I hope this isn't taken as a flame, because it's not meant as such.

I'm beginning to see a lot of similarities between the 1995 season and the current one.

In 94-95, Ohio opened with the PNIT trophy, had a mostly hot and occasionally confounding MAC season, a home loss in the first round of the MAC tournament, and an NIT bid many felt was wrong when Miami and Ball State went to the NCAA.

In 11-12, Ohio opened strong, has had a mostly hot and occasionally confounding MAC season, and finds itself in 3rd place. Buffalo probably isn't going away; their pasting of Akron, albeit at home, is impressive. Akron finds themselves somewhat well positioned for an at-large if trends continue. And that leaves us just like that 1995 team.

Now many would argue that the 95 team was hampered by Gary Trent's mostly unreported abdominal injury. While this 12 team is hampered mostly by mentality.

Mentality can be fixed.

Seven games to do it.

Last Edited: 2/9/2012 1:39:08 PM by Pete Chouteau

I'm not ready to concede until next season, but....We're gonna need a few things (IMO) for that to happen:  1)  Much more consistent play in from the bigs we currently have, or someone that's brought in to take someone's spot   2)  better free throw shooting across the board.  3)  DJ being the assist machine that he has been in the past.  We excel when he's dishing out 6,7,8 dimes a game.

 

Last Edited: 2/9/2012 10:14:53 PM by RSBobcat

Last Edited: 2/9/2012 10:28:57 PM by BobcatJH

Last Edited: 2/9/2012 11:19:03 PM by Chicken George

1- Don't disagree with the Reggie statement.  Still needs to play like his size more consistently to me.  The Belton comment...that would be huge if he has eligibility and could simply give 15-18 mins a game at the 5 and be effective.  But that said, that's the kind of player we need.  We we're up tempo, the guys we have are great.  If we are forced to play half court, that's when we seem to see some struggles.

2 - I'll give you the free throws. The free throw shooting is what brought us back within single digits against Toledo.

3 - DJ  - I am a little worried about this, but maybe it's a reflection of the minutes he's playing too.  Last year he played, what, 36-37 mins/game?  This year, about 30-31?  That could be one factor.  Still, he's down about 3 apg.

*On The "BIGMANZ" commentary, I only have to add that I see the need for a true big man.  We have Ivo, Goard, Smith who are all similar sized, but quick big men.  But they aren't that big.  True big guys as size goes, we only have Reggie in terms of guys that get real PT.  We need one more - whether it comes from Jacobs, Belton, or a new face next year really doesn't matter, but it is a definite need.  Maybe that's why he's trying to work in Jacobs 5 mins a game now.