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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: The Almanac College Basketball Preview
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FearLeon
9/22/2023 1:01 PM
Site is really good...in my opinion worth the subscription for college hoops junkies like most of us here.

Some things about the Ohio preview.

*Author likes Ohio. Says we have the best guards in the conference

*Addressed issues in paint and on the baseline. Boals went on record saying he expects The Whiz to take a giant leap this season. One can dream.

*A lot of Clayton discussion playing the 5. Seems like that is a foregone conclusion at this point.

With that in mind...to me...this looks to be the starting line up:

1-Jaylin Hunter
2-Miles Brown
3-AJ Brown
4-Elmore James
5-AJ Clayton

Plenty of Mitchell talk as Boals really likes him. A little bit about Ezuma with Boals saying last year he could have physically played last year, but just thought he needed to sit out.
Last Edited: 9/22/2023 4:42:44 PM by FearLeon
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Jeff McKinney
9/22/2023 5:47 PM
Also heard that The Almanac rated Ohio's coaching staff #1 in league for developing talent. Said it was based on a poll of MAC coaches?
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GoCats105
9/22/2023 5:56 PM
Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more
Also heard that The Almanac rated Ohio's coaching staff #1 in league for developing talent. Said it was based on a poll of MAC coaches?
That's similar to taking a page out of Athlon's book for their football previews. The writers at Athlon ask opposing coaches about XYZ team and garner their opinions. Polls is definitely interesting though.
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FJC31
9/23/2023 8:50 AM
I initially thought Ike would be a starter given his size (and our lack of it); but he’s probably better served being additional length paired with Wiz in second unit. Nonetheless, excited about what both Ike and Mitchell can add to the team.

So, I think your projected lineup is accurate. I’m fine with Clayton at 5. I’ve been vocal about him being more productive in the paint. If his inside/outside splits favor the former, I think we’ll see a step forward with his development.

I hope Boals is right about Wiz and I’m rooting for his progression. Just give us boards and no turnovers. It’s doable.

Since we saw so little of them, I’m unsure of what to expect from IJ, Sheldon, and Hadaway. I suspect Mitchell takes most of what would been Sheldon’s minutes. I’m highest on Hadaway because of his athleticism and length. I’d be willing to bet he probably plays the most minutes out of that trio.

Looking forward to the season, I think it’s a special one.
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greencat
9/23/2023 1:54 PM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
I’m fine with Clayton at 5.
Wilmore at APSU is not a great athlete but is 7-3 and 350.

Who guards him?
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FJC31
9/24/2023 9:09 AM
greencat wrote:expand_more
I’m fine with Clayton at 5.
Wilmore at APSU is not a great athlete but is 7-3 and 350.

Who guards him?
Wilmore has averaged no more than 9 mins a game in his career. Which began at Mizzou before Northwestern State. Sound familiar?

Austin Peay’s roster is built similar to ours. A lot of guard depth and experience. Not a lot height. Wilmore is going to be used sparingly, just like Gabe. They’re the same type of player but Gabe was actually more productive last season.
Last Edited: 9/24/2023 9:26:36 AM by FJC31
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greencat
9/24/2023 10:01 PM
It looks like half their roster transferred from NW St. of Louisiana but that team won 22 games last season. Not sure what to think about them. It will also be one of the first events in the brand new downtown arena in Clarksville TN.
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FJC31
9/25/2023 12:53 PM
For me, this is the most intriguing game on our schedule. I don't think it's farfetched to see Austin Peay go from 3 wins to winning the ASUN. Its coach took Northwestern state from 9 wins to the Southland Conference title game in his lone season. Even beat TCU on the road last season.

58 ppg between 4 guards + addition of a former top 100 guard. If you're intersted, check out the links below; this is going to be a very tough team on our schedule and mid-major in general.


https://letsgopeay.com/news/2023/9/20/mens-basketball-aus...

https://letsgopeay.com/news/2023/9/8/mens-basketball-gips...
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spongeBOB CATpants
9/26/2023 12:27 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Site is really good...in my opinion worth the subscription for college hoops junkies like most of us here.

Some things about the Ohio preview.

*Author likes Ohio. Says we have the best guards in the conference

*Addressed issues in paint and on the baseline. Boals went on record saying he expects The Whiz to take a giant leap this season. One can dream.

*A lot of Clayton discussion playing the 5. Seems like that is a foregone conclusion at this point.

