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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 19 Thread: Ball St.
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Ted Thompson
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Posted: 1/14/2026 6:32 PM
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Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: Friday January 16th, 2026 8:30 PM

Opponent: Ball St.  (4-13, 0-5 MAC)

Site: Worthen Arena

TV/Webcast: CBS Sports Network

Radio: The Varsity Network App (free) 

Ball St. statistics, roster and media guide

Ball St. message board:   OverThePylon

bobcatsquared
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Posted: 1/14/2026 8:15 PM
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Bigger setback? Ohio football losing at Ball St. this season or a potential loss by the basketball Bobcats at 4-13 Ball St.? Or would a loss Friday night in Muncie be equally depressing as to the football team losing to the 4-8 Cardinals?
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 1/14/2026 8:26 PM
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bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
Bigger setback? Ohio football losing at Ball St. this season or a potential loss by the basketball Bobcats at 4-13 Ball St.? Or would a loss Friday night in Muncie be equally depressing as to the football team losing to the 4-8 Cardinals?
That loss cost us the MAC Championship, so no. I won’t lose sleep over a January basketball loss. Unless greenlight Sheldon goes 2-8 again.
The Optimist
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Posted: 1/14/2026 10:22 PM
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Life on the road in the MAC. Speaking of which, UMass travels to Dekalb Saturday to play 5-11 NIU. That would be a funny one
71 BOBCAT
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Posted: 1/15/2026 8:32 AM
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I would expect us to get back on the winning track in this game.






GO BOBCATS
Oldwriter
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Posted: 1/15/2026 11:45 AM
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I've got no info. on Elijah Elliot's injury (I believe leg from the Eastern game) but he's our best on-ball defender. He was moving ok out of uniform around the bench area Tuesday night at Toledo. His return certainly will help the defense.
spongeBOB CATpants
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Posted: 1/15/2026 1:49 PM
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Oldwriter wrote:expand_more
I've got no info. on Elijah Elliot's injury (I believe leg from the Eastern game) but he's our best on-ball defender. He was moving ok out of uniform around the bench area Tuesday night at Toledo. His return certainly will help the defense.
I hope he get better soon, however, I disagree that he's our best on-ball defender. I'm on the opposite end here, I think he's one of our bad on-ball defenders, after the Toledo game you could argue all of our guards are bad defenders and I wouldn't disagree.
OUbobcat9092
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Posted: 1/15/2026 3:08 PM
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We are 3.5 point favorites in this game. (per ESPN)
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 1/15/2026 3:25 PM
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OUbobcat9092 wrote:expand_more
We are 3.5 point favorites in this game. (per ESPN)
I'm worried. Of course, I've been worried every time this year's 'Cats have taken the floor, except the OWU and Miami-Hamilton games.
spongeBOB CATpants
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Posted: 1/15/2026 9:28 PM
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OUbobcat9092 wrote:expand_more
We are 3.5 point favorites in this game. (per ESPN)
Seems lower than I would've thought, wouldn't be surprised if this gets up to 5.5 before tip.
OUbobcat9092
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Posted: 1/16/2026 6:33 AM
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OUbobcat9092 wrote:expand_more
We are 3.5 point favorites in this game. (per ESPN)
Up to 4.5 now
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 1/16/2026 9:28 AM
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OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
We are 3.5 point favorites in this game. (per ESPN)
I'm worried. Of course, I've been worried every time this year's 'Cats have taken the floor, except the OWU and Miami-Hamilton games.
MAC road games, especially in MUNCIE, are a grind. Real feel temp of 14 degrees and snow... you're gonna be able to hear a mouse fart from the basement in there.

Their gym is actually pretty nice from what I recall, though I haven't been in about a decade.

Grind out a W and get back home.
CatsUp
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Posted: 1/16/2026 10:58 AM
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M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
We are 3.5 point favorites in this game. (per ESPN)
I'm worried. Of course, I've been worried every time this year's 'Cats have taken the floor, except the OWU and Miami-Hamilton games.
MAC road games, especially in MUNCIE, are a grind. Real feel temp of 14 degrees and snow... you're gonna be able to hear a mouse fart from the basement in there.

Their gym is actually pretty nice from what I recall, though I haven't been in about a decade.

Grind out a W and get back home.
I agree. They are at home and desperate for a win. I liked Worthen too in 2010 when we won our first MAC tournament game there in OT that year. I revisited the box score from that game and was reminded that Tommy Freeman was 5-5 from three back home in that game. Bassett was high scorer.

Something that I always found a little odd about Worthen is why they converted to the metal bleacher seating in the upper levels like they did (when it was built apparently). It gives the appearance that they almost had enough money too complete it but not quite.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 1/16/2026 4:16 PM
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spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
We are 3.5 point favorites in this game. (per ESPN)
Seems lower than I would've thought, wouldn't be surprised if this gets up to 5.5 before tip.
Good guess.

Up to 5.5 per ESPN.
spongeBOB CATpants
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Posted: 1/16/2026 5:03 PM
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M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
We are 3.5 point favorites in this game. (per ESPN)
Seems lower than I would've thought, wouldn't be surprised if this gets up to 5.5 before tip.
Good guess.

Up to 5.5 per ESPN.
I jumped on the 3.5, let's go Cats!
FearLeon
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Posted: 1/16/2026 5:16 PM
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Just don't see this being easy. Ball State is playing better. We really need the next two because it gets much difficult moving forward.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 1/16/2026 7:36 PM
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Ball St. is playing better? Based on what? One win in their last 9 games and that was against the Quakers of Earlham College. Ohio basketball losing to Ball St. tonight would match the disappointment of the football Bobcats losing in Muncie this past fall.
71 BOBCAT
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Posted: 1/16/2026 7:40 PM
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AMEN



GO BOBCAT
Clown Ohio Fan
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Posted: 1/16/2026 8:59 PM
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It's tiresome watching this squad playing mediocre basketball. Boals has done an awful job with this program in recent years.
Last Edited: 1/16/2026 9:03:17 PM by Clown Ohio Fan
Clown Ohio Fan
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Posted: 1/16/2026 9:05 PM
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Getting handled by a 4-13 team in the MAC. What the hell has happened to Ohio basketball? Even if they comeback, this is still unacceptable.
OUbobcat9092
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Posted: 1/16/2026 9:17 PM
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We're not feeding the ball into Simmons at all yet.
FearLeon
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Posted: 1/16/2026 9:24 PM
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Pathetic first half.

Team is so soft.

It’s gross to watch.
Last Edited: 1/16/2026 9:30:28 PM by FearLeon
FearLeon
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Posted: 1/16/2026 9:27 PM
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Last Edited: 1/16/2026 9:29:03 PM by FearLeon
FearLeon
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Posted: 1/16/2026 9:30 PM
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bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
Ball St. is playing better? Based on what? One win in their last 9 games and that was against the Quakers of Earlham College. Ohio basketball losing to Ball St. tonight would match the disappointment of the football Bobcats losing in Muncie this past fall.
Didn’t get embarrassed at Akron.

Was in the game at UMASS.

Ball State was showing a little life with recent play.
RufusCat09
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Posted: 1/16/2026 9:31 PM
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No easy way to say it but this team is A**.

Sure, we may act tough with Simmons and Haddaway especially every time they get fouled but it's all talk.

Even if we end up winning this game, we should of never been down by 13 to a 4-13 Ball State team. Truly an embarrassment.
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