Welcome Guest! Create an Account login email: password: remember me: BASKETBALL Latest News News Archive Schedule/Results Multi-Media Recruiting FOOTBALL Latest News News Archive Schedule/Results Multi-Media Recruiting MESSAGE BOARD Message Home - Ohio Basketball - Ohio Basketball Recruiting - The O Zone - Ohio Football - Ohio Football Recruiting - Ohio Volleyball - Ohio Baseball - Ohio Olympic Sports... - General OU Discussion... - Website Feedback... - Posting Policy Edit My Profile Private Messages Logout CHAT LINKS site searchcontact usabout usadvertise with ushelp Message Board BobcatAttack.com Message Board Ohio Basketball Topic:  Ivo Baltic Topic:  Ivo Baltic Author Message 100%Cat General User Member Since: 1/17/2013 Post Count: 2,630 Status: Offline     Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 11:17:22 AM  OK, Ivo has to be the most controversial player on the roster.  Let's have an open discussion on this guy.  I know he has valuable contributions in many statistical ways.  That's great and valuable and I completely admit he will be hard to replace next year.  But what sticks out to me when I watch this kid play the last few years are the things you can't get from a box score that can't be quantified.  I'm talking about the bonehead plays.  Passes to nobody in particular (I guess those can be quantified as turnovers).  Passes thrown to the feet of teammates.  Lazy plays.  Getting burned on the defensive end for opponent dunks and layups.  His refusal/fear of playing too close to the basket.  Getting outworked for rebounds.  Losing rebounds off his hands.  Most of that stuff doesn't show in a box score, but it shows when you watch in person, or at least it sticks out like a hooker in church to me. The guy is tall, athletic, and has the potential to be a matchup nightmare...yet can go stretches (games) with hardly showing up or being any kind of factor whatsoever.  We need him to step up and play the way he did down the stretch last year.  We need the MAC tournament Ivo.  He, more than any other players seems so wildly inconsistent, and I think that's why I like the option of starting TJ over Ivo right now.  I want to see Ivo play more aggressively on the offensive end and smarter, in general.  We need him going forward.  Maybe coming off the bench for a few games will get him turned around, at least I hope so. Thoughts? Last Edited: 2/7/2013 11:18:53 AM by 100%Cat Back to Top ab54 General User Member Since: 12/16/2011 Post Count: 93 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 11:39:47 AM  NT Last Edited: 2/7/2013 11:40:55 AM by ab54 Back to Top OUVan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Bethesda, MD Post Count: 5,580 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 12:40:42 PM  Ivo has been frustrating because of what he could be but I think you have overemphasized his negative plays.  He's developed into a good passer and is probably our best rebounder.  As much as everyone loves TJ he doesn't do any more interior damage than Ivo.  Still, I would love to see the Ivo that played against Northern Iowa show up again.  Back to Top KC Bobcat General User Member Since: 11/22/2006 Location: Norfolk, VA Post Count: 260 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 12:46:45 PM  He is an enigma.  When he was a freshman he was such a high energy player and I likened him to a poor man's Tyler Hansbrough.  I was  just waiting for him to refine his game.  In the Northern Iowa game as OUVan mentioned, he was an absolute beast.  Sometimes he looks completely lost on the court. Back to Top bobcat695 General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Parkersburg, WV Post Count: 1,345 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 2:20:09 PM  Ivo has really good potential offensively, but has been one dimensional during his career.  He could only attack the hoop and had great interior up-and-under moves early in his career.  During the end of his career he has abndoned that and gone almost exclusively to an outside jumpshot game.  He is stronger and a better ball handler now, which is why so many of us are frustrated with his lack of an inside presence.  I can only assume his move to a perimieter game is driven by a general drop in confidence about his inside game.  My main concern, however, is how frequently he gets beat on defense.  He is often a step slow rotating back to his man after the high trap has occured.  I have noticed it a lot this year, and it was painfully apparent at Akron last weekend that he was not getting back to his man before the ball did.  In fairness, I am not included in the defensive game planning, so it is possible that a switch is supposed to occur and someone else is responsible for that.  Based on the body language of Christian towards Ivo, however, I think I'm right.  There is supposed to be a trap with the guard and one of our big men above the 3 point line, then there is defensive help in the middle for a second until the big man can rotate back.  Ivo's guy is scoring too often after that trap.   His rebounding has been solid, his jump shot has improved and I have always thought he gives 100% effort.  I think his inconsistency in scoring is due to the abandonment of his post game.  His inconsistency in minutes of playing time is because of flaws on the defensive end.  He is really talented and fun to watch play when he has confidence.  When he is on, he can be the most exciting player on the floor to watch.    "You can't un-fist a fist pump." - Saul Phillips 1/24/15 Back to Top 100%Cat General User Member Since: 1/17/2013 Post Count: 2,630 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 3:03:32 PM  bobcat695 wrote: Ivo has really good potential offensively, but has been one dimensional during his career.  He could only attack the hoop and had great interior up-and-under moves early in his career.  During the end of his career he has abndoned that and gone almost exclusively to an outside jumpshot game.  He is stronger and a better ball handler now, which is why so many of us are frustrated with his lack of an inside presence.  I can only assume his move to a perimieter game is driven by a general drop in confidence about his inside game.  My main concern, however, is how frequently he gets beat on defense.  He is often a step slow rotating back to his man after the high trap has occured.  I have noticed it a lot this year, and it was painfully apparent at Akron last weekend that he was not getting back to his man before the ball did.  In fairness, I am not included in the defensive game planning, so it is possible that a switch is supposed to occur and someone else is responsible for that.  Based on the body language of Christian towards Ivo, however, I think I'm right.  There is supposed to be a trap with the guard and one of our big men above the 3 point line, then there is defensive help in the middle for a second until the big man can rotate back.  Ivo's guy is scoring too often after that trap.   His rebounding has been solid, his jump shot has improved and I have always thought he gives 100% effort.  I think his inconsistency in scoring is due to the abandonment of his post game.  His inconsistency in minutes of playing time is because of flaws on the defensive end.  He is really talented and fun to watch play when he has confidence.  When he is on, he can be the most exciting player on the floor to watch.    I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing this.  I thought the Toledo game was a great example of Ivo's man getting wide open looks because of him being slow rotating back.  Or not getting back at all.  I think it was Smith for Toledo that was constantly wide open when Ivo would get lost.  It feels like every home game there's a few layups/dunks when Ivo's defensive responsibility is practically unguarded. Ivo is a good enough finisher above the rim that it would be really great to see him attack the rim more, but I doubt it happens much the way his game has shifted away from the bucket.  Back to Top OUVan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Bethesda, MD Post Count: 5,580 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 3:36:37 PM  100%Cat wrote: I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing this.  I thought the Toledo game was a great example of Ivo's man getting wide open looks because of him being slow rotating back.  That's the nature of our defense though.  It asks a big man to pinch on the point and then he's got to rotate back as soon as the guard's momentum is stopped.  Most of the time it works well but it does leave us susceptible to the passes down low.  Frankly I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Last Edited: 2/7/2013 3:37:03 PM by OUVan Back to Top sargentfan General User Member Since: 3/16/2005 Post Count: 917 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 3:45:33 PM  I wonder a bit if Ivo's reliance on a perimeter game is at all because he is trying to get used to how he would be playing in Europe after he graduates?  Not saying it's the only reason, but it does make me wonder at times. Back to Top BobcatSports General User Member Since: 2/2/2006 Post Count: 1,094 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 3:58:04 PM  I disagree that Ivo has "lost confidence" in his inside game. I think he has all but abandoned his inside game due to losing confidence at the foul line.  This seemed to start late in the MAC conference portion of the schedule last year and has carried thru-out this year. A look at Ivo's stats from his sophomore year shows that he went to the foul line 120 times and converted 92 times for 77%, second only on the team to Tommy Freeman's 85%. In comparison Ivo has been to the line 10, yes TEN times this year total to date. I think his stats would also reflect he took only 2 - 3pt attempts his soph. year. To me the main strength of Ivo was his quickness in backing opponents to the basket and using his quick spin move in an attempt to score. Worse case scenario was he would get fouled in the act of shooting and would have the opportunity to convert foul shots. He all but runs away from those opportunities now IMO.  This alteration of his game really has transcended 2 coaching staffs so I don't think this one is fuel for Christian bashing. I do wonder if anyone has taken the time to review the tapes of his sophomore year to try to figure out how a guy could have such success and confidence at the foul stripe realitively early in his career and now be so lacking in confidence at the line as his career is coming to an end.  