With that in mind...to me...this looks to be the starting line up:

1-Jaylin Hunter
2-Miles Brown
3-AJ Brown
4-Elmore James
5-AJ Clayton

Plenty of Mitchell talk as Boals really likes him. A little bit about Ezuma with Boals saying last year he could have physically played last year, but just thought he needed to sit out.
James at the 4 is intriguing to me. Obviously not the traditional body type for a power forward but could take advantage of his unique combo of speed/strength and get some good matchups.

If he could develop a strong post move or two, he could be a real problem for opposing defenders.

Did we see him at the 4 much last year?
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M.D.W.S.T
9/26/2023 1:14 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Site is really good...in my opinion worth the subscription for college hoops junkies like most of us here.

Some things about the Ohio preview.

*Author likes Ohio. Says we have the best guards in the conference

*Addressed issues in paint and on the baseline. Boals went on record saying he expects The Whiz to take a giant leap this season. One can dream.

*A lot of Clayton discussion playing the 5. Seems like that is a foregone conclusion at this point.

With that in mind...to me...this looks to be the starting line up:

1-Jaylin Hunter
2-Miles Brown
3-AJ Brown
4-Elmore James
5-AJ Clayton

Plenty of Mitchell talk as Boals really likes him. A little bit about Ezuma with Boals saying last year he could have physically played last year, but just thought he needed to sit out.
If we roll out a 6"3" PF, and a C that wants to be a wing we had better shoot 95% from the field or we're gonna get our doors blown off.

I expected Ike to start at 4, he's at least 6'6", and/or, as much as it pains me, Wiz at 5.

My JV team in HS wasn't even this small. And I played the 5. At 6'3".
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shabamon
9/26/2023 1:20 PM
FAU just made the Final Four while playing four guards at a time at all times and only two true post players in the rotation. They have a smaller men's basketball budget than we do. It can be done. Anymore, I don't get too worried about being outsized unless the opponent just has an immovable behemoth, but even then, FDU just beat Purdue without a single player within a foot of Edey.
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FJC31
9/26/2023 1:46 PM
Technically, we still could see Ike start. It then just turns into who sits out of EJ4 and Miles? Jaylin is a lock and AJB seem like one. EJ4 has the size/build, Miles is the best returning 3-point shooter (although EJ4 was effective in a small sample size) and a 5th year.

Either way, this group is too athletic and talented regardless of size. I'm sure we'll see a lot of mixing and matching by the first timeout or two. I wouldn't get too caught up in who starts. I'm just excited to have the guard depth that we do. It's a position-less era.
Last Edited: 9/26/2023 1:46:57 PM by FJC31
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spongeBOB CATpants
9/26/2023 2:14 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
Site is really good...in my opinion worth the subscription for college hoops junkies like most of us here.

Some things about the Ohio preview.

*Author likes Ohio. Says we have the best guards in the conference

*Addressed issues in paint and on the baseline. Boals went on record saying he expects The Whiz to take a giant leap this season. One can dream.

*A lot of Clayton discussion playing the 5. Seems like that is a foregone conclusion at this point.

With that in mind...to me...this looks to be the starting line up:

1-Jaylin Hunter
2-Miles Brown
3-AJ Brown
4-Elmore James
5-AJ Clayton

Plenty of Mitchell talk as Boals really likes him. A little bit about Ezuma with Boals saying last year he could have physically played last year, but just thought he needed to sit out.
If we roll out a 6"3" PF, and a C that wants to be a wing we had better shoot 95% from the field or we're gonna get our doors blown off.

I expected Ike to start at 4, he's at least 6'6", and/or, as much as it pains me, Wiz at 5.

My JV team in HS wasn't even this small. And I played the 5. At 6'3".
I think the likelihood of James at the 4 is slim and its most likely going to be Clayton at 4 and Whiz at 5.
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SBH
9/26/2023 2:49 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
If we roll out a 6"3" PF, and a C that wants to be a wing we had better shoot 95% from the field or we're gonna get our doors blown off.

I expected Ike to start at 4, he's at least 6'6", and/or, as much as it pains me, Wiz at 5.

My JV team in HS wasn't even this small. And I played the 5. At 6'3".

Calling BS on the size of your JV squad. But not surprised you didn't have the makings of a varsity athlete.
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FJC31
9/26/2023 3:28 PM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
Site is really good...in my opinion worth the subscription for college hoops junkies like most of us here.

Some things about the Ohio preview.

*Author likes Ohio. Says we have the best guards in the conference

*Addressed issues in paint and on the baseline. Boals went on record saying he expects The Whiz to take a giant leap this season. One can dream.

*A lot of Clayton discussion playing the 5. Seems like that is a foregone conclusion at this point.

