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Topic: Mark Sears
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shabamon
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Posted: 4/1/2024 2:54 PM
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
They get credit by helping him improve every year, thereby making him ready to be a starter on a Final Four team out of the SEC. I don't know what the split was like between Grant Nelson and NDSU, but assuming it was with NDSU's blessing, the decent thing would be to credit where he came from.
Yes, and the way to get a player to give you that credit is to ask him to give you that credit. And the most likely way to get what you want in this scenario is to maintain a good relationship with the player that left.

Throwing around that we were where Mark Sears became SEC-level good in recruiting circles looks a little silly to me if Mark Sears never mentions our name again.
I think it looks way, way less silly than recruiting materials with Ohio State players on them. You think D'Angelo Russel is talking about OU at all?
I'm sure we have a great relationship with Ben Vander Plas. He's always been ebullient about his time at Ohio and pretty much maxed out what he could do academically here. I'm not saying every player who transfers up from Ohio should earn a degree first, but the player (and in this case, the player's parent) have a hand in that relationship.

We (mid majors) absolutely need to form a strategy to adapt to this culture and if that means we embrace helping players meet their goals, whatever they are, so be it. Coach Thornton has been retweeting stuff about Mark starting at Ohio, including Mark's retweet of something acknowledging how much he improved between his freshman and sophomore year, so I guess the relationship isn't so bad. Or maybe Thornton just sees things like you and wants to flip this whole thing into a recruiting angle, no matter the relationship. Meanwhile only us Bobcat diehards know the truth.

The D'Angelo Russel comparison is completely different. Russel's success is cachet for Coach Boals, not Ohio University. Russel has no relationship with OU. Mark Sears does.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 4/1/2024 4:13 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
I'm sure we have a great relationship with Ben Vander Plas. He's always been ebullient about his time at Ohio and pretty much maxed out what he could do academically here. I'm not saying every player who transfers up from Ohio should earn a degree first, but the player (and in this case, the player's parent) have a hand in that relationship.

We (mid majors) absolutely need to form a strategy to adapt to this culture and if that means we embrace helping players meet their goals, whatever they are, so be it. Coach Thornton has been retweeting stuff about Mark starting at Ohio, including Mark's retweet of something acknowledging how much he improved between his freshman and sophomore year, so I guess the relationship isn't so bad. Or maybe Thornton just sees things like you and wants to flip this whole thing into a recruiting angle, no matter the relationship.
So, the relationship isn't that bad and Sears is publicly acknowledging the role OU played? That seems at odds with. . .


shabamon wrote:expand_more
Meanwhile only us Bobcat diehards know the truth.
The "truth" only us diehards know. Sounds like us diehards don't actually know, because upthread that truth involved Boals "never hearing from Sears again." Maybe he's retweeting stuff but not texting/responding to DMs, etc. But I tend to doubt that. Seems like maybe the relationship's been mended with time. That's good.

shabamon wrote:expand_more
The D'Angelo Russel comparison is completely different. Russel's success is cachet for Coach Boals, not Ohio University. Russel has no relationship with OU. Mark Sears does.
I'm pretty lost at this point. You said that "throwing around the fact that Mark Sears became SEC-level good in recruiting circles looks a little silly to me if Mark Sears never mentions our name again."

But Sears is already doing that, at least via Twitter. And it seems like the concern that Sears will never mention us again is overblown.
shabamon
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Posted: 4/1/2024 4:57 PM
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
I'm sure we have a great relationship with Ben Vander Plas. He's always been ebullient about his time at Ohio and pretty much maxed out what he could do academically here. I'm not saying every player who transfers up from Ohio should earn a degree first, but the player (and in this case, the player's parent) have a hand in that relationship.

We (mid majors) absolutely need to form a strategy to adapt to this culture and if that means we embrace helping players meet their goals, whatever they are, so be it. Coach Thornton has been retweeting stuff about Mark starting at Ohio, including Mark's retweet of something acknowledging how much he improved between his freshman and sophomore year, so I guess the relationship isn't so bad. Or maybe Thornton just sees things like you and wants to flip this whole thing into a recruiting angle, no matter the relationship.
So, the relationship isn't that bad and Sears is publicly acknowledging the role OU played? That seems at odds with. . .


Meanwhile only us Bobcat diehards know the truth.
The "truth" only us diehards know. Sounds like us diehards don't actually know, because upthread that truth involved Boals "never hearing from Sears again." Maybe he's retweeting stuff but not texting/responding to DMs, etc. But I tend to doubt that. Seems like maybe the relationship's been mended with time. That's good.

