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Topic: 2026-2027 Roster

Topic: 2026-2027 Roster

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FearLeon
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Member Since: 3/12/2005
Post Count: 5,064

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2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/12/2026 8:51:16 PM

Who stays?

Who goes?

Here is what my crystal ball sees:

Captain Chaos-Graduates
Sheldon-Graduates
PAV-Graduates
Breath-Graduates
Conners-Graduates
Simmons-Portal (Dayton, Xavier or Cincinnati)
Kelly-Portal (Pitt or Penn State)
Walking Bucket-Portal (Ohio Northern)
Evans-Portal (Paducah, KY Community College)
Elliott-Portal (Stetson)
Fisher-Returns
Mosley-Returns
Reese-Returns
McKinney-True Freshman
Bowens-True Freshman
Coach Boals-Tod K (Daddy) Graduate Assistant

Last Edited: 3/12/2026 9:40:51 PM by FearLeon

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed

OhioCatFan
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/12/2026 8:56:56 PM

FearLeon wrote:

According to a post by a BA reporter, who asked him directly, Simmons is staying.

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

spongeBOB CATpants
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/12/2026 9:20:35 PM

I'm not sure Simmons could do much better than a mid-major tbh. He's short to play center at a P4 and not sure he could make as much NIL at another mid-major program. Maybe I'm way off here but seems like he's the type of player that would have to thread the needle in the NIL world to maximize his earnings.

ohio9704
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Member Since: 2/11/2006
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/12/2026 9:32:07 PM

This thread is tough to comment on until we know if Jeff stays or goes.

OUbobcat9092
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Member Since: 12/28/2004
Location: Fairfax, VA
Post Count: 1,276

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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/12/2026 9:36:56 PM

Conners - has one more year of eligibility? He only played one year at App. St.
Simmons - stays
Kuany - stays
Kelly - stays
Burris - stays
Evans - returns?
Elliott - returns
Fisher - returns
Mosley - returns
Reese - returns
McKinney - arrives
Bowens - arrives

Bring Back Men's Track & Field

FearLeon
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Member Since: 3/12/2005
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/12/2026 9:42:23 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

FearLeon wrote:

According to a post by a BA reporter, who asked him directly, Simmons is staying.

It wouldn't surprise me. A new coaching coming in could change his thinking.

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT #NoMissesAllowed

OhioCatFan
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/12/2026 10:02:54 PM

FearLeon wrote:

OhioCatFan wrote:

FearLeon wrote:

According to a post by a BA reporter, who asked him directly, Simmons is staying.

It wouldn't surprise me. A new coaching coming in could change his thinking.

Remember he wants to stay near his grandma who reportedly lives in New Marshfield, Millfield, Chauncey, Albany, Glouster, Nelsonville or some place around here! ;-)

Bobcat1998
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Member Since: 11/7/2012
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 5:53:21 AM

Evans is a lost roster spot. If he couldn't crack this lineup he needs to move on. If I were Elliott I would stay along with Fisher and Mosley. Burris needs playing time and I think he can contribute. Kuany is a rising star and Kelly is a star. If we have a new coach I would love a lineup of:
Simmons
Kuany
Elliott
Stud Portal PG
Kelly

That lineup would be fine.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 7:03:45 AM

FearLeon wrote:

JJ Kelly had a solid freshman year. But we were a .500 team in a bad conference, and he didn't average double figures and wasn't on the court in crunch time all the time.

Are we the sort of program Pitt is guys from at this point?

Andrew Ruck
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 8:36:15 AM

I have been pumping up JJ all year, and early on I worried he would bounce to a major program. But the 2nd half of the season he was just kind of there. I think largely a product of the offense running thru Pavs, Simmons & Hadaway sometimes being a black hole. I think he can be the guy, but he never really showed it. I think ultimately he ended up in that happy zone of being solid to excitedly bring back but not great enough to draw attention to higher programs, so I am cautiously hopeful he returns.

I think Simmons probably stays. If I had to pick a guy most likely to return it would be Burris. I'm not a believer yet, but I think Boals is and has big plans for him. My hunch says Kuany returns. The other bench guys are a toss up, would not be surprised by anything.

It is going to be an interesting offseason.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

OUs LONG Driver
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 9:33:14 AM

Here's my thoughts....I'm generally an optimist so likely overly rosey view...

Simmons - Hope he stays, we need something to build around. As others have said great late part of the year. I could do with less of the extra curriculars after every bucket.

Kelly - Very likeable, super athlete, but has to be able to shoot the 3. Hope he's back, I don't think he's going to be going higher than the MAC at this point even if he does leave.

