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Topic: The Future is Bright

Topic: The Future is Bright

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Voice of Reason
General User

Member Since: 7/28/2010
Post Count: 249

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The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 3:54:41 PM

This probably belongs more in the recruiting thread, but thought it also is more of a general Ohio Basketball discussion as well. I was really worried about the future of Ohio Basketball following this season after Groce left last year and Evan Bradds and Levert both bailed. However, my confidence has been restored by the talent we brought in through transfers, what we have returning and the development of guys like TJ Hall and Ricardo Johnson, and the recruits we have signed for next year. I think Ohio Basketball is in a position to really sustain a high level for years to come.

Reasons I am optimistic:

1. With Jon Smith and Kellogg returning next year we have poised leadership and experience.
2. Ricardo Johnson looks to me like he is just sitting back out of the spotlight getting ready to take his game to an entirely new level next year. I think he is ready to replace Walt's grit and tenacity while bringing more size, length and pure athleticism to the table.
3. Maurice Ndour! We only have him for 2 years, but I think it is going to be a very special two years. His stat line is unreal right now!

				Minutes		Total			3-pts			F-Throws			Rebounds										Scoring
##	Player	GP	GS	Tot	Avg	FG	FGA	FG%	3FG	3FGA	3PT%	FT	FTA	FT%	Off	Def	Tot	Avg	PF	A	Ast/G	TO	Stl	Blk	Pts	Avg
5	Maurice Ndour	22	22	581	26.4	147	274	.536	10	26	.385	74	91	.813	52	168	220	10.0	60	79	3.6	68	28	64	378	17.2

4. Reg and Baltic are tough losses, but with Setty, Smith, Ndour and possibly Campbell giving some minutes as a freshman (No idea what Mompremier will bring next season so leaving him out) we should be deep, long and athletic.

The only position I really do not feel good about is PG. How can you when losing one of the best PG's in the history of college basketball! I really feel good about what we have coming back and replacing what is leaving in every position with the exception of DJ though. Just thought I would get people's temperature on this.

Sidenote: I am really going to miss Big Reg. He has transformed as a player physically and mentally and I am loving watching him this year. Wish he had shown this new Reg earlier in his career.

OU_Country
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Member Since: 12/6/2005
Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 4:20:59 PM

I think we're in great shape going forward as far as big's go. I agree that Ndour looks to be a nice get for us, but don't leave out what we're going to get from Willis, and the potential that is around the corner with Wingfield. I also look forward to seeing Taylor get more minutes, and I don't see PG as a concern at all.

I'm going to greatly miss watching DJ, Walt, Ivo and Reggie. GREATLY. That said, I have a lot of confidence in the guys JC and staff has coming in to fill their spots. I completely agree the future is bright in the next 3-4 years to sustain a high level of play for OUr hoops program.

shabamon
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Member Since: 11/17/2006
Location: Cincinnati
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 4:21:41 PM

It would not surprise me if all three of our incoming freshmen redshirt next year. When you include Willis and Setty, we have nine non-freshmen already immersed in the Ohio Bobcats system. Throw in Ndour, who I expect to be an immediate impact player, that's a 10 deep rotation. We can dress one or two of them each game as a precaution against mid-game injury, just like Moe Pearson did in 07-08. Otherwise, I don't see where their minutes are coming from.

My only concern going forward is who is going to be relied on to create his own shot? All four of our seniors have their own unique way of scoring points. How do we not lose that kind of production? Kellogg and to a lesser extent, Hall can score, but they often need to be set up by someone else. I think Willis will be fine. Setty showed some flashes as a true freshman at SIU. Can Ndour have the same impact at the D1 level?

Last Edited: 1/23/2013 4:25:51 PM by shabamon

Columbus_Bobcat
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Member Since: 11/23/2012
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 4:55:49 PM

No doubt losing my friend LeVert to michigone, and the other dude hurts and sucks, but I personally think we'll be in the same position this year as next year. Stevie is a great pg, and with the emergence of Ricardo Johnson and returning John Smith and Kellogg. Those four players who've had great minutes this year, plus who knows what will happen with Green? He might turn into the next Reggie or something we have never seen.