With that in mind...to me...this looks to be the starting line up:

1-Jaylin Hunter
2-Miles Brown
3-AJ Brown
4-Elmore James
5-AJ Clayton

Plenty of Mitchell talk as Boals really likes him. A little bit about Ezuma with Boals saying last year he could have physically played last year, but just thought he needed to sit out.
If we roll out a 6"3" PF, and a C that wants to be a wing we had better shoot 95% from the field or we're gonna get our doors blown off.

I expected Ike to start at 4, he's at least 6'6", and/or, as much as it pains me, Wiz at 5.

My JV team in HS wasn't even this small. And I played the 5. At 6'3".
I think the likelihood of James at the 4 is slim and its most likely going to be Clayton at 4 and Whiz at 5.
Despite the size, I think we're more likely see one (barring drastic Wiz improvement) at the 5 and the other among one of the first three guys off the bench.

I see the bulk of our minutes going to Jaylin, AJB, EJ4, Miles, Ike, Shareef, Clayton, and Wiz. The rest will be working for them.
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M.D.W.S.T
9/26/2023 6:14 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
If we roll out a 6"3" PF, and a C that wants to be a wing we had better shoot 95% from the field or we're gonna get our doors blown off.

I expected Ike to start at 4, he's at least 6'6", and/or, as much as it pains me, Wiz at 5.

My JV team in HS wasn't even this small. And I played the 5. At 6'3".

Calling BS on the size of your JV squad. But not surprised you didn't have the makings of a varsity athlete.
You again. Your embarrassment threshold is obviously larger than your IQ.
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OhioCatFan
9/26/2023 10:16 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
If we roll out a 6"3" PF, and a C thhttps://help.hulu.com/s/article/espn-addonat wants to be a wing we had better shoot 95% from the field or we're gonna get our doors blown off.

I expected Ike to start at 4, he's at least 6'6", and/or, as much as it pains me, Wiz at 5.

My JV team in HS wasn't even this small. And I played the 5. At 6'3".

Calling BS on the size of your JV squad. But not surprised you didn't have the makings of a varsity athlete.
You again. Your embarrassment threshold is obviously larger than your IQ.
ROTFL! I wish I’d come up with that rejoinder.
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FearLeon
9/26/2023 10:59 PM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
Site is really good...in my opinion worth the subscription for college hoops junkies like most of us here.

Some things about the Ohio preview.

*Author likes Ohio. Says we have the best guards in the conference

*Addressed issues in paint and on the baseline. Boals went on record saying he expects The Whiz to take a giant leap this season. One can dream.

*A lot of Clayton discussion playing the 5. Seems like that is a foregone conclusion at this point.

With that in mind...to me...this looks to be the starting line up:

1-Jaylin Hunter
2-Miles Brown
3-AJ Brown
4-Elmore James
5-AJ Clayton

Plenty of Mitchell talk as Boals really likes him. A little bit about Ezuma with Boals saying last year he could have physically played last year, but just thought he needed to sit out.
If we roll out a 6"3" PF, and a C that wants to be a wing we had better shoot 95% from the field or we're gonna get our doors blown off.

I expected Ike to start at 4, he's at least 6'6", and/or, as much as it pains me, Wiz at 5.

My JV team in HS wasn't even this small. And I played the 5. At 6'3".
I think the likelihood of James at the 4 is slim and its most likely going to be Clayton at 4 and Whiz at 5.
Guys...please call every therapist in the country for me if The Whiz is in the starting lineup on November 8th.
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100%Cat
9/27/2023 9:13 AM
The beauty in the Wiz situation, to me, is that we aren't going to ask that much of him. Grab some rebounds, guard opposing bigs hopefully without fouling, and maybe put in a couple of bunnies at the rim if opportunity presents itself. With the other talent on the roster, we don't need him to be Dwight Wilson. I don't see the ball in his hands much with the skill around him at the other 4 positions.
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spongeBOB CATpants
9/27/2023 10:28 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Site is really good...in my opinion worth the subscription for college hoops junkies like most of us here.

Some things about the Ohio preview.

*Author likes Ohio. Says we have the best guards in the conference

*Addressed issues in paint and on the baseline. Boals went on record saying he expects The Whiz to take a giant leap this season. One can dream.

*A lot of Clayton discussion playing the 5. Seems like that is a foregone conclusion at this point.

