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Topic:  Previews

Topic:  Previews
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shabamon
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  Message Not Read  Previews
   Posted: 9/12/2024 9:33:45 AM 
Let's keep this thread up to date on previews as they come in. I'm reading the Blue Ribbon preview which is now available as a digital download. Print ships later this month. Nuggets from Blue Ribbon.

-AJ Clayton is on the NBA's radar. Scouts are approaching Boals. He's up to 245 pounds.

-Paveletzke should fit right in. More physical than we might think. Can get in the lane. A better shooter than Jaylin Hunter.

-AJB the X-factor. Some MAC coaches think he's the league's best NBA prospect right now. Finally getting back into 5v5 action.

-Hadaway up to 210. "Filled the void (from AJB injury) and didn't look back."

-Elmore probably came back from injury too early, but he's healthy now. Will compete with AJB for a starting wing spot.

-Searls was 4th in the nation in D2 for FG%, despite being double and triple teamed "all the time".

-Nicol will be a backup 4.

-The crew of Pavaletzke, AJB, Elmore, Mitchell, Clayton, Hadaway, Searls, Sheldon, and Nicol is probably the initial core rotation. Anything they get from freshmen will be a bonus, though Boals "really likes" all of them. He prefaced that with saying "this might sound crazy, but..." so he's trying to make it not sound so much like coach-speak. Not sure when Ayden Evans will help. Kuany will redshirt.
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Victory
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/12/2024 10:58:13 AM 
I got the feeling watching some of Boals spring and summer interview that he was acting like a poker player with a straight flush. I hope that's right and we stay healthy.
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/12/2024 1:27:28 PM 
Personally, I'm very bullish on Paveletzke. Seems like an assertive offensive player that can score at multiple levels. With AJB back, I think we could actually see a net better backcourt despite losing a very, very good lead guard.
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GreenAndWhitePride
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/12/2024 2:15:05 PM 
I've enjoyed Jaylin's contributions the last 2 years but his efficiency dipped last year and his 3 point shot absolutely cratered. I'm high on Paveletzke as well and think he can at worst, step in and give us what we got from Jaylin last year. If not be an upgrade, at least offensively.
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GoCats105
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/12/2024 4:39:37 PM 
Great updates from that preview, but I can't get over the first thing. Clayton? On NBA radars? What? I don't think he's quick enough for that.

Buttttt, he could make a really good living as a 3 and D type player. I also didn't realize how much he improved his overall FG and 3PT percentages last year. His FT percentage took a hit, but a kid his size who still shoots around 80% from the stripe is never a bad thing.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/aj-clayton-1...

For advanced stat heads:

-his Win Share total ballooned to 4.1 (tied for 3rd in MAC with Jaylin Hunter)

-had the highest offensive rating in the MAC last year at 127 (almost a full 3 points ahead of Akron's Enrique Freeman)

-4th in the MAC in PER (player efficiency rating).

I'm curious to see what he'll do now that Searls could take away some of the action he was seeing in the paint. If he's less concerned about being a "big man" maybe he'll be even more efficient at what seems to be a natural stretch 4 or even big 3 position.



Last Edited: 9/12/2024 4:39:57 PM by GoCats105
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FJC31
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/12/2024 9:45:20 PM 
Tough to not be giddy about the ceiling potential of a healthy squad this season.

That’s an encouraging note about Searls, I didn’t know that (I don’t think it was mentioned in his signing article). Between the physicality that we’ve seen in practice clips and his offensive efficiency, I think we can feel confident about his ability to contribute as a role player at the mid-major level.

Surprised to hear Nicol as the backup 4. I have no clue what to expect out of him at all, but I remember thinking he was more stout than I initially thought he was up close in the Bahamas.

A little bit of a bummer Kuany is redshirting but it’s making more sense if he’s having visa issues.
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/13/2024 9:04:42 AM 
GoCats105 wrote:
Great updates from that preview, but I can't get over the first thing. Clayton? On NBA radars? What? I don't think he's quick enough for that.

Buttttt, he could make a really good living as a 3 and D type player. I also didn't realize how much he improved his overall FG and 3PT percentages last year. His FT percentage took a hit, but a kid his size who still shoots around 80% from the stripe is never a bad thing.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/aj-clayton-1...

For advanced stat heads:

-his Win Share total ballooned to 4.1 (tied for 3rd in MAC with Jaylin Hunter)

-had the highest offensive rating in the MAC last year at 127 (almost a full 3 points ahead of Akron's Enrique Freeman)

-4th in the MAC in PER (player efficiency rating).

I'm curious to see what he'll do now that Searls could take away some of the action he was seeing in the paint. If he's less concerned about being a "big man" maybe he'll be even more efficient at what seems to be a natural stretch 4 or even big 3 position.





Yeah, my thought is that NBA scouts aren't doing their job if they're not asking about a first team all conference guy. I suspect that's pretty much the standard across every conference in the country.

But it's gonna be a tough path for him with the NBA, because he would be forced to switch positions. Even in a 3 and D role, he'd be asked to guard wings in a way he hasn't in college. He's got decent athleticism for his size though, so it wouldn't surprise me if teams could see a shooting specialist who isn't a massive liability on D if they squint hard enough.
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100%Cat
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/13/2024 9:10:04 AM 
I love the options this roster affords, granted they stay relatively healthy. And that's a big "if," as we all know. We're running out of time to see AJB and EJ4 healthy and playing to their potential together. AJB's injury last year maybe put Hadaway into a bigger than expected role, but that should pay dividends this year. I was really pleased with his performance last season from an unknown/unexpected standpoint. I'm excited to see this group on the floor.

Last Edited: 9/13/2024 9:11:10 AM by 100%Cat
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Bobcat1998
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/13/2024 9:39:01 AM 
100%Cat wrote:
I love the options this roster affords, granted they stay relatively healthy. And that's a big "if," as we all know. We're running out of time to see AJB and EJ4 healthy and playing to their potential together. AJB's injury last year maybe put Hadaway into a bigger than expected role, but that should pay dividends this year. I was really pleased with his performance last season from an unknown/unexpected standpoint. I'm excited to see this group on the floor.


You could just see the confidence grow with Hadaway last year. By the end of the year he was our engine and our glue guy. He played some of the most minutes and always found a way to contribute. If he had 2 points, he would have 9 rebounds. If he had 10 points, he'd also have 4 assists or a key loose ball grab. Dude didn't ever disappear. I think that's what Boals has put together, a team that if one guy is off, he can step up in other ways. I think Searls is going to piss a lot of MAC bigs off with his old school game and I think Paveletzke is going to make opposing fans angry because they'll think he's a walk-on by how he looks but when it comes time for the game, he will be driving to the hole, dishing dimes and hitting treys.
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OhioCatFan
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/13/2024 11:10:34 AM 
Sky is the limit with two Marin Bota-NBA-talent-type players on the team. Final Four, baby!

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

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M.D.W.S.T
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/13/2024 11:34:22 AM 
Victory wrote:
I got the feeling watching some of Boals spring and summer interview that he was acting like a poker player with a straight flush. I hope that's right and we stay healthy.


Always the keyword for this team. Maybe it's recency bias, but I feel like we've been hammered with injuries with this crew more than previous years.


AJB should be MAC POY candidate.

Elmore is a SG body in a linebackers body.

A lot of good shooters on this team. If Jackson and Reek can distribute... Hadaway + AJC + Searls + Ayden can hold it down inside...

Big things coming.
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OU_Country
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/19/2024 12:24:00 PM 
M.D.W.S.T wrote:
Victory wrote:
I got the feeling watching some of Boals spring and summer interview that he was acting like a poker player with a straight flush. I hope that's right and we stay healthy.


Always the keyword for this team. Maybe it's recency bias, but I feel like we've been hammered with injuries with this crew more than previous years.


AJB should be MAC POY candidate.

Elmore is a SG body in a linebackers body.

A lot of good shooters on this team. If Jackson and Reek can distribute... Hadaway + AJC + Searls + Ayden can hold it down inside...

Big things coming.


Hitting the nail on the head here. The prior two seasons would have had better results with improved player health. Flip side is that it allowed some other guys to develop out of necessity. Here's to hoping for improved player health and fitness in 24-25!
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SBH
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/19/2024 5:04:08 PM 
Quote:

AJB should be MAC POY candidate.


That would really surprise me.
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JSF
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/20/2024 5:46:38 AM 
GoCats105 wrote:
Great updates from that preview, but I can't get over the first thing. Clayton? On NBA radars? What? I don't think he's quick enough for that.


They look at hundreds of players every year, anyone who has even a scintillon of potential or physical attributes. They hit the MEAC and D-II and everywhere in between.