The D'Angelo Russel comparison is completely different. Russel's success is cachet for Coach Boals, not Ohio University. Russel has no relationship with OU. Mark Sears does.
I'm pretty lost at this point. You said that "throwing around the fact that Mark Sears became SEC-level good in recruiting circles looks a little silly to me if Mark Sears never mentions our name again."

But Sears is already doing that, at least via Twitter. And it seems like the concern that Sears will never mention us again is overblown.
The "truth" would be that Sears entered the portal a day after meeting with Boals and Boals had to learn about it second-hand. The coaching staff can lean into the fact that a starting point guard in the Final Four got his start at Ohio if it may look good to recruits. Not like recruits would have any idea the circumstances behind him leaving or whether the relationship between Boals and Sears is on good terms. As for Sears, he could just be retweeting that someone said something nice about him and it happened to mention Ohio. Or it could be that he is truly thankful for his time at Ohio. Either are possible.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 4/1/2024 9:06 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
The "truth" would be that Sears entered the portal a day after meeting with Boals and Boals had to learn about it second-hand. The coaching staff can lean into the fact that a starting point guard in the Final Four got his start at Ohio if it may look good to recruits. Not like recruits would have any idea the circumstances behind him leaving or whether the relationship between Boals and Sears is on good terms. As for Sears, he could just be retweeting that someone said something nice about him and it happened to mention Ohio. Or it could be that he is truly thankful for his time at Ohio. Either are possible.
I gotcha. I thought the "truth" we were discussing was around the idea that Sears has had no contact with with coaching staff again.

And look, I'm not saying Sears handled the situation well. But also? I don't think it matters much from a recruiting standpoint. There are 600 players in the portal right now, and tournament isn't over. Don't think anybody is tracking the specifics of how all 600 left or the terms they're on with their previous school.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 4/1/2024 9:43 PM
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
There are 600 players in the portal right now, and tournament isn't over.
600? We blew past that number over a week ago. The most recent number I've seen is double that - 1274.
Last Edited: 4/1/2024 9:44:30 PM by bobcatsquared
WxM
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Posted: 4/1/2024 11:38 PM
Radio silence from Jeff Boals on social media about Sears making the Final Four. (Has a tweet congratulating NC State on making it, though.) If the departure were amicable, you'd think there would be some kind of congratulatory note, even if one retweet in passing. The silence speaks volumes, and I don't blame him one bit.
Last Edited: 4/1/2024 11:40:36 PM by WxM
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 4/2/2024 9:51 AM
WxM wrote:expand_more
Radio silence from Jeff Boals on social media about Sears making the Final Four. (Has a tweet congratulating NC State on making it, though.) If the departure were amicable, you'd think there would be some kind of congratulatory note, even if one retweet in passing. The silence speaks volumes, and I don't blame him one bit.
He's welcome to be plenty upset with Mark Sears.

But the silence is pretty dumb, honestly. It's a moment he could take advantage of that would make recruiting easier, in a moment in which he's heavily recruiting the portal.

Seems shortsighted.
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Posted: 4/2/2024 9:54 AM
now listed as the 19th best prospect in the draft according to:
https://nbadraft.theringer.com /
Last Edited: 4/2/2024 9:56:04 AM by ShoreCat
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 4/2/2024 10:03 AM
It is a very weak draft, so maybe Sears will slip in. But 19 seems way too high.
Last Edited: 4/2/2024 10:03:41 AM by Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
spongeBOB CATpants
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Posted: 4/2/2024 12:41 PM
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
Radio silence from Jeff Boals on social media about Sears making the Final Four. (Has a tweet congratulating NC State on making it, though.) If the departure were amicable, you'd think there would be some kind of congratulatory note, even if one retweet in passing. The silence speaks volumes, and I don't blame him one bit.
He's welcome to be plenty upset with Mark Sears.

But the silence is pretty dumb, honestly. It's a moment he could take advantage of that would make recruiting easier, in a moment in which he's heavily recruiting the portal.

Seems shortsighted.
Him and his mom lied to his face then ghosted him. Boals has more character than this.

