Boals must be reading this board. In the mix for Western Texas JUCO Daniel Nixon (6’7). Averaging 16.5ppg and 5.5rpg. Started career at GW; from White Plains, NY so perhaps Boals knows him from Stony Brook days. This tweet is from yesterday, but apparently he heard from us back on 1/30.

https://x.com/jakelieberman2/status/1759691576031199476?s...

Stony Brook was one of his initial offers, along with a ton of Power programs.

Completely agree. When was the last time we saw IJ on the bench? The timing of the initial outreach seems to overlap with that even though we need more size regardless of the former’s status.

FearLeon just so happens to be an expert on this topic.

FearLeon checks notes and finds the last time we saw Bahamas Ezuma on the bench was January 30th at home against Buffalo.

That’s actually kinda wild, the first day we contact Nixon is the last time IJ is seen on our bench. In any case, Nixon would fill a need. I like that he originally had P5 offers, went to GW, and got some PT experience at the JUCO level. Would be a welcomed addition alongside Evans.

I thought Reef graduates this year and has no eligibility left? Regardless, Reef isn't a point guard. If he comes back, our starting PG next year is currently not on the roster....in my opinion.

I think Reef gets one more year, but agreed we need another PG. Looking at Jacobs closer, he seems more like another Reef/Jaylin. Score first PG that requires a high volume of shots. Would really like more of a facilitator.

https://www.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2023-24/div1/players/mi...

Yes the Creighton website listed his 1st Junior Year as a medical redshirt, so I believe Reef is a Senior who can still cash in his Covid year.

Wiznitzer also can cash in his Covid year. There is some speculation that Wiz only burnt 1 year of eligibility at Louisville. The Louisville website says this about his freshman year - "Had intended to redshirt the 2020-21 season, but the opportunity to play without losing a season of eligibility allowed him to play immediately." Are they talking about the Covid year? And then his sophomore year he appeared in just 6 games. SO between those 2, he may have come to us as a Sophomore meaning he may be able to stay for 2 more years.

Miles & Jaylin are currently in their bonus year and are surely fully done.

Clayton is the first player we have that came after the Covid bonus year era. Unfortunately he is a true Junior with just next season remaining.

Then we are loaded in the 2 years left category - Hadaway, AJB, Elmore, Sheldon, Cornish...and possibly Wiz depending on what was mentioned above. Only other ripple is if AJB was somehow able to get a medical redshirt for this year playing in just 9 games.

I don't know, but as long as the new court ruling is in place, he can start negotiating his contract with schools before entering the portal.

Those who value or require academic standards or prioritize being good citizens are just being penalized by limiting the pool of available recruits (unless you have the prestige of Duke to pull the best of the best anyway). Those universities who have less available marketing and cashflow opportunities are going to also be at a disadvantage for paying free agents.

Ohio gets to combine BOTH limiting factors.

Boals and Co. have a tough job. I don't envy them in today's recruiting climate.

If we can have crowds like the Fiami game and to a lessor extent the Kent game, that will help. Boals appreciates rowdy crowds and a good atmosphere.

For a weeknight game, Tuesday night needs to be another good crowd. To play the sitting first place team. Tell everybody you know to be there. Early and loud.

Yet there were 2023 NCAA tournament teams named:

Vermont
Kennesaw State
Montana St.
UNC_Asheville
Cal Santa Barbara
Charleston
FAU
NKU
Iona
Kent
Howard
Drake
Fairleigh Dickinson
SEMO
Colgate
Furman
Corpus Christi
Texas Southern
Oral Roberts

Of course there were the usual suspects - Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, etc.

But plenty of "not wealthy" schools made the dance. And Ohio can too. Good recruiting (unlike last year's swing & miss on tall guys) plus good crowds returning to the Convo to re-establish a home court advantage, you never know.

My gripe all along has been our focus. It's one thing to be "in on" a few guys, but if we're more in on the wrong guys...