I now hear that it may have just been a bad cramp. That would be very good news. Hope that's right.

Hope he's ok. Looked like he got his foot stepped on and twisted something in real time but hard to tell.

The bench combined for 0 points in 45 minutes on the floor. I won't bring up Saul's "recruiting" as that has been covered extensively before.

Yet two of Saul's recruits combined for 55 of the team's 73 points last night.

Not only that, but there are only 6 holdovers from the prior coaching staff's team. Three of them are top-3 in scoring, top-3 in points per game, and 3 of the top four rebounders in terms of average.

Also, the top players off the bench, most of them are Boals recruits that, at least last night, didn't get it done.

Maybe it's just me, but it could be time for a new narrative to complain about?

As much as I'd like Dartis set that mark .... I'd also like to see him become a threat other than just a catch and shoot 3-pt guy.

This offense is in dire need of a playmaker outside of Preston. BVP has been more than holding his own the last month or so ... but he can't create his own shot.

I really, really thought Miles Brown (a guy who averaged 34+ ppg in high school) or Roderick would be better at creating their shot and could help this offense. Right now it seems to be a lot of standing around and watching Preston do something and if the ball ends up in your hands (assuming you catch it) ... then just shoot.

I know they are young and this is part of that process .... the transition into the college game (bigger, faster, stronger opponents) ... but that seems to be the most lacking thing to me right now on offense.

Dartis is simply a guy who hoists 3ptrs ... and does little else (and I'm not sure if that's injury limitations or what? He certainly has show flashes where he can get to the rim ... why that isn't happening more often is bizarre to me?)

Lunden McDay has shown flashes ... but as much as I LOVE him and his hard work ... he tends to fade into the background on offense.

Unless Ohio becomes super proficient at moving the ball around the perimeter and otherwise with quick passes that results in wide open 3pt looks for just about anybody on their roster ... their offense will continue to sputter at times.

I was super happy with the effort last night at UB ... shame they couldn't pull that one out. Would have really helped boost their confidence.

Glad to hear that the cramp story is apparently the correct one. I guess I get an F- in remote diagnosis via webcast! ;-) I know that Darits hasn't gotten back to the form he had two years ago, but give him time. He'll do us all proud.

Boals definitely seems more effective in that case, yes. Another factor worthy of consideration at the college level: Both Ben and Jason are a year older, more experienced, and stronger.

EDIT: A non-Bobcat example from Jeff Goodman on this thought:
https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1217838383990480896

"Dayton’s top 8 scorers are all in at least their third year of college. Pays to be older these days in college hoops.

5th year - Ryan Mikesell
4th year - Ibi Watson, Trey Landers, Rodney Chatman, Jordy Tshimanga
3rd year - Obi Toppin, Jalen Crutcher, Chase Johnson"

Not a comment based on much research but I will offer an anecdotal observation that there are two examples at the high major level of the importance of experience. Both Kentucky and Duke, who arguably for decades have been two of the very top blue bloods of college basketball, and have for the last few years adopted/lived with the “one and done” strategy as a major part of their respective programs, have not reached the final four since 2015. In the four years preceding the last four (2012-2015), they totaled four appearances in the final four.

Take the UCLA situation for example. Cronin just took over and they have losses to Hofstra and CalState-Fullerton. Stanford just got their first win at Pauley Pavillion in 15 years and it wasn't close. UCLA is below .500 and sinking fast. The RPI had them (I think) around #168 in the nation (?) Do you not think he will be getting some heat to look for a quick fix? I haven't checked 247 but would bet he has a number of offers out to 5star kids and those guys mostly intend to be one and done's these days, for better or worse.

Look at Romeo Langford and Simi Shittu. They were 5 star prospects who needed to play at least one more year in college. Langford is averaging 2ppg in the NBA while shooting 22% from three. Simi is stuck in the G league after going undrafted. He averages 9ppg and 5 boards a game in the G league.

I wish more kids would look at examples like Langford and Shittu and stay in school longer. Simply put, many are ready to physically play in the NBA.

I also wish the NBA and NCAA would treat 18 year olds out of high school like they treat kids testing the waters. Let them come to pre-draft combines and see if they're ready. If not, then there's feedback. I also think the model that baseball follows would be great for college hoops.

I'm just surprised that Duke with its fine academic reputation, gets into the one-and-one business. You'd think that upper administration would simply not allow it. Do they really want to be perceived as just another Kentucky or Memphis? Yes, athletics is the "front porch" of the university, and Duke's front porch is getting a bit dirty. To quote last year's Rice Report commissioned by the NCAA, the one-and-done phenomenon has had “a significant role in corrupting and destabilizing college basketball, restricting the freedom of choice of players, and undermining the relationship of college basketball to the mission of higher education.”

Coach Ks reputation assures they will never be perceived as just another Kentucky or Memphis. The administration has complete faith in him and will do as he says. There is limited angst amongst admin, alumni, or anyone else at Duke towards the program and that will not change as long as K is in charge. Do you honestly think that administration was sitting wringing their hands last year when Zion was the face of the team?