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Topic: Excited about this team, and this March

Topic: Excited about this team, and this March

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OU_Country
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Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,370

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Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/17/2016 8:55:25 PM

I'm really, really excited about this team, and their development since November. Just as Saul predicted, they've come light years together since then, and it has been damn fun to watch! November's squad would lose to February's team without a doubt in my mind. Some on here say it reminds them of 2005, or 2010. For me, this year is 100% unique, not because of just the new faces, but because of the differences between the number of seniors each team had, the styles of play, and so forth.

I loved watching the John Groce, and DJ Cooper led years as much as anyone. This group feels different than that one. This group really feels like "TEAM" a little more than that one. This group seemingly has unlimited guys that can drain the three. Those teams seemingly had unlimited good defenders. Both teams have stellar point guards.

After what was a terribly frustrating season to watch last year, the fun is back in The Convo. I'm excited for the next couple Saturdays in Athens, maybe a Friday in Oxford, and a trip to The Q in just less than a month.

Add on how good the Lady Bobcats look again, and this promises to be a memorable March in Bobcatland.

Deciduous Forest Cat
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Ohio
Post Count: 4,470

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RE: Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/17/2016 9:40:30 PM

There's something about the way this team is now passing the ball with purpose versus the many seemingly lazy oomph-less tosses we were throwing early in the year. Everyone seems more confident their teammate will be where expected, and strangely enough, opponents aren't picking off nearly as many.

I also noticed that we are not only defending better without fouling but we seem to be showing much better hands on D... meaning we are forcing steals and swatting balls away... something that was completely absent in November & December.

catfan28
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Member Since: 6/11/2011
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 1,503

Status: Offline

RE: Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/17/2016 11:23:07 PM

To me, this team looks to be having the most "fun" playing basketball of any OU squad I've ever seen. Even in the 2010 and 2012 years under Groce, there were rumors of disharmony around the squad...as well as off-court issues at times. I don't see any of that this year. And I really do think it's a team of good kids. There's not any bad eggs, which we seemed to always keep under Groce and JC.

Monroe Slavin
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Oxnard, CA
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RE: Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/17/2016 11:45:08 PM

Agree totally...I've only seen parts of NIU and Beefs games, but our ball movement was splendid.

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OhioStunter
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Member Since: 2/18/2005
Location: Chicago
Post Count: 2,516

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RE: Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/18/2016 1:00:24 AM

I don't feel like this team is as talented as those NCAA teams. That is actually meant to be a compliment in an odd way. I do think this team plays with great heart and effort. And in March, that does count for something.

I think by next year, this team will grow in their talent and really be something special.

Last Edited: 2/18/2016 1:01:48 AM by OhioStunter

100%Cat
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Member Since: 1/17/2013
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RE: Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/18/2016 8:28:18 AM

I can't say I'm expecting an NCAA berth this year at all. Do I think it's possible? Yes. Do I think this team is trending in the right direction? Oh heck yes. This team definitely should be headed towards a post season tourney of some kind, and after last year, I don't know anyone who would not take that and be happy with it. I don't see Akron as an insurmountable force by any means, but there are other MAC teams like Toledo and Central that can get hot offensively and knock anyone out in Cleveland.

GoCats105
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Member Since: 1/31/2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Post Count: 7,446

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RE: Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/18/2016 9:13:48 AM

There is definitely reason to be excited, but there's still work to be put in. Keep grinding and the fruits of labor will present themselves. I think this team "gets" it.

OU_Country
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Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
Post Count: 8,370

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RE: Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/18/2016 2:13:40 PM

GoCats105 wrote:

There is definitely reason to be excited, but there's still work to be put in. Keep grinding and the fruits of labor will present themselves. I think this team "gets" it.

I think you're right. I hope it shows Saturday, and they drop a hammering on Miami.

Bobcat110
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Member Since: 3/5/2005
Location: Mount Gilead, OH
Post Count: 708

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RE: Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/18/2016 5:41:43 PM

OhioStunter wrote:

"Next year" doesn't seem as solid anymore with mid-major college programs. Lots of stuff can happen between coaches being snapped up by bigger programs, to players dealing with suspensions or academic issues, transfers, or getting injured. I admit that I go into a semi-state of very casual following when those things happen like the last couple years and earlier this year.

However, when the team is playing like they have the last 7-8 games, it's fun to be engaged and enjoy the moment because you don't know how long it's going to last.

bornacatfan
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Member Since: 8/3/2006
Post Count: 5,716

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RE: Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/18/2016 7:05:05 PM

I am going to echo those thoughts above....and add a bit of a different view...this team blew me away with their interaction when I saw them a few weeks back. Watching them have fun, interact and play at practice and shoot around I remarked to one of them..."you guys seem to really like each other." I have seen each successive team at Ohio go through and observed the factions and cameraderies as well as the jealousies, agendas, distorted self worth and sniping/counterintentions.

This team has none of that, they are solid and talkative and really have an affinity for each other. They are closer now than a year ago and closer now than they were months ago. It is a different feel that only a few teams I have run across over the years have had. I like it. I walked away saying....if this is the type of kid and team vibe Saul brings...I like it.

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ou1982
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Member Since: 3/5/2011
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RE: Excited about this team, and this March

Posted: 2/18/2016 8:34:26 PM

watching the beefs game and the emu game i was very impressed with the ability to play two completely different styles as what i can only believe was coached. seeing a team execute is a lot of fun. they took the emu zone apart.

not to mention that campbell is special. what great hands and he knows he's good, but it doesn't seem to be a problem with anyone on the team.

a lot of good going on right now.

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