Andrew Ruck
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Location: Columbus, OH
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 5:35:38 PM

After seeing D.J. Wingfield in the Flyin to the Hoop tourney, I'm gonna lay on the hype. I think he is too talented to be redshirted and also think he could be the answer to needing a shot creator. He is just silky smooth and has great court awareness. He kind of reminded me of Sonny Troutman...Or a smoother and better shooting Ricardo. I could go on, but then he'll end up being a dud and you'll all remind me for 4 years of how I hyped him up too much.

Last Edited: 1/23/2013 7:53:39 PM by Andrew Ruck

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

RSBobcat
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Member Since: 8/22/2010
Location: Columbus, OH
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 6:37:09 PM

Andrew Ruck wrote:

After seeing D.J. Wingfield in the Flyin to the Hoop tourney, I'm gonna lay on the hype. I think he is too talented to be redshirted and also think he could be the answer to needing a shot creator. He is just silky smooth and has great court awareness. He kind of reminded me of Sonny Troutman...Or a smoother and better Ricardo. I could go on, but then he'll end up being a dud and you'll all remind me for 4 years of how I hyped him up too much.

Sonny Troutman was one of my all time favorites - anything like him and I'll be ecstatic!

RS Bobcat

whocaresgobobcats
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Member Since: 8/29/2011
Post Count: 519

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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 11:01:55 PM

If Bean Willis is half way decent, it will go a long way.

catfan28
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 11:06:26 PM

BlockedPunt wrote:

If Bean Willis is half way decent, it will go a long way.

A little birdie told me he may be TOO good...word on the street is that he is contemplating leaving school to play overseas for some big $$$. Hope he decides to stick around.

whocaresgobobcats
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 11:11:50 PM

catfan28 wrote:

BlockedPunt wrote:

If Bean Willis is half way decent, it will go a long way.

A little birdie told me he may be TOO good...word on the street is that he is contemplating leaving school to play overseas for some big $$$. Hope he decides to stick around.

well that'd just suck. hopefully he'll stay for at least year so JC can get a PG in. will probably need to go JUCO route again if Willis leaves.

The Optimist
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Location: CLE
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 11:13:34 PM

I don't even know how it is possible to be excited about next year with the team we have now, but I am very excited.

I'm sold at PG too... Stevie Taylor AND a guy who started a full season in the Big 12 before coming here? I can't wait to hear fans around the MAC say "they lost everything" only to realize shortly latter we've still got some players...

I've seen crazier things happen.

whocaresgobobcats
General User

Member Since: 8/29/2011
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 11:23:40 PM

stevie taylor better improve a lot over the summer because he is currently a 10 MPG player at best right now

Monroe Slavin
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/23/2013 11:57:21 PM

The point about our seniors all having unique talents (especially in re scoring) is a good one. Will likely take some of the guys who get minutes next year time to develop their uniqueness. But it looks good.

Ohio is a football school. Ohio is a basketball school. Discuss.

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Chicken George
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/24/2013 12:00:07 AM

As early as just tonight I caught myself forwarding to next year and thinking that nearly this entire roster being gone at which time I tell myself, "just enjoy this season and worry about that, then." I hope everyone on here is correct, but next year is truly an unknown. I've learned to never trust "the potential" or "scouting reports" of incoming players until we actually see their games on a college court.

My main concern is scoring. I realize that when our current underclassman get their own chances to see the ball more, we could be amazed at what they mature into. At the same time, I'm just wondering how much upside some of our current underclassman have at scoring significantly more. Especially considering we will be losing nearly 60% of our scoring in one season. Kellog, Smith, Willis, Green, Johnson, Hall, Taylor? Can they be counted upon to lead a "good team" team offensively? Can they go from the 3rd or 4th option to the 1st or 2nd and elevate their games? Can they and a bunch of first year players make it all work in hurry to have anything more than a rebuilding year? I hope so, but as I started, don't want to think too much about it and enjoy what we got, while we got it.

bornacatfan
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Member Since: 8/3/2006
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/24/2013 6:43:00 AM

catfan28 wrote:

BlockedPunt wrote:

If Bean Willis is half way decent, it will go a long way.

