I'm not commenting on the Buffalo game, but Ohio Hoops just repeated what I've been telling others in private.

I think the time has come this season to start playing very fast and very small as much as possible. Creating more possessions for ourselves even if the defensive stops aren't going to happen.

I thought that was the Groce Modus Operandi when he showed up 3 years ago, and I'd like to see us go back to this style starting Wednesday. You have a bench that is literally 11 guys deep right now with D-Mac and Tunji getting spot minutes already - so stepping on the gas and throwing bodies into the mix isn't going to be an problem.

Overall, my biggest concern is that the guys aren't responding to Groce. I'm not saying he's lost them this year, but they simply aren't responding. Everyone looks scared to make a mistake, and there's definitely some missed assignments to compound the issues.

If we go fast (and I mean real fast), I think it loosens everyone up and takes some of the emphasis off the mistakes we're so prone to making this year. Face it, the half court game is where everyone sees some of the glaring mistakes - so let's make it easier to forget those mistakes by creating several more possessions on the other end of the floor.

We have the best PG in the league and tons of guard depth coming in next year, with little frontcourt help on the way. The results in our current scheme aren't good. I really think it's time to start seeing 40 minutes of hell in the Convo. Lots of pressing, lots of transition baskets, earlier shots in the possession (I know I know)....just need to completely change the complexion of the game from what we've seen this year. The personnel is there to do it - I just hope they are in shape.

Also, forgot to mention:

1. Was that a man that became a woman on the 1960 team that was introduced at halftime of the Kent game? I'm 85% Joe may have become Josephine in the past 51 years, so hats off to him/her. I have no problem with alternative lifestyles, so very solid that him/her could stand out there with his/her teammates and be honored. Hats off. Let me know if I saw what I think I saw.

2. Anyone catch our friend Jason Corriher get lit into by the Buffalo Assistant Coach, Kwitchoff. I mean, Kwitchoff was going Mike Ditka on Jim Harbaugh...and it was totally out of line. If I were Corriher, I would have gotten up and jacked that Dan Dakich wanna-be. As such, he took it professionally and respectfully.

3. Reggie Witherspoon definitely has some Bob Knight in him. Tosses some of his kids around like rag dolls. Must've worked b/c Filzen shrugged off Reggie throwing him into the huddle pretty good.

Ron Everhart did this when he got to Duqesne.

They still lost, just did so in an entertaining fashion.

Mine too.  It's the coach's job to connect with the team and each player individually...from my perspective, that isn't happening.  The hesitation Baltic showed when he clearly had open lanes has the markings of being afraid to make a mistake.  Anyone think the way Sayles was handled at the end of the last year affected player-coach relations?  

Wouldn't mind seeing this myself - only two problems, IMO.

1) We're a terrible pressing team when forced to press. Our press is creating no turnovers and/or we're committing stupid fouls 40-plus feet from the basket.

2) Players wanting to get out and run before Ohio even rebounds the ball is one reason why Ohio has become a terrible defensive rebounding team. Too many times I've seen 1 or 2 Ohio defenders fight for a rebound with the other 3 watching and waiting for the outlet only for an opposing player to get the offensive rebound.

I was under the impression Groce was recruiting athletic guards/wings with little emphasis on bigs to play this style. But something has gone missing along the way.

It wasnt that long ago that another head coach came to the same idea that BL is recommending.  Run Run Run.  Just make sure that we don't have Ohio Wesleyan on the schedule.
Fun to play that way.....but if you really like watching that kind of basketball, I recommend the AAU summer circuit.
Too many good coaches in the MAC & D-1 who teach their teams to value each possession to seriously think you are going to win with that style in this league.  If you think we are getting killed on the boards now....wait til you see more shots taken by poor shooters!  Come on BL, stick to golf!

Hmm . . . maybe I wasn't paying enough attention, but I just assumed the Joe was dead and his wife was standing in for him.  I know the announcer didn't say anything like that, but I thought it was just an error in not correctly identifying who was out on the court.  You guys certainly have a more interesting theory!

Stupid post. We're not takling about playing the Calipari offense where it is more similar to AAU ball, we're talking about the same type of offense that has helped turn Mizzouri from an average Big 12 team into a squad that went to the Elite 8 two years ago and is now hanging out among the top 12 teams in the nation. 

Didn't Barberton have the Carter boys and the tallest starter was 6' 2"? 

Thanks, SBH...at least I had the "Carter" part right! 

Firestone, huh - the rich side of town.  The crew before Carter Scott and the twins beat my alma mater by 41 in the first game in the sectional tournament in front of standing room only crowd at Copley HIgh.  Never seem so much purple in my life.  That was back in the day of pin striped warm ups and big fros.   Akron had some pretty good players for a long stretch back then.  Unlike SBH, I made one of my free throws against the Magic and that was about it that night.

Kudos to A Swank for mentioning the Barberton Magic.

I agree with  Love, The.  First, what we're doing ain't working.  If we can't fix it as it is (and it's bad), then let's try a wholesale change.  Let's see if we can wear teams down and beat 'em with depth.  The question will be can we play good ball when going at a pace.  The point that teams will try to slow it is true; you gotta be good to speed it up and be effective.  Maybe our guys will take to it.  It must be a style that Ivo and DeVaughn like.

Love also mentions that we'll be small (recruits) over the next year or two.  Well, we have Jacobs.  Maybe he'll develop.  Otherwise, I agree about the lack of BIGMANZ.  Gotta address that somehow.

Oh, she's eligible.

It appears Gary Bolen has now become Cheryl Bolen.  I agree with Love, hats off to her for going out with the prior teammates.  I'm sure that's not something easily done unless you are very comfortable with who you are.

From today's OBC email: