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Topic: Preseason Polls / All Conference
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Eagle66
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Posted: 10/29/2015 11:17 AM
I know they don't mean much, but the MAC announced the preseason basketball poll and all conference teams yesterday. As expected, Central was the favorite to win the tournament. Ohio was picked to finish third in the East behind Akron and Kent. Tony was also put on the preseason all MAC-East team.

http://www.mac-sports.com/news/2015/10/28/MBB_1028150240....
Eagle66
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Posted: 10/29/2015 11:22 AM
Again, I know they dont mean much, but I also put together a list of all the OOC opponents, and where they finished in their respective conference preseason polls. (I listed all the teams in the Paradise Jam, even though we will only play 3)


Team - Conference - Preseason Rank
==================================
Florida Gulf Coast - A-Sun - 2 of 8
Tennessee State - OVC (East) - 6 of 6
Tulsa - AAC - 4 of 11
Indiana St.* - MVC - 6 of 10
Norfolk St.* - MEAC - 3 of 13
Hofstra^ - CAA - 1 of 10
FSU^ - ACC - 6 of 15
DePaul^ - Big East - 8 of 10
S. Carolina^ - SEC - 7 of 14
Marshall - C-USA - 9 of 14
St. Bonaventure - A-10 - 9 of 14
Cleveland State - Horizon - 7 of 10
Ohio Dominican - GLIAC (South) - 5 of 8
Jackson State - SWAC - 6 of 10
Arkansas-Pine Bluff - SWAC - 7 of 10
UC Riverside - Big West - 5 of 10


* - Second Round of Paradise Jam
^ - Third Round of Paradise Jam
Jeff McKinney
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Posted: 10/30/2015 9:07 AM
The main reason the media picked Ohio to finish this high is the depletion of talent in the division. Buffalo and Bowling Green both suffered from the unexpected coaching changes and disciplinary problems.

Now Ohio has the opportunity to prove on the court that it's indeed a much better ball club.
OU_Country
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Posted: 10/30/2015 10:32 AM
The interesting thing is Jeff, I still think UB could be solid. I think Miami is better than they're picked, I mean the team is full of upperclassmen. Kent is a bit of a wild card, losing so many seniors, but they still have Jimmy Hall and a couple nice transfers. Frankly, of all the teams in the MAC East, Ohio is the biggest unknown with all the new faces.

It's probably gonna be a long year up on the tundra of BG. I think Akron could run away with the regular season. They have plenty of returning players and maybe better depth at guard than Dambrot has ever had.
UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 10/30/2015 11:22 AM
Ken Pomeroy has Ohio last in the MAC, but he admits his formula does not factor in transfers and only a few very highly rated recruits. I certainly can see why Ohio would be last by that type of formula, considering it lost an NBA-caliber player from a team that wasn't very good. If Ohio is going to be any good, it will be because of huge impacts from new additions (transfers and freshmen).
OUVan
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Posted: 10/30/2015 12:00 PM
UpSan Bobcat wrote:expand_more
Ken Pomeroy has Ohio last in the MAC, but he admits his formula does not factor in transfers and only a few very highly rated recruits. I certainly can see why Ohio would be last by that type of formula, considering it lost an NBA-caliber player from a team that wasn't very good. If Ohio is going to be any good, it will be because of huge impacts from new additions (transfers and freshmen).
I like Pomeroy but is there anything more useless than a formula to figure out preseason rankings of college teams, particularly when you don't factor in 40% of a team's starters because they are transfers?
OU_Country
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Posted: 10/30/2015 12:05 PM
UpSan Bobcat wrote:expand_more
Ken Pomeroy has Ohio last in the MAC, but he admits his formula does not factor in transfers and only a few very highly rated recruits. I certainly can see why Ohio would be last by that type of formula, considering it lost an NBA-caliber player from a team that wasn't very good. If Ohio is going to be any good, it will be because of huge impacts from new additions (transfers and freshmen).
It's interesting, because I think I said last year that OUr team would only be as good as the contributions we got from Laster, Harley, and Taylor. I think the same will apply this year: We will be as good as the contributions we get from the freshmen. (I know, obvious) I'm so excited to see how this group develops over this season and next!
Alan Swank
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Posted: 10/30/2015 2:50 PM
UpSan Bobcat wrote:expand_more
Ken Pomeroy has Ohio last in the MAC, but he admits his formula does not factor in transfers and only a few very highly rated recruits. I certainly can see why Ohio would be last by that type of formula, considering it lost an NBA-caliber player from a team that wasn't very good. If Ohio is going to be any good, it will be because of huge impacts from new additions (transfers and freshmen).
If we're last, the rumblings about football will pale in comparison to what you'll see on here in the winter.
doubledribble
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Posted: 10/30/2015 5:39 PM
I am afraid you are right Al. This site certainly has evolved to be like many others around the country in the last couple of years.
PhiTau74
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Posted: 10/30/2015 10:36 PM
Big difference in experience with an extremely young basketball team and senior laden football team. Next year there will be big expectations for basketball but this is a development year.
RSBobcat
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Posted: 10/30/2015 10:52 PM
OU_Country wrote:expand_more
Ken Pomeroy has Ohio last in the MAC, but he admits his formula does not factor in transfers and only a few very highly rated recruits. I certainly can see why Ohio would be last by that type of formula, considering it lost an NBA-caliber player from a team that wasn't very good. If Ohio is going to be any good, it will be because of huge impacts from new additions (transfers and freshmen).
It's interesting, because I think I said last year that OUr team would only be as good as the contributions we got from Laster, Harley, and Taylor. I think the same will apply this year: We will be as good as the contributions we get from the freshmen. (I know, obvious) I'm so excited to see how this group develops over this season and next!
I'm thinking one transfer is the key - a PG - with multiple solid skill set (including between the ears)
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Bobcat1998
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Posted: 10/31/2015 9:04 AM
I think we know with the way Saul has talked that Jaaron, Kenny and Tony will be what we expect or better. This year, just like last, will come down to the complementary players. Last year Laster and Taylor were inconsistent and Treg was a bundle of erratic but entertaining energy. Can Laster be more than energy? Can Khari drive to the hole? Can Gollon, Block and Dartis shoot the lights out? Can Wadley play 10 solid minutes of ball where he's not just taking a spot on the floor? Is Treg ready to use his "most shots taken over the summer" and make it into a legit scoring threat? If we can say "yes" to man of these questions then we have a great chance for special things like the team that beat Georgetown. Who's D.J. Cooper? Will Armon Bassett be anything special? Can Tommy Freeman shoot? Can Devaughn Washington rebound and play "D?" All were questions with resounding YESSSSSSSESSSS.
Alan Swank
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Posted: 10/31/2015 10:55 AM
PhiTau74 wrote:expand_more
Big difference in experience with an extremely young basketball team and senior laden football team. Next year there will be big expectations for basketball but this is a development year.
Understood but historically, I think expectations for basketball are much greater in this town than they are for football. Look at Larry Hunter's record and he still got fired. Another 10 win season and there will be some very serious grumbling especially when you considered js upped the ante by $100,000 a year in salary.
OU_Country
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Posted: 10/31/2015 12:55 PM
Bobcat1998, your post is right in line with what I was trying to say.

Alan, I agree with you. Since I've been a Bobcat, basketball expectations have always been higher.
Monroe Slavin
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Posted: 10/31/2015 6:43 PM
I don't think the grumbling will be...would be.. near what it was for football.

This is Saul's second year, not double digits. Last year was mostly not his recruits. I doubt that we'll get blown out a lot by teams that we should beat. I anticipate that there will be evident improvement over the course of the season. I doubt that there will be no reaction/adjustments along with strategy that even we amateurs can see isn't working.
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Athens
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Posted: 11/1/2015 1:05 AM
OU_Country wrote:expand_more
Bobcat1998, your post is right in line with what I was trying to say.

Alan, I agree with you. Since I've been a Bobcat, basketball expectations have always been higher.
With Solich the football program is/was able to reach 90% of its potential. Didn't have a winning record in MACCs or bowl games but at least made them. Ohio will always be vulnerable to a smack down in MAC play. Boise State the dominator themselves was smacked down in the MWC the other week. Football success outside the Top 10 schools is fungible. In basketball, Ohio only scratched the surface in 2012. Saul Phillips has a blank canvas to paint his program. With Saul I expect its going to take a while but it will be worth it once his program arrives.
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Athens
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Posted: 11/1/2015 1:19 AM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
Big difference in experience with an extremely young basketball team and senior laden football team. Next year there will be big expectations for basketball but this is a development year.
Understood but historically, I think expectations for basketball are much greater in this town than they are for football. Look at Larry Hunter's record and he still got fired. Another 10 win season and there will be some very serious grumbling especially when you considered js upped the ante by $100,000 a year in salary.
Larry Hunter couldn't recruit a credible Division 1 point guard. Saul so far is picking up where Groce left off in recruiting. With the influx in talent its almost improbable Ohio finishes with 10 wins. The momentum for the program is upward with the Convo improvements. There is plenty of hope at the moment. Saul's got a free pass until year 4 if in fact he needs it.
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
OUVan
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Posted: 11/1/2015 10:58 AM
Uncle Wes wrote:expand_more
Saul so far is picking up where Groce left off in recruiting.
I hope you are right but as of now I'd say that's a big question mark. Groce beat out some pretty big programs for Cooper and Levert. I'm not saying that our recruits aren't going to be great players but the teams that are in the mix for them are of a decidedly lower caliber than the guys Groce was recruiting against.
Alan Swank
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Posted: 11/1/2015 12:35 PM
Uncle Wes wrote:expand_more
Big difference in experience with an extremely young basketball team and senior laden football team. Next year there will be big expectations for basketball but this is a development year.
Understood but historically, I think expectations for basketball are much greater in this town than they are for football. Look at Larry Hunter's record and he still got fired. Another 10 win season and there will be some very serious grumbling especially when you considered js upped the ante by $100,000 a year in salary.
Larry Hunter couldn't recruit a credible Division 1 point guard. Saul so far is picking up where Groce left off in recruiting. With the influx in talent its almost improbable Ohio finishes with 10 wins. The momentum for the program is upward with the Convo improvements. There is plenty of hope at the moment. Saul's got a free pass until year 4 if in fact he needs it.
I don't know about that but Geno Ford, Dink Whitaker and LaDrell Whitehead weren't too bad not to mention guys like Lewis Jeter, Gary Trent, Shaun Stonerook and Brandon Hunter.
The Optimist
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Posted: 11/1/2015 12:38 PM
I've got high expectations THIS year. This program has an awful lot of resources dedicated to it to have 10 win seasonS (emphasis on the PLURAL) racked up in a row.

