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Topic: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Topic: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

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perimeterpost
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Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 12:49:11 PM

in an article by Elton Alexander posted today is this quote from Jim Schaus-

Change is coming: OU athletic director Jim Schaus reports his new basketball coach, Saul Phillips, will be a hit, and will change the personality of the Bobcats on the court. "I don't think we are going to be as athletic,'' Schaus said. "I think we will start to look more like Western Michigan."

less athletic? more like WMU? WTF?? is this supposed to be a good thing? I don't like this quote at all.

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2014/05...

MY STATE. MY TEAM.

SBH
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 12:58:57 PM

The Broncos carved us up pretty good twice last year. I'm Ok with that description. "Athletic" can also be defined as "erratic" in this context.

Last Edited: 5/14/2014 12:59:54 PM by SBH

Mark Lembright '85
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 1:10:14 PM

SBH wrote:

The Broncos carved us up pretty good twice last year. I'm Ok with that description. "Athletic" can also be defined as "erratic" in this context.

And NDSU beat WMU at WMU's place last year, so whatever the formula is, it can work. I was perplexed by Schaus' comments too but you may be right SBH.

Ohio69
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 1:25:46 PM

Good grief. That is a really, really bad quote. That's two from him recently that are just plain old bad. I'm sure Elton loved it.

Hopefully it is May and nobody (high schoolers and their handlers) is paying attention at this point.

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

Pataskala
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 2:00:41 PM

Based on last year's stats, we were more like WMU than NDSU was, and maybe more than Schaus would like to admit:

	Ohio	NDSU	WMU
FG%	45.9	50.5	46.3
Opp%	41.1	42.2	41.1
3Pt%	35.3	36.4	32.9
Opp%	31.7	37.0	30.9
FT%	71.4	75.1	72.4
Reb	35.1	32.8	34.6
OppReb	34.6	28.7	32.8
OffReb	9.5	9.3	9.8
OppOR	11.2	8.8	11.7
DefReb	25.6	23.5	24.8
OppDR	23.5	20.0	21.2
Turnovers	12.8	9.8	14.1
OppTOs	12.5	11.5	12.6
Pts	71.5	75.6	71.9
OppPts	67.0	65.6	67.7

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

OU_Country
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 3:06:25 PM

The problem I have with this is simple: "More athletic" wins post-season games in the NCAA and the NIT when a team gets there. If Schaus means we'll be focusing on the athleticism and more on the basketball acumen, that's fine.

OU_Country
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 3:12:41 PM

perimeterpost wrote:

Beyond the Schaus quote, there's a lot of good information in this article. Good stuff about the double bye -- which I'm fine with - but give the 3-6 seeds an equal bye after that so ALL are guaranteed an equal shake. Good stuff about MAC Basketball on ESPN & the "hoops payoff".

bobcatsquared
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 4:05:37 PM

Reading (listening) between the lines, I hear some racial overtones in the statement. Not said, but implied?

perimeterpost
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 4:32:54 PM

bobcatsquared wrote:

Reading (listening) between the lines, I hear some racial overtones in the statement. Not said, but implied?

I admit I've jokingly referred to WMU as White Man U but I can't for a second think that there was any intentional implication of race in JS's remarks. I think what it meant was that SP values finding under rated, plucky players that bring more value as a collective team than they do as individuals.

And I'm cool with that. But my one beef with SP, and its a small and probably unrealistic one, is his stated affinity for recruiting guys nobody else wants. No offense to the lovely people of Fargo, ND and NDSU but that's the mindset you need to have to be successful there. Things are a little different at the Harvard on the Hocking, we can compete with, and sometimes beat out, big programs for attractive recruits. I'm ok with still looking for the occasional diamond in the rough but I don't want to do it to the point of not going after "athletic" players coveted by other programs.

MY STATE. MY TEAM.

OU_Country
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 4:34:42 PM

perimeterpost wrote:

And I'm cool with that. But my one beef with SP, and its a small and probably unrealistic one, is his stated affinity for recruiting guys nobody else wants. No offense to the lovely people of Fargo, ND and NDSU but that's the mindset you need to have to be successful there. Things are a little different at the Harvard on the Hocking, we can compete with, and sometimes beat out, big programs for attractive recruits. I'm ok with still looking for the occasional diamond in the rough but I don't want to do it to the point of not going after "athletic" players coveted by other programs.

shabamon
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 4:45:37 PM

Agreed as well, but we are competing against strong programs for two senior-to-be point guards from Indiana.

KyleWvr13
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 5:01:32 PM

perimeterpost wrote:

I think the reason why he recruited guys nobody else wanted was because going to NDSU was more than likely one of their last picks. Phillips even said that "we were nobody's first choice" when referring to the kids he recruited. OU has the appeal and a much better financial situation than NDSU that would be more appealing to high sought after recruits.

I'm gonna wait until he gets 1 full recruiting year in at Ohio before I judge his ability to recruit. At this point he's just trying to fill in holes the best way he can.

So there's some food for thought

Alan Swank
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 6:11:20 PM

Ohio69 wrote:

Come on guys - quit beating around the bush. Just look at this picture:

http://www.wmubroncos.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=24354&am...

Last Edited: 5/14/2014 6:11:42 PM by Alan Swank

Jeff McKinney
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 6:48:19 PM

Coach Phillips' stated preference for four or five year players, and using redshirts, and recruiting guys who are under the radar, has always reminded me of Western Michigan.

I don't think race was part of this statement, though one could read it into the remarks by Jim Schaus. I don't think that was intended by Jim Schaus.

We have already seen this Spring that race isn't going to be a factor in Saul's recruiting.

I think this is much ado about nothing. It will blow over quickly. Potential recruits aren't going to care about these remarks.

And, just as a reminder, Saul has said a few times that while his basic template won't change, he plans to recruit somewhat of a better athlete to Ohio than at NDSU.

bornacatfan
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 9:45:55 PM

I agree on the point that SP also shouid have a feel for the general upswing of the program starting with JG swinging for the fences with talent and putting OHIO on solid footing with higher profile recruits. TOS had a famous line when recruiting...."best available" regarding who he was looking at. JG went hard after talent and did not care who he had to climb on to get it....JC carried that forward with his assts finding some studs and signing them. Hopefully SP sees that and uses it to his advantage now that OHIO is recognized as a MAC staple and a brand in recruits and their coach's eyes.

Take a shot at high level players. Just get em on campus and let OHIO recruit itself. ....and for gosh sake.....DO NOT limit yourself to the same damn recruits every other MAC school is looking at....think bigger.

never argue with idiots, they bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Winter comes and asks how you spent your summer.....

The game loves and rewards those who love and reward the game

mf279801
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 10:06:27 PM

15 posts? Really!?! Has Elton Alexander ever actually written anything that deserves 15 READERS, let alone 15 posts discussing it on Bobcatattack?

The Optimist
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/14/2014 10:40:57 PM

While some old-timers may hope we model OUr program after the whiteness of the WMU team this year, I prefer that we model OHIO teams after the OHIO teams we saw during the 2010-2012 run.. While WMU pulled off the regular season MAC title followed by the MAC tournament Championship, I watched OHIO win multiple NCAA tournament games. That is what really counts in my book. I want more Sweet 16 banners. Screw WMU.

Last Edited: 5/14/2014 10:44:07 PM by The Optimist

I've seen crazier things happen.

Casper71
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/15/2014 12:10:27 AM

Uh, 'scuse me but just as I say in football I want 3 star type players and once they get here i want a coach to coach em up. The business of "finding" enough gems in the rough to win is very difficult to achieve and keep going. Just look at the NDSU record under Saul. He had a clunker or two. Besides that, the competition here is more difficult so he better get better players or we are in trouble!

Robert Fox
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/15/2014 7:43:11 AM

Looking for racism where none exists.

Robert Fox
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/15/2014 8:39:38 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

Ohio69 wrote:

Come on guys - quit beating around the bush. Just look at this picture:

http://www.wmubroncos.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=24354&am...

Is this team racist too?

OUVan
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/15/2014 8:42:31 AM

Robert Fox wrote:

Looking for racism where none exists.

Exactly. Based on the first three recruits signed by Saul I think people might be getting their panties in a bunch over nothing.

OUVan
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/15/2014 9:04:48 AM

OU_Country wrote:

The article makes a good point that I hadn't considered. With the top two teams getting byes to the semis the fans that are probably most excited about the tournament have no reason to show up until Friday. It's got to be killing attendance. I think it was an idea that was based in good intentions but it just doesn't work. It also gives the top two teams fewer possible wins going into the tournament.

I understand the desire to reward the regular season champs but it just hurts the tournament overall. Go back to the top 4 getting one game byes. If you want to reward the best team then reseed after ever round giving the #1 seed the easiest route.

Alan Swank
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/15/2014 10:01:27 AM

Robert Fox wrote:

Looking for racism where none exists.

Not at all Robert. Recruiting is as much a sales job as it is a science and there are used car sales guys out there who could take the WMU comment and the team picture and paint whatever impression they want for a recruit. It's just one of those comments that can be taken out of context and used for nefarious purposes. As 69 said of the comment, it's a real head scratcher.

Robert Fox
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/15/2014 10:32:35 AM

Alan Swank wrote:

Robert Fox wrote:

Looking for racism where none exists.

Come on Alan. You're the one leading the nefarious use of Schaus' comments. Is Schaus supposed to check the racial makeup of a team before he cites them as an example? Is he supposed to assume that a "white" team is, or must be, racist? I didn't even consider that possibility until you posted your comment. Your post suggests that WMU must be racist, which seems to suggest it is safe to judge them by the color of their skin, as opposed to the content of their character.

Alan Swank
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RE: Ohio- the new Western Michigan?

Posted: 5/15/2014 10:48:24 AM

Robert Fox wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

Robert Fox wrote:

Looking for racism where none exists.

Robert your post is like listening to fox "news" and no pun intended. Leading? Tough to lead when my comment was at least the fourth one on the subject. To make it perfectly clear - a recruiter could easily take Jim's comments and like fox "news" take them out of context to make a point and that point isn't that they are or might be racist but that they play a certain style of ball or that the campus is a certain style of campus. Personally, I wouldn't want to go to an all black campus any more than I'd want to go to an all white campus. Guys like you and me are becoming part of the minority. Some embrace it and others continue to bury their heads in the sand. Based on your posts over the years I'd put you in the former category with many on this board.

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