Kuany - Hope he's back. So much potential with that length. Add some weight, watch film all offseason. Does he start at the 4? I like the occasional time at the 3 in a big lineup.

Burris - I'm not as down on him as most. Hope he returns and continues an upward trajectory. It's rare to have long term guys but I could see him contributing next year in a small role, and then being a key member his Jr/Sr years. Has to get stronger/quicker if he has any chance to make those improvements. We need a knockdown guy who shoots 40%+, can he be it?

Evans - I think he's gone. Welcome on both sides. His comment about "watching from the bench" during a vid we posted struck me as a wild thing to say, and that he's probably not loving it.

Elliott - I think he's gone too, I'm still not sure he was even at the game yesterday. Was he? His sophomore campaign was a huge disappointment. I really thought he was going to start at the 2 and be a major cog of this team.

Fisher - Likely back as his boys arrive. Is he the starting 2 next year? I hope not, but we have to find a portal SG or maybe he is. Has plenty of bounce, and I like his shot, can he make a big jump?

Mosley - Hope he's back, he looks the part of a PF. Was encouraged by the recent report that Simmons gave him some love. He was actively involved in warm-ups yesterday working with the team to get them ready which made it seem like a guy who enjoyed the experience even if not contributing directly.

McKinney - Not sure what to expect here, I'm guessing a redshirt year or something similar to Fisher's experience this year.

Bowens - Here's my nugget of "inside info"....I've got a friend who works in the recruiting biz evaluating HS kids. He works directly with coaches all over the country and I know Boals does get info from him (probably just 1 source of dozens, I'd hope). I think it's something along the line of "find me some names to consider with skill set X" and then he recommends a group of guys they look closer at. He lives in the upper Midwest so Ohio not his home range any more, but I've seen him put out content about Bowens. His comment to me last night about Bowens is that in the pre-portal era, Jordie would be a high major recruit. That doesn't mean he's starting year 1 and an immediate stud, but I'm encouraged that he's more than just one of the Reynoldsburg group that was easy to recruit. Super athletic, with a developing outside shot, likely to play the SF spot, maybe 4 in small ball lineup.

Portal - 2 PG's or a PG & a Combo G? Shooting Guard (making guard would be preferred), Center. I sat across the aisle from Buffalo's Oboh last night, he was rooting for the Cats down the stretch, even getting out of his seat a couple times, let's get him on board!

Maybe sit on one scholarship and see if there's another HS Sr. who falls through the cracks.

shabamon
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Location: Cincinnati
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 9:54:13 AM

We have five players outgoing (I'm including Conners since he was honored on senior day) and we have two players as of now incoming. We have to fill three openings, at least. For now, let's assume everyone who can come back does

SENIOR
Simmons F

JUNIOR
Evans C
Elliott G (would not expect him to qualify for medical redshirt)

SOPHOMORE
Burris G
Kuany F
Kelly W

FRESHMAN
Fisher G (reading the redshirt rules, he should qualify)
Mosley F
McKinney G
Bowens W

If we have to fill three spots, the way I see it we need:

1) A starting point guard. I don't think Elliott is a point and we shouldn't rely on a true freshman. I really like what I've seen from McKinney and he could be that dude in time, but don't put that on him next year.

2) A center who is at minimum better than Jalen Breath.

3) Someone over 6'3" who can reliably and efficiently score in double figures. Don't care how. High volume three point shooter or getting to the line.

With seven underclassmen and none of them on an all-MAC list, class imbalance should not be a concern. If the above roles have one year left or three years left, it does not matter.

FishBates
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 10:15:37 AM

I'm not sure who "Reese" is (?) but Evans and Kuany need to be able to bench their body weight, presume that is around 200 pounds or should be.

If not, the hypothetical new coaching staff needs a new strength and conditioning coach. Maybe get the one from Kent State? A full time S&C assistant coach, not one that is also a yoga teacher at the community center and strength coach for the dance team. One that is JUST for hoops.

GoCats105
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 10:32:05 AM

shabamon wrote:

1) A starting point guard.

This is the biggest concern going into the offseason IMO. They currently don't have one on the roster or in the recruiting banks. I'd offer you should probably bring in two.

Last Edited: 3/13/2026 10:32:43 AM by GoCats105

QuantCat
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 10:59:47 AM

Bobcat1998 wrote:

I 100% agree that keeping these four is a priority. Where I disagree is that I don't think you can play those four on the floor at the same time because they aren't good shooters. If you take their career averages, they are:

Simmons: 26% (16/61)
Elliott: 32% (16/50)
Kelly: 33% (24/73)
Kuany: 24% (7/29)

For reference, if you look at how many shooters other MAC teams had this year, it goes as follows:

Team Comps - Rotation Players > 35% from 3:
Miami: 7/9
Akron: 6/9
Toledo: 5/8
Kent: 2/9
Ohio: 1/10

Team Comps - Rotation Players > 38% from 3:
Miami: 5/9
Akron: 5/9
Toledo: 2/8
Kent: 2/9
Ohio: 0/10

I believe Kelly, Elliott, and particularly Kuany can develop into > 38% shooters, but this team MUST find guaranteed shooting. If Simmons stays, he is a phenomenal foundational piece for a quick turnaround, but he really needs spacing. If those four guys are in a starting lineup as-is, it allows defenses to collapse in on Simmons with little to no threat of hitting shots from the outside if he finds an open guy. Provide Simmons with two 38% shooters from outside, and that can turn into a recipe for a quick rebuild and turnaround.

Poor shooting was the downfall of this team all year and a big cause for the ups and downs. A bad, but high-volume shooting team will have nights where they go 40+% and punch up, but they will have even more where they shoot sub-30%. They desperately need shooting and perimeter defenders, whether that is developing the guys listed or going out and getting them via the portal.

The glass-half-full take here is that even though this season was miserable, the roster will look wildly different next year for the first time in a while, and there is an opportunity to completely reset.

Last Edited: 3/13/2026 11:01:07 AM by QuantCat

GraffZ06
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 11:40:01 AM

Literally half of next years roster isn't on this team yet.

We have 7 guys returning (Simmons/Kelly/Kuany/Burris/Elliott/Evans/Fisher), 3 guys signed (Mosley - since he never played yet/McKinney/Bowens).

Means we need to sign 3-4 more (if we also replace Carter Reese), plus likely 1-2 additional portal replacements for guys who leave.

With 4-6 new faces that are all TBD, I'm unsure how you draw any reasonable conclusions. We could be Duke (not likely) or Hocking Tech (not likely either).

FishBates
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 12:11:13 PM

QuantCat wrote:

Bobcat1998 wrote:

More guys who can do little more than launch 3's while playing no defense?

(cough-cough Conners)

A recipe for 20+ losses next season.

cc-cat
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 12:11:22 PM

Boals has admitted the need to hit the reset button (with a likely "or else"). If I'm a player, do I want to return and play for a coach who may have one year left and when he leaves I get an unknown. A coach that has arguably....arguably, has not excelled at developing players, at putting players in a position to succeed, nor shown a consistent approach to strategically growing the program? I think we are in for a very turbulent off-season.

Last Edited: 3/13/2026 12:12:23 PM by cc-cat

QuantCat
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 12:44:26 PM

FishBates wrote:

More guys who can do little more than launch 3's while playing no defense?

(cough-cough Conners)

A recipe for 20+ losses next season.

A little confused, are you saying we shouldn't prioritize shooting after 0/10 guys who cracked the rotation regularly shot above 38% from 3? Defense is obviously a need, but you can't win in the modern era of basketball when your team has no good shooters. I might also be misinterpreting what you are saying.

QuantCat
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RE: 2026-2027 Roster

Posted: 3/13/2026 1:02:41 PM

If the point being made here is that we shouldn't go get more players like Dior Conners (I might be wrong on my interpretation), my rebuttal would be that the the situation is an anomaly. He shot over 40% last year on a very high volume of attempts (162) at App State. It's a very valid argument to make that the Dior thing went horrible this year and we should look to avoid doing it again. I just think it was a weird outlier. I even found some stats from his JUCO days where he shot the ball at an elite level. Sometimes you make a "good" decision to go get a guy based off of information available at the time, and things inexplicably don't work. The program can't be scared away from trying to do that again.

My flag on how to avoid the Dior situation again is to not focus solely on the 3pt metrics that look amazing. The EvanMiya data (which is good but not always 100% aligned with reality), told a story that Dior was a defensive liability last year at App State. He was a fine offensive player (0.09 OBPR not great) but a huge defensive liability (-0.99 DBPR) for an net negative contribution to the team. So if he was only a 0.09 on offensive while shooting 40%, what did it look like this year while shooting sub 30? He had a -1.05 OBPR and a -1.77 DBPR for an overall impact of -2.82. I also very well may have went against my "good decision with info at the time" argument, but my point is that you can't not go try go grab more shooters just because one guy didn't work out.

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