Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 1 Thread: James Madison
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Ted Thompson
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Posted: 10/28/2024 8:37 PM

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

Date: Monday November 4th, 2024 7:00 PM

Opponent: James Madison  (0-0)

Site: Altlantic Bank Union Center

TV/Streaming: ESPN+

Radio: Ohio RadioThe Varsity Network App (free)

James Madison statisticsroster  and media guide

James Madison message board:  Dukes Domain

GraffZ06
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Posted: 10/29/2024 12:50 AM
Really good early season road test.

I expect a hard fought L, but a W would elevate my already high expectations for the year.
FearLeon
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Posted: 10/29/2024 8:55 AM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
Really good early season road test.

I expect a hard fought L, but a W would elevate my already high expectations for the year.
Can't wait. Will be interesting to see how many points JMU is favored.
Last Edited: 10/29/2024 10:39:25 AM by FearLeon
FJC31
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Posted: 10/29/2024 9:04 AM
Tough one out of the gate. I said this in the prediction thread, but if this is home I think it’s a win. Being on the road it’s probably a close loss, but I can see this going either way.

We have continuity going for us, JMU has a revamped roster from the coaching change but some solid transfers. Hopefully they haven’t gelled yet.
GoCats105
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Posted: 10/29/2024 11:19 AM
Yeah I'm hoping we walk away with this one easily and I'm sure I'll regret that. JMU returns only four players from last year's 32-4 team, and only one of those saw significant minutes: Jr Guard Xavier Brown averaged 6/2/2 in 20ish minutes per game. Other than that, it's a boatload of transfers from the following schools:

Morehead State
Texas A&M
Seton Hall
Syracuse
Northern Illinois
Southern Illinois
Georgia Tech
Washington
Florida Southern
Southern Indiana
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 10/29/2024 11:54 AM
James MadiSOON indeed.

Hoping for a lot of offensive firepower from us. Will be a tough road game to start the season.

JMU was predicted to finish 2nd in the conference, got a couple votes for #1.

G - Mark Freeman made the 1st team list - OVC POY two seasons ago. 4th college in 6 years. Was injured last season. Averaged 17-4-4 for Tennessee State back in 2021.

Should be a good veteran match-up vs Reef.

G - Xavier Brown on the 3rd team. One of the few returners from last season. Played 20+ mins for them in the NCAA tournament vs Duke and Wisconsin, started about half the games.
Last Edited: 10/29/2024 11:55:13 AM by M.D.W.S.T
Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 10/30/2024 9:42 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Really good early season road test.

I expect a hard fought L, but a W would elevate my already high expectations for the year.
Can't wait. Will be interesting to see how many points JMU is favored.
KenPom has it as Ohio -1. Exciting to have a toss up game right out of the gate.
FJC31
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Posted: 10/30/2024 9:43 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
James MadiSOON indeed.

Hoping for a lot of offensive firepower from us. Will be a tough road game to start the season.

JMU was predicted to finish 2nd in the conference, got a couple votes for #1.

G - Mark Freeman made the 1st team list - OVC POY two seasons ago. 4th college in 6 years. Was injured last season. Averaged 17-4-4 for Tennessee State back in 2021.

Should be a good veteran match-up vs Reef.

G - Xavier Brown on the 3rd team. One of the few returners from last season. Played 20+ mins for them in the NCAA tournament vs Duke and Wisconsin, started about half the games.
We'll be challenged in the paint as well. Elijah Hutchins-Everett didn't do much at Seton Hall last year, but posted back to back seasons of 12ppg and 6/7rpg at Austin Peay prior.

AJ Smith transferred from Southern Indiana after averaging 14ppg and 9rpg. Eddie Ricks moved up with the coach from Morehead after an 8ppg and 5rpg season.

EHE is 6'11, Smith 6'6, and Ricks is 6'7. AJC, Hadaway, and Searls will have their hands full.
Last Edited: 10/30/2024 9:48:45 AM by FJC31
JSF
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Posted: 10/30/2024 8:30 PM
I’m not bullish on this team like most here, but I’m happy to see a game is just days away.
Taiwan BC
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Posted: 10/31/2024 5:55 AM
Hoping the OSU scrimmage was a chance for Boals to Dream Team "Chuck Daly" em' and get them focused and fired up...

Bobcats by 4...

Go Bobcats!
FJC31
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Posted: 10/31/2024 8:30 AM
JSF wrote:expand_more
I’m not bullish on this team like most here, but I’m happy to see a game is just days away.
Naturally curious, why is that? Didn’t see a W/L prediction of yours, so I’m interested to learn where you think this team lands.
Bobcat1998
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Posted: 10/31/2024 8:45 AM
Taiwan BC wrote:expand_more
Hoping the OSU scrimmage was a chance for Boals to Dream Team "Chuck Daly" em' and get them focused and fired up...

