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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 1 Thread: Belmont
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Ted Thompson
11/7/2021 11:13 AM

Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: November 9th, 2021 7:00 PM

Opponent: Belmont  (0-0)

Site: Convocation Center

TV: None

Radio: Ohio Radio, The Varsity Network App (free) or TuneIn Radio (pay)

Webcast: ESPN3/ESPN+

Belmont statistics, roster and media guide

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GraffZ06
11/8/2021 12:35 AM
Is it weird to say litmus test for this team when it's the season opener?

Belmont will be a tough out, top of the MAC/good mid major/tourney tested type team combined with the fact it's our first game without both Preston and DW3.

Can Sears take the reigns? Can BVP and Carter be the dominant interior compliment to each other? Do the new guys contribute? Ultimately, do we as a team step up or crumble?

I think it's a bellwether for just how high or low our expectations should be this year.
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Jeff McKinney
11/8/2021 12:40 AM
I disagree. I don't think you can read that much into our first game of the season.
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GraffZ06
11/8/2021 5:12 AM
Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more
I disagree. I don't think you can read that much into our first game of the season.
I guess that depends on what your expectations are Jeff.

If they're MAC champions and NCAA tournament bound (and maybe make some noise again), then yes I think it CAN be a bellwether game - though I openly admit that's odd for a season opener.

Because, if not Belmont, who is the other non-con mid-major on our schedule that a MAC champ team "should" beat and that tourney committees could look at and say "that's a good win"? Obviously we have the two majors in UK and LSU on the road to try and build our resume, but we aren't really EXPECTED to win either of those. We all know Bobby Mo has our number, but that's not going to move the needle. Nor is Cleveland St or Marshall IMO, even though they'll both be solid mids.

But if your expectations are hey, roll out the ball, let the kids gel over time, see what happens and hope for the best for 3 days in Cleveland in March? Well then, yeah I guess I agree with you this game doesn't mean all that much.

I'd LIKE to expect more than that though. This game might tell me whether I can or not. That's really all I'm saying.
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bobcatsquared
11/8/2021 6:47 AM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
I guess that depends on what your expectations are Jeff.

If they're MAC champions and NCAA tournament bound (and maybe make some noise again), then yes I think it CAN be a bellwether game - though I openly admit that's odd for a season opener.

Because, if not Belmont, who is the other non-con mid-major on our schedule that a MAC champ team "should" beat and that tourney committees could look at and say "that's a good win"? Obviously we have the two majors in UK and LSU on the road to try and build our resume, but we aren't really EXPECTED to win either of those. We all know Bobby Mo has our number, but that's not going to move the needle. Nor is Cleveland St or Marshall IMO, even though they'll both be solid mids.

But if your expectations are hey, roll out the ball, let the kids gel over time, see what happens and hope for the best for 3 days in Cleveland in March? Well then, yeah I guess I agree with you this game doesn't mean all that much.

I'd LIKE to expect more than that though. This game might tell me whether I can or not. That's really all I'm saying.
Exactly why I've always hated it when Bobcat football and basketball fans claim non-conference games don't mean anything and only conference games matter. Not true if you want Ohio and the MAC to have higher national profiles.
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Andrew Ruck
11/8/2021 8:00 AM
I am soooo excited.

Start of a new season - Always exciting.
Start of a new season after a Championship - Very exciting.
Start of a new season against a very good program - Super exciting.
Start of a new season following 20 months of no crowds in the Convo - Ridiculously exciting.

GO BOBCATS
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shabamon
11/8/2021 8:25 AM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
I am soooo excited.

Start of a new season - Always exciting.
Start of a new season after a Championship - Very exciting.
Start of a new season against a very good program - Super exciting.
Start of a new season following 20 months of no crowds in the Convo - Ridiculously exciting.

GO BOBCATS
[insert Vince McMahon meme]
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Victory
11/8/2021 12:26 PM
We have started as a 3.5 point underdog at home.
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Jeff McKinney
11/8/2021 12:40 PM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
I guess that depends on what your expectations are Jeff.

If they're MAC champions and NCAA tournament bound (and maybe make some noise again), then yes I think it CAN be a bellwether game - though I openly admit that's odd for a season opener.

Because, if not Belmont, who is the other non-con mid-major on our schedule that a MAC champ team "should" beat and that tourney committees could look at and say "that's a good win"? Obviously we have the two majors in UK and LSU on the road to try and build our resume, but we aren't really EXPECTED to win either of those. We all know Bobby Mo has our number, but that's not going to move the needle. Nor is Cleveland St or Marshall IMO, even though they'll both be solid mids.

But if your expectations are hey, roll out the ball, let the kids gel over time, see what happens and hope for the best for 3 days in Cleveland in March? Well then, yeah I guess I agree with you this game doesn't mean all that much.

I'd LIKE to expect more than that though. This game might tell me whether I can or not. That's really all I'm saying.
Exactly why I've always hated it when Bobcat football and basketball fans claim non-conference games don't mean anything and only conference games matter. Not true if you want Ohio and the MAC to have higher national profiles.

