menu
Logo
dark_mode
Logo
dark_mode
Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Coach, recruiting or both ?
Page: 1 of 1
Alaska Cat
General User
AC
Member Since: 1/3/2021
Post Count: 23
AC
mail
Alaska Cat
mail
Posted: 11/20/2025 11:49 AM
Beautiful campus.
Nice arena -- the Convocation Center.
In the past, good success.

What is wrong with current basketball @ OU.
I have followed Coach Jeff. Won wherever he has been. Seems to have better talent now.
I know one of his recruits bolted the the NBA. Another one to Alabama.
This is basketball. One only needs 7-8 good players (with hopefully more) to be successful & win consistently.

Could Saul Phillips have sunk this program so far, that it is now @ best, just a mediocre program?

We have a prettier campus than Akron.
A better reputation than Akron.
Doesn't seem to matter. Our former coach, just seems to win & win there. Why?

Could it be the Coach?
Recruiting?
Reputation?

Chime in, what do you people think?? A lot of questions. any answers?
SBH
General User
SBH
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 4,752
SBH
mail
SBH
mail
Posted: 11/20/2025 12:00 PM
$$$$$$$

Akron has a guy who is willing to write checks for any player Groce wants. He also paid to convert part of the student funded rec center into a bball practice facility. How they got away with that without a student protest I have no idea. Perhaps Akron students are just that apathetic.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
General User
BLSS
Member Since: 7/30/2010
Post Count: 4,732
BLSS
mail
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
mail
Posted: 11/20/2025 12:59 PM
SBH wrote:expand_more
$$$$$$$

Akron has a guy who is willing to write checks for any player Groce wants. He also paid to convert part of the student funded rec center into a bball practice facility. How they got away with that without a student protest I have no idea. Perhaps Akron students are just that apathetic.
Isn't Akron mostly a commuter school? I suspect they care a whole lot less about communal spaces.
BobcatSports
General User
BS
Member Since: 2/2/2006
Post Count: 1,119
BS
mail
BobcatSports
mail
Posted: 11/20/2025 1:18 PM
I think St. Jeff’s greatest success at Ohio was accomplished with the players he inherited from Better Call Saul. Jeff has had plenty of time to recover from Saul. Way past time to quit kicking Saul”s Sick Dog!!! Jeff’s fortunes would be better served IF he could find at least ONE recruit that was a legit outside shooter!!!
OhioCatFan
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 15,977
mail
OhioCatFan
mail
Posted: 11/20/2025 3:07 PM
BobcatSports wrote:expand_more
I think St. Jeff’s greatest success at Ohio was accomplished with the players he inherited from Better Call Saul. Jeff has had plenty of time to recover from Saul. Way past time to quit kicking Saul”s Sick Dog!!! Jeff’s fortunes would be better served IF he could find at least ONE recruit that was a legit outside shooter!!!
True, that's why I was not one of the Saul bashers. I think he should have been given another year. He dealt with some very crucial injuries. Heck, I even liked his corny sense of humor.
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
General User
FJC31
Member Since: 3/31/2022
Post Count: 2,446
FJC31
mail
FJC31
mail
Posted: 11/20/2025 3:25 PM
Given the additions of Simmons and Breath (proven size) this portal season, I think our NIL budget has increased. We weren't able to land these types of players previously as a byproduct of limited funds.

I think Boals not having a set offense, bringing in his exact needs, or adapting to his own roster builds over the years continues to shoot him in the foot.

He keeps trying to attempt the same style of ball played with Preston and BVP. The previous two years we had a small ball roster without tempo and more running. It might not have worked, but that should have been the strategy paired with all the 3PT shooting. Gas teams, try to trap/defense into offense, press, whatever.

This season we have the ability to bully ball in the paint via pick and rolls with size at our advantage. We have more athleticism than the previous two years. We utilized that really well against Illinois State. Lean into that for the year since we don't really have any shooters.

It's just odd how he chooses to coach and roster build at this point.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
General User
BLSS
Member Since: 7/30/2010
Post Count: 4,732
BLSS
mail
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
mail
Posted: 11/20/2025 4:16 PM
Yeah, I tend to think that Boals' system requires a level of raw talent and skill that he can't consistently recruit.

As a result, something has to shift. He's either got to up the recruiting, or adapt his system.