Bobcats by 4...

Go Bobcats!
Did we scrimmage OSUcks? I didn't read about that.
SBH
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Posted: 10/31/2024 11:32 AM
Apparently lost by 30.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 10/31/2024 2:22 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
Apparently lost by 30.
Let's hope that news of this "slaughter" gets to the JMU players. Boals probably leaked the results himself to get the psychological advantage. Don't take us seriously, guys, we are just a MAC pushover.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 11/1/2024 10:05 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
I’m not bullish on this team like most here, but I’m happy to see a game is just days away.
Naturally curious, why is that? Didn’t see a W/L prediction of yours, so I’m interested to learn where you think this team lands.
You've been summoned JSF. A nation awaits.

I'm as critical as anyone on this board, and even I think their basement is somewhere around 23-25 wins.

Boals is a good coach. Not only that, kids like playing for him. This roster is - on paper, I'll grant you that - looking good. It also looks good, because OU has bucked the trend and has quite a few vets.

If we stay injury free... take your pick on who is our leading scorer. A lot of weapons. Inside will be tough, as it has been recently, but we should shoot teams out of the gym. What we really lack is someone to say ITS MY TIME. Someone has to step-up every game and be the guy. Take over games when needed. I think that is something we do lack. Seems like a lot of nice guys who would rather distribute than anyone with a killer instinct. Looking at you AJ Brown.
CatsUp
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Posted: 11/1/2024 3:20 PM
FWIW, on the JMU message board, it is being reported that they beat VT in a “secret” scrimmage last Saturday, 93-76.
Taiwan BC
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Posted: 11/2/2024 6:06 AM
https://www.dnronline.com/sports/getting-to-know-the-new-...

Injury update at the end of the article was a bit surprising. Taylor - wrist issue, Williams still fighting to get back to old self and the transfer from NIU Will Lovings-Watts most likely out.

Go Bobcats!
OUbobcat9092
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Posted: 11/2/2024 8:38 PM
Will be at this game +3.

Who else is coming?
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 11/4/2024 9:33 AM
Do we know who is starting? I presume we can make some quick assumptions, but a lot of folks seems to be super high on Jack Pav.

I think Boals goes a 10-man rotation. That's not really his style, but again I wont jinx it, but - we've got some players. Might be a tight 9, but I REALLY think Evans will be a major asset to the team inside, where we likely will struggle with AJC as a 3 man in a 5 mans body.

Where does Eliott and Burris fit in? Burris is a shooter as well.

1 Pav
2 Reef
3 AJB
4 Hadaway
5 AJC

6 Elmore
7 Searls
8 AJS
9 Nicol
10 Evans
Bobcat Jerry
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Posted: 11/4/2024 10:16 AM
Great problems to have. Winning the MAC tournament is the goal with this group. Coaching this blend of vets and newbies is the formula.
shabamon
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Posted: 11/4/2024 12:09 PM
I think one of Evans or Elliott (maybe both) will be consistently in the rotation by the middle of the season. I don't know that I see the minutes for Burris. Interested to see how much Nicol is used. I have a hunch if he's not hitting jumpers his +/- might be in the tank.
FearLeon
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Posted: 11/4/2024 1:56 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
Do we know who is starting? I presume we can make some quick assumptions, but a lot of folks seems to be super high on Jack Pav.

I think Boals goes a 10-man rotation. That's not really his style, but again I wont jinx it, but - we've got some players. Might be a tight 9, but I REALLY think Evans will be a major asset to the team inside, where we likely will struggle with AJC as a 3 man in a 5 mans body.

Where does Eliott and Burris fit in? Burris is a shooter as well.

1 Pav
2 Reef
3 AJB
4 Hadaway
5 AJC

6 Elmore
7 Searls
8 AJS
9 Nicol
10 Evans
Like the rotation. I'm not as confident that Ayden plays significant minutes this year. I hope I'm wrong.
spongeBOB CATpants
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Posted: 11/4/2024 3:22 PM
Are we certain Hadaway is a starter? Could see Searls in the starting 5 and Hadaway coming in as a 6th man.
Cats5
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Posted: 11/4/2024 3:24 PM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
Are we certain Hadaway is a starter? Could see Searls in the starting 5 and Hadaway coming in as a 6th man.
Aiden was the impact player on last year’s team so I’d hope he’s starting. If not, he’ll probably leave.
spongeBOB CATpants
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Posted: 11/4/2024 3:32 PM
Cats5 wrote:expand_more
Are we certain Hadaway is a starter? Could see Searls in the starting 5 and Hadaway coming in as a 6th man.
Aiden was the impact player on last year’s team so I’d hope he’s starting. If not, he’ll probably leave.
I agree that he could leave but I'm sure Searls came to compete for a starting job.
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