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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: The official I J prediction thread
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greencat
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Posted: 2/4/2024 5:28 PM
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FearLeon wrote:expand_more
“Coach, Miami’s Centers combined for 40 points in 40 minutes tonight. Was that part of your strategy or how do you hope to limit other teams production in the paint come tournament time and will IJ be available?”

See. I did it.
Bingo.

There’s an actual basketball angle. You have 2 “bigs” and that’s it. Foul trouble could destroy you. But no. It’s none of our business. And again comically we don’t even know Bahamas is even decent. But foul trouble or in the worst scenario ever- an injury- we are screwed. We survived Miles being out because of depth. We’re surviving AJB because of depth. Same with Elmore. We can’t afford anything up front to go wrong.

But yet nobody asks the Bahamas question to Boals ever. Why? And Russ Eisenstein on this topic says he’s not a reporter and refuses to ask. This two year Bahamas saga has been pathetic and unnecessary. All due to a lack of information from the coach and those very few who cover the program on a regular basis refusing to ask questions.
Serious question, from reading your posts, if you did know the reason that he's not played or even dressed, what does it change? It does not change the depth issue, it does not change the issue with post play. It changes nothing except you would know. This is not a snide question, just trying to understand why this is so important to some people.
Will gladly answer.

My first question is why don’t you want to know? High level recruit. Doesn’t play. Travels with team. Rumors abound. He could be a piece we need. Is there any hope. At all? And what it changes is if we know that this is short term or long term you at least have an idea.

And yeah of course Bahamas is a scholarship player. Free education. Would be nice to know what has stopped him from contributing. Whether you are a donor to the program or a die-hard fan, I’d surely want to know what is happening. I don’t get as a fan that you don’t care one bit on why he’s not playing and why when asked Russ almost melts down and caves in on the coaches show. Can you imagine if Bahamas played for Kentucky or Duke? Those fan-bases would be going nuts if they were left in the dark as to why a guy on a full ride hasn’t played for two years with no explanation.
In 26 career games, Ezuma averaged 1.6ppg and 1.2 boards per game.

No, I can't imagine him playing for Kentucky or Duke. Even as a walk-on.

Thus it's hard to fathom why there is any consternation over his status at this point. I for one am accepting that he represents an extra schollie that will be available for Boals to go portal shopping with soon. The possibility of who we could end up with is intriguing though. I look forward to seeing who that schollie turns into.
FearLeon
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Posted: 2/4/2024 9:14 PM
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greencat wrote:expand_more
“Coach, Miami’s Centers combined for 40 points in 40 minutes tonight. Was that part of your strategy or how do you hope to limit other teams production in the paint come tournament time and will IJ be available?”

See. I did it.
Bingo.

There’s an actual basketball angle. You have 2 “bigs” and that’s it. Foul trouble could destroy you. But no. It’s none of our business. And again comically we don’t even know Bahamas is even decent. But foul trouble or in the worst scenario ever- an injury- we are screwed. We survived Miles being out because of depth. We’re surviving AJB because of depth. Same with Elmore. We can’t afford anything up front to go wrong.

But yet nobody asks the Bahamas question to Boals ever. Why? And Russ Eisenstein on this topic says he’s not a reporter and refuses to ask. This two year Bahamas saga has been pathetic and unnecessary. All due to a lack of information from the coach and those very few who cover the program on a regular basis refusing to ask questions.
Serious question, from reading your posts, if you did know the reason that he's not played or even dressed, what does it change? It does not change the depth issue, it does not change the issue with post play. It changes nothing except you would know. This is not a snide question, just trying to understand why this is so important to some people.
Will gladly answer.

My first question is why don’t you want to know? High level recruit. Doesn’t play. Travels with team. Rumors abound. He could be a piece we need. Is there any hope. At all? And what it changes is if we know that this is short term or long term you at least have an idea.

