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Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 11/4/2025 10:01 AM
AJ Brown @ Florida - Did not play vs Arizona.

Elmore James IV @ Ball State - Did not start vs Louisiana. Played 18 minutes, 9 points.

Ike Cornish @ James Madison (4th school in 4 years) - Did not play vs Akron.

IJ Ezuma @ Southern Miss - Did not start vs Buffalo. Played 10 minutes, scoring 2 points.

Ben Nicol @ Univ of Charleston (D2) - First game next week.

Ben Estis @ Trinity College (D3) - Started and played 16 mins against Tx A&M Corpus Christi, leading the team in scoring with 14.

Quinn Corna @ Ohio Wesleyan (D3) - Starting next week. Played about 14 minutes per game last season.
Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 11/4/2025 10:57 AM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
AJ Brown @ Florida - Did not play vs Arizona.

Elmore James IV @ Ball State - Did not start vs Louisiana. Played 18 minutes, 9 points.

Ike Cornish @ James Madison (4th school in 4 years) - Did not play vs Akron.

IJ Ezuma @ Southern Miss - Did not start vs Buffalo. Played 10 minutes, scoring 2 points.

Ben Nicol @ Univ of Charleston (D2) - First game next week.

Ben Estis @ Trinity College (D3) - Started and played 16 mins against Tx A&M Corpus Christi, leading the team in scoring with 14.

Quinn Corna @ Ohio Wesleyan (D3) - Starting next week. Played about 14 minutes per game last season.
I got to know Quinn Corna a little while he was at OHIO. Very nice guy. He had two uncles who played for OWU, so I guess he was a legacy recruit there. Wish him well at OWU!
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
Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 1/12/2026 9:10 AM
Checking in on the future endeavors:

AJ Brown @ Florida - He has not entered for a single minute. The coach did make some comments about him being evaluated health-wise and considering a medical redshirt. If he is granted a medical redshirt, he will be in the same class as his his younger brother next season. The younger Brown plays about 10 minutes per game.

Elmore James IV @ Ball State - Minutes have trended up, averaged about 20 mins usually as a 6th man role in OOC. In 3 MAC games he has started and averaged 33 minutes per game. Averaging 8.3 points per game on the season. Shooting is similar to last year (39%) but 3 point shot is down at 28%.

Ike Cornish @ James Madison (4th school in 4 years) - Has played 8 minutes each of the last 2 games after not appearing in Nov/Dec at all. I have not seen anything indicating he was injured before.

IJ Ezuma @ Southern Miss - Played in the first 8 games of the season, averaging 8 minutes per game. Has not played since 12/6. I have not seen anything indicating he is injured.

Ben Nicol @ Univ of Charleston (D2) - Regular starter averaging 23 mins per game. Shooting well from 3 (43%) and averaging 8 points per game.

Ben Estis @ Trinity College (D3) - Starter averaging about 24 mins per game averaging about 8 points.

Quinn Corna @ Ohio Wesleyan (D3) - Appears he did not return to the team for his senior season. Not sure if he stayed there to finish his degree or went elsewhere.

Not exactly a list of smashing successes at the moment.
Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 1/12/2026 9:41 AM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
Checking in on the future endeavors:

AJ Brown @ Florida - He has not entered for a single minute. The coach did make some comments about him being evaluated health-wise and considering a medical redshirt. If he is granted a medical redshirt, he will be in the same class as his his younger brother next season. The younger Brown plays about 10 minutes per game.

Elmore James IV @ Ball State - Minutes have trended up, averaged about 20 mins usually as a 6th man role in OOC. In 3 MAC games he has started and averaged 33 minutes per game. Averaging 8.3 points per game on the season. Shooting is similar to last year (39%) but 3 point shot is down at 28%.

Ike Cornish @ James Madison (4th school in 4 years) - Has played 8 minutes each of the last 2 games after not appearing in Nov/Dec at all. I have not seen anything indicating he was injured before.

IJ Ezuma @ Southern Miss - Played in the first 8 games of the season, averaging 8 minutes per game. Has not played since 12/6. I have not seen anything indicating he is injured.