Many people on this board said our team last year didn't have great talent. I thought that was wrong then and I still believe that was wrong. Look at Maurice Ndour. He suffered an unlucky injury, but it is pretty clear from his guaranteed contract in the NBA that he is not short on talent. Our problems last year wasn't talent, it was chemistry. Our players didn't fit together out there. They had individual talent, but they didn't play as a team.

I'm really big on Saul. I think he is going to build something special in Athens. I like the players he brought in and I think we will see a quick turnaround similar to the women's program last year. I expect this team to have growing pains early, but by year-end I think the early playing time for the young guys is going to show in a big way. If that doesn't happen, I think Saul is going to get heat. I'm a big believer in NOT ripping coaches online (except Browns coaches on twitter) but I expect it if we don't play well in hoops this year.
I've seen crazier things happen.
Last Edited: 11/1/2015 12:50:41 PM by The Optimist
BillyTheCat
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Posted: 11/1/2015 9:26 PM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
Big difference in experience with an extremely young basketball team and senior laden football team. Next year there will be big expectations for basketball but this is a development year.
Understood but historically, I think expectations for basketball are much greater in this town than they are for football. Look at Larry Hunter's record and he still got fired. Another 10 win season and there will be some very serious grumbling especially when you considered js upped the ante by $100,000 a year in salary.


Plus Larry won a MAC title and yet still had a Fire Larry Hunter web page make an appearance. Folks are just happy with winning a few football games, while people expect wins on basketball, not to mention there are 6-7 posters who don't even care enough about football to even show up on the board.
Recovering Journalist
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Posted: 11/1/2015 9:43 PM
I agree that expectations are higher, but I think that's logical. The program has a much longer and richer history, and has never suffered anything akin to the 15+ lost years in the 80s and 90s like the football program. I think the other factor is that the ceiling for mid-majors is so much higher and reaching the elite level is so much more realistic. Basketball is still a game where the P5 hasn't ruined everything (yet). Great MAC teams can credibly dream of a Sweet 16 run or better. Or a 7-9 MAC record can still get you a chance to humiliate basketball royalty in the NCAA Tournament if you play your cards right. It's nothing like that in football.
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Posted: 11/2/2015 8:33 AM
it was 28 years I believe...

Recovering Journalist wrote:expand_more
The program has a much longer and richer history, and has never suffered anything akin to the 15+ lost years in the 80s and 90s like the football program.
Ohio University-the original OU
71 BOBCAT
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Posted: 11/2/2015 9:46 AM
Unfortunately there are too many new faces to be melded into a cohesive unit this year for us to have any high expectations. If we are a .500 team then we have shown some improvement. To expect anything more, IMHO, is wishful thinking.
I now see Saul more measured in his press interviews than he was last year. I think he may have learned his lesson and come down from cloud 9 and his hire with a 5 year deal at $550,000.00 per.
He has only 1 senior on this team which certainly adds additional pressure on the new players he has brought in. If these guys don't perform this year than it could take longer for us to return to previous winning seasons.






GO BOBCATS
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Posted: 11/2/2015 10:38 AM
71 BOBCAT wrote:expand_more
Unfortunately there are too many new faces to be melded into a cohesive unit this year for us to have any high expectations. If we are a .500 team then we have shown some improvement. To expect anything more, IMHO, is wishful thinking.
I now see Saul more measured in his press interviews than he was last year. I think he may have learned his lesson and come down from cloud 9 and his hire with a 5 year deal at $550,000.00 per.
He has only 1 senior on this team which certainly adds additional pressure on the new players he has brought in. If these guys don't perform this year than it could take longer for us to return to previous winning seasons.

GO BOBCATS
I'll be happy to see improvement throughout the year. We could be dangerous later in the year once our young guys get their feet wet.
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