1) Today will be, forever and for always, the day that I officially made my final flip-flop on weeknight #MACtion. Sweet Jesus, today's drive to Athens to go indoors was CRIMINAL! A football-basketball doubleheader today would have been spectacular!

2) I hated Jim Christian, Kent State Head Coach. HATED HIM! Move him 60 feet west, and he's my favorite guy in the world.

3) Don't know what was up with Ivo in the first half. I composed a tweet that the overworked Convo cell towers couldn't accomodate, then had to delete the thought post-game when it was clearly no longer applicable. The intensity he came out of the locker room with in the second half was a sight to behold. Whatever was said worked.

;

What I liked...
1. Travis Wilkins is a good spark off the bench, offense got moving after his three. He has good hands.
2. Ivo being aggressive in the second half and going to the rim is much needed.
3. Pretty good ball movement for first game.
4. Cooper and Kellog are as good as advertised.

Agreed. HATED him at Kent State, but he's really growing on me. Liked his sideline demeanor a lot. Really appreciated that he went over to thank the O Zone after the game. Just seems that he is a likeable guy - and really knows how to coach.

Enjoyed his postgame press conference here...good for a couple laughs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuDVYegQxT4

Although don't blame all the $1 seats.  I looked down and the lower level, where season tickets so-called big fans sit, were some decent empty seats.  If I had the money and opportunity to see The Bobcats every home game, no matter what the weather or whatever would keep me out.  

Random Thoughts from Today (many of which have been covered in different places):
*Hope DJ brings this type of intensity all year long vs. just randomly throughout the regular season, then full force down the stretch.  He picked up where he left off last year.
*Reggie added a spark and looked as thin (and little) as I can ever remember
*I love Nick Kellog--my favorite Bobcat.  Just all around solid.
*Boy are we a different team with Walter on the floor.  Really missed him in first half and amazed how far he's come along, learned to fit in, since this time last year.
*Ivo drives me crazy!  Honestly, I'd tell him no shots allowed past 15 feet--None!  Thought I read in a recent article his realization that he fell in love with the jump shot too much last season and was going to take it to the rim more this year.  How quickly he forgot his promise.
*Jon Smith does a lot of "little things" we really need.  Have come to appreciate what he adds to the team.
*Love Ricardo's athleticism, but he'd be another guy who'd have the "no jump shots beyond 15 feet" rule applied to him.  He'll make a few, but misses many more.  Focus on the intangibles of loose balls, lock down defense, put back and playing around the rim.  Glimpses of Fresh, Soph wildness still evident. 
*Haven't seen "Bean" play a second, but something tells me JC already has him penciled in to start at the point next year over Stevie.  Just a hunch with no basis.
*I'm lost for what TJ's game is.  Is he a jump shooter only?  Is he going to try to play a little bigger?  He looked to be huring a bit today.  What's his role?  My hunch is that we redshirt him, let him get fully healthy and use him more the next couple years as I wonder how much he'll play once Green is eligible.
*Appears Wilkins' role is to spell Kellog and be another outside threate to add to Nick, DJ and Walter.  Not enough open looks yet to determine if he can fulfill that role.
*Portlands second team was really bad. 
*Is the Ticket Sales strategy to scare people into buying tickets quick; did a bunch of people just not show up; or what?  My section was reportedly sold out and there were plenty of open seats available.  Like 10-20% of the section was not used?  Great crowd, but looked like 10,000 or so instead of 12,000. 

Overall, great day and all the makings of a another fun season!

Rico was 3 for 5 from the field yesterday and had a very nice, aggressive move and jumper from about 17 feet.He clearly works very hard during the off-season, as he has elevated his game once again.

I thought TJ gave us very good minutes and was surprised by his aggressiveness given his medical issue.

Kellogg also has added a new dimension to his game; not just waiting for the open three.

Ivo frustrates the hell out of me.  Just take the ball to the rim.

They may have sold 12000+ tickets but there were about 3000 empty seats I would estimate, making actual attendance somewhere around 10000-10500.

Given all the great game hype and that it was Dad's weekend, I was actually a bit disappointed with attendance.  But can you imagine any other MAC school (or almost any other college in the nation) saying that? 

I could say a lot of things, but Christian saying it was a "high-major basketball game"  15-25 seconds in is sticking out in my mind.
  

I'll say this about cell service: Pre-game, no issues. Post-game: no issues. 10K in the building: low low connectivity.

I don't think it's administration responsibility to cover such an occurrence. And my friends that attend games in even larger facilities that generate absurd money say they have the same issues.

My takeaways from yesterday:

Do not consume two aquariums from the Pub and then top them off with two Black Widows over at the Pigskin, all 90 minutes prior to tipoff.  I think I was in the Convo yesterday, but I'm not completely sure . . .  I remember Kellogg knocking down a trey and a few free throws.  I wish I could tell you where the other 13 points came from.

Ozone not quite in mid season form, but this was likely due to the 110 taking up half of the stands.  I still liked the 110 better behind the hoop with the Ozone occupying the entire length of the court. Crowd was what I usually expect from dads weekend.  Nowhere close to sold out but still a good crowd nonetheless. 

Gonna be a fun year. Very impressed with Reggie and what appeared to be better shot selection from DJ.  As frustrating as Ivo can be at times, he has a knack for knocking down tough jumpers at very opportune times (think MAC championship).  Not sure we will find much more out until the Richmond game. That will be a great test.

Why has no one mentioned Travis Wilkins' defense yet? That was the spark I saw more than anything. He's tough as nails on that end of the floor.

Completely agree, although when I was in school they were in the Ohio bench end of the arena, which I'm sure didn't please Danny/Billy.  Nor sure there is enough room in the visitors bench end, but I think it is aesthetically more pleasing and allows those who pay for the team (students) to have more/better seating options, which I think is important.

It was the O Zone that was the driving force behind getting the 110 permanently moved.