Welcome Guest!
Create an Account
login email:
password:
site searchcontact usabout usadvertise with ushelp
Message Board
BobcatAttack.com Message Board
Ohio Basketball
Topic:  Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.

Topic:  Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
Author
Message
Ted Thompson
Administrator



Member Since: 11/11/2004
Location: MAC Play
Post Count: 7,916

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/15/2026 1:48:31 PM 

Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: Tuesday February 17th, 2026 7:00 PM

Opponent: Ball St.  (8-17, 3-9 MAC)

Site: Convocation Center

TV/Webcast: ESPN+

Radio: The Varsity Network App (free) 

Ball St. statistics, roster and media guide

Ball St. message board:   OverThePylon

Follow Ohio Football recruiting on the BobcatAttack.com football recruiting database.

Back to Top
  
Andrew Ruck
General User



Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 5,542

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 9:01:48 AM 
Ball State has been the devil to Ohio University in 25-26. Prevented us from back to back MAC football championships, and handed us our worst loss of the season that sent us in a tailspin. We need to exercise some demons tomorrow and destroy these guys. If we get another loss to Ball State while being heavily favored...we will be handed the title of official bitch of Ball State University.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

Back to Top
  
FearLeon
General User



Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,004

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 9:20:58 AM 
Andrew Ruck wrote:
Ball State has been the devil to Ohio University in 25-26. Prevented us from back to back MAC football championships, and handed us our worst loss of the season that sent us in a tailspin. We need to exercise some demons tomorrow and destroy these guys. If we get another loss to Ball State while being heavily favored...we will be handed the title of official bitch of Ball State University.


Lose this game and Jeff can go ahead and turn in his resignation Wednesday morning.

Last Edited: 2/16/2026 1:25:31 PM by FearLeon

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed
Back to Top
  
M.D.W.S.T
General User



Member Since: 12/23/2021
Post Count: 3,536

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 10:06:51 AM 
FearLeon wrote:
Andrew Ruck wrote:
Ball State has been the devil to Ohio University in 25-26. Prevented us from back to back MAC football championships, and handed us our worst loss of the season that sent us in a tailspin. We need to exercise some demons tomorrow and destroy these guys. If we get another loss to Ball State while being heavily favored...we will be handed the title of official bitch of Ball State University.


Lose this game and Jeff go ahead and turn in his resignation Wednesday morning.


It's amazing we're at this position, and I don't disagree. We're stuck in quicksand and theres nothing to pull us out.

5 games left... 13-13

BALLS - This a bad team. We already lost to them once. SHOULD be an easy W. Likely won't be easy, but should still be a W. If it's not...
@ NIU - 8-16, 3rd worst team in the MAC. MUST WIN.
Toledo - At least we're at home, but Toledo is almost always a loss.
@ UMASS - 6-4 in the last 10. They're about like we are... some decent wins. Some bad losses. Up and down all year. Need to win.
Miami - Would love to be their only loss.

Over .500 - I think his job is safe.
If we go on a slide and finish 14-17 - He's going to have to hope he's built enough goodwill in the front office to stay, he's still never had a below .500 season - this would be his first - I think he's safe, but next year he's on the hottest seat he's ever been on next season.

Feels insane we're at this point, but I don't like what I see. As much as I like Boals. As much as I think he's right for the job. I don't like what I see. And I don't like that I don't see any real changes. I think the fear of falling below .500 has kept him from making any needed shake-ups, and that's not a good place to coach from. And we're about to fall below .500 anyway.


Last Edited: 2/16/2026 10:10:48 AM by M.D.W.S.T
Back to Top
  
greencat
General User



Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 2,816

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 10:07:13 AM 
FearLeon wrote:
Andrew Ruck wrote:
Ball State has been the devil to Ohio University in 25-26. Prevented us from back to back MAC football championships, and handed us our worst loss of the season that sent us in a tailspin. We need to exercise some demons tomorrow and destroy these guys. If we get another loss to Ball State while being heavily favored...we will be handed the title of official bitch of Ball State University.


Lose this game and Jeff go ahead and turn in his resignation Wednesday morning.


I was looking at Warren Nolan's website today. Ball State's net ranking is #324 in the nation. NIU is #320. Those are two of the worst teams in D-1 hoops. A loss in either game will really be forcing the new AD's hand.
Back to Top
  
GraffZ06
General User



Member Since: 1/5/2005
Location: Dayton, OH
Post Count: 2,368

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 1:17:45 PM 
M.D.W.S.T wrote:
FearLeon wrote:
Andrew Ruck wrote:
Ball State has been the devil to Ohio University in 25-26. Prevented us from back to back MAC football championships, and handed us our worst loss of the season that sent us in a tailspin. We need to exercise some demons tomorrow and destroy these guys. If we get another loss to Ball State while being heavily favored...we will be handed the title of official bitch of Ball State University.