Ben Nicol @ Univ of Charleston (D2) - Regular starter averaging 23 mins per game. Shooting well from 3 (43%) and averaging 8 points per game.

Ben Estis @ Trinity College (D3) - Starter averaging about 24 mins per game averaging about 8 points.

Quinn Corna @ Ohio Wesleyan (D3) - Appears he did not return to the team for his senior season. Not sure if he stayed there to finish his degree or went elsewhere.

Not exactly a list of smashing successes at the moment.
Interesting read, Andrew! I hate the NIL/portal era as much as anyone, but as this list shows it's not quite the program killer we often make it out to be. In fact, most of these kids were actively being encouraged to transfer by some here on BA. The only true cornerstone we've lost I'd say is Mark Sears (granted, that was a huge loss).
Alan Swank
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Posted: 1/12/2026 9:49 AM
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
Checking in on the future endeavors:

AJ Brown @ Florida - He has not entered for a single minute. The coach did make some comments about him being evaluated health-wise and considering a medical redshirt. If he is granted a medical redshirt, he will be in the same class as his his younger brother next season. The younger Brown plays about 10 minutes per game.

Elmore James IV @ Ball State - Minutes have trended up, averaged about 20 mins usually as a 6th man role in OOC. In 3 MAC games he has started and averaged 33 minutes per game. Averaging 8.3 points per game on the season. Shooting is similar to last year (39%) but 3 point shot is down at 28%.

Ike Cornish @ James Madison (4th school in 4 years) - Has played 8 minutes each of the last 2 games after not appearing in Nov/Dec at all. I have not seen anything indicating he was injured before.

IJ Ezuma @ Southern Miss - Played in the first 8 games of the season, averaging 8 minutes per game. Has not played since 12/6. I have not seen anything indicating he is injured.

Ben Nicol @ Univ of Charleston (D2) - Regular starter averaging 23 mins per game. Shooting well from 3 (43%) and averaging 8 points per game.

Ben Estis @ Trinity College (D3) - Starter averaging about 24 mins per game averaging about 8 points.

Quinn Corna @ Ohio Wesleyan (D3) - Appears he did not return to the team for his senior season. Not sure if he stayed there to finish his degree or went elsewhere.

Not exactly a list of smashing successes at the moment.
Not exactly a list of smashing successes at the moment on more than one account - here were they were originally recruited or where they are today.
greencat
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Posted: 1/12/2026 10:06 AM
Saul had his recruiting misses too.

Some transferred to places so obscure, stats were hard to even find on them.

Claflin College? https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Ellis-Dozier/Summary...
Last Edited: 1/12/2026 10:10:16 AM by greencat
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 1/12/2026 10:48 AM
Quinn Corna player one year at OWU then transferred back to Ohio as a student; he is not playing any varsity sports. Two of his uncles played at OWU a generation ago.
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
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 1/12/2026 12:32 PM
Alan Swank wrote:expand_more
Checking in on the future endeavors:

AJ Brown @ Florida - He has not entered for a single minute. The coach did make some comments about him being evaluated health-wise and considering a medical redshirt. If he is granted a medical redshirt, he will be in the same class as his his younger brother next season. The younger Brown plays about 10 minutes per game.

Elmore James IV @ Ball State - Minutes have trended up, averaged about 20 mins usually as a 6th man role in OOC. In 3 MAC games he has started and averaged 33 minutes per game. Averaging 8.3 points per game on the season. Shooting is similar to last year (39%) but 3 point shot is down at 28%.

Ike Cornish @ James Madison (4th school in 4 years) - Has played 8 minutes each of the last 2 games after not appearing in Nov/Dec at all. I have not seen anything indicating he was injured before.

IJ Ezuma @ Southern Miss - Played in the first 8 games of the season, averaging 8 minutes per game. Has not played since 12/6. I have not seen anything indicating he is injured.