And yeah of course Bahamas is a scholarship player. Free education. Would be nice to know what has stopped him from contributing. Whether you are a donor to the program or a die-hard fan, I’d surely want to know what is happening. I don’t get as a fan that you don’t care one bit on why he’s not playing and why when asked Russ almost melts down and caves in on the coaches show. Can you imagine if Bahamas played for Kentucky or Duke? Those fan-bases would be going nuts if they were left in the dark as to why a guy on a full ride hasn’t played for two years with no explanation.
In 26 career games, Ezuma averaged 1.6ppg and 1.2 boards per game.

No, I can't imagine him playing for Kentucky or Duke. Even as a walk-on.

Thus it's hard to fathom why there is any consternation over his status at this point. I for one am accepting that he represents an extra schollie that will be available for Boals to go portal shopping with soon. The possibility of who we could end up with is intriguing though. I look forward to seeing who that schollie turns into.
Please tell me you really didn't think I thought Bahamas could play for Kentucky or Duke? I was making a comparison if one of their players wasted a scholarship for two years with no explanation as to why he's not playing. Yes, those fanbases would be going absolute bonkers right now wanting answers.
greencat
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Posted: 2/5/2024 8:17 AM
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FearLeon wrote:expand_more
“Coach, Miami’s Centers combined for 40 points in 40 minutes tonight. Was that part of your strategy or how do you hope to limit other teams production in the paint come tournament time and will IJ be available?”

See. I did it.
Bingo.

There’s an actual basketball angle. You have 2 “bigs” and that’s it. Foul trouble could destroy you. But no. It’s none of our business. And again comically we don’t even know Bahamas is even decent. But foul trouble or in the worst scenario ever- an injury- we are screwed. We survived Miles being out because of depth. We’re surviving AJB because of depth. Same with Elmore. We can’t afford anything up front to go wrong.

But yet nobody asks the Bahamas question to Boals ever. Why? And Russ Eisenstein on this topic says he’s not a reporter and refuses to ask. This two year Bahamas saga has been pathetic and unnecessary. All due to a lack of information from the coach and those very few who cover the program on a regular basis refusing to ask questions.
Serious question, from reading your posts, if you did know the reason that he's not played or even dressed, what does it change? It does not change the depth issue, it does not change the issue with post play. It changes nothing except you would know. This is not a snide question, just trying to understand why this is so important to some people.
Will gladly answer.

My first question is why don’t you want to know? High level recruit. Doesn’t play. Travels with team. Rumors abound. He could be a piece we need. Is there any hope. At all? And what it changes is if we know that this is short term or long term you at least have an idea.

And yeah of course Bahamas is a scholarship player. Free education. Would be nice to know what has stopped him from contributing. Whether you are a donor to the program or a die-hard fan, I’d surely want to know what is happening. I don’t get as a fan that you don’t care one bit on why he’s not playing and why when asked Russ almost melts down and caves in on the coaches show. Can you imagine if Bahamas played for Kentucky or Duke? Those fan-bases would be going nuts if they were left in the dark as to why a guy on a full ride hasn’t played for two years with no explanation.
In 26 career games, Ezuma averaged 1.6ppg and 1.2 boards per game.

No, I can't imagine him playing for Kentucky or Duke. Even as a walk-on.

Thus it's hard to fathom why there is any consternation over his status at this point. I for one am accepting that he represents an extra schollie that will be available for Boals to go portal shopping with soon. The possibility of who we could end up with is intriguing though. I look forward to seeing who that schollie turns into.
Please tell me you really didn't think I thought Bahamas could play for Kentucky or Duke? I was making a comparison if one of their players wasted a scholarship for two years with no explanation as to why he's not playing. Yes, those fanbases would be going absolute bonkers right now wanting answers.
Calipari is in reality a terrible coach. UK currently has 26 players on active NBA rosters and SEVEN in the upcoming NBA all-star game. Yet he hasn't been to the final four in like ten years, even with all that unspeakable talent. While Tennessee - a football school - beat them soundly the other day in Lexington and is ranked #5 in the nation. (Not that Tennessee doesn't cheat as much or more than anybody in college sports)

So, if UK basketball fans can put up with Calipari's underachieving and do it with a smile, then I can't venture to guess what they think.

