The early departure of Coleman and Bassett from the roster since last March likely changes some of the expectations of theBobcats.  We are extremely young team and losing two double digit scoring guards is a major blow.  Lets breakdown what is left.

PG Cooper soph.  DJ enters years two as our floor general. He has proven he can impact the game with his scoiring, steals and assists. All-mac  player and contender for POY in MAC.   

PG/SG Kellogg fresh. Nick arrives with the role of backup point guard and perhaps will be playing a lot at the two for added ball handing.  

SG/SF Johnson, fresh, Rico  made an excellent decision coming to Ohio. He will play a lot as a freshman. 
Very likely will start at the 2 or 3. He could like Cooper be a 4 year starter for us.  He is the prize of the recruiting class.    

SG/SF Freeman senior. Tommy is the leader of this team.  He is a proven shooter and  his leadership will be critical for the success of this team. Freeman will be a starter either at the 2 or 3 positions. Likely honorable mention all-mac this year  

SF  Hall freshman,  TJ will likely earn some playing time at the three behind Freeman and sayles.  Very athletic player may let Groce use him for defense at times. Hall will  battle Sayles for the spot behind Freeman or Johnson at the three

SF  Sayles senior. Asown is back and he showed much key can contribute last March.  Likely will be our defensive stopper at the 3.  He gives us better rebounding. He may start early at the 3 with Freeman at the 2 with the freshman coming off the bench until they push him for the starting role. Sayles will be a key guy in the rotation off the bench.           

PF Washington Senior.  Devo is now the big man on campus.  He should have a monster year. He had a fantastic finish to last year and expect all-mac from #1 this year. starter at the 4

PF  Baltic Sophmore. Ivo should be improved and provide us with a strong backup behind DWash.  He is a guy who can mix it up and run the floor. He will be the primary backup behind Washington 

PF/C  Kellogg Junior.  Alex is a rebounding specialist.  He gives us depth inside.  He likely splits between the 5  and some 4 in  a backup role. 

C Keely Soph. Big Regs will anchor the middle for the Bobcats. He will provide us with some force inside. Should really start to throw his weight around this season in the paint. He could be a monster by years end. starter at the 5.  

C  Jacobs Freshman. He will be a backup at the 5.  Will battle Kellogg for minutes behind Keely.   


Projected starting five by January
PG Cooper-so
SG Johnson-fr
SF  Freeman-sr
PF Washington-sr
C   Keely-so

key reserves
PG/SG N.Kellogg
SF Sayles
PF Baltic
C   A. Kellogg

some playing time
SF Hall
C  Jacobs

 

Outside shooting is a huge question mark indeed. Freeman is the best in the MAC behind the arc and he will have the green light from day one to hoist them up.  Cooper also will be hoisting away.   Cooper will need to be more consistent from behind the arc and get up to 35%.  Freeman is 40-45% likely.  If Johnson/Kellogg  can be aggressive like Bassett and get to the line a lot that will make up a lot in the scoring.  Groce needs to get his guards to attack the rim like last year.  We are gonna have to be the team that parades to the foul line and cash out games there. Bassett was huge at getting to line come tournament time.  That is what Johnson needs to be.  Need that guy that draws contacts and gets to the line.  Figure Washington will get plenty of touches along with Keely.  Teams likely put both of them on the line, but Dwash improved a lot last year in that area.    

I think Jacobs is going to see more playing time than as a third-stringer.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see us run some double post in order to capitalized on his size.  

I don't understand why everyone gets so upset about losing Coleman, he didn't play the last 20 games of the year.
 Granted he was an excellent player but we really didn't have him last year so its not a step backwords.  

It's a problem because he was expected to replace some (most?) of Bassett's production.  So while the loss of Coleman along might not be a step back, the combined loss of Coleman and Bassett is.

I see this season, at this point, having the same outlook as last season.

With so many new faces and unknown production there really isn't anything we can hang our hat on to say "This will make us a contender."  I haven't had the chance to really study this team or any others in the MAC yet but I'm sure there are other teams with less question marks.

The difference between this season and last season at this point is higher expectations.  I will be trying to temper my excitement for this season (which has already surpassed my excitement for the '10 Football team) so that by the time January comes I won't be a total wreck for every MAC game.

Hopefully come Homecoming weekend we'll be able to see another "Hardwood Hysteria" so that I can get look at these guys before the exhibition games.

I see this season much like all the rest. First, we must get to the first day of practice. Then, we must play our first game. Then, after about ten games, we'll know what we have. We might get a little better after that or we might not.

HALL HAS A PRETTY NICE SHOT FROM BEHIND THE ARC..

I HAVE WATCHED HIM FOR MANY YEARS ... NICE SOFT TOUCH....

I never expected AB back thought for sure he would be one and done and it really played out just that way. Had high hopes and high expectations for Coleman. Thought he would come back hungry and be on a mission to have a stellar year and subsequently a stellar career as a Bobcat. Was and am blown away that he has chosen a different route in life. The selfishness in me wishes he had stayed.