menu
Logo
dark_mode
Logo
dark_mode
Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: 2023 Transfer Portal
Page: 33 of 51
FJC31
General User
FJC31
Member Since: 3/31/2022
Post Count: 2,446
FJC31
mail
FJC31
mail
Posted: 5/6/2023 11:35 AM
I think the staff is definitely still determined to find a big (and eventually will). Just looking at recent social activity.

Lamar is following Javonte Brown (he follows back) on IG. We’d be his 3rd school. Started at UConn.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/...

Boals since yesterday has started following UK’s Daimion Collins and Kansas’ Zuby Ejiofor

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/...

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/...

More of the same; highly ranked recruits that just didn’t carve out a lot of PT. Every school could use more proven size; so, I think finding portal bigs with a padded resume is always going to be challenging.
GraffZ06
General User
Member Since: 1/5/2005
Location: Dayton, OH
Post Count: 2,451
mail
GraffZ06
mail
Posted: 5/6/2023 11:39 AM
I have no inside information, but my gut says if you asked Boals and staff who their starting 5 was right now - absent the final roster spot (portal or freshman) - they'd say Wiz is working his tail off, has tons of potential and will likely see good minutes with improved play. But, the starter today would be IJ Ezuma.

He has the size and athleticism, assuming he's recovered from injury, and already flashed his abilities to rebound and play defense. He needs to bring his fouls per minute down for sure...and if he doesn't then enter Wiz's minutes.

Remember that discussion of former bigs from the MAC and the traits they should have? I think that fits a healthy Ezuma to a T.

No, he didn't show much on the offensive side yet, but he was only a freshman. And - with the offensive firepower from the 4 guards/wings we're likely (hopefully) going to surround our big with he won't need to score much anyway. Just set screens, gobble rebounds and play good defense/be a rim protector against other bigs.

Yes, I also still want another big, I just think people are entirely sleeping on the possibility Ezuma is the answer already.
Last Edited: 5/6/2023 11:45:53 AM by GraffZ06
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
General User
BLSS
Member Since: 7/30/2010
Post Count: 4,734
BLSS
mail
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
mail
Posted: 5/6/2023 2:05 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
I have no inside information, but my gut says if you asked Boals and staff who their starting 5 was right now - absent the final roster spot (portal or freshman) - they'd say Wiz is working his tail off, has tons of potential and will likely see good minutes with improved play. But, the starter today would be IJ Ezuma.

He has the size and athleticism, assuming he's recovered from injury, and already flashed his abilities to rebound and play defense. He needs to bring his fouls per minute down for sure...and if he doesn't then enter Wiz's minutes.

Remember that discussion of former bigs from the MAC and the traits they should have? I think that fits a healthy Ezuma to a T.

No, he didn't show much on the offensive side yet, but he was only a freshman. And - with the offensive firepower from the 4 guards/wings we're likely (hopefully) going to surround our big with he won't need to score much anyway. Just set screens, gobble rebounds and play good defense/be a rim protector against other bigs.

Yes, I also still want another big, I just think people are entirely sleeping on the possibility Ezuma is the answer already.
Hope this turns out to be right, but feels like wishful thinking. IJ couldn't earn a serious look even with Wiznitzer's play. And IJ averaged 7.7 fouls per 40 minutes. Even more than Wiz.

And if IJ was starter level in the NAC, suspect Boals wouldn't be following every available big on Twitter right now.
FearLeon
General User
Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,173
mail
FearLeon
mail
Posted: 5/6/2023 3:31 PM
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
I have no inside information, but my gut says if you asked Boals and staff who their starting 5 was right now - absent the final roster spot (portal or freshman) - they'd say Wiz is working his tail off, has tons of potential and will likely see good minutes with improved play. But, the starter today would be IJ Ezuma.

He has the size and athleticism, assuming he's recovered from injury, and already flashed his abilities to rebound and play defense. He needs to bring his fouls per minute down for sure...and if he doesn't then enter Wiz's minutes.

Remember that discussion of former bigs from the MAC and the traits they should have? I think that fits a healthy Ezuma to a T.

No, he didn't show much on the offensive side yet, but he was only a freshman. And - with the offensive firepower from the 4 guards/wings we're likely (hopefully) going to surround our big with he won't need to score much anyway. Just set screens, gobble rebounds and play good defense/be a rim protector against other bigs.