Ben Nicol @ Univ of Charleston (D2) - Regular starter averaging 23 mins per game. Shooting well from 3 (43%) and averaging 8 points per game.

Ben Estis @ Trinity College (D3) - Starter averaging about 24 mins per game averaging about 8 points.

Quinn Corna @ Ohio Wesleyan (D3) - Appears he did not return to the team for his senior season. Not sure if he stayed there to finish his degree or went elsewhere.

Not exactly a list of smashing successes at the moment.
Not exactly a list of smashing successes at the moment on more than one account - here were they were originally recruited or where they are today.
Not many surprises though, and half the list was never thought of as someone getting many minutes. Corna, Estis, Nicol. Two walk-ons and an honorable mention all-state from WV.

Elmore we always wanted more from, but I think he hit an early ceiling and has never crashed through. He is what he is - a really strong guard off the bench. Stats are nearly identical as what they were here.

Ike keeps getting chances cause he's tall and athletic. Would consider this a swing and a miss. Though many keep swinging, so I don't put that on Boals. Highest rated recruit we've ever had. Gotta take that swing. This story is one where I just wanna shake him. He should've been a four-year guy somewhere and developed and got comfortable. Instead he runs to a new team every 8 months and can't understand why things aren't working out.

IJ... I'm not sure we've ever more heavily discussed why someone was here before, and likely never will.

AJ... should be starting here, but likely will never see meaningful minutes at Florida. That's a tough one. His brother is the better of the two, and he's not seeing much time either. Would you rather PLAY at a lower level or get water for a National Championship team? I don't know. Duke needs practice bodys too. I'll be rooting for him.
Last Edited: 1/12/2026 12:34:33 PM by M.D.W.S.T
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 1/12/2026 3:07 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
. . . Ike keeps getting chances cause he's tall and athletic. Would consider this a swing and a miss. Though many keep swinging, so I don't put that on Boals. Highest rated recruit we've ever had. Gotta take that swing. This story is one where I just wanna shake him. He should've been a four-year guy somewhere and developed and got comfortable. Instead he runs to a new team every 8 months and can't understand why things aren't working out. . . .
Nowhere near the highest ranked recruit we've ever had. Do you mean in the Boals Era? That might be true.
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
Last Edited: 1/12/2026 3:07:19 PM by OhioCatFan
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 1/12/2026 4:21 PM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
. . . Ike keeps getting chances cause he's tall and athletic. Would consider this a swing and a miss. Though many keep swinging, so I don't put that on Boals. Highest rated recruit we've ever had. Gotta take that swing. This story is one where I just wanna shake him. He should've been a four-year guy somewhere and developed and got comfortable. Instead he runs to a new team every 8 months and can't understand why things aren't working out. . . .
Nowhere near the highest ranked recruit we've ever had. Do you mean in the Boals Era? That might be true.
Nowhere near? Who were the 5 star recruits?
GreenAndWhitePride
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Posted: 1/12/2026 4:35 PM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
. . . Ike keeps getting chances cause he's tall and athletic. Would consider this a swing and a miss. Though many keep swinging, so I don't put that on Boals. Highest rated recruit we've ever had. Gotta take that swing. This story is one where I just wanna shake him. He should've been a four-year guy somewhere and developed and got comfortable. Instead he runs to a new team every 8 months and can't understand why things aren't working out. . . .
Nowhere near the highest ranked recruit we've ever had. Do you mean in the Boals Era? That might be true.
Nowhere near? Who were the 5 star recruits?
Probably referring to Walter Luckett
GoCats105
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Posted: 1/12/2026 5:09 PM
GreenAndWhitePride wrote:expand_more
. . . Ike keeps getting chances cause he's tall and athletic. Would consider this a swing and a miss. Though many keep swinging, so I don't put that on Boals. Highest rated recruit we've ever had. Gotta take that swing. This story is one where I just wanna shake him. He should've been a four-year guy somewhere and developed and got comfortable. Instead he runs to a new team every 8 months and can't understand why things aren't working out. . . .
Nowhere near the highest ranked recruit we've ever had. Do you mean in the Boals Era? That might be true.
Nowhere near? Who were the 5 star recruits?
Probably referring to Walter Luckett
According to 247:

Cornish was a 4-star and 92nd overall in the country.