But Arkansas who was ranked #14 in the nation in the pre-season is in danger of really tanking. After the 21 point loss to unranked LSU the other day, they are now 2-7 in the SEC; will probably be under .500 overall, meaning not even an NIT bid when there was final four talk about them when the season started.
Last Edited: 2/5/2024 8:21:56 AM by greencat
Bobcat1998
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Posted: 2/5/2024 8:48 AM
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FearLeon wrote:expand_more
“Coach, Miami’s Centers combined for 40 points in 40 minutes tonight. Was that part of your strategy or how do you hope to limit other teams production in the paint come tournament time and will IJ be available?”

See. I did it.
Bingo.

There’s an actual basketball angle. You have 2 “bigs” and that’s it. Foul trouble could destroy you. But no. It’s none of our business. And again comically we don’t even know Bahamas is even decent. But foul trouble or in the worst scenario ever- an injury- we are screwed. We survived Miles being out because of depth. We’re surviving AJB because of depth. Same with Elmore. We can’t afford anything up front to go wrong.

But yet nobody asks the Bahamas question to Boals ever. Why? And Russ Eisenstein on this topic says he’s not a reporter and refuses to ask. This two year Bahamas saga has been pathetic and unnecessary. All due to a lack of information from the coach and those very few who cover the program on a regular basis refusing to ask questions.
I believe it does change things if we know an answer to the Mont-Ezuma question. It will let us know if Boals is more Saul or more Groce, in that, I felt like Groce had one guy, maybe two, per season who were not rotational and projects. I feel like Boals has had more projects and swings with misses than anyone this side of Saul. Saul always had guys just sitting or weirdly not getting time, then they'd transfer. And it is rediculous that in this day and age of the portal that we have an open schollie already and are wasting one on a non-player.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 2/5/2024 9:23 AM
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BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
“Coach, Miami’s Centers combined for 40 points in 40 minutes tonight. Was that part of your strategy or how do you hope to limit other teams production in the paint come tournament time and will IJ be available?”

See. I did it.
Bingo.

There’s an actual basketball angle. You have 2 “bigs” and that’s it. Foul trouble could destroy you. But no. It’s none of our business. And again comically we don’t even know Bahamas is even decent. But foul trouble or in the worst scenario ever- an injury- we are screwed. We survived Miles being out because of depth. We’re surviving AJB because of depth. Same with Elmore. We can’t afford anything up front to go wrong.

But yet nobody asks the Bahamas question to Boals ever. Why? And Russ Eisenstein on this topic says he’s not a reporter and refuses to ask. This two year Bahamas saga has been pathetic and unnecessary. All due to a lack of information from the coach and those very few who cover the program on a regular basis refusing to ask questions.
Serious question, from reading your posts, if you did know the reason that he's not played or even dressed, what does it change? It does not change the depth issue, it does not change the issue with post play. It changes nothing except you would know. This is not a snide question, just trying to understand why this is so important to some people.

>>>
Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
it is rediculous that in this day and age of the portal that we have an open schollie already and are wasting one on a non-player.
Last Edited: 2/5/2024 9:24:11 AM by M.D.W.S.T
shabamon
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Posted: 2/5/2024 9:55 AM
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We fans don't need to know the reason, but there's been 0 accountability from the coaching staff that's made it our way about this situation. Things that could be said:

"It's an internal matter"
"It's a personal matter"
"IJ is healthy"
"He is practicing and participating in all other team activities"
"We are working together towards an outcome that is beneficial to both IJ and the program"
spongeBOB CATpants
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Posted: 2/5/2024 10:38 AM
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shabamon wrote:expand_more
We fans don't need to know the reason, but there's been 0 accountability from the coaching staff that's made it our way about this situation. Things that could be said:

"It's an internal matter"
"It's a personal matter"
"IJ is healthy"
"He is practicing and participating in all other team activities"
"We are working together towards an outcome that is beneficial to both IJ and the program"
Bingo, by essentially pretending this isn't happening, Boals has escaped any criticism or accountability for poor roster management at a position of need.