Yes, I also still want another big, I just think people are entirely sleeping on the possibility Ezuma is the answer already.



Hope this turns out to be right, but feels like wishful thinking. IJ couldn't earn a serious look even with Wiznitzer's play. And IJ averaged 7.7 fouls per 40 minutes. Even more than Wiz.

And if IJ was starter level in the NAC, suspect Boals wouldn't be following every available big on Twitter right now.
Ummmm……I guess I’ll break the news to him. IJ redshirted and sat out this past season.
#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months
Last Edited: 5/6/2023 3:33:51 PM by FearLeon
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
General User
BLSS
Member Since: 7/30/2010
Post Count: 4,734
BLSS
mail
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
mail
Posted: 5/6/2023 7:34 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
I have no inside information, but my gut says if you asked Boals and staff who their starting 5 was right now - absent the final roster spot (portal or freshman) - they'd say Wiz is working his tail off, has tons of potential and will likely see good minutes with improved play. But, the starter today would be IJ Ezuma.

He has the size and athleticism, assuming he's recovered from injury, and already flashed his abilities to rebound and play defense. He needs to bring his fouls per minute down for sure...and if he doesn't then enter Wiz's minutes.

Remember that discussion of former bigs from the MAC and the traits they should have? I think that fits a healthy Ezuma to a T.

No, he didn't show much on the offensive side yet, but he was only a freshman. And - with the offensive firepower from the 4 guards/wings we're likely (hopefully) going to surround our big with he won't need to score much anyway. Just set screens, gobble rebounds and play good defense/be a rim protector against other bigs.

Yes, I also still want another big, I just think people are entirely sleeping on the possibility Ezuma is the answer already.



Hope this turns out to be right, but feels like wishful thinking. IJ couldn't earn a serious look even with Wiznitzer's play. And IJ averaged 7.7 fouls per 40 minutes. Even more than Wiz.

And if IJ was starter level in the NAC, suspect Boals wouldn't be following every available big on Twitter right now.
Ummmm……I guess I’ll break the news to him. IJ redshirted and sat out this past season.
Oh, my bad. I checked the stats and didn't notice the year. Makes sense.
MonroeClassmate
General User
MC
Member Since: 8/31/2010
Post Count: 2,377
MC
mail
MonroeClassmate
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 8:36 AM
WIznitzer and Clayton comments preceding this comment.

The offense was entirely geared around Dwight Wilson. His replacement had to try to play the Wilson game. There is not enough time in practice to gear offenses towards the big men on the floor. WIznitzer was not very effective in the DW3 role at the offensive end.

Now that there is no longer a DW3 to gear for, the offense will get a new look. Dominated by guards doing their thing. Break the defense down with pass and dribble penetration. In the Dance there were several teams that the bigs rarely received passes except when their man stepped over into help defense after penetration by guards and wings. The big could shoot or zip it to the corner where there was always a safety outlet for him. Looking at Wiznitzer's high school tape, it appeared he made most of his points on slams--just what he can try to do at OHIO in a guard geared offense. Look at Kent, they had no Jimmy Hall to dominate down low but their bigs were effective in an offense where Sincere Carry was breaking things down or launching a bomb.

As for Clayton, some say he wouldn't have lost his starting role if he had followed Boals instructions. There is another possibility, perhaps he followed the instructions but was simply not effective and lost his time to others who would be more beneficial to the game's outcomes. Clayton needs to find a spot beyond the arc where he can nail a shot at 50% off the catch and shoot and knock down open threes from other locations at a reasonable clip.
Bobcat1998
General User
B1998
Member Since: 11/7/2012
Post Count: 2,788
B1998
mail
Bobcat1998
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 10:01 AM
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
WIznitzer and Clayton comments preceding this comment.

The offense was entirely geared around Dwight Wilson. His replacement had to try to play the Wilson game. There is not enough time in practice to gear offenses towards the big men on the floor. WIznitzer was not very effective in the DW3 role at the offensive end.

