MBB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Greek Tragedy]

No schedule on the website yet, but here's the Twitter post.

https://x.com/MountUnion_MBB/status/1826663037086171401

[Dr. Acula]

Shouldn't be too much longer and we'll have the 2024-25 rosters posted, preseason OAC coaches poll, etc.  Next week or two for all of that.  Mount is usually near last to post their roster.

I'd be shocked if JCU didn't get all 10 first place votes in the coaches poll.  With what they have back they should get all 10.  After the Streaks I'm not sure until we see who is back for each team.  I believe this is finally the last year of COVID 5th years available.  JCU went 17-1 in conference last year and I don't know who has the capability of even seriously challenging them this year.  My hunch is it goes similar to last year with JCU cruising and then the next group kind of all beating up on each other so the 2nd place team ends up with 13/14 wins in conference.   

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Not sure if this applies to the OAC, but typically coaches aren't allowed to vote for their own team in the preseason poll.  Ten votes seems unlikely.

[RaidersRGr8t]

Mount Union has Christian Parker, Caleb Laurich and Corey Hudson as returning starters.
I expect Jamarr Talbert Jr., a transfer from Notre Dame, to be the other backcourt starter, with Eli Farrington and Dante Collier competing for the other wing spot.
Kevin Moore, from Campbell Memorial by way of San Diego City College, should also see extensive playing time, along with Michael Skeriotis and Jonah McCartney.
Freshman Chance Casenhiser of Uniontown Lake is highly-regarded as well.

[Dr. Acula]

I hope Collier emerges as a knock down 3 point shooter.  He's a lefty with a nice stroke.  He's a phenomenal FT shooter, but it just hasn't translated into 3 point % yet.  Maybe more consistent minutes let him settle into a comfort level because it certainly looks like he has the ability.

Farrington I was impressed with as the season went on.  When he got minutes, sometimes critical ones in tight games, he seemed to respond well.  He also showed some range for a big guy.

The kid from Green seems like kind of a Poole type.  Long, athletic, good defender.  I wouldn't be surprised if he played some as well.  Fuline seems to like those versatile defensive guys that can run the floor.

I'm curious if Diego Allen is on the team.  I still think they could use a big like him for depth.

[Dr. Acula]

Checking out the Marietta roster and saw a couple interesting notes aside from confirming J'Allen Barrino (Malvern) indeed landed there.  Any Stark county hoops followers will know this one...Caleb Shilling from East Canton is on the roster.  For non-Stark folks he's a 6'10" kid who had a nice career at a smaller school.  I also noticed that Easton Shanholtz transferred from Mount to Marietta.  He's from WV and only appeared in a game or two at Mount last year so maybe he wanted to be closer to home. 

[RaidersRGr8t]

Diego Allen isn't on the team. I'm not sure he's on campus.

[D3fanboy]

Diego Allen isn't on the team. I'm not sure he's on campus.

sad, pissing away a tremendous opportunity.  not talking about only basketball

[Dr. Acula]

No Jahlil Graham on the roster.  Can't say I love that.  I thought he looked like he'd be a solid contributor this year.

Sabin is also not on the roster.  Obviously didn't play anywhere near as much as Graham, but did get some PG minutes off the bench occasionally.

[RaidersRGr8t]

The backcourt will be fine. I think Hudson and probably Talbert will start but Marcus Steele and Chase Casenhiser will see PT. And of course Michael Skeriotis and Jonah McCartney will get in there as well.

[Dr. Acula]

I guess my hesitation is whether a starting backcourt of Hudson and Talbert is going to provide enough scoring?  Hudson was a solid secondary scorer last year and will run the point.  Talbert averaged 4.1 ppg and shot 37.5% from the floor.  Steele is also not a go to scorer in the backcourt.  Guys will develop and they'll figure it out, but on paper it looks IMO like an area to keep an eye on.

Looking into the freshmen a little Jack Dunbar (6'3" SG/SF) looks interesting as a scorer.  He was POY and had at least one D2 offer that I saw.

[Dr. Acula]

D3hoops top 25 is out.  JCU checks in at #3 and Mount at #19.  Berg is the only other OAC school receiving votes with 2. 

Two OOC opponents, Wooster and Redlands are also ORV.

[RaidersRGr8t]

I thought Hudson had a good second half of the OAC last year. He was far more aggressive taking the ball to the basket.

[Dr. Acula]

Both points are true.  Hudson played really well, especially down the stretch.  He's developing into a really nice player.  And I really like that he's a physically strong kid that doesn't get bothered by contact at all. 

I only get concerned with a backcourt that isn't good at knocking down 3's and is more suited to penetrating.  I just hope that doesn't push Parker out to the perimeter even more than last year trying to stretch the defense.  I'm greedy and want Parker around the basket as much as possible. 

I'm excited for the season to start.  I think it's going to be fun this year with quite a few new faces.  Fuline will have them ready to go as always!

[Dr. Acula]

OAC squads get things going this week starting with Mount on Friday at noon.  Everyone opens this week except Ott who starts next Friday.  Almost none of these games have links to video or live stats yet, but I'm sure that will change.  On a quick glance aside from Mount of course I'm most interested in the Berg game.  That should be an interesting opener.

Friday
Yeshiva @ Mount 12pm
Berg @ Wabash 5pm
ONU @ Vassar 6pm
Musky @ Rochester 8pm
Wilm @ MSJ 8pm

Saturday
Earlham @ Cap 2pm
Kenyon @ BW 5pm
JCU @ Albertus Magnus 7pm
Mt. Aloysius @ Etta 7pm
Musky TBD