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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 20 Thread: Northern Illinois
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Ted Thompson
1/17/2026 8:12 AM

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

Date: Tuesday January 20th, 2026 7:00 PM

Opponent: Northern Illinois  (5-11, 1-4 MAC)

Site: Convocation Center

TV/Webcast: ESPN+

Radio: The Varsity Network App (free) 

NIU statistics, roster and media guide

NIU message board:   NIU Dog Pound

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M.D.W.S.T
1/17/2026 10:21 AM
We’ve reached a scary point of the season - apathy.

Boals HAS TO shake up the line-up. I don’t see how you can trot out the same starting five and playing them 35+ minutes a game. This just isn’t working.
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bobcatsquared
1/17/2026 10:24 AM
How does the definition of insanity go?

Unfortunately, I don't know what his better options are.
Last Edited: 1/17/2026 10:25:04 AM by bobcatsquared
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bobcat 2000
1/17/2026 4:24 PM
jeff seems better as a player than a coach at times. i remember when larry hunter was coach he brought in guys like gary trent,curtis simmons, and diante flenoral.they were solid scorers and rebounders. we got no one like those guys on our team now. we gotta wonder how many years it wouldve been till those guys wouldve hit the portal if it existed back then. would gary trent have been a one and done?
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bobcat28
1/18/2026 11:25 AM
Boals was a below average player too. Think of a slower, shorter, worse shooting, dirtier, far more unathletic Vic Searls. I will say he gave maximum effort when he was on the court though.
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OhioCatFan
1/18/2026 12:36 PM
bobcat28 wrote:expand_more
Boals was a below average player too. Think of a slower, shorter, worse shooting, dirtier, far more unathletic Vic Searls. I will say he gave maximum effort when he was on the court though.
He could throw back court picks better than anyone I've ever seen!
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CatsUp
1/18/2026 3:04 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
Boals was a below average player too. Think of a slower, shorter, worse shooting, dirtier, far more unathletic Vic Searls. I will say he gave maximum effort when he was on the court though.
He could throw back court picks better than anyone I've ever seen!
Someone correct me if I am wrong but was not Jeff headed to Stanford before his leg (knee?) issues, that he’s mentioned in the past, prevented him from pursuing that path? He then came to Ohio. I think what he was able to accomplish at Ohio was largely due to perseverance as I recall.
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roger
1/18/2026 5:58 PM
What I remember about Jeff's playing days is that the team wasn't the same after he was injured, even with Gary Trent. They didn't fall apart but were not the same force as before. He clearly was a major pieceto the team."
Last Edited: 1/18/2026 5:59:33 PM by roger
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Bobcat1998
1/19/2026 8:28 AM
roger wrote:expand_more
What I remember about Jeff's playing days is that the team wasn't the same after he was injured, even with Gary Trent. They didn't fall apart but were not the same force as before. He clearly was a major pieceto the team."
This is what bothers me about the Boals OU teams he has coached. I was there his senior year. He was a vital piece. He did the dirty work. He was ferocious and went all out. BUT his teams he has coached does not carry that same intensity. I look at even a guy like DW3. Dude was a load inside but he was still a finesse big at times. We just don't get "dogs" under Boals. Saul didnt get "dogs" either. I thought Javan would be one but he is soft as well. If you look at Miami or Kent, those are stone cold killers out there. Our guys dont bring that intensity. Pavs is amazing but he is emotionless. Hadaway is emotional but in a "look at me" not in a "this team is frigging awesome" way.
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FearLeon
1/19/2026 10:08 AM
CatsUp wrote:expand_more
Boals was a below average player too. Think of a slower, shorter, worse shooting, dirtier, far more unathletic Vic Searls. I will say he gave maximum effort when he was on the court though.
He could throw back court picks better than anyone I've ever seen!
Someone correct me if I am wrong but was not Jeff headed to Stanford before his leg (knee?) issues, that he’s mentioned in the past, prevented him from pursuing that path? He then came to Ohio. I think what he was able to accomplish at Ohio was largely due to perseverance as I recall.
I remember he was headed to Stanford as well before the knee injury. Nobody in an Ohio uniform got the most out of his ability than Boals. When he went down during Trent's last year at Ohio, that killed our chances of winning the MAC and heading back to the big dance.