Lose this game and Jeff go ahead and turn in his resignation Wednesday morning.


It's amazing we're at this position, and I don't disagree. We're stuck in quicksand and theres nothing to pull us out.

5 games left... 13-13

BALLS - This a bad team. We already lost to them once. SHOULD be an easy W. Likely won't be easy, but should still be a W. If it's not...
@ NIU - 8-16, 3rd worst team in the MAC. MUST WIN.
Toledo - At least we're at home, but Toledo is almost always a loss.
@ UMASS - 6-4 in the last 10. They're about like we are... some decent wins. Some bad losses. Up and down all year. Need to win.
Miami - Would love to be their only loss.

Over .500 - I think his job is safe.
If we go on a slide and finish 14-17 - He's going to have to hope he's built enough goodwill in the front office to stay, he's still never had a below .500 season - this would be his first - I think he's safe, but next year he's on the hottest seat he's ever been on next season.

Feels insane we're at this point, but I don't like what I see. As much as I like Boals. As much as I think he's right for the job. I don't like what I see. And I don't like that I don't see any real changes. I think the fear of falling below .500 has kept him from making any needed shake-ups, and that's not a good place to coach from. And we're about to fall below .500 anyway.




We beat Balls at home.
We win a tight one on the road at NIU.

I don't see another W on the schedule after that.

That would make us 15-17. I predicted 14-18 to start the year. About right.

Last Edited: 2/16/2026 1:18:46 PM by GraffZ06
Back to Top
  
FearLeon
General User



Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,004

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 1:26:09 PM 
M.D.W.S.T wrote:
FearLeon wrote:
Andrew Ruck wrote:
Ball State has been the devil to Ohio University in 25-26. Prevented us from back to back MAC football championships, and handed us our worst loss of the season that sent us in a tailspin. We need to exercise some demons tomorrow and destroy these guys. If we get another loss to Ball State while being heavily favored...we will be handed the title of official bitch of Ball State University.


Lose this game and Jeff can go ahead and turn in his resignation Wednesday morning.


It's amazing we're at this position, and I don't disagree. We're stuck in quicksand and theres nothing to pull us out.

5 games left... 13-13

BALLS - This a bad team. We already lost to them once. SHOULD be an easy W. Likely won't be easy, but should still be a W. If it's not...
@ NIU - 8-16, 3rd worst team in the MAC. MUST WIN.
Toledo - At least we're at home, but Toledo is almost always a loss.
@ UMASS - 6-4 in the last 10. They're about like we are... some decent wins. Some bad losses. Up and down all year. Need to win.
Miami - Would love to be their only loss.

Over .500 - I think his job is safe.
If we go on a slide and finish 14-17 - He's going to have to hope he's built enough goodwill in the front office to stay, he's still never had a below .500 season - this would be his first - I think he's safe, but next year he's on the hottest seat he's ever been on next season.

Feels insane we're at this point, but I don't like what I see. As much as I like Boals. As much as I think he's right for the job. I don't like what I see. And I don't like that I don't see any real changes. I think the fear of falling below .500 has kept him from making any needed shake-ups, and that's not a good place to coach from. And we're about to fall below .500 anyway.




+1,000,000

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed
Back to Top
  
FearLeon
General User



Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,004

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 1:27:07 PM 
greencat wrote:
FearLeon wrote:
Andrew Ruck wrote:
Ball State has been the devil to Ohio University in 25-26. Prevented us from back to back MAC football championships, and handed us our worst loss of the season that sent us in a tailspin. We need to exercise some demons tomorrow and destroy these guys. If we get another loss to Ball State while being heavily favored...we will be handed the title of official bitch of Ball State University.


Lose this game and Jeff can go ahead and turn in his resignation Wednesday morning.


I was looking at Warren Nolan's website today. Ball State's net ranking is #324 in the nation. NIU is #320. Those are two of the worst teams in D-1 hoops. A loss in either game will really be forcing the new AD's hand.


+1,000,000

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed
Back to Top
  
FearLeon
General User



Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,004

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 1:27:45 PM 
GraffZ06 wrote:
M.D.W.S.T wrote:
FearLeon wrote:
Andrew Ruck wrote:
Ball State has been the devil to Ohio University in 25-26. Prevented us from back to back MAC football championships, and handed us our worst loss of the season that sent us in a tailspin. We need to exercise some demons tomorrow and destroy these guys. If we get another loss to Ball State while being heavily favored...we will be handed the title of official bitch of Ball State University.


Lose this game and Jeff can go ahead and turn in his resignation Wednesday morning.


It's amazing we're at this position, and I don't disagree. We're stuck in quicksand and theres nothing to pull us out.

5 games left... 13-13

BALLS - This a bad team. We already lost to them once. SHOULD be an easy W. Likely won't be easy, but should still be a W. If it's not...
@ NIU - 8-16, 3rd worst team in the MAC. MUST WIN.
Toledo - At least we're at home, but Toledo is almost always a loss.
@ UMASS - 6-4 in the last 10. They're about like we are... some decent wins. Some bad losses. Up and down all year. Need to win.
Miami - Would love to be their only loss.

Over .500 - I think his job is safe.
If we go on a slide and finish 14-17 - He's going to have to hope he's built enough goodwill in the front office to stay, he's still never had a below .500 season - this would be his first - I think he's safe, but next year he's on the hottest seat he's ever been on next season.

Feels insane we're at this point, but I don't like what I see. As much as I like Boals. As much as I think he's right for the job. I don't like what I see. And I don't like that I don't see any real changes. I think the fear of falling below .500 has kept him from making any needed shake-ups, and that's not a good place to coach from. And we're about to fall below .500 anyway.




We beat Balls at home.
We win a tight one on the road at NIU.

I don't see another W on the schedule after that.

That would make us 15-17. I predicted 14-18 to start the year. About right.


+1,000,000

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed
Back to Top
  
100%Cat
General User



Member Since: 1/17/2013
Post Count: 2,676

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 2:48:10 PM 
The one thing I will disagree with here...I find it highly unlikely Ohio fires Boals. Barring a situation like there seems to have been with Brian Smith where the university can fire with cause and not owe money, I just don't see it happening. The university is not going to want to pay Boals to go away and simultaneously pay a new coach.
Back to Top
  
SBH
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 4,598

Status: Online
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 3:32:44 PM 
And after a likely sucky season next year he'll be, like Saul, a lame duck.
Back to Top
  
bobcat 2000
General User

Member Since: 1/21/2006
Post Count: 271

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 5:32:30 PM 
next year we will likely time travel back to 1998. maybe we,ll win fewer than 5 games.
Back to Top
  
Bobcat1998
General User

Member Since: 11/7/2012
Post Count: 2,711

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/16/2026 8:58:37 PM 
We will lose one and win one against Ballz or Northern. We will win one and lose one between Umass and Toledo. We will get beaten down by Miami at home and then lose our Cleveland opener by 20. If this happens Boals has to go unless it is a buyout issue. Then we will have a team next year where the only returnees are Kuany and Burris. Mark it.
Back to Top
  
spongeBOB CATpants
General User



Member Since: 8/16/2016
Post Count: 1,326

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 9:05:23 AM 
My gut says there's a 95%+ chance Boals is back next year. We're not going to buy out an alumni with his history in the program, its just not going to happen. The only scenario is if we just drop the rest of these games and maybe a brawl breaks out.
Back to Top
  
FJC31
General User

Member Since: 3/31/2022
Post Count: 2,024

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 12:32:33 PM 
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:
My gut says there's a 95%+ chance Boals is back next year. We're not going to buy out an alumni with his history in the program, its just not going to happen. The only scenario is if we just drop the rest of these games and maybe a brawl breaks out.


The buyout is the obstacle, but a new AD might be the saving grace. My concern about a lame duck year for Boals is how it impacts NIL and the portal. Who is going to want to commit to that situation financially (donor) and also from a playing standpoint? Factor in how bleak the roster will look going into the portal cycle, just seems like a mess.

Bearing a magical run in Cleveland, I hope we pull the plug. I'd rather have a transitional growth year for a new HC at this point.

Last Edited: 2/17/2026 12:34:17 PM by FJC31
Back to Top
  
GoCats105
General User

Member Since: 1/31/2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 7,741

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 1:02:35 PM 
FJC31 wrote:
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:
My gut says there's a 95%+ chance Boals is back next year. We're not going to buy out an alumni with his history in the program, its just not going to happen. The only scenario is if we just drop the rest of these games and maybe a brawl breaks out.


The buyout is the obstacle, but a new AD might be the saving grace. My concern about a lame duck year for Boals is how it impacts NIL and the portal. Who is going to want to commit to that situation financially (donor) and also from a playing standpoint? Factor in how bleak the roster will look going into the portal cycle, just seems like a mess.

Bearing a magical run in Cleveland, I hope we pull the plug. I'd rather have a transitional growth year for a new HC at this point.


We just had this same thing happen with Saul Phillips and the lame duck year was dreadful. If you're a serious donor to this program and you're not tied to Boals personally, I don't see how you would want to live with that situation. We most likely don't have a big money donor to go in and pay a portion of the buyout, or even a group of donors to do so (aka passing the hat). He probably "should" be let go, but I don't know if it's financially possible.
Back to Top
  
greencat
General User



Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 2,816

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 1:45:41 PM 
GoCats105 wrote:
FJC31 wrote:
spongeBOB CATpants wrote:
My gut says there's a 95%+ chance Boals is back next year. We're not going to buy out an alumni with his history in the program, its just not going to happen. The only scenario is if we just drop the rest of these games and maybe a brawl breaks out.


The buyout is the obstacle, but a new AD might be the saving grace. My concern about a lame duck year for Boals is how it impacts NIL and the portal. Who is going to want to commit to that situation financially (donor) and also from a playing standpoint? Factor in how bleak the roster will look going into the portal cycle, just seems like a mess.

Bearing a magical run in Cleveland, I hope we pull the plug. I'd rather have a transitional growth year for a new HC at this point.


We just had this same thing happen with Saul Phillips and the lame duck year was dreadful. If you're a serious donor to this program and you're not tied to Boals personally, I don't see how you would want to live with that situation. We most likely don't have a big money donor to go in and pay a portion of the buyout, or even a group of donors to do so (aka passing the hat). He probably "should" be let go, but I don't know if it's financially possible.


The last TWO Saul years?

14-17/7-11 and 14-17/6-12

Yet there were still a few Saul loyalists/apologists that were clinging to Saul and for what reason, I don't know. Three losing seasons in five years.

A.J. Gareri? Ellis Dozier? Connor Murrell (who didn't even start for his juco team)? Torey James? This was the Saul recruiting direction toward the end and some still wanted that status quo continued.

It's shocking that we are going to watch that movie play out again. Maybe.
Back to Top
  
bobcatsquared
General User

Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 5,772

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 7:17:04 PM 
Sheldon should have been shooting foul shots 1 foot behind the foul line his entire career. Perfect on 3 attempts tonight with new strategy.

And... does anything good ever come from throwing the ball down low to Breath?

Last Edited: 2/17/2026 7:20:30 PM by bobcatsquared
Back to Top
  
FearLeon
General User



Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,004

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 7:23:01 PM 
Every second that Mister Softee (Jalen Breath) touches the court it reminds me how much I miss The Upgrade (Vic Searls).

Keep putting Mister Softee out there Jeff. This season can’t end soon enough.

Last Edited: 2/17/2026 7:27:29 PM by FearLeon

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed
Back to Top
  
Clown Ohio Fan
General User

Member Since: 1/7/2022
Post Count: 350

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 7:24:03 PM 
We're heading into late February and this team still doesn't have an identity and looks sloppy against low level competition.

I'm confident they'll win tonight but it's hard to watch this group. Very little development throughout their roster as the season has advanced.
Back to Top
  
shabamon
General User



Member Since: 11/17/2006
Location: Cincinnati
Post Count: 7,206

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 7:27:58 PM 
(pokes Ohio)

"Come onnnnn.... do basketball."
Back to Top
  
AlumDadDad
General User



Member Since: 10/18/2015
Post Count: 614

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 7:29:45 PM 
This is some horrible basketball
Back to Top
  
FearLeon
General User



Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,004

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 7:29:48 PM 
bobcatsquared wrote:


And... does anything good ever come from throwing the ball down low to Breath?


Short answer: No

The Mister Softee era can’t end soon enough.

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed
Back to Top
  
Clown Ohio Fan
General User

Member Since: 1/7/2022
Post Count: 350

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 7:32:15 PM 
I'm going to keep saying this until everyone hates me on this board.

Fire Jeff Boals!

It's not about his W/L record anymore. It's about his ability to navigate the current landscape of college basketball and the program regressing a ton in recent years. This season has a chance to be one of our worst final KenPom rankings of the past 25 years.

And tonight doesn't make one difference in my opinion. Ohio should dominate weak opponents like Ball State at home.

Last Edited: 2/17/2026 7:39:46 PM by Clown Ohio Fan
Back to Top
  
Clown Ohio Fan
General User

Member Since: 1/7/2022
Post Count: 350

Status: Offline
  Message Not Read  RE: Official Game 27 Thread: Ball St.
   Posted: 2/17/2026 7:38:41 PM 
Great 13-0 run by Ohio. Shots finally going down and playing some defense!
Back to Top
  
Showing Replies:  1 - 25  of 59 Posts
Jump to Page:  1 | 2 | 3    Next >
View Other 'Ohio Basketball' Topics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             



WHO'S ONLINE
There are 176 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com
175 Guests
1 Registered User:
 SBH
There are no other users looking at this page.




Copyright ©2026 BobcatAttack.com. All rights reserved.  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Use
Partner of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties