Bobcat Attack - Ohio Basketball - Official Exhibition Game 2 Thread: Ohio St.

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Topic: Official Exhibition Game 2 Thread: Ohio St.

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bobcatsquared

10/27/2025 9:29 AM

Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more

They also just blew past us to the rim way too much. They were 25 for 33 from 2 and 23 of 29 on free throws (we fouled wayyy more because we were constantly getting beat off the ball and sliding over late).

What you saw in the o$u game is exactly what I saw in Dayton v. WSU. Ohio had difficulty stopping the dribble. And not just 1 or 2 players but the entire roster. Playing defense by reaching and slapping instead of moving the feet led to too many fouls.

Last Edited: 10/27/2025 9:29:34 AM by bobcatsquared

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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

10/27/2025 9:42 AM

Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more

Breath will be just fine in the Wiz/Searls role.

I haven't seen him play yet, so I'll reserve judgment, but if this is all Breath is that's a pretty big issue.

It means we'll yet again be putting a top 5 on the floor that is undersized. A natural 4 playing the 5, a guy we recruited as a 3 at the 4, and three guys recruited as point guards (JP, Sheldon, and Elliot) on the wings.

We were massively undersized last year; I was hoping for a more substantial impact from Breath as our only real 5.

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M.D.W.S.T

10/27/2025 9:46 AM

Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more

I went to the game yesterday. It was a terrible crowd, maybe 4,000 in attendance? Maybe 200 students or so. I know it was just an exhibition, but I maintain OSU's basketball program is just not well supported. Even when they are good, the atmosphere is not impressive and I really think they are settling into their destiny as a middle of the pack Big Ten program.

Anyway, OSU shot well and we had no answer for the 2 tall white dudes, which luckily won't really be much of an issue in the MAC. They also just blew past us to the rim way too much. They were 25 for 33 from 2 and 23 of 29 on free throws (we fouled wayyy more because we were constantly getting beat off the ball and sliding over late).

Offense was not terrible yesterday, some good ball movement at times but some issues finishing and too many ill advised threes. JP & EE are weapons driving to the hoop, but they didn't have great success yesterday and were unable to finish several decent chances.

Simmons has not looked good, which is concerning. He was at the center of any optimism we had. Hopefully it is just a slow start. I am not sure I see the overweight / out of shape narrative...just wasn't productive.

Sheldon just needs to be disciplined in what threes he takes. He showed he can still be a sharpshooter when he gets the right chances, but he also had a couple of the dumb crazy off balance shots, and not late in the shot clock.

I thought Kelly looked pretty solid and smooth for a freshman. Connors sure isn't shy about shooting the ball. I agree that I think I'd like to see more of Burris. Breath will be just fine in the Wiz/Searls role.

Not sharing in the extreme talk of regime change, however I also have some pessimism about the season. Right now I would expect us to repeat last season...frustrate with some bursts but mostly just be mediocre and around .500 in the MAC. That's where I'm at right now, subject to change.

I didn't catch a boxscore, I was at the game looking at the jumbotron periodically, but from my eyes - they played pretty well for the first 15 minutes despite getting bullied by every white guy they had over 6"8" - and they have a half dozen of them.

The issue, unfortunately for us, looks like the same one as last season, and the season before - we dont have THE GUY. We don't have Player 1 who is gonna get you 20 every night and take the last shot, and shoot you out of a cold streak. Right now our entire offense is 'chuck a three as fast as you can before anyone else notices you're about to do it' - and brick it. We're not running the offense. We don't swing the ball around. We dont reset. I would be stunned if we run any set plays outside of the initial play, bringing the ball up the floor. Even when someone is fairly open, no one sets their feet. Jack Pav looks solid. I'll stand by that. He can run the offense. But everyone is standing around watching him. And he isn't exactly Steph Curry who is gonna dot one in your eye. We need so much more movement.

It looks like they're happy to live and die by the 3, but no one is consistent enough to shoot it, so we die.

Last Edited: 10/27/2025 9:48:06 AM by M.D.W.S.T

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FJC31

10/27/2025 9:51 AM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more

Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more

This is kind of wild to me because I figured our big 3 would be Simmons/Pavs/Hadaway and with the additions of Simmons and Breath, we'd have a much more balanced approach offensively. Instead of just hoisting up 3's.

I'm still a fan of our roster, but it's going to take Boals modifying his game strategies of the past to accommodate its strengths more imo.

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spongeBOB CATpants

10/27/2025 9:51 AM

I was there and the biggest takeaway for me was the horrendous defense. I think OSU was shooting over 70% in the first half and most were very easy buckets at the rim.

We were just all over the place in pretty much every facet of the game. Rebounding was horrible, we fouled almost every defensive possession, and just seemed like we played out of control for most of the game.

I don't think OSU really looked like a BIG 10 contender based on the eye test but who knows.

If you asked me to list our strengths, I'm not sure I could give you a confident answer or point to anything specific. I'm going to guess we are middle of the pack again this year and will sneak into Cleveland with hopes of winning one game. The MAC is supposed to be a lot better this year so that's concerning.

