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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Preston vs. Cooper vs. Simmons
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Donuts
12/8/2020 12:50 AM
Was Jason Preston supposed to get his defining postseason moment as a freshman for a dead man walking coach, or as a sophomore when COVID-19 shut everything down?

He wasn't given the keys to the team as a freshman, so of course he's not going to have the counting stats of Cooper. And as great as those numbers are for Cooper, they are compiler stats.

Look at the games from Preston last year and this year. Since getting the opportunity to be the guy, he has not laid a single egg. Cooper would have a handful of games each year where he just didn't have it but kept bombing away. That last big game his senior year was uglier than most people remember for Cooper in particular (19 point loss to Akron).
Last Edited: 12/8/2020 12:50:49 AM by Donuts
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Kevin Finnegan
3/15/2021 4:20 PM
Feel like after the last week, this conversation has become relevant again. Also, due to what Preston just did, this Simmons included in the discussion seem silly in retrospect (maybe even in real time). I'd still say DJ, but hopefully I'm revisiting that a week from now.
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OUVan
3/15/2021 5:04 PM
Kevin Finnegan wrote:expand_more
Feel like after the last week, this conversation has become relevant again. Also, due to what Preston just did, this Simmons included in the discussion seem silly in retrospect (maybe even in real time). I'd still say DJ, but hopefully I'm revisiting that a week from now.
And then again a year from now.
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cc-cat
3/15/2021 5:13 PM
To date, Cooper is the better college player (but as Van notes, give it a year). No question Preston is already the better pro prospect.
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ExCat21
3/15/2021 7:54 PM
Bilas just said Preston is "a sure First Round pick." At this point, it might be later rounds. Knock off Virginia and put up a show against Zaga and he could be a mid first-rounder. I talked to some my fellow graduates who are SA's in Philly and they say the scouts like the way he gets everyone involved. Plays fast like "Melo Ball." They want him to bulk up though.
Last Edited: 3/15/2021 7:55:03 PM by ExCat21
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cbus cat fan
3/15/2021 7:55 PM
If we are going to throw in guards from the past, probably should throw in the late Robert Tatum. Man was that a buzzer beating shot for the ages in the 1983 NCAA Tournament!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u41taGZcCA
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GroverBall
3/15/2021 8:58 PM
cbus cat fan wrote:expand_more
If we are going to throw in guards from the past, probably should throw in the late Robert Tatum. Man was that a buzzer beating shot for the ages in the 1983 NCAA Tournament!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u41taGZcCA
I was there for that game and Tatum has always been one of my favorites but he is not in the conversation with Coop and Presto. He and my Pops were close and stayed in touch after his Bobcat career.
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Bobcat Debate 73
3/15/2021 9:25 PM
I would take Preston over Cooper. I believe he is a better playmaker, like his ability to make others better, great vision on the court, never selfish, productive driving and shooting threes. I must admit the Sweet Sixteen game against UNC spoils my view of DJ. He was 3 for 20 shooting, 1-10 at the three point line, 4 turnovers, and 6 assists. In my view, DJ tried to do it himself too often that night when his shots were not falling, when he needed to create for his teammates. We were just so close during regulation! This memory biased my opinion.
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FearLeon
3/16/2021 9:27 AM
Bobcat Debate 73 wrote:expand_more
I would take Preston over Cooper. I believe he is a better playmaker, like his ability to make others better, great vision on the court, never selfish, productive driving and shooting threes. I must admit the Sweet Sixteen game against UNC spoils my view of DJ. He was 3 for 20 shooting, 1-10 at the three point line, 4 turnovers, and 6 assists. In my view, DJ tried to do it himself too often that night when his shots were not falling, when he needed to create for his teammates. We were just so close during regulation! This memory biased my opinion.
I was there.....and with all that said...he was one made half-court shot away from the greatest 4-21 shooting performance in the history of basketball.
Last Edited: 3/16/2021 9:28:29 AM by FearLeon
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OUVan
3/16/2021 9:29 AM
Bobcat Debate 73 wrote:expand_more
I would take Preston over Cooper. I believe he is a better playmaker, like his ability to make others better, great vision on the court, never selfish, productive driving and shooting threes. I must admit the Sweet Sixteen game against UNC spoils my view of DJ. He was 3 for 20 shooting, 1-10 at the three point line, 4 turnovers, and 6 assists. In my view, DJ tried to do it himself too often that night when his shots were not falling, when he needed to create for his teammates. We were just so close during regulation! This memory biased my opinion.
So you think that because Cooper had a tough game in the Sweet 16 against a #1 seed, a game that went to OT, it is a deciding black mark? Think about that. We are going to need Jason Preston to play two of the best games of his life so he'll have a shot at stinking in a Sweet Sixteen game.
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FearLeon
3/16/2021 9:32 AM
Latest mock 2021 draft was released by The Athletic today. Jason Preston not in first two rounds. 9 of the first 10 guys projected are 19 and under.

I am going to hold onto the belief that JP and BVP are extremely tight and that bond is going to go a long way here. I have to believe the fellas have discussed what this team can accomplish their senior year if they give it one more go. I also wonder how much not getting the chance to dance last year plays into JP thinking of wanting to try and experience this one more time. Even if he gets into the 2nd round this year, there is no guaranteed money. JP plays like this next year, and why wouldn't he, I can't see him being left out of the first round in 2022.
Last Edited: 3/16/2021 9:45:31 AM by FearLeon
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colobobcat66
3/16/2021 10:24 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Latest mock 2021 draft was released by The Athletic today. Jason Preston not in first two rounds. 9 of the first 10 guys projected are 19 and under.

I am going to hold onto the belief that JP and BVP are extremely tight and that bond is going to go a long way here. I have to believe the fellas have discussed what this team can accomplish their senior year if they give it one more go. I also wonder how much not getting the chance to dance last year plays into JP thinking of wanting to try and experience this one more time. Even if he gets into the 2nd round this year, there is no guaranteed money. JP plays like this next year, and why wouldn't he, I can't see him being left out of the first round in 2022.
It might be wishful thinking on Jeff’s part, but the other day on his radio show, he mentioned that BVP got his Bachelors last year, will get a Masters this year and another Masters next year. That sounds like another year here to me.

Anyway, I would think another year for Preston to bulk up a little and improve his free throw numbers wouldn’t hurt his chances going forward.
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Andrew Ruck
3/16/2021 10:36 AM
Bilas calling Preston a sure 1st round pick was just poor journalism. At most he could've said he has a shot as being a 1t round draft pick, but "sure" is ambitious.

For what it is worth, I am absolutely taking Jason Preston over DJ Cooper at this point. I did not like DJ's shot selection at times...Just way too many 3 pointers attempted for the shot he had. My feeling is Preston is smarter with the shots he takes which has led to a significantly better FG % than DJ. I think Preston is slightly better at rebounding as well (he is 4 inches taller than DJ after all). Coop probably was better defensively. As far as running an offense and passing and overall ball handling, both out of this world.
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ReasFordHoo
3/16/2021 10:40 AM
Do you all see any Ty Jerome in Preston? Ty was a big PG, with amazing vision/passing ability, and ability to knock down shots from deep. More than anything, he played at such a controlled pace and was never in a hurry, rarely made mistakes, and was always the best competitor on the floor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKckaCQ7RDs
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OUVan
3/16/2021 10:40 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Latest mock 2021 draft was released by The Athletic today. Jason Preston not in first two rounds. 9 of the first 10 guys projected are 19 and under.
Win a couple of games in the tourney and that could all change very quickly especially if he has a good game against a good defensive team like Virginia.
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Brian Smith (No, not that one)
3/16/2021 10:42 AM
Preston is better. Cooper was a better showman.

It’s now pretty commonplace for guards to get past the half court and pop a shot from 29 feet. In 2012, it was a pretty novel thing.

But I’m splitting hairs. These are among the 10 greatest players in program history. They’re both great.

As for Simmons...Great counting stats, but I thought even Fears was better as far as helping a team win a game because he was an elite, elite defender when he wanted to be. I’ll never forget him going step for step against Rondo. Freshman year of course. Let us never speak of sophomore year again.
Last Edited: 3/16/2021 10:59:21 AM by Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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OUbobcat9092
3/16/2021 11:15 AM
OUVan wrote:expand_more
Feel like after the last week, this conversation has become relevant again. Also, due to what Preston just did, this Simmons included in the discussion seem silly in retrospect (maybe even in real time). I'd still say DJ, but hopefully I'm revisiting that a week from now.
And then again a year from now.
Or two from now, if he decides to take his Free Covid year and stay one more
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Deciduous Forest Cat
3/16/2021 11:30 AM
. wrote:expand_more
Preston is better. Cooper was a better showman.

It’s now pretty commonplace for guards to get past the half court and pop a shot from 29 feet. In 2012, it was a pretty novel thing.

But I’m splitting hairs. These are among the 10 greatest players in program history. They’re both great.

As for Simmons...Great counting stats, but I thought even Fears was better as far as helping a team win a game because he was an elite, elite defender when he wanted to be. I’ll never forget him going step for step against Rondo. Freshman year of course. Let us never speak of sophomore year again.
... except that was his sophomore year :)
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Bobcat1998
3/16/2021 11:57 AM
Call me crazy...and I am sure many of you will, but I will take Geno Ford if I'm starting a team with the point guard than I would Jaaron Simmons. Not based on athletic talent. Not based on who would win 1 on 1, but leadership qualities, love of the Bobcats, grit, toughness and of course, scoring ability. Jaaron was amazing but if we're talking about amazing lead guards (Geno was more of a scoring 2 along with Gus and Reese) Geno has to be thrown in with Jaaron as well.

Now, if it's between DJ and JP, they are two totally different guys. Both Top 10 ever in our program. Both scorers. Both assist men. But what Preston does with his rebounding and his absolute joy for playing ball, coupled with the fact that he had to grow up fast while Offutt, Ivo, Big Reg, Rico, TJ -- they all grew up with DJ so he was able to do some of the things he did with their maturity. JP and BVP are leading a bunch of young bucks on the court.

And if we're talking best guard ever, I have to say you're all missing the name "Chet Feldman." The "King of Ping."
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SBH
3/16/2021 12:03 PM
Cooper
(a mile)
Preston
Fears
(a mile)
Simmons
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
3/16/2021 12:09 PM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
For what it is worth, I am absolutely taking Jason Preston over DJ Cooper at this point. I did not like DJ's shot selection at times...Just way too many 3 pointers attempted for the shot he had. My feeling is Preston is smarter with the shots he takes which has led to a significantly better FG % than DJ. I think Preston is slightly better at rebounding as well (he is 4 inches taller than DJ after all). Coop probably was better defensively. As far as running an offense and passing and overall ball handling, both out of this world.
I agree with all of this. Regardless of tourny showing, I'd take Preston over Cooper.

Preston's size and athleticism are such important differentiators. Teams could scheme Cooper out of games, and sometimes he shot us out of games on his own. Great player who impacted the game a ton of ways, but Preston's that, too. The difference in size and athleticism alone is enough to tip it to Preston for me.
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Bobcat1998
3/16/2021 12:24 PM
What about Bean?
(Gives posters time to type angrily).
Just kidding
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shabamon
3/16/2021 12:50 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
Fears
(a mile)
Simmons
I'm afraid I can't get behind this.
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SBH
3/16/2021 12:56 PM
No love for Eric Hilton?
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bobcatsquared
3/16/2021 1:03 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
No love for Eric Hilton?
Spindle Graves?
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