A little birdie told me he may be TOO good...word on the street is that he is contemplating leaving school to play overseas for some big $$$. Hope he decides to stick around.

Been around college ball long enough to know what that actually means. Does not have the pedigree and stats yet to make big $$$...which he may make soon enough but look through the smoke and you may see another burning reason for leaving ....

I do not doubt the WOTS to be true

Monpriemeir seemed like a great kid when I talked to him and he is Loooooonnng. Have not had a chance to see any youtube yet.

Andrew, glad you went down to FTHoop. First one I have missed in years. Lots of good talent there year in and year out.. Hope you got achance to meet up with Bobcat Warrior, a real student of the game I always enjoy talking to.

never argue with idiots, they bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Winter comes and asks how you spent your summer.....

The game loves and rewards those who love and reward the game

Andrew Ruck
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Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/24/2013 8:27:21 AM

These Willis mutterings are concerning. If it rings true and he never wears the green and white, with no other PG recruits it not only means Stevie will end up playing a huge role but it also means Nick would be called upon to be more of a ball handler in his senior year.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

The Optimist
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Location: CLE
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/24/2013 9:27:25 AM

Andrew Ruck wrote:

I actually think Nick could be a good point guard. Certainly a very different style from Cooper and Taylor, but still good.

If we were very concerned about Willis leaving, I think we would hear about some JUCO PG's for next year's class. We've only heard about freshman so far.

I've seen crazier things happen.

OUVan
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Location: Bethesda, MD
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/24/2013 10:07:20 AM

BlockedPunt wrote:

stevie taylor better improve a lot over the summer because he is currently a 10 MPG player at best right now

I like Stevie in his current role but I agree. He's quick as hell but I just don't see that he has the vision to be a great PG. He's going to need to improve his ability to create. Not saying he can't do it just that I haven't seen it yet.

As for Willis, I expressed concerns in the Spring and I still have them. PG is my biggest area of worry going forward.

Jeff McKinney
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/24/2013 11:21:29 AM

Word is that Wingfield is capable of playing PG.

If a scholarship opens, it's possible that a PG could be signed late.

Andrew Ruck
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Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 5,225

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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/24/2013 11:28:26 AM

I could see Wingfield being capable at PG, but I don't think that is where he would be best utilized. I'd say the answer would be Nick stepping up (with Travis stepping up to Nick's current role) and secure a solid JUCO or polished freshman in 2014.

But hopefully Willis is committed to being a Bobcat and our worries are unwarranted.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

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

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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/24/2013 11:29:03 AM

BlockedPunt wrote:

stevie taylor better improve a lot over the summer because he is currently a 10 MPG player at best right now

As I cruise around message boards at different programs I feel like Ohio Basketball has truly arrived.

We now have the great ones weighing in with highly developed, intelligent and excellent opinions based on a wealth of experience in the game as well as oodles of time spent in the arena watching practices and seeing how a player performs and developes day to day. I love input and repartee that is well thought out and discussed based on well thought out arguments. It opens my eyes to what other s think and I always try to learn from every post I read. Not so much inthis case.

Welcome to the big time OHIO. Can't wait to see 10 or 15 posters of this quality gracing us with such illustrous prononcements each and every single day.

Cmon BP, how does one come up with an assertion and an assignment of time like that?

Last Edited: 1/24/2013 11:30:58 AM by bornacatfan

bigtillyoopsupsideurhead
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Member Since: 12/1/2006
Location: Cincinnati
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RE: The Future is Bright

Posted: 1/24/2013 11:55:48 AM

To me the rumors of Bean wanting to leave are just as silly as the rumors last Summer that Coop was going to transfer after Groce left.

Why would Bean Willis transfer half way across the country and sit out a year during his athletic prime, just so that he could leave and go to Europe next year?

Until I hear otherwise, I'm still expecting to see him as our starting PG and probable go-to-guy next year.

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