With that in mind...to me...this looks to be the starting line up:

1-Jaylin Hunter
2-Miles Brown
3-AJ Brown
4-Elmore James
5-AJ Clayton

Plenty of Mitchell talk as Boals really likes him. A little bit about Ezuma with Boals saying last year he could have physically played last year, but just thought he needed to sit out.
If we roll out a 6"3" PF, and a C that wants to be a wing we had better shoot 95% from the field or we're gonna get our doors blown off.

I expected Ike to start at 4, he's at least 6'6", and/or, as much as it pains me, Wiz at 5.

My JV team in HS wasn't even this small. And I played the 5. At 6'3".
I think the likelihood of James at the 4 is slim and its most likely going to be Clayton at 4 and Whiz at 5.
Guys...please call every therapist in the country for me if The Whiz is in the starting lineup on November 8th.
I'm right there with you but based on what Boals has stated + the lack of other options, I'm starting to see the writing on the wall...
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Bobcat1998
9/27/2023 10:33 AM
Anyone who questions EJ4 or AJB, for that matter, at the 4 with Clayton at the 5 has not watched who has been successful in the NCAA Tournament. This is becoming the norm. Dwight Wilson will go down as one of my favorite Bobcats of all time and an all-time great. But we struggled with Toledo in the MAC Tourney because we didn't have athletic, fast guys fast breaking. We had a slow down, get the ball inside to Dwight offense. That was great for 20 wins but a MAC title runs through our guards. I love the options we have and believe truly that the starting 5 won't be the 5 who play the most minutes anyways. Ike is going to explode--mark it. Shereef is going to have big games. Heck, I think Wiz will be better and IJ is going to surprise. But if we trot out a 6-4 power forward--I am good with it because having a First Team MAC big hasn't won us a MAC title.
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spongeBOB CATpants
9/27/2023 10:33 AM
100%Cat wrote:expand_more
The beauty in the Wiz situation, to me, is that we aren't going to ask that much of him. Grab some rebounds, guard opposing bigs hopefully without fouling, and maybe put in a couple of bunnies at the rim if opportunity presents itself. With the other talent on the roster, we don't need him to be Dwight Wilson. I don't see the ball in his hands much with the skill around him at the other 4 positions.
I wouldn't say there's any beauty in the Wiz situation, it's been ugly.

Those were the expectations last year coming off the bench.

Rebounding is probably the most we can expect. We've seen him log 5 fouls in like 10 minutes (maybe even less) so defending skilled bigs is likely going to be a disappointment. Making some bunnies would require him to catch passes which has also been a struggle.
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FJC31
9/27/2023 10:45 AM
Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
Anyone who questions EJ4 or AJB, for that matter, at the 4 with Clayton at the 5 has not watched who has been successful in the NCAA Tournament. This is becoming the norm. Dwight Wilson will go down as one of my favorite Bobcats of all time and an all-time great. But we struggled with Toledo in the MAC Tourney because we didn't have athletic, fast guys fast breaking. We had a slow down, get the ball inside to Dwight offense. That was great for 20 wins but a MAC title runs through our guards. I love the options we have and believe truly that the starting 5 won't be the 5 who play the most minutes anyways. Ike is going to explode--mark it. Shereef is going to have big games. Heck, I think Wiz will be better and IJ is going to surprise. But if we trot out a 6-4 power forward--I am good with it because having a First Team MAC big hasn't won us a MAC title.
You get it. +1. I’m not sure what to expect out of IJ/Wiz/Clayton (if he spends more time inside); but I think it’ll be enough with the athletic guard depth we have for a special season.
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FJC31
9/27/2023 10:48 AM
100%Cat wrote:expand_more
The beauty in the Wiz situation, to me, is that we aren't going to ask that much of him. Grab some rebounds, guard opposing bigs hopefully without fouling, and maybe put in a couple of bunnies at the rim if opportunity presents itself. With the other talent on the roster, we don't need him to be Dwight Wilson. I don't see the ball in his hands much with the skill around him at the other 4 positions.
This what I’m rooting for at this point. If not, well maybe he has some moments like creating problems for Freeman again when really need it.
Last Edited: 9/27/2023 10:49:48 AM by FJC31
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M.D.W.S.T
9/27/2023 10:55 AM
100%Cat wrote:expand_more
The beauty in the Wiz situation, to me, is that we aren't going to ask that much of him. Grab some rebounds, guard opposing bigs hopefully without fouling, and maybe put in a couple of bunnies at the rim if opportunity presents itself. With the other talent on the roster, we don't need him to be Dwight Wilson. I don't see the ball in his hands much with the skill around him at the other 4 positions.
You lost me at "the beauty of the Wiz situation..." LOL
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