happened at Ohio State, the local media would ask about it at every presser until it was addressed.

We're a team fighting for an auto-bid and we have open scholarships.
+1

And this sums up where I've been on this from day one. Sorry...but this issue with Bahamas has hurt us big-time the last two years on the court and if affected the way we recruited if this staff felt like he was going to be a vital piece for the next three years.

And if Bahamas played at Ohio State or Kentucky (even if he didn't see the floor), we'd know why a guy on full scholarship hasn't dressed this season. You just can't waste scholarships especially at a position where we've had a severe need this season.
I'll just add that whereas a football team has 85 scholarships and sometimes up to 100 when you include walk-ons, someone being dismissed or sitting out isn't as noticeable. In basketball, every scholarship counts even more IMO. Especially if it's not being used in a way it should be.
mail
greencat
3/1/2024 4:08 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
And if Bahamas played at Ohio State or Kentucky
Kentucky? You know what the definition is of a Kentucky pervert?

A guy who likes sex as much as basketball.

There is a small college in Lexington called Transylvania (seriously, there is) where a guy like I J could actually play. Maybe. But at UK? LOL!!!
mail
shabamon
3/1/2024 4:58 PM
greencat wrote:expand_more
And if Bahamas played at Ohio State or Kentucky
Kentucky? You know what the definition is of a Kentucky pervert?

A guy who likes sex as much as basketball.

There is a small college in Lexington called Transylvania (seriously, there is) where a guy like I J could actually play. Maybe. But at UK? LOL!!!
The point was if this situation happened at Ohio State or Kentucky, not whether IJ had the talent to play at either.
mail
FearLeon
3/1/2024 6:54 PM
greencat wrote:expand_more
And if Bahamas played at Ohio State or Kentucky
Kentucky? You know what the definition is of a Kentucky pervert?

A guy who likes sex as much as basketball.

There is a small college in Lexington called Transylvania (seriously, there is) where a guy like I J could actually play. Maybe. But at UK? LOL!!!
You really didn't understand my point? Shabamon expains it above.

Thank you Shab.
Last Edited: 3/1/2024 6:55:00 PM by FearLeon
mail
FearLeon
3/1/2024 6:56 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
I have no inside information, this is only my gut feeling. I'd think if it was a serious medical issue, those words would be said and the "story" effectively dies. It wouldn't have to be anything specific, just say "medical issue" and the story's legs are removed. My gut feeling is that it's something the team doesn't want to come out, hence the vague and abrupt response from the program.
This is most likely the case, however, why was he on the bench for a portion of the season? Why would he travel to the Bahamas tournament if he broke a rule of some sort? To me, that says he didn't get in any sort of trouble and my mind goes back to academics.

Wasting 2 years worth of scholarship waiting for eligibility is a decision that puts the program back. Fans might not have a right to know specifics of the situation, but we surely have a right to an opinion on how Boals and co. handled the situation (to be clear, they ignored it completely).

I know most are sick of this story but I wish there was some accountability by the staff so it could be buried. If this happened at Ohio State, the local media would ask about it at every presser until it was addressed.

We're a team fighting for an auto-bid and we have open scholarships.
+1

And this sums up where I've been on this from day one. Sorry...but this issue with Bahamas has hurt us big-time the last two years on the court and if affected the way we recruited if this staff felt like he was going to be a vital piece for the next three years.

And if Bahamas played at Ohio State or Kentucky (even if he didn't see the floor), we'd know why a guy on full scholarship hasn't dressed this season. You just can't waste scholarships especially at a position where we've had a severe need this season.
I'll just add that whereas a football team has 85 scholarships and sometimes up to 100 when you include walk-ons, someone being dismissed or sitting out isn't as noticeable. In basketball, every scholarship counts even more IMO. Especially if it's not being used in a way it should be.
Thank you.

+1

I really don't understand how folks on this board don't understand this.
mail
FearLeon
3/1/2024 6:56 PM
3-1-2024 (Home to Bowling Green)

Bahamas Ezuma is not with the team on the bench.

62 consecutive games.

A nation waits.
mail
FearLeon
3/5/2024 7:35 PM
3-5-2024 (at Buffalo)

Bahamas Ezuma is not with the team on the bench.

63 consecutive games.

A nation waits.
mail
Cellis033
3/5/2024 11:21 PM
Happened to run into Ezuma today on campus - doesn't seem to be wearing any more basketball team apparel or have his green team backpack anymore. Safe to say, he is no longer on the team.
mail
person
SBH
3/6/2024 5:48 AM
At what point, moderators, is this thread simply intended to shame an Ohio student? Can we just let this die, please?
mail
person
BillyTheCat
3/6/2024 6:25 AM
SBH wrote:expand_more
At what point, moderators, is this thread simply intended to shame an Ohio student? Can we just let this die, please?
+1 this serves no point
mail
shabamon
3/6/2024 9:25 AM
I read this thread as more shaming a program that couldn't get a roster situation to work out and is free from taking any accountability for the situation.
mail
FearLeon
3/6/2024 9:50 AM
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
At what point, moderators, is this thread simply intended to shame an Ohio student? Can we just let this die, please?
+1 this serves no point
Have you guys truly missed the point of this? Bahamas Ezuma is still on the roster. That is relevant. Until Boals tells us what is going on, this is a story, whether you like it or not. When he’s off the roster, it’s over.

This isn’t shaming a student who is on full-scholarship and hasn't played one second of college basketball over the last 63 games. This is questioning why the program and Head coach have allowed it to get to this point with zero information.
Last Edited: 3/6/2024 9:59:48 PM by FearLeon
mail
FearLeon
3/6/2024 9:50 AM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
I read this thread as more shaming a program that couldn't get a roster situation to work out and is free from taking any accountability for the situation.
+1,000
Showing Messages: 226 - 250 of 272
reply
vertical_align_top
vertical_align_center
vertical_align_bottom
add_comment
chevron_backward
chevron_forward
MAC News Links



extra small (< 576px)
small (>= 576px)
medium (>= 768px)
large (>= 992px)
x-large (>= 1200px)
xx-large (>= 1400px)