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rollbobbies

10/27/2025 10:04 AM

Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more

I agree with all of this. I'm optimistic that Simmons figures it out but if he doesn't, I honestly like what we saw out of Breath. He'll be a better second big option than we've had in a long time, and I wouldn't be scared to play him 20+ minutes in the MAC.

The only disagreement I'd have here is on Kelly and Burris. Kelly plays with the intensity of a freshman on defense, and Burris just doesn't have the ability to guard right now. I'm not sure that I'd expect much of either when it gets down to it this year. I still think there's decent hope that they'll both develop into good players, I am just not expecting much this year.

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OhioCatFan

10/27/2025 10:42 AM

It appears the bloom is off the rose.

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SBH

10/27/2025 11:19 AM

Serious questions: Have we ever been good defensively under Boals? Have we ever rebounded well?

Last Edited: 10/27/2025 11:19:39 AM by SBH

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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

10/27/2025 11:45 AM

M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more

We're not running the offense. We don't swing the ball around. We dont reset. I would be stunned if we run any set plays outside of the initial play, bringing the ball up the floor.

Boals has said that this is a philosophical thing. He teaches motion principles and themes, but doesn't run many set plays. He explains it as a way to keep defenses from switching and maintaining the matchups he wants.

But it definitely drags sometimes.

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M.D.W.S.T

10/27/2025 12:22 PM

SBH wrote:expand_more

Serious questions: Have we ever been good defensively under Boals? Have we ever rebounded well?

[/QUOTE]How quickly you forget DW3.

But... no, not really.

We haven't had a true, reliable big man in years. We're forced to play small and get beat up inside and on the boards pretty consistently. It's just in the past, we used to be able to hit 3's to keep some people honest.

Hadaway gets dirty from time to time, but he's a mover and a shaker. He's not banging down there all game.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more

[QUOTE=M.D.W.S.T] We're not running the offense. We don't swing the ball around. We dont reset. I would be stunned if we run any set plays outside of the initial play, bringing the ball up the floor.

I agree in principle, we just have a lot of standing around more often than not. Four people are always standing around waiting for Pav to create space.

Last Edited: 10/27/2025 12:26:01 PM by M.D.W.S.T

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FearLeon

10/27/2025 1:08 PM

GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more

MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more

GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more

SBH wrote:expand_more

If this season goes the way I think it might go, we'll have a different coaching staff next year.

If we aren't playing on Saturday in Cleveland this year - they deserve a different coaching staff next year. March is all that matters. Win or go home.

If you had been AD at Toledo, you would have canned a pretty decent coach by now?

Todd K is a great coach. He also, for whatever reason, absolutely cant win in March. Thats all that matters for a 1 bid mid major. Id have fired him years ago.

+1

Todd K has been at Toledo for 15 seasons.
0 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Let me repeat this..0 NCAA Tournament appearances.
I'm sorry, but in a one bid league....if you can't find your way to the NCAA tournament within 5 years at a perennial top four program in the conference then you have to move on from that coach. And Toledo has been much better than top 4 program in the conference for the last 12 years.

As frustrating as things appear to be in Bobcat land right now, I can't imagine what it's like to be a Toledo Rockets fan. Nobody remembers conference championships. You are remembered for March in one-bid leagues. And at least in the last 15 years we have Georgetown, Michigan, South Florida and Virginia on the NCAA Tournament resume. Toledo fans would trade every single conference championship over this 15 year stretch for one NCAA Tournament appearance...let alone a March Madness win.

Last Edited: 10/27/2025 1:09:15 PM by FearLeon

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FJC31

10/27/2025 1:36 PM

SBH wrote:expand_more

Serious questions: Have we ever been good defensively under Boals? Have we ever rebounded well?

This is why it's surprising to me to see Breath get less than 20 mins in both exhibitions and wonder how Boals convinced him to sign.

He's more of what we needed than Simmons (still glad to have both) and is also in my opinion, coming from a superior conference that he led with a 96.2 DRtg -- defensive rating for those unfamiliar. For context, 100-105 is considered league best and 95 is considered elite.

He also led the SoCon in DRB% (defensive rebounding %) at 26.6. Over 20 is considered elite. The previous season he led the SoCon in ORB% at 15.3. For more context on the latter, Dennis Rodman's career was 17.21.

Breath really should be starting or getting more minutes.

Last Edited: 10/27/2025 1:41:06 PM by FJC31

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Andrew Ruck

10/27/2025 1:39 PM

Todd K in bball = Frank Solich in football

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Clown Ohio Fan

10/27/2025 4:38 PM

I'm not saying Ohio is great or even good but I think there's been a lot of overreactions to two road exhibition matchups against quality programs.

We're a MAC school that's picked to finish 4th in the league and ranked around 150 in KenPom to open the season.

We're not a super talented team but we do have some potential. I'm more focused on them trying to put everything together and find themselves during non-conference play so they can be at their best in January/February than anything else at the current moment.

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GraffZ06

10/27/2025 4:59 PM

FJC31 wrote:expand_more

Breath really should be starting or getting more minutes.

Agree 100%. But that also means either Hadaway or Javan "The Round Mound of Richmond" Simmons is coming off the bench. Maybe Boals is playing Simmons more now to try to run the Burrito Buggy weight off. I dunno.

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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

10/27/2025 6:00 PM

Boals has said very specifically that he plays his best 5, and gives them time to figure it out. He seems to think that's Pavs/Sheldon/Elliot/Hadaway/Simmons. Outside of Sheldon, that squares with my expectations, too. And I'm far less worried about Simmons' weight. Guys with his body type often struggle with it and have to play their way into shape. He'll be fine when it matters.

I would like to see about 27-28 minutes per for Hadaway and 23-24ish each for Simmons and Breath, with everything else going to Kuany. Don't really care who starts. Either way, we should be an improved rebounding team and defend around the basket better than last year.

But I think we're going to be worse offensively, by a good margin, and have pretty awful spacing. Need someone from the Connors/Burris/Fisher/Kelly group to step up, or for Elliot to become a reliable shooter at a higher volume.

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OUs LONG Driver

10/27/2025 6:21 PM

I watched a video Simmons did recently with one of our media staff and thought he looked slimmer than when with Toledo.

Did he gain 30 lbs in the last few weeks? I've not seen anything of the scrimmages so maybe! He's obviously struggled but I doubt it's because he's in worse physical shape than he was at Toledo.

We do need him to produce at a high level or we are in big trouble.

Encouraged that Sheldon bounces back with a solid shooting night.

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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

10/27/2025 6:31 PM

OUs LONG Driver wrote:expand_more

Yeah, unsure where the narrative of him being out of shape came from. But either way, not all that concerning at this stage of the season.

Generally, I think folks here are sleeping on how good he is offensively. He led the league in offensive win shares last year. He gets to the free throw line at a truly insane rate and shoots well from the line. He's a very, very efficient offensive player.

Last Edited: 10/27/2025 6:37:40 PM by Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

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GraffZ06

10/27/2025 7:03 PM

OUs LONG Driver wrote:expand_more

I attended the WSU scrimmage in-person. He looked.....big. My buddy who came with me, who doesn't follow OU or the MAC at all, also commented on his "physique" so it wasn't just my imagination. He also struggled jumping...at all (including the opening tip) and he got his shot blocked multiple times because he couldn't elevate.

Only listened to the O$U game, but I can't imagine he magically slimmed down in a week. And judging by his 0-fer, well.

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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame

10/27/2025 7:16 PM

GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more

OUs LONG Driver wrote:expand_more

There's pictures from both scrimmages and the story about him posted today on Instagram, and he doesn't look any different than he did last year. And I'm not sure he's ever been much of a jumper.

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BillyTheCat

10/27/2025 10:07 PM

Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more

Todd K in bball = Frank Solich in football

You done stuck a nerve with some! Larry Hunter was fired for not winning championships, Carbone was hated for not winning Championships, while both won 100% more than Frank, but we name a field after Frank. Just saying.

And before you say it! Bothe basketball after Billy Hahn and baseball with Jerry were dumpster fires too.

Last Edited: 10/27/2025 10:10:42 PM by BillyTheCat

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FJC31

10/28/2025 9:30 AM

GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more

FJC31 wrote:expand_more

Breath really should be starting or getting more minutes.

The idea of Hadaway coming off the bench has crossed my mind. I'm not sure his maturity would handle it well, however. As BLSS alluded to in his post above, Simmons is incredibly efficient offensively. So, it's hard to imagine him not starting.

Both Hadaway and Simmons would benefit from playing alongside Breath as much as possible imo. Breath's ability and track record is the solution to many of our issues over the last few seasons. He also allows each of them to be the focal point offensively down low, while taking on the premier opposition in the paint on the defensive side.

It makes me think of Kent State in 21/22, where after non-conference Senderoff moved Justyn Hamilton to the bench (after 12 starts) in favor of Hornbeak, but he still maintained 25mpg average throughout the season to MAC 6th man of the year.

Hornbeak averaged 20pmg with 9 starts, VonCameron Davis averaged 29.4 mpg with 35 starts, Tervell Beck (Kent's other forward) played 21mpg with 9 starts.

Even though I'm in favor of Breath starting, BLSS is probably right that it doesn't matter who does between him, Hadaway, and Simmons. It comes down to how Boals disburses the minutes. I don't think anyone on the roster (especially Sheldon) should come close to averaging more minutes than the three bigs outside of Elliot and Pavs.

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OUcat

10/29/2025 11:30 PM

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more

M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more

We're not running the offense. We don't swing the ball around. We dont reset. I would be stunned if we run any set plays outside of the initial play, bringing the ball up the floor.

'Motion' offenses are so 1990-ish, don't you think???

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shabamon

10/30/2025 11:56 AM

Full game highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCkYhQQt7Ig

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bobcat 2000

11/1/2025 3:12 PM

lets hope we don't have to play ohio state in the ncaa tourney.