Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 24 Thread: Western Michigan
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Ted Thompson
2/1/2026 7:02 PM

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

Date: Tuesday February 3rd, 2026 7:00 PM

Opponent: Western Michigan  (8-13, 2-7 MAC)

Site: Convocation Center

TV/Webcast: ESPN+

Radio: The Varsity Network App (free) 

WMU statisticsroster and media guide

WMU message board:    Bronco Stampede

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M.D.W.S.T
2/2/2026 9:42 AM
They could win by 20 or lose by 20 and neither would surprise me.

Should be an easy W, but depends on which team shows up. At home, I think we're cruising.


Some alarming stat rankings I saw earlier...

- 3-point %: 345 (Out of 365 teams, OU is 345)(Holy Shit)
- FT %: 270
- Rebounding: 281


Interestingly, 62nd in 2-point %.


Maybe we should play a game called, dont ever shoot a three pointer ever again unless you are wide ass open and even then, probably dont.
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Urban Bobcat
2/2/2026 12:56 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
They could win by 20 or lose by 20 and neither would surprise me.

Should be an easy W, but depends on which team shows up. At home, I think we're cruising.


Some alarming stat rankings I saw earlier...

- 3-point %: 345 (Out of 365 teams, OU is 345)(Holy Shit)
- FT %: 270
- Rebounding: 281


Interestingly, 62nd in 2-point %.


Maybe we should play a game called, dont ever shoot a three pointer ever again unless you are wide ass open and even then, probably dont.
Those are some stellar stats!!!
I am quite surprised our FT% isn't sub 300. Jeff should receive a bonus.
Last Edited: 2/2/2026 12:58:28 PM by Urban Bobcat
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BobcatSports
2/2/2026 9:34 PM
Can’t figure out why our opponents don’t put all 5 guys packed in the lane and force us to beat them outside.
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OhioCatFan
2/2/2026 11:33 PM
BobcatSports wrote:expand_more
Can’t figure out why our opponents don’t put all 5 guys packed in the lane and force us to beat them outside.
Shh . . . a WMU coach might be reading this!
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spongeBOB CATpants
2/3/2026 4:55 PM
9.5 point favorite. Not touching that with a 10 foot pole.
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GraffZ06
2/3/2026 6:51 PM
If we just play an average game tonight we win by double digits
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cc-cat
2/3/2026 7:11 PM
why does espn have our record at 7-4 and wmu at 3-10

nm. they updated the records.
Last Edited: 2/3/2026 7:34:23 PM by cc-cat
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bobcatsquared
2/3/2026 7:48 PM
Miami getting pushed again. UB, which lost in double OT at Miami last month, is down 3 with 15 min. left in Buffalo.

Edit: Miami without a FT attempt midway through 2nd half.
Last Edited: 2/3/2026 7:52:57 PM by bobcatsquared
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bobcatsquared
2/3/2026 7:50 PM
WHile Akron is down 6 at EMU with 11 min left

Edit: down 1, UA hits a 3 with 10 sec left for the win
Last Edited: 2/3/2026 8:33:27 PM by bobcatsquared
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FearLeon
2/3/2026 8:50 PM
I hate to be that guy, but my god, WMU is putrid. Miami-Hamilton has better players.
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berniebobcat
2/3/2026 8:58 PM
Loving the development of Kuany and Kelly. It may be a little late to make a difference this year but jf we can keep them, it’s very hopeful.
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OUbobcat9092
2/3/2026 9:09 PM
With Toledo losing, we are up to 4th in the MAC.
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OhioCatFan
2/4/2026 12:17 AM
berniebobcat wrote:expand_more
Loving the development of Kuany and Kelly. It may be a little late to make a difference this year but jf we can keep them, it’s very hopeful.
+1 I agree. They both should get more minutes heading into the homestrech of the season.
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CatsUp
2/4/2026 1:20 AM
As the season progresses I’m good with Breath, Burris, Kuany and Conners being our exclusive “go to” guys off of the bench. They all have shown the ability to be contributors (although I do feel Breath might need to find some additional motivation from within). And, I don’t mean 3-4 minutes each per game but more like 10-12 minutes each. I saw at least one, albeit brief, period during the game tonight (WMU) when the ball movement was the best I’ve seen all season. Mostly, these guys were on the court. It was borderline elite IMO. By the way, it lead to a great result.

We will need nine guys playing significant minutes in the MAC Tournament in order to have any chance to win it; especially beginning with the second game if we win the first one.
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Bobcat1998
2/4/2026 6:18 AM
Awesome job the last two games with ball movement. We hit shots and played aolid team D. I agree on Breath. Something seems off. He still plays hard but I thought he would be more of a whirling dervish flying all over the court. And JJ Kelly may be All-MAC First Team next year. If he isn't All Big 10.
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FearLeon
2/4/2026 7:35 AM
CatsUp wrote:expand_more
(although I do feel Breath might need to find some additional motivation from within).

