Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: (At least) One scholarship to work with. How should we use it?
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shabamon
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Posted: 3/29/2021 3:14 PM
Mason McMurray and Rifen Miguel are out. AJ Clayton is presumed to be coming in. That accounts for 12 occupied scholarships with one remaining. I assume we would stand pat at 13. So what kind of player do you want to add? Guard, wing, or big? Freshman, JUCO, grad, or sit a year? Or do we hold the scholarship for next year?
OUVan
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Posted: 3/29/2021 3:20 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
Mason McMurray and Rifen Miguel are out. AJ Clayton is presumed to be coming in. That accounts for 12 occupied scholarships with one remaining. I assume we would stand pat at 13. So what kind of player do you want to add? Guard, wing, or big? Freshman, JUCO, grad, or sit a year? Or do we hold the scholarship for next year?
I think that will depend on how the exit interviews with Boals go. Is anyone besides McMurray and Miguel leaving?
Last Edited: 3/29/2021 3:21:33 PM by OUVan
shabamon
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Posted: 3/29/2021 3:22 PM
OUVan wrote:expand_more
Mason McMurray and Rifen Miguel are out. AJ Clayton is presumed to be coming in. That accounts for 12 occupied scholarships with one remaining. I assume we would stand pat at 13. So what kind of player do you want to add? Guard, wing, or big? Freshman, JUCO, grad, or sit a year? Or do we hold the scholarship for next year?
I think that will depend on how the exit interviews with Boals go. Is anyone besides McMurray and Miguel leaving?
For now, let's assume that's all.
shabamon
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Posted: 3/29/2021 3:23 PM
Also, with the portal closing in on 1,000 players, there may have already been some mutual discussion to get their names on the list sooner than later.
Victory
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Posted: 3/29/2021 3:25 PM
Since we only had one senior on the roster and a lot of sophomores and juniors I'd think that he'd be looking at guys who will be true freshmen next year. Since it is McMurray and Miguel who transferred I'd think at least one PF type of player will be recruited

I understand Clayton is likely a PF in college so this fits the expectation. He has more leeway with the other open one. I'd still expect a freshman unless a great transfer opportunity presents itself.
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Posted: 3/29/2021 3:32 PM
We need front court help right away. A freshman big generally does little good. We need a transfer to come in and provide quality and considerable minutes down low.
OUs LONG Driver
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Posted: 3/29/2021 4:04 PM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
We need front court help right away. A freshman big generally does little good. We need a transfer to come in and provide quality and considerable minutes down low.
Agree. Our 4/5 depth is light. Granger & Foster don't appear ready for 20+ minutes. I'm not sure they could stay out of foul trouble long enough regardless of their capability on the other end of the court. They will develop, just not ready yet in my view for anything other than spot minutes. I'd be fine with 2 more post players honestly especially if one of them is a 1 year player
The Optimist
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Posted: 3/29/2021 4:14 PM
Best player available for next year, which I would imagine is most likely (but not necessarily) a grad transfer. Big man or another elite shooter would make this a more complete and very tough team.
GoCats105
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Posted: 3/29/2021 4:16 PM
OUs LONG Driver wrote:expand_more
We need front court help right away. A freshman big generally does little good. We need a transfer to come in and provide quality and considerable minutes down low.
Agree. Our 4/5 depth is light. Granger & Foster don't appear ready for 20+ minutes. I'm not sure they could stay out of foul trouble long enough regardless of their capability on the other end of the court. They will develop, just not ready yet in my view for anything other than spot minutes. I'd be fine with 2 more post players honestly especially if one of them is a 1 year player
I'm not sure I agree here. Granger held his own when Wilson needed a blow and I'm curious what another summer can do for Foster. Besides it's not like we need someone who's gonna play a ton of minutes. As we've seen from Boals, he's gonna stick with his starters most of the game if he can. Come in, grab some boards, play some tough D and provide somewhat of an offensive threat/clean up game on offense.

Unless you are finding a guy who is similar to BVP then I'm interested. Another guy who can play down low and also stretch the floor with shooting would be a great piece to have.

We need to get athletic and someone who can really move on the outside. Roderick developed into more than just a shooting threat late in the season and we know what we are getting from McDay. Unless Towns or White show the coaches something in the offseason, that's where I would go.
shabamon
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Posted: 3/29/2021 4:38 PM
I don't yet know what seniors will elect to return around the MAC, but you have to figure we're the favorites to win next year. Therefore, I don't think we need a transfer of any kind. We found success with five starters we assume are returning plus not much bench production outside of Sears. I'd rather have someone who can help us long term and give us at least three years in the regular rotation. I'd go with a freshman prospect, best available regardless of position.
FlashGary
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Posted: 3/29/2021 5:26 PM
I know I probably sound like a broken record, but I've watched this for 50 years now. If you want to get deep into the Big Dance, you need a low post player who has length and athleticism, is a rim protector and can score down low. He doesn't have to have all of those qualities, but he better have at least two of them.

I know, I know, they're hard to get on the MAC level. And that's a primary reason why guard-oriented teams can make a splash in the tournament, but the game you can't shoot out the lights...bye-bye.

I have watched Ohio teams throughout the years be that one player away from doing serious damage. Many of you may not have any idea how close we came to getting that center who would have really helped take us to the next level. Part of this is the personal frustration of knowing we were right there a couple of times.

Soooo, yes, this is an obsession with me. But the good news is, from my point of view, coach Boals knows the deal from having been on the bench for a couple of power conference teams. He's gonna get what we need, eventually!!!

As for the thread, if we only have one scholarship--although I'll go on record and predict we'll have multiple schollies opening up--we need a transfer or grad transfer big who can neutralize the bigs we'll confront in the Big Dance. (I know, I know, we'll have to get there. If we get "the guy" it most certainly elevates that possibility.) The reason I say this is because we'll have a chance to do something very special if all of our core players return and we get "that guy."

And if we can get a wing who plays above the rim, well...a guy can dream, can't he?
Last Edited: 3/29/2021 5:36:57 PM by FlashGary
OU_Country
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Posted: 3/29/2021 5:49 PM
I give you credit for your consistency FlashGary. :)
Diamond Cat
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Posted: 3/29/2021 6:53 PM
Has anyone seen Clayton play? I have not so I am only asking to get some perspective.

If we get someone to compliment Wilson, look out. We need someone who can check a player like Jefferson from Creighton.
Last Edited: 3/29/2021 6:58:09 PM by Diamond Cat
FearLeon
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Posted: 3/29/2021 7:03 PM
Diamond Cat wrote:expand_more
Has anyone seen Clayton play? I have not so I am only asking to get some perspective.

If we get someone to compliment Wilson, look out. We need someone who can check a player like Jefferson from Creighton.

I hope the days of swinging and missing on guys like Gareri and McMurray are over. Can't take chances on guys with D2 talent. Here is hoping Clayton is the real deal.
Bobcat61
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Posted: 3/29/2021 8:08 PM
The Clayton kid is a high school junior and is graduating a year early
He is skinny- let me say again- he is SKINNY
He will enroll in summer school and live in the weight room drinking milk shakes and “ build me up “ drinks
He played 3 years of HS ball and his teams were HORRIBLE
He is not tomorrow’s answer or THE answer for at least 2 years
He should go to a mid level prep school but .......
cc-cat
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Posted: 3/29/2021 8:24 PM
Bobcat61 wrote:expand_more
The Clayton kid is a high school junior and is graduating a year early
He is skinny- let me say again- he is SKINNY
He will enroll in summer school and live in the weight room drinking milk shakes and “ build me up “ drinks
He played 3 years of HS ball and his teams were HORRIBLE
He is not tomorrow’s answer or THE answer for at least 2 years
He should go to a mid level prep school but .......
Tall and thin coming in. hopefully he’s more sean carlson than nate springs.
ohio9704
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Posted: 3/29/2021 8:27 PM
Diamond Cat wrote:expand_more
Has anyone seen Clayton play? I have not so I am only asking to get some perspective.

If we get someone to compliment Wilson, look out. We need someone who can check a player like Jefferson from Creighton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUOGeOl2cy4

varsity game starts about 1:57 in.
OUVan
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Posted: 3/29/2021 8:43 PM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
Tall and thin coming in. hopefully he’s more sean carlson than nate springs.
Definitely not Nate Springs. Springs was an absolute novice basketball player when he got here. He could shoot 3s and block shots and that's it. I know I PMd a couple people after I watched video of him and told them he was a huge mistake. He would do things like line up on the wrong side of the guy he was guarding on inbounds plays or completely ignore switches. I was actually shocked he was able to contribute at all when he finally saw the floor.

Clayton is a basketball player though. Building up his body will determine how effective he is in the MAC. I'm not so sure that Granger and Foster won't be the answers next year though. Having a normal offseason should do big things for their development.
bobcat 2000
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Posted: 3/29/2021 8:50 PM
I remember O'Shea came close to landing Kyrl natchenko. He ultimately signed with Arizona. Funny thing is I watched him play and he didn't seem to do much but move around n circles. I wonder what he would've done if he played here.
Cats5
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Posted: 3/29/2021 8:55 PM
ohio9704 wrote:expand_more
Has anyone seen Clayton play? I have not so I am only asking to get some perspective.

If we get someone to compliment Wilson, look out. We need someone who can check a player like Jefferson from Creighton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUOGeOl2cy4

varsity game starts about 1:57 in.
At the 2:03:00 mark, they run a play called “Ohio.” Which is the same play Boals runs for JP to catch a lob at the rim as the first look.
Cleveburg Bri
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Posted: 3/29/2021 9:05 PM
I'm hoping for Matt Nunez from Hargrave, reclassifying for this year.
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Posted: 3/29/2021 9:10 PM
Cleveburg Bri wrote:expand_more
I'm hoping for Matt Nunez from Hargrave, reclassifying for this year.
Between Sears, Coach Martin and all the other Hargrave connections you would think there would be some connection.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 3/29/2021 9:26 PM
Isn't Nunez in the class of 2022?
GoCats105
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Posted: 3/29/2021 9:27 PM
bobcat 2000 wrote:expand_more
I remember O'Shea came close to landing Kyrl natchenko. He ultimately signed with Arizona. Funny thing is I watched him play and he didn't seem to do much but move around n circles. I wonder what he would've done if he played here.
Kyryl was a Groce recruit who visited after Groce went to the tournament and won in 2010.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 3/29/2021 9:29 PM
cc-cat wrote:expand_more
Tall and thin coming in. hopefully he’s more sean carlson than nate springs.
I get the Nate Springs. But Sean Carlson?? Why?? Because he had a beer or twenty with you?

And I think it was cc-cat who saw Springs in person in a high school game. If I remember right, he wasn't sure why Saul offered him a scholarship.
Last Edited: 3/29/2021 9:31:11 PM by bobcatsquared
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