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Topic: One chance here to get it right...
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FlashGary
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Posted: 4/7/2025 2:42 PM
With the inclusion of Javan Simmons, from my point of view we're two portal players away from the possibility of a powerful team that could have a monster season. The key to this plan would be Elijah Elliot's willingness to be our sixth man, getting his minutes guaranteed playing all three perimeter positions. And we'd need to find another scholarship, which would mean someone currently on the roster would have to enter the portal. If so, let's get an athletic wing with height, length (that's important) and range. I'm talking 6-6 or better. There are many in the portal who fit this description. They had the right idea in Ike Cornish; he just turned out to be the wrong guy. This guy needs to be a starter so AJ Brown moves into the backcourt with Jackson Pav, bringing much-needed size there. Now if Elliot is going to start, get a wing that fits this description, but one who you know can provide offense off the bench and leave AJ where he is. Next, get a center to come off the bench at least 6-9 with length who is a rim protector/rebounder and can pile up some points off the offensive glass. Now, let's play! Whatever we get from the redshirt freshmen and incoming freshman class will be more fuel on the fire, but I don't want to go into another season counting on unproven players. As we've seen, you can't know what you're gonna get from them until we get there.
Last Edited: 4/7/2025 2:45:38 PM by FlashGary
GoCats105
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Posted: 4/7/2025 3:05 PM
Why in the hell would we put Elliott on the bench? Who's starting above him with Reef and James now gone?
shabamon
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Posted: 4/7/2025 3:11 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Why in the hell would we put Elliott on the bench? Who's starting above him with Reef and James now gone?
We just got two front court commits who have a combined 125 career starts. I could see it happening if we want to slide Hadaway to the 3 spot.
GoCats105
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Posted: 4/7/2025 3:20 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
Why in the hell would we put Elliott on the bench? Who's starting above him with Reef and James now gone?
We just got two front court commits who have a combined 125 career starts. I could see it happening if we want to slide Hadaway to the 3 spot.
Well shit...
shabamon
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Posted: 4/7/2025 3:28 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Why in the hell would we put Elliott on the bench? Who's starting above him with Reef and James now gone?
We just got two front court commits who have a combined 125 career starts. I could see it happening if we want to slide Hadaway to the 3 spot.
Well shit...
6.6/7 in the So-Con isn't a slam dunk starter in the MAC, even if the So-Con was so much higher than the MAC in this year's NET rankings.

