I don't just mean the chance of D.J. earning MAC player of the year honors as a sophomore just as Trent did during the most exciting Bobcat era to date in my opinion.....I also mean the very real possibility that Cooper leaves for the pros after his junior season. 


I believe we are all witnessing the genesis of Ohio University becoming a program that takes a place in the national conversation as one of the top 40-50 programs in the country period (none of this Mid-Major crap) That carries with it the need to unlearn all that some of us have accepted as "normal" around our basketball program and realize that players leaving early, transferring out due to lack of playing time (that would start for many Bobcat teams in the past) and unfortunately, players making bad decisions off the court (we already have that though  just not with national attention  lol)


The biggest challenge is the ability for the AD to see the need to rip up Groce's contract before the season ends and pay him on the level of a top 50 program if not higher before other programs start courting him.


Again these are just my opinions but last year about this time I joined this fine website and declared that D.J. Cooper was the best point guard to walk the campus since Dink Whitaker and stood a 50-50 shot (at that point in time) of being the best PG to have ever walked the campus by the time he leaves so I do have a pretty decent track record so far  :-)

Until the average basketball budget in the MAC and at Ohio increases fairly substantially, and until the MAC gets a more highly visible TV contract, we're mid-major by definition.  Even if we are top 40-50 regularly. 

As for Coach Groce's contract...even with a substantial upgrade in his package through renegotiation, Ohio would not be competitive (nor would we ever be) with the type of schools which would be courting him. 

Times are hard.  Especially for mid majors. 

I like DJ, but let me know when he wins MAC Player of the Year three years in a row.  I wouldn't quite put him in Trent's class yet.

I don't see D.J. coming out, but I do see him getting drafted after his senior year. I told a buddy of mine yesterday that I firmly believe he's one of the top 5 point guards in the country....right now. The stuff he was doing yesterday was ridiculous....just sick. He's so damn good....can't wait until he starts throwing oops to DEVO. Gonna be a special year fellas.

Two players since 2005 have been drafted who are under 6'0". Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson. Lawson was one of the most decorated players in college from the beginning, and won a National Championship. All that couldn't even get him in the lottery. Robinson was the 21st pick, and only was drafted that high for his insane strength, jumping and speed (set combine records). They are both having solid NBA careers, but we are discussing the draft here.


So unless Cooper absolutely goes insane the next year or two, there is no way he leaves early unless he just can't stand school anymore. He'll have to work his tail off to be drafted as a senior as is. He's still way too skinny for the NBA and they only take tall ones if that is the case. No NBA team is taking a 5'11" guy over a 6'3" guy if they are somewhat close in talent level. Boykins, Bogues, Webb, Lawson, Robinson...they are all quick and strong. Running back build, not wide receiver build.

I think this might be my favorite post ever.

I never ate at Boyd. Was it not scramble format like Nelson?

Another guy you didn't want to get behind in the dinning hall line was Leon Williams.  One time when I was eating with Leon and a few other guys from the team, I witnessed him put down 8 chicken patty sandwiches among other items.  I'm surprised I still have a hand after eating with him.

I have to state this at least once each basketball season: I don't like the term "mid major."  I don't use the term.   I think the term should never be used by coaches or fans of non-power conference schools.  We are a Div-1 program and we shouldn't use a term that shows we have such a low self image.  Just one man's opinion.  

If he lasts all 4 years DJ has a solid shot to become our all time leading scorer.

Dave Jamerson is the all-time leading scorer.