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Topic: The Almanac College Basketball Preview
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100%Cat
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Posted: 9/27/2023 11:51 AM
I'm just looking at the situation optimistically, I guess. We're likely not asking for significant leaps in play from him. It's not like we're expecting him to come off of last season and now become a post presence. It's very possible he's the same player this year as last, but I think we're going to see improvement.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 9/27/2023 12:11 PM
100%Cat wrote:expand_more
I'm just looking at the situation optimistically, I guess. We're likely not asking for significant leaps in play from him. It's not like we're expecting him to come off of last season and now become a post presence. It's very possible he's the same player this year as last, but I think we're going to see improvement.
I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised with his improvement. No, he won't turn into the Second Coming of Bevo Francis, but I think he'll be a much better player.
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
Bobcat1998
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Posted: 9/27/2023 8:39 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
I'm just looking at the situation optimistically, I guess. We're likely not asking for significant leaps in play from him. It's not like we're expecting him to come off of last season and now become a post presence. It's very possible he's the same player this year as last, but I think we're going to see improvement.
I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised with his improvement. No, he won't turn into the Second Coming of Bevo Francis, but I think he'll be a much better player.
I think Wiz is unfortunately judged historically. We have had some great post players. Not really 7 footers outside of Jason Terry, but our bigs are legendary: Trent, Hunter, Tillman, Dwight. I still say that Vest Ogbonda was a fantastic find in Boals year 1 and he was only a 6 and 6 guy (not sure). If Wiz, Ezuma and AJC can give us 10 and 8 our wings will take care of the rest!
FearLeon
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Posted: 9/28/2023 10:27 AM
100%Cat wrote:expand_more
The beauty in the Wiz situation, to me, is that we aren't going to ask that much of him. Grab some rebounds, guard opposing bigs hopefully without fouling, and maybe put in a couple of bunnies at the rim if opportunity presents itself.
Ummmm....isn't that what we were asking for last season with The Whiz? It seems all simple on paper to do. However, skill comes into play. As I said all last season, I hope he spent some time this summer at big man camps working on footwork, catching the ball and setting non-moving screens. We aren't asking for much here out of The Whiz. Hopefully, we see the "leap" that Boals is talking about.
#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months
Last Edited: 9/28/2023 12:14:14 PM by FearLeon
100%Cat
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Posted: 9/28/2023 12:12 PM
Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
I'm just looking at the situation optimistically, I guess. We're likely not asking for significant leaps in play from him. It's not like we're expecting him to come off of last season and now become a post presence. It's very possible he's the same player this year as last, but I think we're going to see improvement.
I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised with his improvement. No, he won't turn into the Second Coming of Bevo Francis, but I think he'll be a much better player.
I think Wiz is unfortunately judged historically. We have had some great post players. Not really 7 footers outside of Jason Terry, but our bigs are legendary: Trent, Hunter, Tillman, Dwight. I still say that Vest Ogbonda was a fantastic find in Boals year 1 and he was only a 6 and 6 guy (not sure). If Wiz, Ezuma and AJC can give us 10 and 8 our wings will take care of the rest!
I loved Sylvester Ogbanda here. I wish we had him in Athens for more than we did. He was a 1-year grad transfer, correct? Vest knew and played his role well.
100%Cat
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Posted: 9/28/2023 12:17 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
The beauty in the Wiz situation, to me, is that we aren't going to ask that much of him. Grab some rebounds, guard opposing bigs hopefully without fouling, and maybe put in a couple of bunnies at the rim if opportunity presents itself.
Ummmm....isn't that what we were asking for last season with The Whiz? It seems all simple on paper to do. However, skill comes to play. As I said all last season, I hope he spent some time this summer at big man camps working on footwork, catching the ball and setting non-moving screens. We aren't asking for much here out of The Whiz. Hopefully, we see the "leap" that Boals is talking about.
I get it, I do. But this is his second year in the system and second year with what was voted as the MAC's best developmental staff. I'm embracing optimism right now, you can do it, too!
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 9/28/2023 12:59 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
As I said all last season, I hope he spent some time this summer at big man camps working on footwork, catching the ball and setting non-moving screens.
SI had an article in the past year about the death of the post-up player in basketball. This began in the NBA and has trickled down to college and high school ball. With that came the end to the "Big Man" camps you speak of. In the old days of basketball where the big man posting up ruled the game there was a need for these camps. Most famous and productive of these was the Pete Newell Camp. The great former coach passed away and his son tried to continue the camp but the demand for it diminished to the point there really aren't any around today.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 9/29/2023 10:03 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
As I said all last season, I hope he spent some time this summer at big man camps working on footwork, catching the ball and setting non-moving screens.
Can you imagine how good OU could be if Buddy literally never shot the ball and just became Dennis RodMAC? 0 points, 15 boards, 3 blocks. We would win 25-30 games.
Last Edited: 9/29/2023 10:04:16 AM by M.D.W.S.T
FearLeon
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Posted: 9/29/2023 1:54 PM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
As I said all last season, I hope he spent some time this summer at big man camps working on footwork, catching the ball and setting non-moving screens.
SI had an article in the past year about the death of the post-up player in basketball. This began in the NBA and has trickled down to college and high school ball. With that came the end to the "Big Man" camps you speak of. In the old days of basketball where the big man posting up ruled the game there was a need for these camps. Most famous and productive of these was the Pete Newell Camp. The great former coach passed away and his son tried to continue the camp but the demand for it diminished to the point there really aren't any around today.
Great info...did not know about the Newell Camp no longer existing. Let's put some cash together bobcatsquared and we can conduct our own special camp for The Whiz. I'll show him techniques on how to catch the ball and you handle setting legal screens. We'll have to get FJC31 to handle The Whiz's footwork.
#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months
Last Edited: 9/29/2023 1:54:56 PM by FearLeon
FearLeon
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Posted: 9/29/2023 1:55 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
As I said all last season, I hope he spent some time this summer at big man camps working on footwork, catching the ball and setting non-moving screens.
Can you imagine how good OU could be if Buddy literally never shot the ball and just became Dennis RodMAC? 0 points, 15 boards, 3 blocks. We would win 25-30 games.
And to think I'd be happy with just 0 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block.

Dare to dream.
#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months
spongeBOB CATpants
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Posted: 9/29/2023 2:15 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
As I said all last season, I hope he spent some time this summer at big man camps working on footwork, catching the ball and setting non-moving screens.
Can you imagine how good OU could be if Buddy literally never shot the ball and just became Dennis RodMAC? 0 points, 15 boards, 3 blocks. We would win 25-30 games.
And to think I'd be happy with just 0 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block.

Dare to dream.
Add 4 or less fouls in there too if we only need 1 block.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 9/29/2023 2:59 PM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
As I said all last season, I hope he spent some time this summer at big man camps working on footwork, catching the ball and setting non-moving screens.
SI had an article in the past year about the death of the post-up player in basketball. This began in the NBA and has trickled down to college and high school ball. With that came the end to the "Big Man" camps you speak of. In the old days of basketball where the big man posting up ruled the game there was a need for these camps. Most famous and productive of these was the Pete Newell Camp. The great former coach passed away and his son tried to continue the camp but the demand for it diminished to the point there really aren't any around today.
Great info...did not know about the Newell Camp no longer existing. Let's put some cash together bobcatsquared and we can conduct our own special camp for The Whiz. I'll show him techniques on how to catch the ball and you handle setting legal screens. We'll have to get FJC31 to handle The Whiz's footwork.
And, I can teach him how to foul. Oops . . . he's already an expert in that!
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
FJC31
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Posted: 9/30/2023 8:35 AM
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
As I said all last season, I hope he spent some time this summer at big man camps working on footwork, catching the ball and setting non-moving screens.
SI had an article in the past year about the death of the post-up player in basketball. This began in the NBA and has trickled down to college and high school ball. With that came the end to the "Big Man" camps you speak of. In the old days of basketball where the big man posting up ruled the game there was a need for these camps. Most famous and productive of these was the Pete Newell Camp. The great former coach passed away and his son tried to continue the camp but the demand for it diminished to the point there really aren't any around today.
Great info...did not know about the Newell Camp no longer existing. Let's put some cash together bobcatsquared and we can conduct our own special camp for The Whiz. I'll show him techniques on how to catch the ball and you handle setting legal screens. We'll have to get FJC31 to handle The Whiz's footwork.
I’m still fine tuning my own footwork after spraining my ankle in recreational softball a year ago…..saw a clip of the first practice on social. Whiz is rocking a headband. Let his (hopefully more productive) rebrand begin.
Bobcat1998
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Posted: 10/3/2023 3:39 PM
If we can get back to the real discussion of this team!!! :)

No team in the MAC will be able to run out the assortment of wings we have:
Elmore James
Jaylin Hunter
Miles Brown
AJ Brown
Ike Cornish
Shereef Mitchell

AJ Clayton has to get better inside right? IJ spent a year working on his body like BVP did early in his career. Wiznitzer was not terrible last year -- chill on your expectations. And I truly believe one of Hadaway or Nichol is going to get some minutes each game. That leaves Ajay Sheldon as the odd man out but dude would have started for some of Saul's injury-plagued teams. He is just behind six wings who are outstanding. Can you imagine a team thinking, "Oh good, Jaylin Hunter is out." Then realizing that Shereef Mitchell, the main backup on a Sweet 16 team is coming in to spell him? Or "Hey, Miles Brown is getting a rest... Oh wait, is that Ike Cornish, a 6-foot-6 former 4-star from Maryland? This is going to be an exciting year.
FearLeon
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Posted: 10/3/2023 3:50 PM
Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
Wiznitzer was not terrible last year -- chill on your expectations. .
Umm....The Whiz was terrible last year.

And trust me...nobody here has any expectations.

Sorry...it's the truth.
#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed #NoOtherTeamInAmericaFlexesLikeOhio #11Months
Last Edited: 10/3/2023 5:12:57 PM by FearLeon
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 10/3/2023 5:00 PM
Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
No team in the MAC will be able to run out the assortment of wings we have:

Elmore James
Jaylin Hunter
Miles Brown
AJ Brown
Ike Cornish
Shereef Mitchell
Quick, and without looking it up, who are the wings for for Kent St? Akron? UT?
shabamon
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Posted: 10/12/2023 10:14 AM
I got the Blue Ribbon preview. I don't know how it compares to the Almanac but I like that both seem to go the extra mile for mid major coverage compared to Lindy's, Athlon, etc.

The preview didn't speculate much on the starting lineup, but it does insinuate that it will be Hunter, both Browns, James, and one of the three bigs. Boals says in the preview that we don't have an alpha dog like Wilson, but also says Hunter ended the season as the team's best player. Had lots of glowing things to say about James. Work ethic never deviated when his minutes dipped. Attitude never deviated. After the game at Toledo, they couldn't afford to keep him off the floor.

Boals described the Wiz as coming to Ohio with a "dad bod" and told him as much. He's done a lot to change his body and Boals expects he'll make a big jump. Surprising that two years at an ACC program produces a dad bod.

The preview ranks us second in the MAC behind Akron. Ranks our backcourt second in the MAC. Ranks Akron the best front court and back court.
FJC31
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Posted: 10/12/2023 1:18 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
I got the Blue Ribbon preview. I don't know how it compares to the Almanac but I like that both seem to go the extra mile for mid major coverage compared to Lindy's, Athlon, etc.

The preview didn't speculate much on the starting lineup, but it does insinuate that it will be Hunter, both Browns, James, and one of the three bigs. Boals says in the preview that we don't have an alpha dog like Wilson, but also says Hunter ended the season as the team's best player. Had lots of glowing things to say about James. Work ethic never deviated when his minutes dipped. Attitude never deviated. After the game at Toledo, they couldn't afford to keep him off the floor.

Boals described the Wiz as coming to Ohio with a "dad bod" and told him as much. He's done a lot to change his body and Boals expects he'll make a big jump. Surprising that two years at an ACC program produces a dad bod.

The preview ranks us second in the MAC behind Akron. Ranks our backcourt second in the MAC. Ranks Akron the best front court and back court.
Given the way Boals has talked about Wiz, I wonder if ends up getting first shot (for better or worse) just because he’ll be prone to remain inside. I’m only speculating since he hasn’t said anything on Clayton (evolving his game/becoming more balanced).

Surprised to hear Boals say we don’t have an alpha dog bc I 100% think Jaylin is that and our backcourt is better than Akron’s. There I said it.
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