Is it a truly mental thing or has he altered the way he grips  the ball or altered his arm position when shooting stationary, etc.? I fully acknowledge in Ivo's transition that he has developed a pretty good mid-range jump shot. My disappointment is IF he were still using his considerable skills inside coupled with his honing the mid-range jumpers he would be a real _itch to contend with. I completely disagree with the loafing, losing his man etc.. I just don't see that he has been dogging it at either end of the floor.   Back to Top 100%Cat General User Member Since: 1/17/2013 Post Count: 2,630 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 4:08:48 PM  BobcatSports wrote: I completely disagree with the loafing, losing his man etc.. I just don't see that he has been dogging it at either end of the floor.   It's not about dogging it physically, I don't doubt his physical effort...it's more mental lapses and lazy decisions that translate to open looks for opponents and turnovers.  If it was a defensive system issue, why is it more often than not Ivo's responsibility hammering down dunks, not Reggie's or Jon's?  Who was it earlier this year at home that had nearly back-to-back lob dunks on us at home?  I don't recall who that was against but I do remember it being Ivo lost on defense while his man was rocking the rim. Back to Top OUVan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Bethesda, MD Post Count: 5,580 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 4:25:33 PM  100%Cat wrote: It's not about dogging it physically, I don't doubt his physical effort...it's more mental lapses and lazy decisions that translate to open looks for opponents and turnovers.  If it was a defensive system issue, why is it more often than not Ivo's responsibility hammering down dunks, not Reggie's or Jon's?  Who was it earlier this year at home that had nearly back-to-back lob dunks on us at home?  I don't recall who that was against but I do remember it being Ivo lost on defense while his man was rocking the rim. Because Reggie doesn't do the pinching at the top of the key nearly as much. Ivo's a lot quicker which is why he does it.  Smith does it as well but he isn't getting nearly as many minutes.  Also Ivo covers quicker guys than Reggie typically.  Back to Top 100%Cat General User Member Since: 1/17/2013 Post Count: 2,630 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 4:42:22 PM  I think the game I was remembering was against the Bonnies back in November when Ivo was torched for alley-oop's twice in the span of about 70 seconds. Back to Top BobcatSports General User Member Since: 2/2/2006 Post Count: 1,094 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 4:46:37 PM  He's not the only guy that has suffered the occasional defensive lapse. I'm far less worried about Ivo on the defensive end of the court. Back to Top Bobcat Swag General User Member Since: 1/9/2011 Post Count: 153 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 6:18:30 PM  I'm glad Ivo and Nick are struggling right now, instead of falling off of the map at the end of the season. It's a blessing that TJ Hall is getting more minutes because I think he will have a big impact come March, so long as he figures out how not to foul out in only 10 minutes of game-time. Work the kinks out now, everyone will have their heads right soon enough and we will be unstoppable. "Good leaders being scarce, following yourself is allowed." Back to Top bobcat28 General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: United States Post Count: 808 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 7:23:18 PM  Bobcat Swag wrote: I'm glad Ivo and Nick are struggling right now, instead of falling off of the map at the end of the season. It's a blessing that TJ Hall is getting more minutes because I think he will have a big impact come March, so long as he figures out how not to foul out in only 10 minutes of game-time. Work the kinks out now, everyone will have their heads right soon enough and we will be unstoppable. Speaking of heads right. I believe Ivo would benefit from a sports psychiatrist. I think he has a mental block against shooting anything except jump shots. Its all mental with him. A la Mackey Sasser throwing to second. He can dunk on a fast break but that's based on instinct and he doenst have time to think about missing. Back to Top GoCats105 General User Member Since: 1/31/2006 Location: Seattle, WA Post Count: 7,452 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/7/2013 11:01:40 PM  OUVan wrote: 100%Cat wrote: I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing this.  I thought the Toledo game was a great example of Ivo's man getting wide open looks because of him being slow rotating back.  That's the nature of our defense though.  It asks a big man to pinch on the point and then he's got to rotate back as soon as the guard's momentum is stopped.  Most of the time it works well but it does leave us susceptible to the passes down low.  