I was just at the Athens Bobcat Caravan. Had the opportunity to talk very briefly with Saul. He was brimming with optimism and seemed really high on the new guys and the newly available guys, like Carter and BVP. He said BVP was Carter-like in his abilities. He opined about the upcoming season, "We are going to be really, really good!" I did not get the impression that Saul was mouthing these words to paper over some underlying, deep-seat feeling of dread or that he was fearful that this was his last season. In fact, he acted like a man that might already have been extended. Maybe it's time to ask for another FOIA request. ;-)

Saul also confirmed to me that he never looks at BA. In fact, he kind of acted like he'd never heard of it. I hope that doesn't crush too many delicate egos on here. He told me that he considered it in this day and age "too dangerous" for a coach to get involved in any social media at all. He said he was busy enough coaching his team.

In his general statements to the whole group he said that Dartis' surgery went well and that he was expected back, perhaps squashing another BA rumor. He also mentioned BVP's "wing span" as though it was something to behold. He seemed to be very high on the JC recruit and the incoming freshmen. He mentioned the harder schedule this year and some of the big games and appeared ready for the challenge and confident of the outcome.

Maybe it was all a good snow job, but I was convinced that this may be a very good upcoming basketball season.

Just thought you'd like to know that just maybe you might have to amend your hashtag to something like:

#SaulDaMan4OHIO, or

#SaulBall4Me

This all sounds great, but his current W-L record doesn't look so good. Saul has always sounded optimistic.
TIME WILL TELL.



GO BOBCATS

nice recap.

I think there have been 3-4 recruits signed since Cincy Caravan. one of my favorite parts of caravans is learning a little about pla years I know nothing about. I still remember Saul saying folks know they played against Carter afterwards, bumps and bruises.

I am very aware of the deficiencies, you're correct. I have complaints about approaches this staff takes with strategy or lineups. I have concerns at times with recruiting, and I don't agree with every young man that has been given a scholarship. I also am well aware that as compared to the coaching staffs, and a select few people on here, I don't know a damn thing about talent evaluation. I just don't see any value in tearing down young men who are generally 18-22 years old. And generally, I'm not interested in tearing down my Alma Mater (and what I assume to be the Alma Mater of most people on here). When I was younger, I did, on occasion. In fact, I was hyper critical of Larry Hunter when I was a student. When he passed, I kind of regretted that, because I didn't know him as a man like many here did. So yeah, in case you're looking for perspective on me as it relates to Ohio hoops, and the angle I take sometimes here, there ya go.



Back to the crux of OCF's post though....

Thanks a bunch for sharing. One of the great things I see about college sports, and college hoops, is that at the beginning of every year there's always that hope for a new, good year, and a fresh start. I'm really excited to see BVP and Carter healthy and on the floor together. And I'm really hoping that Jordan gets to have a healthy and fantastic senior year.

I'm prepared for an onslaught of negativity on here and in the non-social-media-sphere right up until Leon Williams tips in the ball at the buzzer to the 2018 MAC Championship Game.... er, I mean Jason Carter.... When Jason Carter wins the MAC Championship game for us next year.....

Nothing to do now except root for the Bobcats.

The coach is always going to talk up his team. You are right, that's not news. But hearing that Dartis is on track to play this year, that's news.

I can buy into the hype if he's healthy.

He has made comments about people doubting him and the team that were voiced on bobcatattack so I don’t believe what he said about reading the site, let’s hope the rest of this is true, Go Cats

No, if he read this page he would have played Ellis Dozier more minutes.

Enjoy this thread. Truly an honor to have my name in the subject line. It's amazing how many more people seem to be in my camp now that the season is over. They can truly sit back and analyze what this program has accomplished (or I should say not accomplished) these last four years and where it's heading. The upcoming season is the biggest year of Saul's coaching career. And OCF...you can stop with the FOIA request. Most contract extensions are usually announced publicly by the University. I will trust Arkley's reporting on this. Saul has #10Months to figure it out and turn it around. If not, it's over. That's pretty clear from Schaus. I'm reading a ton on here where many believe Saul has the working parts to have his best team ever. So with that said....there are no more excuses...zero.

I tend to agree with this sentiment - though I don't know if a regular season MAC anything means, well anything. Make the NCAA's or at a minimum the MAC championship game. Anything short and he's on some really thin ice IMO.

If healthy, the core of Block, Dartis, Kirk, Carter, Doug and Gollon that we have returning is as good as any other core in the league other than Buffalo of course. We realistically need one of Cowart, Preston and James to step up and give us 10 minutes a game and some scoring. We realistically need 2 of Murrell, BVP, Springs or McMurray to do the same. That would give us an 8-man rotation. All accounts say that BVP is going to be solid. I think that Cowart's overall skills at the JUCO level speak for themselves. I am intrigued by McMurray. I saw him in an All-Star game this year after the season was over. He looked dominating in that game. It's just an all-star game but he stood out among Akron and Canton players.

Dang! You mean Frank and Saul aren’t reading my pearls of wisdom?!? Well fudge! Guess I might as well migrate over to a CAVS messageboard and persuade LeBron to stay in Cleveland; that should work. 😂😂😂