Its one thing to give a sales pitch to a portal recruit in person about how you helped Sears in his journey to greatness. Its another thing to make a public post congratulating somebody who literally lied to your face, with mom in the room. Character should matter, he shouldn't just get a pass because he's famous now and in the final four.
JimLurker34
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Posted: 4/2/2024 12:47 PM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
Radio silence from Jeff Boals on social media about Sears making the Final Four. (Has a tweet congratulating NC State on making it, though.) If the departure were amicable, you'd think there would be some kind of congratulatory note, even if one retweet in passing. The silence speaks volumes, and I don't blame him one bit.
He's welcome to be plenty upset with Mark Sears.

But the silence is pretty dumb, honestly. It's a moment he could take advantage of that would make recruiting easier, in a moment in which he's heavily recruiting the portal.

Seems shortsighted.
Him and his mom lied to his face then ghosted him. Boals has more character than this.

Its one thing to give a sales pitch to a portal recruit in person about how you helped Sears in his journey to greatness. Its another thing to make a public post congratulating somebody who literally lied to your face, with mom in the room. Character should matter, he shouldn't just get a pass because he's famous now and in the final four.
I can confirm that what Sponge says here is correct. There is no love lost between Sears and Boals.
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Posted: 4/2/2024 1:43 PM
JimLurker34 wrote:expand_more
Radio silence from Jeff Boals on social media about Sears making the Final Four. (Has a tweet congratulating NC State on making it, though.) If the departure were amicable, you'd think there would be some kind of congratulatory note, even if one retweet in passing. The silence speaks volumes, and I don't blame him one bit.
He's welcome to be plenty upset with Mark Sears.

But the silence is pretty dumb, honestly. It's a moment he could take advantage of that would make recruiting easier, in a moment in which he's heavily recruiting the portal.

Seems shortsighted.
Him and his mom lied to his face then ghosted him. Boals has more character than this.

Its one thing to give a sales pitch to a portal recruit in person about how you helped Sears in his journey to greatness. Its another thing to make a public post congratulating somebody who literally lied to your face, with mom in the room. Character should matter, he shouldn't just get a pass because he's famous now and in the final four.


I can confirm that what Sponge says here is correct. There is no love lost between Sears and Boals.
Grow up, this isn't junior high.

What I find interesting is that a kid will go to a school or year and just not produce and he's gets run off but another kid comes and produces and moves on and he's persona non grata. You can't have it both ways. Oh I know, it's how he did it but running a kid off is pretty shabby too.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 4/2/2024 1:43 PM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
Him and his mom lied to his face then ghosted him. Boals has more character than this.

Its one thing to give a sales pitch to a portal recruit in person about how you helped Sears in his journey to greatness. Its another thing to make a public post congratulating somebody who literally lied to your face, with mom in the room. Character should matter, he shouldn't just get a pass because he's famous now and in the final four.
I think there's quite a bit of character involved in forgiving folks who make mistakes, but what do I know.

It would be really, really easy for Boals to put it behind him and take advantage of this moment. If he doesn't want to, he doesn't have to. But I fail to see the upside or benefit of your particular definition on high character.
El Gato Roberto
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Posted: 4/2/2024 2:02 PM
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
Him and his mom lied to his face then ghosted him. Boals has more character than this.

Its one thing to give a sales pitch to a portal recruit in person about how you helped Sears in his journey to greatness. Its another thing to make a public post congratulating somebody who literally lied to your face, with mom in the room. Character should matter, he shouldn't just get a pass because he's famous now and in the final four.
I think there's quite a bit of character involved in forgiving folks who make mistakes, but what do I know.

It would be really, really easy for Boals to put it behind him and take advantage of this moment. If he doesn't want to, he doesn't have to. But I fail to see the upside or benefit of your particular definition on high character.
The whole portal thing is new to everyone. In this new world non-power conferences become a farm-system for the "haves". Sometimes a transferring player finds out that they weren't ready for the big-time and come homea (Jason Carter, maybe?), Other times, like in the case of Mark Sears, they make it BIG TIME. It has also become, fair or not, a way to exit low-performers out of the program and sometimes to a better situation. It didn't make sense to me at first, but now I am getting used to it.

It looks like Ohio Football has embraced the reality of the portal with a "next man up" attitude. I'd personally like to see Coach Boals take the high road of forgiveness and accept Ohio's share of Mark Sears' success. Perhaps that is how the portal will end up shaking out. Its not going away that's for sure. Personally, I am happy to see a former Ohio guy succeed. Onward.
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Posted: 4/2/2024 2:55 PM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
Radio silence from Jeff Boals on social media about Sears making the Final Four. (Has a tweet congratulating NC State on making it, though.) If the departure were amicable, you'd think there would be some kind of congratulatory note, even if one retweet in passing. The silence speaks volumes, and I don't blame him one bit.
He's welcome to be plenty upset with Mark Sears.

But the silence is pretty dumb, honestly. It's a moment he could take advantage of that would make recruiting easier, in a moment in which he's heavily recruiting the portal.

Seems shortsighted.
Him and his mom lied to his face then ghosted him. Boals has more character than this.

Its one thing to give a sales pitch to a portal recruit in person about how you helped Sears in his journey to greatness. Its another thing to make a public post congratulating somebody who literally lied to your face, with mom in the room. Character should matter, he shouldn't just get a pass because he's famous now and in the final four.
Grow up, Peter Pan.
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Posted: 4/2/2024 6:52 PM
El Gato Roberto wrote:expand_more
It looks like Ohio Football has embraced the reality of the portal with a "next man up" attitude. I'd personally like to see Coach Boals take the high road of forgiveness and accept Ohio's share of Mark Sears' success.
From what I have heard from a source close to the programs in Athens is that OUr football coach is even less likely to let bygones be bygones when a player enters the portal. Once you are in the portal you become persona non grata in the Ohio program.
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Posted: 4/2/2024 7:30 PM
Does that include Kurtis?
El Gato Roberto
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Posted: 4/2/2024 8:58 PM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
It looks like Ohio Football has embraced the reality of the portal with a "next man up" attitude. I'd personally like to see Coach Boals take the high road of forgiveness and accept Ohio's share of Mark Sears' success.
From what I have heard from a source close to the programs in Athens is that OUr football coach is even less likely to let bygones be bygones when a player enters the portal. Once you are in the portal you become persona non grata in the Ohio program.
Well if that’s the case I’m impressed with how he moves on and takes care of business. No excuses.
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Posted: 4/6/2024 11:14 PM
Seems like Sears has likely worked his way into the first round. Very impressive 24-point Final Four performance against UConn and averaged 24+ in the tournament. There aren't many 6-1 guys in the NBA but Steph Curry is only an inch taller and he's done okay.
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Posted: 4/7/2024 1:53 AM
OakStreet wrote:expand_more
Seems like Sears has likely worked his way into the first round. Very impressive 24-point Final Four performance against UConn and averaged 24+ in the tournament. There aren't many 6-1 guys in the NBA but Steph Curry is only an inch taller and he's done okay.
I seriously doubt it. The NBA looks for age, measurables and projectability to the next level. Gone are the days of guys getting drafted high simply because they put up big counting stats in college.

Mark is 22, that's old for an NBA first round prospect.
He's 6'1, that's short for an NBA guard.
He's a shoot-first guard who isn't known for defense.

Sure he's a good shooter and scores a lot.

Sounds like a solid 2nd round prospect who someone will take a flier on.
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Posted: 4/7/2024 9:40 AM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
Seems like Sears has likely worked his way into the first round. Very impressive 24-point Final Four performance against UConn and averaged 24+ in the tournament. There aren't many 6-1 guys in the NBA but Steph Curry is only an inch taller and he's done okay.
I seriously doubt it. The NBA looks for age, measurables and projectability to the next level. Gone are the days of guys getting drafted high simply because they put up big counting stats in college.

Mark is 22, that's old for an NBA first round prospect.
He's 6'1, that's short for an NBA guard.
He's a shoot-first guard who isn't known for defense.

Sure he's a good shooter and scores a lot.

Sounds like a solid 2nd round prospect who someone will take a flier on.
Jalen Brunson as a draft prospect is probably a good comp.
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Posted: 4/7/2024 9:50 AM
I didn't see Sears mom at the Convo. Maybe Athens was a bit too far to travel for the home Games.
Last Edited: 4/7/2024 9:51:07 AM by Bobcat Jerry
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 4/7/2024 10:01 AM
Bobcat Jerry wrote:expand_more
I didn't see Sears mom at the Convo. Maybe Athens was a bit too far to travel for the home Games.
I believe she was at every game.
shabamon
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Posted: 4/7/2024 11:51 AM
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
I didn't see Sears mom at the Convo. Maybe Athens was a bit too far to travel for the home Games.
I believe she was at every game.
I distinctly remember Marty or Russ saying so on a broadcast.
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Posted: 4/7/2024 2:57 PM
He's gonna get drafted and the sooner this board comes to terms with it, the better off we'll all be. This year's draft class is awful and he just shot 65% in a national semifinal and made some doozy layups amongst the trees to boot. Someone will take a flyer on him.
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