"Loyalty to a hometown or city is fleeting and interchangeable, but college is a stamp of identity."- Kyle Whelliston, One Beautiful Season.

My blog about depression and mental illness: https://bit.ly/3buGXH8

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Bobcat1998
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/20/2024 8:19:31 AM 
SBH wrote:
Quote:

AJB should be MAC POY candidate.


That would really surprise me.


I think we need to temper our expectations of AJB. I would trade a full year of 10 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg of AJB for 5 games of 20 ppg. I don't think AJ will need to be a superstar on this team. I am really excited because I feel like we have four legitimate "stars" on this team in Mitchell, AJ Clayton, AJ Brown and Paveletzke and we also have a slew of guys I could see hitting for 20 points in any given game in EJ4, Hadaway and even Searls. And...to make matters better, I even feel like our talent level with young guys is good enough to fill injury gaps with Sheldon, Nichol, Elliott, Evans and even Burris who I think is going to be the "quiet gem" of this class.
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Taiwan BC
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 9/26/2024 10:43:30 AM 
Just listened to the Three Man Weave podcast featuring their Mid-major predictions. No surprises really. Ohio, Toledo, and Akron with Kent being a dark horse. They specifically mentioned Toledo as being solid with a pair of super sophs... And of course, they chimed in that Ohio would be helped by the return of AJ Brown. More of what we already know but, still passing the info on...

Go Bobcats!
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Victory
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 10/17/2024 3:22:10 PM 
Media Day is Tuesday so we'll see the coaches poll and preseason teams then.
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FJC31
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   Posted: 10/18/2024 3:57:19 PM 
Matt Norlander of CBS sports has us at 68 on his top 101 teams this year.
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Victory
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 10/18/2024 6:06:07 PM 
FJC31 wrote:
Matt Norlander of CBS sports has us at 68 on his top 101 teams this year.


There was a time when the MAC was good that being #68 just would have been a good season. If we could do that now I'd be quite happy.

Even though this preview has been out for a while, I don't think anyone has posted it.

https://www.collegesportsmadness.com/article/23049

Last Edited: 10/18/2024 7:22:18 PM by Victory
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FJC31
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 10/20/2024 9:47:36 AM 
Conference POY races -> https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/4...

Pritchard favorite with Sparks top competition. Surprised by no love for AJC.
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M.D.W.S.T
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 10/20/2024 8:51:04 PM 
FJC31 wrote:
Conference POY races -> https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/4...

Pritchard favorite with Sparks top competition. Surprised by no love for AJC.


It’s gonna take a lot more than 12 points and 4 boards to win POY.

I’m still holding out, hoping AJB goes absolutely nuts this year. Way too good to not be a 20ppg player.
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FJC31
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 10/21/2024 8:21:43 AM 
M.D.W.S.T wrote:
FJC31 wrote:
Conference POY races -> https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/4...

Pritchard favorite with Sparks top competition. Surprised by no love for AJC.


It’s gonna take a lot more than 12 points and 4 boards to win POY.

I’m still holding out, hoping AJB goes absolutely nuts this year. Way too good to not be a 20ppg player.


For sure and point made, just figured pundits would look at him as a candidate since we’re a favorite this year.

A healthy AJB raises the ceiling of this team significantly.
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Bobcat1998
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   Posted: 10/21/2024 8:43:19 AM 
FJC31 wrote:
M.D.W.S.T wrote:
FJC31 wrote:
Conference POY races -> https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/4...

Pritchard favorite with Sparks top competition. Surprised by no love for AJC.


It’s gonna take a lot more than 12 points and 4 boards to win POY.

I’m still holding out, hoping AJB goes absolutely nuts this year. Way too good to not be a 20ppg player.


For sure and point made, just figured pundits would look at him as a candidate since we’re a favorite this year.

A healthy AJB raises the ceiling of this team significantly.