We'll see if he's capable.
bobcat 2000
General User
B2000
Member Since: 1/21/2006
Post Count: 289
B2000
mail
bobcat 2000
mail
Posted: 11/20/2025 5:00 PM
i agree that our team has gown downhill over the years. first up is we aren,t recruiting players with good size and rebounding ability like weve had in the past. we had players like brandon hunter,gary trent,leon williams and jerome tillman. we got no one like that on our team now. second is we have to address the problem we have defending against the three point shot. a lot of our opponents especially the tougher teams on our schedule shoot quite well on the three against us. more practice on foul shots is needed. our free throw percentage is way too low.that can and does spell the difference. we could benefit from leaving the mac. i think big east, conference usa or american would be good. we could do okay in those conferences and recruiting would get better. thats cause in those conferences we would,nt need to rely on winning the conference tourney to get an ncaa bid. we also need to have a year round weight training program in place so our players could get bigger and stronger
OUcat
General User
OU
Member Since: 10/13/2011
Post Count: 213
OU
mail
OUcat
mail
Posted: 11/20/2025 6:03 PM
Changing conferences ... particularly moving up, is a disaster waiting to happen.

Look at UMass. Yes, the jury is still out with UMass moving DOWN in class from A-10 to the MAC and considered no less than a mid-level MAC team.

Best-case scenario -- UMass dominates, ... but early returns does not refelct that possibility.

Likely scenario -- UMass is a solid contender immediately, but unsure future.

Worst-case -- UMass struggles for extended period before, hopefully, having a (Hurley-Oats) stretch of success like Buffalo.

To have success changing conferences you have to be like a Butler - consistent winner/NCAA Team in the mid-major league.

Note: Butler, Valparaiso and Loyola-Chicago are all former Horizon League teams who changed leagues. Have any of them become consistent at-large NCAA teams, much less league dominant.

Be careful what you wish for.
Ohio69
General User
O69
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 3,134
O69
mail
Ohio69
mail
Posted: 11/21/2025 8:39 AM
SBH wrote:expand_more
$$$$$$$

Akron has a guy who is willing to write checks for any player Groce wants. He also paid to convert part of the student funded rec center into a bball practice facility. How they got away with that without a student protest I have no idea. Perhaps Akron students are just that apathetic.
I agree with this. OU basketball is going to need more $ for players to keep up.
Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....
Athens
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Alexandria, VA
Post Count: 5,496
mail
Athens
mail
Posted: 11/22/2025 12:41 PM
bobcat 2000 wrote:expand_more
i agree that our team has gown downhill over the years. first up is we aren,t recruiting players with good size and rebounding ability like weve had in the past. we had players like brandon hunter,gary trent,leon williams and jerome tillman. we got no one like that on our team now. second is we have to address the problem we have defending against the three point shot. a lot of our opponents especially the tougher teams on our schedule shoot quite well on the three against us. more practice on foul shots is needed. our free throw percentage is way too low.that can and does spell the difference. we could benefit from leaving the mac. i think big east, conference usa or american would be good. we could do okay in those conferences and recruiting would get better. thats cause in those conferences we would,nt need to rely on winning the conference tourney to get an ncaa bid. we also need to have a year round weight training program in place so our players could get bigger and stronger
Do you think Ohio Basketball doesn't have a year round training program? I think it would be great to have a weight room at the Convo along with courts but I'm sure they are working out. I'm not an athlete and I'm working out year round. At my age I find I need a week off in between to maximize recovery but I'm still doing it year round. For some of these guys on the basketball team they have weight muscle mass goals and then nutrition.
Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Fiami @ Peden with 25,086 fans
2023 10-7 near shutout of Iowa State @ Solich Field
2025 17-10 defeat of WVU @ Peden in front of 26,740
Athens
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Alexandria, VA
Post Count: 5,496
mail
Athens
mail
Posted: 11/22/2025 1:14 PM
OUcat wrote:expand_more
Note: Butler, Valparaiso and Loyola-Chicago are all former Horizon League teams who changed leagues. Have any of them become consistent at-large NCAA teams, much less league dominant.

Be careful what you wish for.
Butler from what I remember transitioned well from Horizon to Atlantic 10 for a couple of years to Big East. Initiatlly at least they were representing Butler in the tournament. They hit lightning in a bottle when Indiana was down and they capitalized. With revenue sharing and competiting in a conference with a paid TV deal Butler can keep it going.

This is revenue sharing year 1. There is talk of it the money being good enough in basketball that euro players want to enroll in US colleges. Then of course already deep NIL pockets at the power schools. What is it going to mean longer term for the mid majors and what results can you point to? Will any mid-major make the Sweet 16 this year? Last yaer Drake, St. Mary's and McNeese made the Round of 32.

I'd stick with Boals for now and see if Ohio can get rev share/NIL figured out or at least see if anyone figures out a mid-major blue print for it. Then go after a coach if necessary who understands how to recruit to the new environment. At some point there might be an industry standard where 50% of basketball revenue goes to the players and euro players in the P4 will push more talent down to the mid-majors.
Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Fiami @ Peden with 25,086 fans
2023 10-7 near shutout of Iowa State @ Solich Field
2025 17-10 defeat of WVU @ Peden in front of 26,740
MonroeClassmate
General User
MC
Member Since: 8/31/2010
Post Count: 2,376
MC
mail
MonroeClassmate
mail
Posted: 11/22/2025 6:08 PM
Groce's success at Akron can be directly related to the term, "I'd rather be lucky than good!"

He gets a generational player as a walk-on that no college including Akron recruited. Without Freeman, Toledo, Kent and OHIO own the Zips during those four years.

Secondly, he gets the NCAA to allow Ali Ali to return to Akron with circumstances that in years past would have not been as generous.

Thirdly, a Kent player pulls a boneheaded error and GIVES Akron a victory when defeat was assured and thus another trip to the dance to get their asses kicked.
FJC31
General User
FJC31
Member Since: 3/31/2022
Post Count: 2,446
FJC31
mail
FJC31
mail
Posted: 11/23/2025 10:55 AM
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
Groce's success at Akron can be directly related to the term, "I'd rather be lucky than good!"

He gets a generational player as a walk-on that no college including Akron recruited. Without Freeman, Toledo, Kent and OHIO own the Zips during those four years.

Secondly, he gets the NCAA to allow Ali Ali to return to Akron with circumstances that in years past would have not been as generous.

Thirdly, a Kent player pulls a boneheaded error and GIVES Akron a victory when defeat was assured and thus another trip to the dance to get their asses kicked.
This can be said about so many coaches and variable circumstances. For instance, one could say, Boals got lucky inheriting Preston/BVP, Dwight getting his waiver for eligibility that same season when he was originally supposed to sit, and drawing a favorable first round matchup in Virginia. His success at Ohio also can also be directly related to “I’d rather be lucky than good” with the above logic.
Last Edited: 11/23/2025 10:58:53 AM by FJC31
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
General User
BLSS
Member Since: 7/30/2010
Post Count: 4,732
BLSS
mail
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
mail
Posted: 11/23/2025 11:14 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
Groce's success at Akron can be directly related to the term, "I'd rather be lucky than good!"

He gets a generational player as a walk-on that no college including Akron recruited. Without Freeman, Toledo, Kent and OHIO own the Zips during those four years.

Secondly, he gets the NCAA to allow Ali Ali to return to Akron with circumstances that in years past would have not been as generous.

Thirdly, a Kent player pulls a boneheaded error and GIVES Akron a victory when defeat was assured and thus another trip to the dance to get their asses kicked.
This can be said about so many coaches and variable circumstances. For instance, one could say, Boals got lucky inheriting Preston/BVP, Dwight getting his waiver for eligibility that same season when he was originally supposed to sit, and drawing a favorable first round matchup in Virginia. His success at Ohio also can also be directly related to “I’d rather be lucky than good” with the above logic.
Yes. Freeman was a walk on, Preston wasn't recruited and didn't play much in high school. Plenty of luck goes into success.
bobcatsquared
General User
B
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 5,924
B
mail
bobcatsquared
mail
Posted: 11/23/2025 1:08 PM
Stan Heath is the MAC coach currently being blessed by a little luck.

Freshman big man Mohammed Habhab is averaging a double double through 5 games at 16 pts and 11 reb. while adding 4 assists per game. I read some where that he's a walk-on, but not 100% sure about that.

Check out his stat line from EMU's win v. Oakland yesterday - 24 pts on 10 of 13 shooting, 11 reb and 9 assists while playing all but 1 minute. Looked like a legit playmaker and difference maker in the few minutes I saw of that game.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
General User
BLSS
Member Since: 7/30/2010
Post Count: 4,732
BLSS
mail
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
mail
Posted: 11/23/2025 2:46 PM
bobcatsquared wrote:expand_more
Stan Heath is the MAC coach currently being blessed by a little luck.

Freshman big man Mohammed Habhab is averaging a double double through 5 games at 16 pts and 11 reb. while adding 4 assists per game. I read some where that he's a walk-on, but not 100% sure about that.

Check out his stat line from EMU's win v. Oakland yesterday - 24 pts on 10 of 13 shooting, 11 reb and 9 assists while playing all but 1 minute. Looked like a legit playmaker and difference maker in the few minutes I saw of that game.
He's a transfer from Central Michigan. Looks like he had a few offers, but nothing good: Wayne State, Saginaw Valley, and Central.
OUcat
General User
OU
Member Since: 10/13/2011
Post Count: 213
OU
mail
OUcat
mail
Posted: 11/23/2025 8:44 PM
And don't forget as a CMU redshirt he played/practiced behind a really good post player (can't remember his name) at CMU who transferred up, if I am not mistaken.

Kid may have been All-MAC.
Showing Messages: 1 - 18 of 18
View Other Ohio Basketball Topics
reply
vertical_align_top
vertical_align_center
vertical_align_bottom
add_comment
MAC News Links
chevron_left
Saturday, October 17, 2026
chevron_right
Who's Online

There are 68 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com

68 Guests