Now that there is no longer a DW3 to gear for, the offense will get a new look. Dominated by guards doing their thing. Break the defense down with pass and dribble penetration. In the Dance there were several teams that the bigs rarely received passes except when their man stepped over into help defense after penetration by guards and wings. The big could shoot or zip it to the corner where there was always a safety outlet for him. Looking at Wiznitzer's high school tape, it appeared he made most of his points on slams--just what he can try to do at OHIO in a guard geared offense. Look at Kent, they had no Jimmy Hall to dominate down low but their bigs were effective in an offense where Sincere Carry was breaking things down or launching a bomb.

As for Clayton, some say he wouldn't have lost his starting role if he had followed Boals instructions. There is another possibility, perhaps he followed the instructions but was simply not effective and lost his time to others who would be more beneficial to the game's outcomes. Clayton needs to find a spot beyond the arc where he can nail a shot at 50% off the catch and shoot and knock down open threes from other locations at a reasonable clip.
You are entirely right on Clayton. He still played a ton which shows he was not in Boals' doghouse. He will be fine. He was in his 2nd year of college but was just 18 as he skipped his senior yr of college.

And I agree with FearLeon. IJ would have been in the mix if he did not redshirt bur why waste a year on 10 minutes per game. He will come back stronger and motivated I am sure. I still want another big but IJ will be very good.
OhioCatFan
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,977
mail
OhioCatFan
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 2:34 PM
Referring to the discussion a page or two back in this thread about alternatives to a BigManz, what if a Spud Webb-type player was available? Just curious the thoughts on the board about a small dynamo type player. Personally, I still want a BigManz, but a thought of the opposite alternative crossed my mind. Those of you who follow the recruiting wars closely might know if any such players are available now. I suspect not, since a Spud Webb is kind a rare entity, but I thought it a question worth asking, if for no other reason that this is the off season, and we need to have something to talk about to extend this thread to perhaps the longest in BA history.
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
Last Edited: 5/7/2023 2:35:57 PM by OhioCatFan
giacomo
General User
G
Member Since: 11/20/2007
Post Count: 2,801
G
mail
giacomo
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 3:44 PM
It’s the longest in history because this board loves to dream and loves speculation. The transfer portal provides an endless supply of each.
GraffZ06
General User
Member Since: 1/5/2005
Location: Dayton, OH
Post Count: 2,451
mail
GraffZ06
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 3:47 PM
Will Shaver 6'10 Sophomore PF from UNC just decommitted from Belmont and re-opened his portal journey.
FearLeon
General User
Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,173
mail
FearLeon
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 4:27 PM
giacomo wrote:expand_more
It’s the longest in history because this board loves to dream and loves speculation. The transfer portal provides an endless supply of each.
Agree...love the portal or hate the portal...I do love this thread each year.
#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months
Cellis033
General User
Member Since: 11/11/2021
Location: Powell, OH
Post Count: 1,583
mail
Cellis033
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 4:48 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
Will Shaver 6'10 Sophomore PF from UNC just decommitted from Belmont and re-opened his portal journey.
Dare to dream. I know will probably give some on this board PTSD because he is ACC but would also be a big pickup.
Chase
OU Engineering Technology and Management '24
Honda of America Assembly Equipment Engineer

Muck Fiami
Kant read, Kant write
Bowling Green Normie School
what even is Kron's mascot
greencat
General User
Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 2,837
mail
greencat
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 6:08 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
Will Shaver 6'10 Sophomore PF from UNC just decommitted from Belmont and re-opened his portal journey.
He also considered Liberty when he left UNC, so he's not anti-mid-major.

I think Boals should make every effort to get the kid.

On his original offer list besides UNC?

Alabama
Auburn
Purdue
Stanford
VaTech
Wake Forest
Iowa
Illinois
Florida State
Georgetown
The Optimist
General User
Member Since: 3/16/2007
Location: CLE
Post Count: 5,615
mail
The Optimist
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 8:27 PM
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
Clayton needs to find a spot beyond the arc where he can nail a shot at 50% off the catch and shoot and knock down open threes from other locations at a reasonable clip.
Agreed. I would go as far as saying Clayton's off-season improvement is probably the single biggest variable to how good we are next year. If he improves his 3-point shooting, we may not have to worry too much about defense as we will be outscoring everyone.
I've seen crazier things happen.
GraffZ06
General User
Member Since: 1/5/2005
Location: Dayton, OH
Post Count: 2,451
mail
GraffZ06
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 8:37 PM
greencat wrote:expand_more
Will Shaver 6'10 Sophomore PF from UNC just decommitted from Belmont and re-opened his portal journey.
He also considered Liberty when he left UNC, so he's not anti-mid-major.