But, at this point in the year, what's the point of acknowledging the situation?

I'll also add that he traveled with the team quite often so that only increased my curiosity on the situation as I thought there was a chance he would return to playing again.
Last Edited: 2/5/2024 10:43:34 AM by spongeBOB CATpants
FearLeon
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Posted: 2/5/2024 12:06 PM
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shabamon wrote:expand_more
but there's been 0 accountability from the coaching staff that's made it our way about this situation. Things that could be said:

"It's an internal matter"
"It's a personal matter"
"IJ is healthy"
"He is practicing and participating in all other team activities"
"We are working together towards an outcome that is beneficial to both IJ and the program"
+1
FearLeon
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Posted: 2/5/2024 1:40 PM
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spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
We fans don't need to know the reason, but there's been 0 accountability from the coaching staff that's made it our way about this situation. Things that could be said:

"It's an internal matter"
"It's a personal matter"
"IJ is healthy"
"He is practicing and participating in all other team activities"
"We are working together towards an outcome that is beneficial to both IJ and the program"
Bingo, by essentially pretending this isn't happening, Boals has escaped any criticism or accountability for poor roster management at a position of need.
+1
Cats5
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Posted: 2/5/2024 10:54 PM
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https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2--bhlrfy6/?igsh=MW5xdjU3... ==

I’ll try to add something useful in here. I see everyone on the team other than AJB (obviously) and IJ. I know Boals lets him do everything but play in games but it doesn’t look like he’s at practice now. Gotta think he’s off or away from the team since he wasn’t sitting during the Miami game too.
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Posted: 2/5/2024 11:26 PM
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After seeing him on the team bench all season, it feels oddly coincidental that this disappearance timed up with the post-game autograph session Saturday. I for one was prepared to ask him, in a very friendly way of course ("I.J.! We miss you! When will we get to see you play? What's the news?") and report back here with the answer. No such luck, as he wasn't there. Oh well.
BobcatSports
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Posted: 2/6/2024 1:40 PM
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Sure looks like it’s reached the point of wishing IJ well in his future endeavors. I’ve followed OHIO sports since 1969 and the secrecy around this has truly been one of the most bizarre.
FearLeon
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Posted: 2/6/2024 2:23 PM
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BobcatSports wrote:expand_more
Sure looks like it’s reached the point of wishing IJ well in his future endeavors. I’ve followed OHIO sports since 1969 and the secrecy around this has truly been one of the most bizarre.
+1
SBH
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Posted: 2/6/2024 4:29 PM
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I hope he's on the bench tonight just so your heads will explode.
BillyTheCat
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Posted: 2/6/2024 4:45 PM
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SBH wrote:expand_more
I hope he's on the bench tonight just so your heads will explode.
+1
BobcatSports
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Posted: 2/6/2024 6:28 PM
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Even if he’s on the bench tonite my head will not explode. A quick check of the roster on OhioBobcats.com continues to list him on the roster. As I posted above this situation with this young man is truly bizarre. IF he is no longer with the team I wish him nothing but the best in his future.
FearLeon
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Posted: 2/6/2024 6:38 PM
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SBH wrote:expand_more
I hope he's on the bench tonight just so your heads will explode.
I can tell you no heads will explode if that happens. But the timeline of events this season with Bahamas is goofy as hell.

Dude on full scholarship travels with team for nearly two seasons.
Dude on full scholarship sits on bench in street clothes for nearly two seasons.
Then dude on full scholarship is randomly gone. Not at start of semester. Gone as of six days ago.
Truly mind boggling.

So yeah it's a story line that should not be ignored and questioned by all who watch every game and are die-hard fans.
Last Edited: 2/6/2024 9:52:57 PM by FearLeon
FearLeon
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Posted: 2/6/2024 6:39 PM
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BobcatSports wrote:expand_more
Even if he’s on the bench tonite my head will not explode. A quick check of the roster on OhioBobcats.com continues to list him on the roster. As I posted above this situation with this young man is truly bizarre. IF he is no longer with the team I wish him nothing but the best in his future.
+1
FearLeon
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Posted: 2/6/2024 7:07 PM
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2-6-2024 Update (Away at Ball State)

Bahamas Ezuma is not with the team on the bench.

