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Topic: 3 Realities of the current OHIO Squad

Topic: 3 Realities of the current OHIO Squad

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Chicken George
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Member Since: 1/2/2005
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3 Realities of the current OHIO Squad

Posted: 1/7/2012 8:31:38 PM

Hate to overreact to the horrible BG loss, but here are 3 Negative thoughts I kept reminding myself of as I watched tonight.    Lot more positive than good from this team, but tonight these 3 reoccurring themes kept coming to mind.

1, I answered my own question this week---if you can't beat BG and Robert Morris you not only are not a Top 25 team, you probably aren't a top 50, 60 or 70 team at this juncture. Put all that kind of talk in a safety deposit box and throw away the key.

2. We have 3 guys who play significant roles on the team that CANNOT score. They don't want the ball and their teammates really don't want to give them the ball. They are: Smith, Goard, Johnson.   Of the three, I give Goard the pass as he's a freshman. Then I get frustrated, look to the bench to find a better interior option and realize Keely isn't ready for a pass this evening; Ethan doesn't play even when we're up 50 and Belton didn't even show up.

3, Offut is an asset to the team. He's solid, cool, calm, appears to be a team player and is averaging double digits.   Glad he's on our team and we're better with him. However, Offut is NOT A. Bassett if you're waiting for him to put us on his shoulders and carry us. He doesn't appear to made out of that cloth.    He's a solid role player, not AB II.

Other negative thoughts receiving votes, but not in the top 3:
*Ivo regressing.
*Reggie forgot that he may get a pass thrown to him?
*DJ wildly inconsistent
*McKinley and entire bench travels to every game, but Belton doesn't? Since when does one player get to skip games?
*Why don't we press, trap and pretend were down 10 all game long?

Last Edited: 1/7/2012 8:52:10 PM by Chicken George

PLipps09
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Member Since: 12/5/2011
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RE: 3 Realities of the current OHIO Squad

Posted: 1/7/2012 8:57:07 PM

The last one on your list is a great question. We dominated with the press in the game and against Robert Morris. And tonight, we were in the press going into a timeout in the second half. When the timeout was over, we came out of it, practically giving back the momentum to BG.

HeHateMiami
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Mason, OH
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RE: 3 Realities of the current OHIO Squad

Posted: 1/7/2012 9:07:35 PM

Chicken George wrote:

*McKinley and entire bench travels to every game, but Belton doesn't? Since when does one player get to skip games?

Arkley mentioned on his Twitter feed before the game that Belton has a setback with his hip in practice this week, I'd figure the injury is why he didn't travel.

UpSan Bobcat
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Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
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RE: 3 Realities of the current OHIO Squad

Posted: 1/8/2012 6:06:27 PM

Chicken George wrote:

1. You're probably right. Certainly as of late, not a top 50 team. The Bobcats have played like a top 25 team at times, but lately, it's not even been a top 100 or maybe 150 level. I still think the potential is there to get back to where they were.

2. From what I've seen, Smith is capable of making a few moves in the post. I wish he would actually take a few chances to score. Goard I think will be able to in the future. I wouldn't put Johnson in the same category, although he is more of an energy guy and less of a scorer.

3. Offutt has seemed upset lately that he's not getting calls when he drives to the hoop. He was getting those earlier in the year and that made him a lot more effective. But no, I don't think he's a capable 25-point scorer.

As for the other points, I don't think Ivo is regressing. He's played pretty well offensively as of late. As has been mentioned in other threads, he's got a ways to go in other areas.
Reggie has had trouble catching passes a lot in the past and it really showed up against BG.
DJ certainly did not have a good game. More turnovers than assists. Don't think we'll win many games when that happens.
I think it was mentioned, Belton probably had a reason why he wasn't there and probably didn't have to do with him not wanting to be there.
I think the pressing was only effective at times. It worked to get us back in the game when the Bobcats had to be good at it. At other points, Ohio gave up quite a few layups. I think it's something Groce wants to implement more, and it's possible to do because the bench is deep, but you still have to pick your spots.

Wilson Hall Record Holder
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Member Since: 11/13/2010
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RE: 3 Realities of the current OHIO Squad

Posted: 1/8/2012 6:27:39 PM

In regard to Belton not traveling for road games. I won't speak on that given the limited knowledge I have of his past medical issues. What I will say is that after hearing frequently, over many many years, that players who sustain even minor injuries that don't leave doctors wondering if you will ever live a normal life can have their condition worsened as the team travels to it's next game.

With that being said I would ask that anyone else who wants to question Belton's presence on the bench seek out more info as to what effect (if any) traveling long distances may have on his body.

Chicken George
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RE: 3 Realities of the current OHIO Squad

Posted: 1/8/2012 9:56:02 PM

*I have noticed as well that Walter has not got many calls taking the ball to the hole. I like that he's being more assertive and hope that he continues. He's solid and I think he has some upside potential that could be very helpful down the stretch as we're needing this type of slashing, take it the rim, type player to balance the three point shooting.

*Baltic no doubt still one of our best players and an asset, but I don't feel he's been as consistently good as he was last year. One thing that has really slipped in his game (and I haven't checked the stats to see if it's statistically supported) is his FT shooting.

*I'm sure there is some medical reason I'm not taking into consideration for why Belton goes to some away games and doesn't go to others. Just have never seen that before?

*I keep waiting for Johnson to break out and score a bit more. Still much improved from last year and just waiting on him to take that final step of being able to knock down a few buckets. But right now, him shooting a layup is shaky and I just feel he's probably way better than that and probably was a pretty proficient scorer in high school. I'm certain Goard is in the same boat. They both can score, but neither has the developed the confidence. Got to give Groce credit for still working them in the rotation and giving them opportunities to develop as they won't get it sitting. I'm sure it will come at some point in their careers, but right now both are just athletes on the floor who I personally wouldn't guard if the opposition until they proved they so.

*I also wonder why Ethan hasn't been given this opportunity? Chances are Johnson/Goard are showing potential in practice, thus earning gametime opportunities. On the other hand, Ethan has been provided 0% chance to work into the flow of a game during his 1 1/4 years at OHIO.

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