I think Boals should make every effort to get the kid.

On his original offer list besides UNC?

Alabama
Auburn
Purdue
Stanford
VaTech
Wake Forest
Iowa
Illinois
Florida State
Georgetown
He missed time at UNC this season due to a broken foot so possibly P5 scared off due to health. He already committed to Belmont so I agree might be a perfect slip through the crack type of guy.
greencat
General User
Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 2,837
mail
greencat
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 9:26 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
Will Shaver 6'10 Sophomore PF from UNC just decommitted from Belmont and re-opened his portal journey.
He also considered Liberty when he left UNC, so he's not anti-mid-major.

I think Boals should make every effort to get the kid.

On his original offer list besides UNC?

Alabama
Auburn
Purdue
Stanford
VaTech
Wake Forest
Iowa
Illinois
Florida State
Georgetown
He missed time at UNC this season due to a broken foot so possibly P5 scared off due to health. He already committed to Belmont so I agree might be a perfect slip through the crack type of guy.
I wonder if he backed off from Belmont because Nashville is starting to rather suck as a place to live? After all it pretty much is Columbus plus tourists.
Last Edited: 5/7/2023 9:27:17 PM by greencat
Jeff McKinney
Moderator
JM
Member Since: 11/12/2004
Post Count: 6,171
JM
mail
Jeff McKinney
mail
Posted: 5/7/2023 11:10 PM
I don't think most students care about that much.
spongeBOB CATpants
General User
Member Since: 8/16/2016
Post Count: 1,366
mail
spongeBOB CATpants
mail
Posted: 5/8/2023 11:06 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
I have no inside information, but my gut says if you asked Boals and staff who their starting 5 was right now - absent the final roster spot (portal or freshman) - they'd say Wiz is working his tail off, has tons of potential and will likely see good minutes with improved play. But, the starter today would be IJ Ezuma.

He has the size and athleticism, assuming he's recovered from injury, and already flashed his abilities to rebound and play defense. He needs to bring his fouls per minute down for sure...and if he doesn't then enter Wiz's minutes.

Remember that discussion of former bigs from the MAC and the traits they should have? I think that fits a healthy Ezuma to a T.

No, he didn't show much on the offensive side yet, but he was only a freshman. And - with the offensive firepower from the 4 guards/wings we're likely (hopefully) going to surround our big with he won't need to score much anyway. Just set screens, gobble rebounds and play good defense/be a rim protector against other bigs.

Yes, I also still want another big, I just think people are entirely sleeping on the possibility Ezuma is the answer already.



Hope this turns out to be right, but feels like wishful thinking. IJ couldn't earn a serious look even with Wiznitzer's play. And IJ averaged 7.7 fouls per 40 minutes. Even more than Wiz.

And if IJ was starter level in the NAC, suspect Boals wouldn't be following every available big on Twitter right now.
Ummmm……I guess I’ll break the news to him. IJ redshirted and sat out this past season.
Did we ever find out the reason why he redshirted? If so I don't recall.
Cellis033
General User
Member Since: 11/11/2021
Location: Powell, OH
Post Count: 1,583
mail
Cellis033
mail
Posted: 5/8/2023 11:21 AM
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:expand_more
I have no inside information, but my gut says if you asked Boals and staff who their starting 5 was right now - absent the final roster spot (portal or freshman) - they'd say Wiz is working his tail off, has tons of potential and will likely see good minutes with improved play. But, the starter today would be IJ Ezuma.

He has the size and athleticism, assuming he's recovered from injury, and already flashed his abilities to rebound and play defense. He needs to bring his fouls per minute down for sure...and if he doesn't then enter Wiz's minutes.

Remember that discussion of former bigs from the MAC and the traits they should have? I think that fits a healthy Ezuma to a T.

No, he didn't show much on the offensive side yet, but he was only a freshman. And - with the offensive firepower from the 4 guards/wings we're likely (hopefully) going to surround our big with he won't need to score much anyway. Just set screens, gobble rebounds and play good defense/be a rim protector against other bigs.

Yes, I also still want another big, I just think people are entirely sleeping on the possibility Ezuma is the answer already.