Frankly I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Agree here. Can't really blame it all on Ivo, Reg, Smith or Green. The rest of the defense has to help out by rotating and hedging defenders. It's simple basketball, but I think JC's defense is a bit different than JG's in this department. That's probably the thing I've noticed the most in this transition period. Our rotations and hedging are just slower all around. Back to Top Jim G General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 82 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/8/2013 7:39:47 PM  Ivo's not having the year we all wanted him to have but he is still playing well. MAC rankings 13th in rebounding 6th in FG% 13th in assists 10th in steals 14th in blocks 6th in defesive rebounds Back to Top BillyTheCat General User Member Since: 10/6/2012 Post Count: 10,408 Status: Online     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/9/2013 9:14:13 AM  The kid is what he is, he's a solid player, been a good student, part of the winningest team in school history and the winningest class. Ivo has represented OUr University with class and all some want to do is tear him down because he's not some dominate post player. Back to Top Alan Swank General User Member Since: 12/11/2004 Location: Athens, OH Post Count: 7,233 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/9/2013 9:36:08 AM  Here's an Ivo story some of you newer posters may not know and some of you older ones may have forgotten.  I can't remember if it was his freshmen or sophomore year or who we were playing but it was a Saturday and probably Dad's weekend because Ivo's father was in the house sitting on the upper edge of the student section.  Ivo was having one of those praise worthy days and his dad was all smiles and even slapping an occasional high five with those around him.  The smile on his face told the whole story - here was a young man, his son, who was living his dream.  Whose dream?  Probably his father's in that the son was getting an education at a great school and probably the son's because in addition to getting that great education he was continuing to play a game that he loves.  What's the point?  It's a game and these guys are kids so let it go at that unless you are man/woman enough to publicly criticize them. Back to Top Monroe Slavin General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Oxnard, CA Post Count: 9,121 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/9/2013 1:18:21 PM  I don't like a thread that's pointed toward specifically criticizing a player. The only thing I'll say is that I'd live Ivo to take more of a leadership role for us.  When he plays well, gotta think that we're a tough out. Where's the band?! WHERE"S THE BAND?! DesignspiritUSA.com The Pets On The Go Collection of pet gear travel bags The Holiday Tote Bigg Bagg Collection--over-sized, reversible, extra pockets; now love carrying packages as much as you love shopping! Back to Top LuckySparrow General User Member Since: 10/15/2012 Location: Illinois Post Count: 1,754 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/9/2013 4:49:06 PM  Less minutes for Ivo today, especially in the second half. His confidence is way down, missing dunks, missing shots, etc. He had some nice spin on a couple of his buckets today and drove to the rim and had a nice pullback hook shot. I wish he'd build some kind of inside finesse game. What a day at the Convo.....Wow! Back to Top FearLeon General User Member Since: 3/12/2005 Post Count: 4,714 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/9/2013 4:51:17 PM  LiquidDateII wrote: Less minutes for Ivo today, especially in the second half. His confidence is way down, missing dunks, missing shots, etc. He had some nice spin on a couple of his buckets today and drove to the rim and had a nice pullback hook shot. I wish he'd build some kind of inside finesse game. And then he did get under the basket and quickly threw it back out. Dude has no confidence. More TJ....less Ivo...gotta play the hot hand now.  #BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT Back to Top LuckySparrow General User Member Since: 10/15/2012 Location: Illinois Post Count: 1,754 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/9/2013 5:20:25 PM  Agreed. What a day at the Convo.....Wow! Back to Top OUVan General User Member Since: 12/20/2004 Location: Bethesda, MD Post Count: 5,580 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/9/2013 5:42:11 PM  FearLeon wrote: More TJ....less Ivo...gotta play the hot hand now.  The hot hand that shoots worse than the cold one? Back to Top Pataskala General User Member Since: 7/8/2010 Location: At least six feet away from anybody else Post Count: 9,365 Status: Offline     RE: Ivo Baltic    Posted: 2/9/2013 5:49:31 PM  He's still one of my favorites on the team, and he showed some signs of coming around.  The dunk he missed was the first he's tried since the Fiami game, I think, maybe earlier.  And even though he passed up an early chance at going to the hoop, I think his last bucket was a layup from underneath.  He gives up 30 pounds to Black and wasn't very willing to mix it up with him today. We will get by. We will get by. We will get by. We will survive. Back to Top Showing Replies:   1 - 25  of 75 Posts Jump to Page:   1 | 2 | 3    Next > View Other 'Ohio Basketball' Topics                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               WHO'S ONLINE There are 198 Active Visitors on BobcatAttack.com 196 Guests 2 Registered Users:   BillyTheCat, Pete Chouteau There are no other users looking at this page.

Copyright ©2025 BobcatAttack.com. All rights reserved.  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Use
Partner of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties