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This was one heck of a special run. It thrilled the alumni base and more importantly Ohio students, which is so important for a school in the media and PR shadows of the mega school an hour or so up the road (for the record, I have nothing really against OSU). Ohio University is a sleeping giant. Let’s face it- very few of us attended this school because of nationally ranked athletic programs. We came for some fantastic academic programs, the welcoming atmosphere, one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, and a whole host of other reasons. In a sense, success like this is just icing on the cake and is what makes the success so special. On the other hand, combining all of these other wonderful attributes of our university with nationally recognized basketball (& football) programs leads to a limitless ceiling for this university.
We look to return everybody and even pick up a recruit or two who can contribute. If nothing unforeseen happens and Coach Groce sticks around, next year can be an incredible ride.
But there ARE NO GUARANTEES. Remember a few years back when Ohio football was poised for the greatest season in their history? In 2000, Grobe’s team went 7-4, beating Minnesota & crushing Marshall in the last game of the season. We had something like 18 starters returning. Expectations were through the roof. We crashed and burned. I think we won 1 game that year.
Don’t let it happen to Ohio basketball next year. As somebody else mentioned, we will be the hunted. Akron, Kent, and every single team on our schedule has just circled our game as their #1 priority. We’re the best team in the MAC, but not by a landslide. A bad bounce or two this year could’ve kept us out of the tournament. Letting up one ounce this off-season will make us mediocre next year.
Be hungry. Don’t get complacent. Take nothing for granted. Get academics in order. The opportunity for something so special is within grasp. Seize it.
Thanks for the excitement. I’m so proud to be a Bobcat.
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