Agreed. I think this IS a very important game. I'll be there loud and proud. My only point is that I don't think you can draw firm conclusions about how the season is going to go based on the first game.
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Pataskala
11/8/2021 1:01 PM
The Cleveland State game might be a better indicator of things to come. They also went to The Dance last year, plus it's on the road and we smacked them pretty good last year, so they might be looking for payback. Belmont should give us a good game, but it's the opener for both teams so they'll be some rust on both sides. With Saturday's game, both teams will have a real game under their belts (CSU is at BYU -- also a tourney team last year -- tomorrow night) and should be playing a bit smoother.
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JSF
11/8/2021 1:41 PM
This is probably the last time I'll be able to say I've been to a game considerably more recently than most of the people here.
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berniebobcat
11/8/2021 2:52 PM
At first blush Belmont appears to have an intimidating team having had a 26-4 record last year and most if not all their starters returning. A closer look at last year reveals that they didn't play any power teams and lost to Morehead twice, the second time in the conference finals thereby missing the NCAA tournament. Our resume matches up pretty well considering the level of competition we played and the number of returners plus Jason Carter. It gives me a little confidence that we should be able to hold our own if not actually outplay them. Having been a fan for many years, I know better then to be too optimistic since the disappointments have been many.
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brucecuth
11/8/2021 3:20 PM
6'11" Nick Muszynski played at Columbus St. Charles, so he'll have a nice cheering section there. Think he's been all OVC the last couple years at least and is the preseason conference POY. Would bet money that he and Jason Carter know each other well.
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The Optimist
11/8/2021 3:49 PM
I'm surprised I cannot find any Belmont forum out there. Not a huge school, but they've been a great program and seem to have a decent following...
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Diamond Cat
11/8/2021 6:10 PM
I don't have high expectations for this game. DW3 is critical to opening up other players. I don't think we are in a position to think a big, athletic Super Duper Sr. is easy to replace. I just hope he plays this season. I'm a little out of the loop on his status.
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RSBobcat
11/8/2021 6:13 PM
The Optimist wrote:expand_more
I'm surprised I cannot find any Belmont forum out there. Not a huge school, but they've been a great program and seem to have a decent following...
Same here - can't find an active fan forum/message board after multiple search attempts.....
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Taiwan BC
11/8/2021 7:39 PM
This is our main chance (If we have one) of being in the discussion as an at large team. Win this one and we get some national attention… We will still have a long way to go but the door won’t be closed. Either way, win or lose, I’ll be pulling hard for them!

3 Man Weave has a nice breakdown of the game at the 46:25 minute mark of their most recent podcast…
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/three-man-weave-col...

GO BOBCATS!!!
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Bobcat61
11/8/2021 7:58 PM
I saw Nick play as a high school junior, he stood out Lille a sore thumb
I call ass’t coach Wll Ryan about Nick, but Will only liked players that he found
We all should be very happy that Will is shoveling snow in Wisconsin
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SVAC83
11/8/2021 8:15 PM
if you go to twitter belmont basketball you get a little info there.
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SVAC83
11/8/2021 8:25 PM
talk about consistency Belmont is one of four schools to win 19 games each of the last 16 years. the other 3 ? Gonzaga, Kansas, San Diego state. not a bad group to be a part of.
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OUVan
11/9/2021 6:36 AM
Game Day!!!!! Go Bobcats!!!!
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OUVan
11/9/2021 8:06 AM
berniebobcat wrote:expand_more
At first blush Belmont appears to have an intimidating team having had a 26-4 record last year and most if not all their starters returning. A closer look at last year reveals that they didn't play any power teams and lost to Morehead twice, the second time in the conference finals thereby missing the NCAA tournament. Our resume matches up pretty well considering the level of competition we played and the number of returners plus Jason Carter. It gives me a little confidence that we should be able to hold our own if not actually outplay them. Having been a fan for many years, I know better then to be too optimistic since the disappointments have been many.
Ohio lost 8 games last year. Per KenPom ratings our worst loss was #130 Bowling Green. That #130 BG team was ranked higher than any game Belmont played. Morehead St (#134) was their highest ranked opponent. And as mentioned above they lost to them twice. We played 14 games against teams ranked higher than that. That being said, Belmont is tough. They play a much tougher schedule this year so picking up a victory will be good for our resume.
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71 BOBCAT
11/9/2021 8:45 AM
I was all pumped for this year until 2 things happened, JP left & DW3 is questionable for this year.
So from having the entire starting 5 back to only 3 is a concern. On the other hand watching how Boals coaches this team will be interesting as our expectations are still high.
We will still need at least 2 new comers to perform at a good/high level.


GO BOBCATS
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Andrew Ruck
11/9/2021 8:53 AM
OUVan wrote:expand_more
At first blush Belmont appears to have an intimidating team having had a 26-4 record last year and most if not all their starters returning. A closer look at last year reveals that they didn't play any power teams and lost to Morehead twice, the second time in the conference finals thereby missing the NCAA tournament. Our resume matches up pretty well considering the level of competition we played and the number of returners plus Jason Carter. It gives me a little confidence that we should be able to hold our own if not actually outplay them. Having been a fan for many years, I know better then to be too optimistic since the disappointments have been many.
Ohio lost 8 games last year. Per KenPom ratings our worst loss was #130 Bowling Green. That #130 BG team was ranked higher than any game Belmont played. Morehead St (#134) was their highest ranked opponent. And as mentioned above they lost to them twice. We played 14 games against teams ranked higher than that. That being said, Belmont is tough. They play a much tougher schedule this year so picking up a victory will be good for our resume.
This is good info. I noticed on ESPN their "Power Index Matchup Predictor" shows Ohio with a 57.3% chance of victory...whatever that means. Belmont is good but I consider us the favorite at home.

These first 2 games right off the bat are huge if we want any chance at getting some attention beyond the MAC and establishing an at-large resume.
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Andrew Ruck
11/9/2021 8:56 AM
71 BOBCAT wrote:expand_more
I was all pumped for this year until 2 things happened, JP left & DW3 is questionable for this year.
So from having the entire starting 5 back to only 3 is a concern.
On the surface this is completely legitimate, and I think is why are preseason expectations from many are respectable but not great. But Mark Sears & Jason Carter make that as seamless of a loss as you could possibly expect and I'm not sure a lot of people outside the program appreciate how well we have re-loaded.
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