Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 1 Thread: Northern Iowa
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bornacatfan
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Posted: 11/9/2013 8:55 PM
THey play in the UNIdome, easy to remember. .....yeah it is a problem ...knid of grates on them ....like when someone calls us the University of OHio. The other thing that sets them off is when they are referred to as "northern" .
Last Edited: 11/9/2013 8:56:28 PM by bornacatfan
Pataskala
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Posted: 11/9/2013 9:09 PM
I was impressed with our showing today.  Considering all the newbies, there were very few times that things didn't gel.  As they get more work together, they could be really tough come January.

I wish there was some way to move the camera for the online feed to the midcourt well that the networks use when they broadcast from the Convo.  It would be a lot easier for the camera operator and we wouldn't have the awkward angles and the obstructions from the band.
sargentfan
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Posted: 11/9/2013 10:12 PM
Wasn't quite sure what to expect from this team, however when I noticed how many seniors we had I was somewhat more at ease.  But this was pretty impressive, nice to see Stevie coming into his own, Ndour looks like an absolute beast what a get by Coach Christian, Ricardo stepping up his game as a senior leader and most importantly seeing Kellogg back into form after a so so performance last year.  Stevie, Kellogg, and Ndour will determine how far this team can go, if their leadership and play is at a high level all year we will have a good chance to win any game we are in.  Looking forward to seeing these guys make the Convo a fortress again this year.
Chicken George
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Posted: 11/10/2013 12:08 AM
Today's Takeaway's:

Ndour:  Saw his entire game today.  Inside moves, post up moves, nice touch from the perimeter, high energy--as good, or better, than advertised.
Stevie:  Rumor had it "Bean" was the clear #1 and Stevie would take a back seat this season.  I didn't see it as Stevie clearly outplayed Mr. "Bean" today.  Stevie appeared much more mature and in control today than in the past.
"Bean":  Speaking Mr. Willis, he looked as though his game will shine in due-time.  Showed a nice outside touch on some shots, but with only 13 minutes of playing time, I don't think we got to see everything he'll add this season.  Wasn't overly impressed with what I did see, but something tells me he's more than what he showed today.  One thing he did show today was that he palms the ball as badly as anyone I've ever seen.  Got called on it once, but that won't be the first time. 
Ricardo:  WOW!!!  Looked like a totally different player than what we've seen.  Where did that outside stroke come from.  Very efficient (5-7 fg & 3-4 from beyond the arch) and so much more in control than anytime I've ever seen him play.  He always seemed like an out of control ball of energy in the past who was a very good athlete, but not necessarily a good basketball player.   Today he looked like a polished basketball player and the most improved player on the court.  Very impressed!
TJ:  He injured (knee), or has he been demoted?  Only 10 minutes and other than a clutch 3 pointer, invisible today.  Kind of surprised/disappointed me as I still feel this team will struggle to score at times and thought TJ could be some instant offense. 
Setty:  Disappointed all around in what I saw of him today.  He looked lost out there and was much smaller than what I thought he was.  Didn't show any offensive game and didn't seem to do some of the dirty work I thought he'd be asked to do.  Small sample size, but wasn't impressed.
Wilkins:  Outside of possibly being a zone breaker in situational moments, I too don't see his value.  Doesn't make mistakes, then again, doesn't do anything.  Simply catches the ball and immediately passes the ball.  Maybe his role is to give guys a rest, come in and not screw anything up.  If that's his role/goal, then he fulfills it.  But I see little upside in his game.
Kellog:  Still my favorite player.  Like that he's continued to work on being more than a spot up shooter.  He came through big today.  Still think we need someone more versatile at the #2 slot who can create his own shots, but he's the best we have right now and he's solid.  Outside of hitting open jumpers, I think we'll get inconsistent scoring out of this position if teams guard the 3 point line on him and play him tight.  But it worked today and we'll hope it can work more consistently this season. 

Overall, you have to be happy with this first game.  This team will continue to evolve and develop throughout the season.  Still concerned about scoring the ball, especially down the stretch during clutch time.  Today our defense carried us through the last couple minutes as our half court possessions failed to show who wanted the ball in crunch time--but we have the potential to be a nice team.  Fun game!
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 11/10/2013 10:55 AM
bornacatfan wrote:expand_more
Great crowd, band was fantastic, but I missed the "flags of the world" hanging above, anybody know what's up with that?  Really makes the place look bland without them.

 


I saw that the flags were down last spring when I came through. Thought it might be temprorary but have my doubts. I always like the international flavor we had and celebrated.

I waslked out with the UNI team. They had good things to say about the atmosphere and asked about the guys who graduated while recalling the game out there..... but the first question they asked was "is that band always that loud?" They were impressed by this team and the crowd/Convo.

Nice win. Ndour is a sweet player. Vets were awful good today. Bean has to go into attack mode. SLow recovering on screens, defensive faux pas and bouncing the ball directing traffic was not what I expected. I suspect he is a lot better than we saw to day but it made Stevie who looked really really good just seem that much better. Mompremier has some skills but is going to work to get into the system while Setty looked very much at home right out of the box. Came right in and got a great bucket in transition. RIc is kickin it while TJ is solid . Nick is very good defensively this year but UNI obviously ran him off the 3 line today. Even with what they did with the scout on him he handled it and was very effective.   .

Great start.


Didn't notice flags being down until my 6-yr-old asked me about them and I had no answer for him.

Wondering what you're basing your assessment on Mompremier as he was on the floor for only about a  minute or two v. N. Iowa. A reliable source in the program? You've seen him in practice or on the summer AAU circuit? Just wondering.

One thing I'd like to add that has not been mentioned yet is how I noticed Ndour almost demanding the ball when open in the corner and once getting frustrated w/ a teammate when he didn't get the pass in such a situation. Conversely, he passed up more than a couple opportunities from the top of the key (w/ one exception late in the second half, a miss). If not mistaken, all threes from Ndour came from the corner.

Best part of Saturday's trip to Athens? Not having to drive through Nelsonville for the first time since I began driving to Athens from central Ohio in the 1970s.
OhioStunter
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Posted: 11/10/2013 11:23 AM
For as much as I've read complaints about OOC scheduling, I'm glad we had a quality opponent at home for Game 1. Sets the tone early to fight for everything and to expect to face some challenges.
JSF
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Posted: 11/10/2013 1:07 PM
We thought we've had solid wins in the past, only to see the other team struggle for the rest of the season. Let's not hang our hat on this just yet.
Eagle66
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Posted: 11/10/2013 1:13 PM
I'd love to see this series renewed. They are usually a quality program  
Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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Posted: 11/10/2013 2:18 PM
With the Bracketbuster gone, I'd welcome a MVC-MAC challenge weekend. Heck, just schedule the entire MVC as the non-conference schedule. Become dual citizens of the MAC and MVC....
Ozcat
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Posted: 11/11/2013 10:22 AM
Made the trip down last minute, and glad I did.  I had no idea what to really expect out of this team.  I was overly impressed from what I saw, but like JSF, I'm not ready to say we are a legit contender yet.

The entire team looked better when Stevie was on the floor.  Maybe he understands the system more, or maybe he just brings energy that is infectious.  Either way, everything gelled better when he was in.

I've joked with Optimist in regards to his NDour mancrush.  After Saturday, I'm sorry Optimist.  I'm in full support of your manlove, because that guy deserves it.  That has to be one of the best debuts I've seen since 2000.  JC got a good one.

Ric looked phenomenal.  My only complaint is that #11's flattop was in midseason form.  Ric's needs some work...
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 11/11/2013 5:56 PM
Chicken George:  I completely disagree with your assessment of Setty.  He's going to be a good one IMO.  I thought he played well vs. UNI.

I also disagree with you on Travis Wilkins.  I know the coaching staff is very impressed with him.

Bean Willis just had first game jitters.  I think he'll be fine.
Ohio Pilot
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Posted: 11/11/2013 6:43 PM
I thought Setty did a good job of drawing a few fouls and thats something we could not do last year. 
bobcat2nc
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Posted: 11/11/2013 7:55 PM
Ohio Pilot wrote:expand_more
I thought Setty did a good job of drawing a few fouls and thats something we could not do last year. 

Setty is the player that rolled off a pick, looking for the ball, got it and took it to the basket.  He did a lot of these kinds of things while on the floor.  I think he will give good minutes in most games with solid but not flashy play.

Wilkins will also play a big role in many games.  He can spell a couple of guys and has good basketball sense.  He doesn't great quickness but has good basketball sense.  He gets to some loose balls and long rebounds because of that basketball sense.  It seems that he has quickened his release and has a bit better catch and release than last year.  

I think both of these guys will fill roles that will allow for a rotation of 9-10 guys most of the season.  
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