Boals decking UCONN's Donny Marshall in Hawaii is legendary. Bobby Knight also electing not to guard Boals in the NCAA Tourney game was brilliant. Hoosiers were all over Trent as they should have been and Boals couldn't make wide open foul line jumpers all game. He was 3-10 from the field. We got so screwed that year having to face Indiana in that 5-12 game. I believe we would have beaten any other 5 seed that year not coached by Bobby Knight.
Last Edited: 1/19/2026 10:11:05 AM by FearLeon
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spongeBOB CATpants
1/19/2026 11:15 AM
Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
What I remember about Jeff's playing days is that the team wasn't the same after he was injured, even with Gary Trent. They didn't fall apart but were not the same force as before. He clearly was a major pieceto the team."
This is what bothers me about the Boals OU teams he has coached. I was there his senior year. He was a vital piece. He did the dirty work. He was ferocious and went all out. BUT his teams he has coached does not carry that same intensity. I look at even a guy like DW3. Dude was a load inside but he was still a finesse big at times. We just don't get "dogs" under Boals. Saul didnt get "dogs" either. I thought Javan would be one but he is soft as well. If you look at Miami or Kent, those are stone cold killers out there. Our guys dont bring that intensity. Pavs is amazing but he is emotionless. Hadaway is emotional but in a "look at me" not in a "this team is frigging awesome" way.
Maybe my definition of dog is different but I think all 3 of those guys are dogs tbh. They all play with intensity, which you can't say about everybody on this roster. Hadaway is the biggest dog out of the bunch, IMO he's been getting some unwarranted hate on here. He's done some dumb stuff this season no doubt but he's one of the better forwards in the league.
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
1/19/2026 12:40 PM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
What I remember about Jeff's playing days is that the team wasn't the same after he was injured, even with Gary Trent. They didn't fall apart but were not the same force as before. He clearly was a major pieceto the team."
This is what bothers me about the Boals OU teams he has coached. I was there his senior year. He was a vital piece. He did the dirty work. He was ferocious and went all out. BUT his teams he has coached does not carry that same intensity. I look at even a guy like DW3. Dude was a load inside but he was still a finesse big at times. We just don't get "dogs" under Boals. Saul didnt get "dogs" either. I thought Javan would be one but he is soft as well. If you look at Miami or Kent, those are stone cold killers out there. Our guys dont bring that intensity. Pavs is amazing but he is emotionless. Hadaway is emotional but in a "look at me" not in a "this team is frigging awesome" way.
Maybe my definition of dog is different but I think all 3 of those guys are dogs tbh. They all play with intensity, which you can't say about everybody on this roster. Hadaway is the biggest dog out of the bunch, IMO he's been getting some unwarranted hate on here. He's done some dumb stuff this season no doubt but he's one of the better forwards in the league.
We may have some dogs on the roster. But they're a very yappy breed, whatever they are.
Last Edited: 1/19/2026 12:42:56 PM by Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Bobcat1998
1/20/2026 7:51 AM
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
What I remember about Jeff's playing days is that the team wasn't the same after he was injured, even with Gary Trent. They didn't fall apart but were not the same force as before. He clearly was a major pieceto the team."
This is what bothers me about the Boals OU teams he has coached. I was there his senior year. He was a vital piece. He did the dirty work. He was ferocious and went all out. BUT his teams he has coached does not carry that same intensity. I look at even a guy like DW3. Dude was a load inside but he was still a finesse big at times. We just don't get "dogs" under Boals. Saul didnt get "dogs" either. I thought Javan would be one but he is soft as well. If you look at Miami or Kent, those are stone cold killers out there. Our guys dont bring that intensity. Pavs is amazing but he is emotionless. Hadaway is emotional but in a "look at me" not in a "this team is frigging awesome" way.
Maybe my definition of dog is different but I think all 3 of those guys are dogs tbh. They all play with intensity, which you can't say about everybody on this roster. Hadaway is the biggest dog out of the bunch, IMO he's been getting some unwarranted hate on here. He's done some dumb stuff this season no doubt but he's one of the better forwards in the league.
We may have some dogs on the roster. But they're a very yappy breed, whatever they are.
I don't refute that Hadaway is one of the more talented forwards in the league but this is right...he yaps and the other team has scoreboard. Pavs is an all-timer but please don't confuse him with a guy like Rico Johnson when we talk about having that dog in him. And Dwight is also an all-timer but he was no Leon Williams, who most certainly had an edge. Don't misconstrue my comments as an indictment on talent. It is all about a PG who rarely speaks, a forward who yaps when losing and a center who had more baby hooks than drop steps. Love'em all but we ain't winning the MAC with them (and yes DW3 was on Preston and BVP's team I know).
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Andrew Ruck
1/20/2026 9:12 AM
12.5 point favorites. Could be a classic "trap" game looking ahead to Akron. But also could be one of those "cleanse your soul" games after BSU where we come out with a vengeance.

Have there been any comments on EE? Is he done for the season or...?
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FearLeon
1/20/2026 9:35 AM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
Have there been any comments on EE? Is he done for the season or...?
Big mystery isn't it? Zero media to ask. Boals has such an easy job when it comes to not answering questions about his own program. Even a simple question about E2 status. Zero media covers the team unless you count the sports director at WOUB. Regardless of E2 status...I doubt we see him back next season. The turnover heading into 2026-2027 is going to be massive.
Last Edited: 1/20/2026 9:37:03 AM by FearLeon
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OhioCatFan
1/20/2026 10:50 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
. . . The turnover heading into 2026-2027 is going to be massive.
This is something that I've been worrying about. The question I have relates to how the team is reacting internally to the way this season has been going. Are they sticking together like glue and will mostly come back next year to show the world that this year was not indicative of what they are capable of? Or, will they end the season with the collective attitude of let's all abandon a sinking ship. I don't have answers, just questions? But, I'll have admit that I'm worried about the latter possibility.
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greencat
1/20/2026 12:22 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
. . . The turnover heading into 2026-2027 is going to be massive.
This is something that I've been worrying about. The question I have relates to how the team is reacting internally to the way this season has been going. Are they sticking together like glue and will mostly come back next year to show the world that this year was not indicative of what they are capable of? Or, will they end the season with the collective attitude of let's all abandon a sinking ship. I don't have answers, just questions? But, I'll have admit that I'm worried about the latter possibility.
Next season? We have those two guys from the current #64 ranked h.s. team in the state coming in to save the day. /s