Anrio Adams was also a 4-star and 100th overall in the country.

I'm sure there were others who were highly rated but it's hard to find the data on them going that far back.

Armon Bassett was a borderline Top 100 recruit depending on what service you used at the time, which is generally 4-star territory.

Walt Offutt was also a 4-star.
Last Edited: 1/12/2026 5:14:15 PM by GoCats105
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 1/13/2026 12:50 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
. . . Ike keeps getting chances cause he's tall and athletic. Would consider this a swing and a miss. Though many keep swinging, so I don't put that on Boals. Highest rated recruit we've ever had. Gotta take that swing. This story is one where I just wanna shake him. He should've been a four-year guy somewhere and developed and got comfortable. Instead he runs to a new team every 8 months and can't understand why things aren't working out. . . .
Nowhere near the highest ranked recruit we've ever had. Do you mean in the Boals Era? That might be true.
Nowhere near? Who were the 5 star recruits?
Walter Luckett (SI cover boy), Larry Slappy, Ulice Payne -- just to name a few off the top of my head.
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
SBH
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Posted: 1/13/2026 7:29 AM
Jim Zalenka.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 1/13/2026 8:38 AM
Send in the clowns!
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 1/13/2026 9:30 AM
OhioCatFan wrote:expand_more
. . . Ike keeps getting chances cause he's tall and athletic. Would consider this a swing and a miss. Though many keep swinging, so I don't put that on Boals. Highest rated recruit we've ever had. Gotta take that swing. This story is one where I just wanna shake him. He should've been a four-year guy somewhere and developed and got comfortable. Instead he runs to a new team every 8 months and can't understand why things aren't working out. . . .
Nowhere near the highest ranked recruit we've ever had. Do you mean in the Boals Era? That might be true.
Nowhere near? Who were the 5 star recruits?
Walter Luckett (SI cover boy), Larry Slappy, Ulice Payne -- just to name a few off the top of my head.
lol got it

I knew what you were doing, but wanted to get this in writing.

So back in 1932 when they didnt rank players like they do now, these guys were allegedly better. Got it. I stand corrected.


I will amend...


Since they started rating players, he is the highest-rated recruit OU has ever had.
mid70sbobcat
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Posted: 1/13/2026 10:00 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
. . . Ike keeps getting chances cause he's tall and athletic. Would consider this a swing and a miss. Though many keep swinging, so I don't put that on Boals. Highest rated recruit we've ever had. Gotta take that swing. This story is one where I just wanna shake him. He should've been a four-year guy somewhere and developed and got comfortable. Instead he runs to a new team every 8 months and can't understand why things aren't working out. . . .
Nowhere near the highest ranked recruit we've ever had. Do you mean in the Boals Era? That might be true.
Nowhere near? Who were the 5 star recruits?
Walter Luckett (SI cover boy), Larry Slappy, Ulice Payne -- just to name a few off the top of my head.
lol got it

I knew what you were doing, but wanted to get this in writing.

So back in 1932 when they didnt rank players like they do now, these guys were allegedly better. Got it. I stand corrected.


I will amend...


Since they started rating players, he is the highest-rated recruit OU has ever had.
Luckett was the National high school player of the year. And among others was recruited by Dean Smith and John Wooden. They coached 2 lesser-known teams by the name of North Carolina and UCLA. And what attracted the attention of these coaches ... averaging 39.5 ppg, 16 rebounds per game and 13 assists per game senior year.
100%Cat
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Posted: 1/13/2026 1:19 PM
Elmore and AJ Brown are two guys I find it hard to root against (until Ball St plays us this year). They at least seemed (from my view) like solid dudes that were good teammates here. And honestly, I wish both were still here.

Cornish is really a head-scratcher, though. Such a highly recruited guy and he hasn't produced much anywhere he's been since high school.
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