Hope this turns out to be right, but feels like wishful thinking. IJ couldn't earn a serious look even with Wiznitzer's play. And IJ averaged 7.7 fouls per 40 minutes. Even more than Wiz.

And if IJ was starter level in the NAC, suspect Boals wouldn't be following every available big on Twitter right now.
Ummmm……I guess I’ll break the news to him. IJ redshirted and sat out this past season.
Did we ever find out the reason why he redshirted? If so I don't recall.
Believe it was for injury reasons
Chase
OU Engineering Technology and Management '24
Honda of America Assembly Equipment Engineer

Muck Fiami
Kant read, Kant write
Bowling Green Normie School
what even is Kron's mascot
FearLeon
General User
Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,173
mail
FearLeon
mail
Posted: 5/8/2023 4:03 PM
Best guesses on when we learn when we land a portal big?

May 15
June 15
July 15
August 15

Saw Boals tweeting about Kurtis Rourke today. I hope soon he's tweeting about finding portal gold in the 6'8-6'10 range. #focus
#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months
Last Edited: 5/8/2023 4:04:56 PM by FearLeon
Jeff McKinney
Moderator
JM
Member Since: 11/12/2004
Post Count: 6,171
JM
mail
Jeff McKinney
mail
Posted: 5/8/2023 4:35 PM
It's not a lack of focus to tweet about something not related to signing a big man or other basketball stuff.
FJC31
General User
FJC31
Member Since: 3/31/2022
Post Count: 2,446
FJC31
mail
FJC31
mail
Posted: 5/8/2023 5:25 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
Best guesses on when we learn when we land a portal big?

May 15
June 15
July 15
August 15

Saw Boals tweeting about Kurtis Rourke today. I hope soon he's tweeting about finding portal gold in the 6'8-6'10 range. #focus
I think we land someone this month. I’ll be surprised if this goes into June.
GraffZ06
General User
Member Since: 1/5/2005
Location: Dayton, OH
Post Count: 2,451
mail
GraffZ06
mail
Posted: 5/8/2023 6:00 PM
6'7 PF DJ Hughes from Butler enters portal today. Originally from Indianapolis Lawrence North HS.
OU_Country
General User
Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,401
mail
OU_Country
mail
Posted: 5/8/2023 7:39 PM
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
WIznitzer and Clayton comments preceding this comment.

The offense was entirely geared around Dwight Wilson. His replacement had to try to play the Wilson game. There is not enough time in practice to gear offenses towards the big men on the floor. WIznitzer was not very effective in the DW3 role at the offensive end.

Now that there is no longer a DW3 to gear for, the offense will get a new look. Dominated by guards doing their thing. Break the defense down with pass and dribble penetration. In the Dance there were several teams that the bigs rarely received passes except when their man stepped over into help defense after penetration by guards and wings. The big could shoot or zip it to the corner where there was always a safety outlet for him. Looking at Wiznitzer's high school tape, it appeared he made most of his points on slams--just what he can try to do at OHIO in a guard geared offense. Look at Kent, they had no Jimmy Hall to dominate down low but their bigs were effective in an offense where Sincere Carry was breaking things down or launching a bomb.

As for Clayton, some say he wouldn't have lost his starting role if he had followed Boals instructions. There is another possibility, perhaps he followed the instructions but was simply not effective and lost his time to others who would be more beneficial to the game's outcomes. Clayton needs to find a spot beyond the arc where he can nail a shot at 50% off the catch and shoot and knock down open threes from other locations at a reasonable clip.
I'd imagine this is closer to reality re: AJ Clayton than anything else discussed in this thread. Also agree with Optimist -- Clayton taking strides could perhaps be among the most important components to the team taking strides to being a MAC contender.
FearLeon
General User
Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,173
mail
FearLeon
mail
Posted: 5/8/2023 10:12 PM
Jeff McKinney wrote:expand_more
It's not a lack of focus to tweet about something not related to signing a big man or other basketball stuff.
sarcasm
#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months
Showing Messages: 801 - 825 of 1271
  • Previous
  • Next
View Other Ohio Basketball Topics
reply
vertical_align_top
vertical_align_center
vertical_align_bottom
add_comment
chevron_backward
chevron_forward
MAC News Links
chevron_left
Saturday, October 17, 2026
chevron_right
Who's Online

There are 77 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com

74 Guests