I think you're right though that the best lineup will be Pav, Elliott, AJB, Hadaway, and Simmons. Breath first big off the bench. Evans and/or Kuany can get in if they show they're ready.
FlashGary
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Posted: 4/7/2025 3:51 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Why in the hell would we put Elliott on the bench? Who's starting above him with Reef and James now gone?
It's in my synopsis. AJ Brown will move to the backcourt and we'll bring in length, like 6-6 or above, to by the small forward spot. AJ Brown never belonged there in the first place; he's 6-4 at best. We just got SHORTER on the front line with a 6-7 Simmons and 6-8 Hadaway. We were woefully short/small/lacking length up front last year! That's why I want a wing with length; which Ike Cornish was supposed to be a 6-7. This is no knock against Elliot, who I really like. He'll play plenty as the backup point guard (I'd rather him than the 6-0 Shelton), he'll back up Brown at the shooting guard, and if none of the untested players cut it at SF he can backup there, too. Again, as I wrote, I have no problem if he starts. In that case, we better have a backup wing to Brown with length. I'm only interested in building a team that can win the MAC and hopefully make a dent in the Big Dance. As presently constituted, you're looking at a 6-4 starting small forward in a conference where that position now has length and a 6-0 backup point guard in Shelton, who really struggled to shoot the ball last season (although he tried to compensate by playing as tough defensively and as hard as he could, which was commendable). Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't sixth-men kill us all season last season? Let's return the favor. Once again, I have no problem with Elliott starting; he'll probably deserve to. But we don't have a lot of length on the court, much less height. It matters.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 4/7/2025 4:03 PM
FlashGary wrote:expand_more
Why in the hell would we put Elliott on the bench? Who's starting above him with Reef and James now gone?
It's in my synopsis. AJ Brown will move to the backcourt and we'll bring in length, like 6-6 or above, to by the small forward spot. AJ Brown never belonged there in the first place; he's 6-4 at best. We just got SHORTER on the front line with a 6-7 Simmons and 6-8 Hadaway. We were woefully short/small/lacking length up front last year! That's why I want a wing with length; which Ike Cornish was supposed to be a 6-7. This is no knock against Elliot, who I really like. He'll play plenty as the backup point guard (I'd rather him than the 6-0 Shelton), he'll back up Brown at the shooting guard, and if none of the untested players cut it at SF he can backup there, too. Again, as I wrote, I have no problem if he starts. In that case, we better have a backup wing to Brown with length. I'm only interested in building a team that can win the MAC and hopefully make a dent in the Big Dance. As presently constituted, you're looking at a 6-4 starting small forward in a conference where that position now has length and a 6-0 backup point guard in Shelton, who really struggled to shoot the ball last season (although he tried to compensate by playing as tough defensively and as hard as he could, which was commendable). Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't sixth-men kill us all season last season? Let's return the favor. Once again, I have no problem with Elliott starting; he'll probably deserve to. But we don't have a lot of length on the court, much less height. It matters.
A few others have suggested that Hadaway might be moving to the 3.
shabamon
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Posted: 4/7/2025 4:24 PM
I just hope everyone slated to return next year has been in on the strategy all along and no one is blind sided by these additions. Given our interest in some guard and wing prospects, it's hard to tell whether Boals would have said to the team once James and Nicol entered the portal that we are going to address our front court and rebounding with both of these openings.
FJC31
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Posted: 4/7/2025 5:10 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
I just hope everyone slated to return next year has been in on the strategy all along and no one is blind sided by these additions. Given our interest in some guard and wing prospects, it's hard to tell whether Boals would have said to the team once James and Nicol entered the portal that we are going to address our front court and rebounding with both of these openings.
The only person who might be blindsided is Tod K. In all seriousness, looks like there's excitement in the comments on IG for each announcement among players. Even from Evans, who I think is really the only one impacted by these additions.
Last Edited: 4/7/2025 5:10:23 PM by FJC31
J.B.Hoy
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Posted: 4/7/2025 5:12 PM
I have the basketball IQ of a gnat and it seemed to me that we could use some rebounding help.
GoCats105
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Posted: 4/7/2025 6:26 PM
Here's a wild thought: Hadaway off the bench as a 6th man who brings the energy and plays more minutes than a normal 6th man probably would. People around here have said he might be the next coming of Treg Setty, well here's his chance.
MonroeClassmate
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Posted: 4/7/2025 11:49 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Here's a wild thought: Hadaway off the bench as a 6th man who brings the energy and plays more minutes than a normal 6th man probably would. People around here have said he might be the next coming of Treg Setty, well here's his chance.
Didn't Hondo come off the bench for the Celtic great teams he played on at least several of the seasons?

OP FlashGary says we need to add an athletic wing. Clayton did it and down at Duke two freshman started so why shouldn't we think that one of the freshman can be an athletic wing with length? They look good on paper.
Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 4/8/2025 8:51 AM
I think Breath primarily comes off the bench with 20+ per game.

Simmons, Hadaway, Elliott, Brown, Pavs. Sheldon & Breath the 6/7 guys. Makes a muddy picture for the many freshmen and sophomores, but 4 of that 7 man rotation would be departing.
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bobcatsquared
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Posted: 4/8/2025 9:01 AM
It's time to move on from Sheldon.

Some on here rave about how his defense offsets his lack of any offensive production. I am not one of them. Like I mentioned in a game thread midway through the year, while he is one of Ohio's best help defenders, he is not strong guarding other guards one-on-one. He consistently gets beat off the dribble on one end of the floor while being a liability on the other.

I understand why Boals had to give him big minutes with a depleted roster last season. I hope that is not the case this upcoming season.
Last Edited: 4/8/2025 9:02:36 AM by bobcatsquared
shabamon
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Posted: 4/8/2025 9:09 AM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
It's time to move on from Sheldon.

Some on here rave about how his defense offsets his lack of any offensive production. I am not one of them. Like I mentioned in a game thread midway through the year, while he is one of Ohio's best help defenders, he is not strong guarding other guards one-on-one. He consistently gets beat off the dribble on one end of the floor while being a liability on the other.

I understand why Boals had to give him big minutes with a depleted roster last season. I hope that is not the case this upcoming season.
I don't see how Sheldon is not still a significant guy in the rotation. Assuming continuation of Pav, Elliott, and AJB starting, our other guards are Burris and Fisher if the staff sees him that way.
FJC31
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Posted: 4/8/2025 9:16 AM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
I think Breath primarily comes off the bench with 20+ per game.

Simmons, Hadaway, Elliott, Brown, Pavs. Sheldon & Breath the 6/7 guys. Makes a muddy picture for the many freshmen and sophomores, but 4 of that 7 man rotation would be departing.
I'm interested to see Kuany makes his way into the rotation. If it weren't for visa issues, would he have been able to contribute this past season? Especially with the length and outside game that Evans doesn't have.
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Posted: 4/8/2025 9:50 AM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
It's time to move on from Sheldon.

Some on here rave about how his defense offsets his lack of any offensive production. I am not one of them. Like I mentioned in a game thread midway through the year, while he is one of Ohio's best help defenders, he is not strong guarding other guards one-on-one. He consistently gets beat off the dribble on one end of the floor while being a liability on the other.

I understand why Boals had to give him big minutes with a depleted roster last season. I hope that is not the case this upcoming season.
I'm rooting for a huge bounceback season for him shooting the ball. we know he can do it. he's absurd in warmups (yes i get that's different than the game) and I can't figure out why he had such a bad conference season. He can still be a big weapon off the bench.
Last Edited: 4/8/2025 9:51:02 AM by Deciduous Forest Cat
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 4/8/2025 3:41 PM
Can anyone tell me how tall Kuany actually is? We have him listed as 6-9. I've seen speculation that he's really 6-7, and I think there was one post that said he was 6-10. Not sure why his actual height is such a mystery. Could he be our starting center next year?
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 4/8/2025 3:48 PM
Somebody here said they saw him uptown and guessed he was 6'6. I tried to find pictures of him next to other dudes on the roster, but couldn't find anything definitive.

And it's very hard to pin down. In recruiting videos from 4 years ago, he's listed as a 6'4 guard. Then places have him at 6'7 as a senior, and the Post said he was 6'9.

On his own Twitter account he calls himself a G/F, so I suspect expecting him to start at center's a stretch.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 4/8/2025 4:01 PM
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
Somebody here said they saw him uptown and guessed he was 6'6. I tried to find pictures of him next to other dudes on the roster, but couldn't find anything definitive.

And it's very hard to pin down. In recruiting videos from 4 years ago, he's listed as a 6'4 guard. Then places have him at 6'7 as a senior, and the Post said he was 6'9.

On his own Twitter account he calls himself a G/F, so I suspect expecting him to start at center's a stretch.
Well, it certainly is confusing, isn't it? The official OHIO roster from last season says 6-9 forward. Unlike Larry Hunter, I don't recall Boals playing around with "official" heights of players, so I suspect he's closer to 6'9" than 6'6" -- despite the sworn testimony of a BA regular! ;-)

And, he may still be growing, so some observations from two or three years ago might not be accurate.
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Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org
shabamon
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Posted: 4/14/2025 2:32 PM
https://www.instagram.com/p/DB3-9ZxJEX2 /



Using the official team pic and "in shoes" height, let's use Nicol as a baseline of 6'7" as he was listed on the roster. Hadaway clearly looks about an inch taller so let's give him the 6'8". In no reality are Hadaway, Clayton, and Evans each 6'8". The latter two are clearly taller. In fact I'd say the height goes Evans > Clayton > Searls, even though Searls along with Kuany were listed the tallest on the team. I've said before that if you told me Clayton was 6'10" I'd believe you, so let's give Evans 6'10".

Now take this from Ayden's IG. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIZH85GMvPh/?img_index=2 , and he and Kuany are almost eye to eye. Slight edge to Evans.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 4/14/2025 5:35 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
https://www.instagram.com/p/DB3-9ZxJEX2 /



Using the official team pic and "in shoes" height, let's use Nicol as a baseline of 6'7" as he was listed on the roster. Hadaway clearly looks about an inch taller so let's give him the 6'8". In no reality are Hadaway, Clayton, and Evans each 6'8". The latter two are clearly taller. In fact I'd say the height goes Evans > Clayton > Searls, even though Searls along with Kuany were listed the tallest on the team. I've said before that if you told me Clayton was 6'10" I'd believe you, so let's give Evans 6'10".

Now take this from Ayden's IG. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIZH85GMvPh/?img_index=2 , and he and Kuany are almost eye to eye. Slight edge to Evans.
Good detective work. Thank you!
The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org
Cats5
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Posted: 4/14/2025 5:56 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
https://www.instagram.com/p/DB3-9ZxJEX2 /



Using the official team pic and "in shoes" height, let's use Nicol as a baseline of 6'7" as he was listed on the roster. Hadaway clearly looks about an inch taller so let's give him the 6'8". In no reality are Hadaway, Clayton, and Evans each 6'8". The latter two are clearly taller. In fact I'd say the height goes Evans > Clayton > Searls, even though Searls along with Kuany were listed the tallest on the team. I've said before that if you told me Clayton was 6'10" I'd believe you, so let's give Evans 6'10".

Now take this from Ayden's IG. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIZH85GMvPh/?img_index=2 , and he and Kuany are almost eye to eye. Slight edge to Evans.
Kuany’s upper body seems to be getting bigger. That’s a positive
Ohio69
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Posted: 4/16/2025 6:50 AM
Wonder what Jesse Burris is capable of.
Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....
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