56 consecutive games.

A nation waits.
Cellis033
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Posted: 2/6/2024 9:21 PM
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This has truly become perhaps even more bizarre than the Lunden McDay scenario when I first got on campus.
GraffZ06
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Posted: 2/6/2024 9:59 PM
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Cellis033 wrote:expand_more
This has truly become perhaps even more bizarre than the Lunden McDay scenario when I first got on campus.
Not a chance. The Lundo saga was way worse. Dude was a starter from the day he arrived on campus. Was MAC All-Freshman and MAC All-Defensive teams. Started both NCAA tourney games, scoring 11 in the loss to Creighton. Then plays 5 games off the bench as a Jr and just.....quits.

No medical issue. No academic issue. Personal reasons. Just quits.

And we waited how many weeks before we officially knew that news?

IJ has only played in 28 games, with a career high in points of 6.

Sure it would be nice to have another big on this years team, but his absence is nowhere near the blow, nor out of left-field, as Lundo's was.
Cellis033
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Posted: 2/6/2024 10:09 PM
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GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
This has truly become perhaps even more bizarre than the Lunden McDay scenario when I first got on campus.
Not a chance. The Lundo saga was way worse. Dude was a starter from the day he arrived on campus. Was MAC All-Freshman and MAC All-Defensive teams. Started both NCAA tourney games, scoring 11 in the loss to Creighton. Then plays 5 games off the bench as a Jr and just.....quits.

No medical issue. No academic issue. Personal reasons. Just quits.

And we waited how many weeks before we officially knew that news?

IJ has only played in 28 games, with a career high in points of 6.

Sure it would be nice to have another big on this years team, but his absence is nowhere near the blow, nor out of left-field, as Lundo's was.
I've always wanted to ask someone like BVP or Dwight on what happened. But I understand they probably want to keep that private. Only thing I've heard is from a former classmate who was a coworker to him during the summers - he suddenly stopped showing up for work and they only heard from their manager that he would not be returning right at the start of the 21-22 school year.
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Posted: 2/6/2024 10:25 PM
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Cellis033 wrote:expand_more
This has truly become perhaps even more bizarre than the Lunden McDay scenario when I first got on campus.
McDay was straight forward, no one wanted to believe what was true though. A young man just didn't want to play basketball anymore. He ain't the first, he won't be the last. Just because Joe Fan don't get it, doesn't mean it ain't real or happening. Talked to him the other day, he's happy, that is what matters.
Cellis033
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Posted: 2/6/2024 10:35 PM
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BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
This has truly become perhaps even more bizarre than the Lunden McDay scenario when I first got on campus.
McDay was straight forward, no one wanted to believe what was true though. A young man just didn't want to play basketball anymore. He ain't the first, he won't be the last. Just because Joe Fan don't get it, doesn't mean it ain't real or happening. Talked to him the other day, he's happy, that is what matters.
Well, I'm glad to hear it wasn't something of a mental health concern. Me and multiple others within the O-Zone were all extremely concerned about him. Glad he's doing better.
BillyTheCat
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Posted: 2/6/2024 10:40 PM
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Cellis033 wrote:expand_more
This has truly become perhaps even more bizarre than the Lunden McDay scenario when I first got on campus.
McDay was straight forward, no one wanted to believe what was true though. A young man just didn't want to play basketball anymore. He ain't the first, he won't be the last. Just because Joe Fan don't get it, doesn't mean it ain't real or happening. Talked to him the other day, he's happy, that is what matters.
Well, I'm glad to hear it wasn't something of a mental health concern. Me and multiple others within the O-Zone were all extremely concerned about him. Glad he's doing better.
Mental Health is a broad category, he didn't want to play anymore (which he hasn't), but everyone expected him to play, because 1. He was good 2. He always had. That creates it's own mental stigma. Coach handled that like a true players coach, and did what was right to the young man.
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