NOT sarcastic...
How many years will it take to rebuild the program after a new staff is hired?
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FearLeon
1/20/2026 12:51 PM
greencat wrote:expand_more
. . . The turnover heading into 2026-2027 is going to be massive.
This is something that I've been worrying about. The question I have relates to how the team is reacting internally to the way this season has been going. Are they sticking together like glue and will mostly come back next year to show the world that this year was not indicative of what they are capable of? Or, will they end the season with the collective attitude of let's all abandon a sinking ship. I don't have answers, just questions? But, I'll have admit that I'm worried about the latter possibility.

How many years will it take to rebuild the program after a new staff is hired?
Travis Steele did it after two full seasons.
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GoCats105
1/20/2026 1:40 PM
greencat wrote:expand_more
. . . The turnover heading into 2026-2027 is going to be massive.
This is something that I've been worrying about. The question I have relates to how the team is reacting internally to the way this season has been going. Are they sticking together like glue and will mostly come back next year to show the world that this year was not indicative of what they are capable of? Or, will they end the season with the collective attitude of let's all abandon a sinking ship. I don't have answers, just questions? But, I'll have admit that I'm worried about the latter possibility.
Next season? We have those two guys from the current #64 ranked h.s. team in the state coming in to save the day. /s

NOT sarcastic...
How many years will it take to rebuild the program after a new staff is hired?
Program rebuilding can happen overnight in this era. It's not the same anymore. It can also go South in a hurry.
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FJC31
1/20/2026 1:47 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
. . . The turnover heading into 2026-2027 is going to be massive.
This is something that I've been worrying about. The question I have relates to how the team is reacting internally to the way this season has been going. Are they sticking together like glue and will mostly come back next year to show the world that this year was not indicative of what they are capable of? Or, will they end the season with the collective attitude of let's all abandon a sinking ship. I don't have answers, just questions? But, I'll have admit that I'm worried about the latter possibility.
I’d imagine like most competitors, there might be some internal animosity about a lack of playing time. Like us, I’m sure players are aware of Sheldon’s leash (for example) and his lack of production. I doubt it’ll ever show, but these are still 18-23 year olds with a desire to play and win at the end of the day.
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M.D.W.S.T
1/20/2026 3:20 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
. . . The turnover heading into 2026-2027 is going to be massive.
This is something that I've been worrying about. The question I have relates to how the team is reacting internally to the way this season has been going. Are they sticking together like glue and will mostly come back next year to show the world that this year was not indicative of what they are capable of? Or, will they end the season with the collective attitude of let's all abandon a sinking ship. I don't have answers, just questions? But, I'll have admit that I'm worried about the latter possibility.

How many years will it take to rebuild the program after a new staff is hired?
Travis Steele did it after two full seasons.
I meannnnnnnn... maybe. By year two Boals had won a MAC Championship and won an NCAA Tournament game. Year 3 OU had 25 wins.

This all goes back to that poll from earlier this season, that everyone collectively said they'd rather play the 35th ranked SOS than quite literally... dead last.

If we switched schedules would Miami still be 19-0? Would OU be 10-9? I have some doubts.

Miami beat Buffalo by 3. And needed OT. OU beat them by 11. I'm not saying we're good, and they're not, but they're hardly world beaters.

Sign me up for that murderers row of the D3 elite like Miami. That sure covers up a whole host of issues. And gets you ranked.
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WxM
1/20/2026 5:19 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
. . . The turnover heading into 2026-2027 is going to be massive.
This is something that I've been worrying about. The question I have relates to how the team is reacting internally to the way this season has been going. Are they sticking together like glue and will mostly come back next year to show the world that this year was not indicative of what they are capable of? Or, will they end the season with the collective attitude of let's all abandon a sinking ship. I don't have answers, just questions? But, I'll have admit that I'm worried about the latter possibility.

I don't see this as something to worry about. Either they stick together and do what you said...great. Or if they don't, we have an opportunity to get better. Paveletzke is gone after this year no matter what and I don't see anyone else that can't be replaced. Short of a couple of promising freshmen I don't see anyone who isn't already leaving (by the way, lots of seniors) that would even concern me.
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FearLeon
1/20/2026 6:07 PM
Simmons is apparently out for tonight’s game. Wake me up when this miserable season is over.
Last Edited: 1/20/2026 6:09:53 PM by FearLeon
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M.D.W.S.T
1/20/2026 6:57 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Simmons is apparently out for tonight’s game. Wake me up when this miserable season is over.
EVANSBREAKOUTSZN
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Cats5
1/20/2026 7:25 PM
On the floor right now is Pav and the warm bodies🤣
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