Common theme with Breath this year. As others have noted as well, doesn't seem to have a mean streak in him and he unfortunately plays soft at the rim.
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FearLeon
2/4/2026 7:36 AM
Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
And JJ Kelly may be All-MAC First Team next year. If he isn't All Big 10.
Going to be very difficult to keep him for year two. I imagine the likes of Penn State and Pitt will be calling the Pennsylvania kid.
Last Edited: 2/4/2026 8:12:12 AM by FearLeon
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100%Cat
2/4/2026 8:07 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
And JJ Kelly may be All-MAC First Team next year. If he isn't All Big 10.
Going to be very difficult to keep him for year two. I imagine the likes of Penn State an Pitt will be calling the Pennsylvania kid.
I don't keep up with all the MAC teams, but what are JJ's chances at MAC freshman of the year? Who else stacks up?
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FearLeon
2/4/2026 8:13 AM
100%Cat wrote:expand_more
And JJ Kelly may be All-MAC First Team next year. If he isn't All Big 10.
Going to be very difficult to keep him for year two. I imagine the likes of Penn State and Pitt will be calling the Pennsylvania kid.
I don't keep up with all the MAC teams, but what are JJ's chances at MAC freshman of the year? Who else stacks up?
I believe there’s some freshman at one of the Michigan schools putting up really big numbers who seems to be the favorite.
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bobcatsquared
2/4/2026 8:59 AM
MAC Frosh of the Year will be UT's Leroy Blyden, with averages of 16 pts, 4 reb and 4 assists. Kelly will be first team all frosh team along with Habhabhab of EMU and UMass pg Carbuccia. I really liked what I saw of Carbuccia when UMass played at the Convo. Not a scorer (yet) at 6 ppg, but had 13 pts with 8 assists v. Ohio and pretty much took his defender off the dribble whenever he wanted to. As pointed out in the Around the MAC thread, Banks scored 37 pts for UMass last night. Not mentioned is that Carbuccia dished out 17 assists in the win.
Last Edited: 2/4/2026 9:02:11 AM by bobcatsquared
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M.D.W.S.T
2/4/2026 9:11 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
They could win by 20 or lose by 20 and neither would surprise me.

Should be an easy W, but depends on which team shows up. At home, I think we're cruising.


[/QUOTE]
20!

17 points, 9 boards from the bench. I'll take it.

And JJ Kelly may be All-MAC First Team next year. If he isn't All Big 10.
Going to be very difficult to keep him for year two. I imagine the likes of Penn State and Pitt will be calling the Pennsylvania kid.
I don't keep up with all the MAC teams, but what are JJ's chances at MAC freshman of the year? Who else stacks up?
I believe there’s some freshman at one of the Michigan schools putting up really big numbers who seems to be the favorite.
Habab from EMU. 14/8/3.

[QUOTE=FearLeon] I hate to be that guy, but my god, WMU is putrid. Miami-Hamilton has better players.
They're a good test case for seeing if money and investment can change their trajectory. Will be interesting to watch in the coming years.

Going to be building an insane facility. Maybe basketball itself isn't getting the love since Hockey is their #1 sport, and football has had a nice run here lately, but they fell into a huge chunk of cash, are clearly investing in athletics and the campus... time to turn basketball around. They haven't been good in a decade.
Last Edited: 2/4/2026 9:15:33 AM by M.D.W.S.T
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spongeBOB CATpants
2/4/2026 11:58 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
And JJ Kelly may be All-MAC First Team next year. If he isn't All Big 10.
Going to be very difficult to keep him for year two. I imagine the likes of Penn State and Pitt will be calling the Pennsylvania kid.
You can probably add a lot more to that list. The kid is gifted and is by far the most athletic kid we have. With his height at his position and his defensive skills as a freshman, I'm sure there are offers already on the table. Gross to think about but most likely the reality.
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Andrew Ruck
2/4/2026 1:04 PM
Solid performance overall. WMU hit the 3 well but struggled with all other types of shots, especially from the FT line. 10 for 25, I don't think they hit the front end until the last couple minutes. Brewer a 70% FT shooter made 2 of 8. Lots of Brickin for Chickin.

Ajay 4 of 5 from 3? Damn. Come on guys I know it pains you but maybe he can get hot to finish his career? Sheldon, Kelly & Pavs are all settling into not great not terrible 35% 3 point shooters.

Conners made some really nice plays, I am comfortable with the ball in his hands. Not sure about Burris with 17 minutes...I don't dislike him and like him in the plans for next year, but I think his trigger is too loose for his current role. 8 shots in 16 mins last night. Seems like he has the highest shot rate on the team.

Hadaway with a couple dumb threes after no such attempts last game, but I can handle 1 for 4. Was happy to see Boals yell at Simmons for his lone 3 attempt. He is now 3 for 22 on the season.

The game is just more intriguing with Kuany in it. Very fun to watch but erratic. He got lost on defense at least a couple times. Another quick trigger. I want to see him being a regular starter next year if for no other reason than the entertainment value. Flomo-eqsue but with an outside shot.

Pretty frustrating year for Breath. Seems like he is always in the middle of a bad luck call or bounce, and you can often see the anguish in his face. Seems like he is in his own head

Did JJ seriously get a technical just because he did a tame little gun thing with his finger? Is this a rule now? Seems pretty dumb. Also, I still don't see the defensive limitations some have suggested. I have tried to key my eyes in on him and I actually think he could be our best defender. He is just so solid all around.

Feels weird to have 10 days between MAC games. Hope the guys can stay fresh and come in to Oxford with some fire in them.
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100%Cat
2/4/2026 2:10 PM
Andrew, I think it was after Kuany hit a three last night, he was busy celebrating on the way back down the floor. Lost his assignment and gave up a layup. I'm sure Boals was fuming.

But I agree, he's a lot of fun to watch. Every time there's a break I want to see him run to the rim. The dunk he had off the dime from Conners last night was nice. Great dish from Dior.
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