I think we should temper OUr expectations of AJB. The best thing Boals can do is keep his minutes to a minimum to start the year. He should only be playing 15 minutes or less a game. Put him in to start and let him loose and then do the same in the second half. Dude has shown he can't stay healthy so I see no reason to believe he will stay healthy through 25 minutes a game right now. We have the depth for Boals to be able to do that. Just like AJC and Hadaway, they don't need to play 35 minutes a night because I truly believe Searls is going to be more reliable than The Wiz. And for my final point, AJB isn't even going to be our leading scorer. Paveletzke or Reef are going to lead us in scoring with 15 ppg but there is a world where we have 5 guys at 10 to 15 ppg and two more at 8 to 10 ppg. Let's celebrate the depth and the talent rather than worry about AJB being an All-American. One tourney game explosion two years ago does not a MAC POY make.
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FearLeon
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 10/21/2024 9:19:57 AM 
Bobcat1998 wrote:
FJC31 wrote:
M.D.W.S.T wrote:
FJC31 wrote:
Conference POY races -> https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/4...

Pritchard favorite with Sparks top competition. Surprised by no love for AJC.


It’s gonna take a lot more than 12 points and 4 boards to win POY.

I’m still holding out, hoping AJB goes absolutely nuts this year. Way too good to not be a 20ppg player.


For sure and point made, just figured pundits would look at him as a candidate since we’re a favorite this year.

A healthy AJB raises the ceiling of this team significantly.


I think we should temper OUr expectations of AJB. The best thing Boals can do is keep his minutes to a minimum to start the year. He should only be playing 15 minutes or less a game. Put him in to start and let him loose and then do the same in the second half. Dude has shown he can't stay healthy so I see no reason to believe he will stay healthy through 25 minutes a game right now. We have the depth for Boals to be able to do that. Just like AJC and Hadaway, they don't need to play 35 minutes a night because I truly believe Searls is going to be more reliable than The Wiz. And for my final point, AJB isn't even going to be our leading scorer. Paveletzke or Reef are going to lead us in scoring with 15 ppg but there is a world where we have 5 guys at 10 to 15 ppg and two more at 8 to 10 ppg. Let's celebrate the depth and the talent rather than worry about AJB being an All-American. One tourney game explosion two years ago does not a MAC POY make.


Some good points her made about AJB. I'm in between Bobcat1998 and MDWST.

A healthy AJB means 15 minutes is too light. As long as we have the real AJB this season, I have to believe he's looking at 24-30 minutes.

20 PPG is way too high. Too much depth on this team to rely on him for that much scoring. I'd be thrilled with 13 PPG coming off two years of nothing but injuries.

Gentlemen...it begins two weeks from today. Can't wait.

Last Edited: 10/21/2024 10:22:39 AM by FearLeon

#BleedGreen #TrentIsGOAT

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FJC31
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  Message Not Read  RE: Previews
   Posted: 10/21/2024 9:38:23 AM 
Bobcat1998 wrote:
FJC31 wrote:
M.D.W.S.T wrote:
FJC31 wrote:
Conference POY races -> https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/4...

Pritchard favorite with Sparks top competition. Surprised by no love for AJC.


It’s gonna take a lot more than 12 points and 4 boards to win POY.

I’m still holding out, hoping AJB goes absolutely nuts this year. Way too good to not be a 20ppg player.


For sure and point made, just figured pundits would look at him as a candidate since we’re a favorite this year.

A healthy AJB raises the ceiling of this team significantly.


I think we should temper OUr expectations of AJB. The best thing Boals can do is keep his minutes to a minimum to start the year. He should only be playing 15 minutes or less a game. Put him in to start and let him loose and then do the same in the second half. Dude has shown he can't stay healthy so I see no reason to believe he will stay healthy through 25 minutes a game right now. We have the depth for Boals to be able to do that. Just like AJC and Hadaway, they don't need to play 35 minutes a night because I truly believe Searls is going to be more reliable than The Wiz. And for my final point, AJB isn't even going to be our leading scorer. Paveletzke or Reef are going to lead us in scoring with 15 ppg but there is a world where we have 5 guys at 10 to 15 ppg and two more at 8 to 10 ppg. Let's celebrate the depth and the talent rather than worry about AJB being an All-American. One tourney game explosion two years ago does not a MAC POY make.


Healthy is the key word. If he’s not, expectations are tempered. If he is — we’ve seen what he can do and his presence does raise the ceiling.

That three game stretch between the 22/23 Ball state game and last years season opener before re-aggravating his shoulder, his average was 22ppg.

That said, I don’t think he’s averaging those numbers, but even a healthy AJB putting up 12/13ppg still makes the ceiling that much higher for this season. Just having him as a scoring threat does so much for the depth we already have.

Last Edited: 10/21/2024 9:41:37 AM by FJC31
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