MBB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Onward on, John Carroll]

Does anyone know the story on JCU's struggles? This team had so much coming back this year on paper and they have looked so disjointed this year.

I am baffled.  THey have not looked bad but they just have not been able to close out when they are playing with a lead.  This is not a new thing for the Streaks as their style of play always allows for a comeback -- either by us or the opponent -- but I am blown away how they have looked against some rather pedestrian team this year.  I would have had us at 4-1 with one loss in the opening weekend OR a loss to Hope.  I would have lost a mortgage payment on the Muskingum game.

It is still early and they have the tools to turn it around but I just don't see a lot of like in their eyes.  You know how D3 can be with upperclassmen . . . sometimes they play like this is their last chance to play competitive athletics . . . other times they play like they have an eye on the future and are phone it in. One hand on a beer and one hand on a resume. 

[Gregory Sager]

One hand on a beer and one hand on a resume.

That is an awesome description of senioritis, OOJC.

[Dr. Acula]

Does anyone know the story on JCU's struggles? This team had so much coming back this year on paper and they have looked so disjointed this year.

I am baffled.  THey have not looked bad but they just have not been able to close out when they are playing with a lead.  This is not a new thing for the Streaks as their style of play always allows for a comeback -- either by us or the opponent -- but I am blown away how they have looked against some rather pedestrian team this year.  I would have had us at 4-1 with one loss in the opening weekend OR a loss to Hope.  I would have lost a mortgage payment on the Muskingum game.

It is still early and they have the tools to turn it around but I just don't see a lot of like in their eyes.  You know how D3 can be with upperclassmen . . . sometimes they play like this is their last chance to play competitive athletics . . . other times they play like they have an eye on the future and are phone it in. One hand on a beer and one hand on a resume.

That's fantastic!  And accurate.  It's still odd though.  They have three talented, proven players leading that team.  On paper those three alone probably make them the 2nd or 3rd best team in the conference by themselves.  The Musky loss was a head scratcher.

[sac]

Muskingum has played a pretty bad schedule but is 5-0.  But they have not had any trouble with bad teams that have given past Muskie teams trouble in the past thus far.  Its entirely possible Muskingum is actually a good team this year.

Just from passively following OAC rosters for my own purposes, the Muskies have more size and numbers than they've had in quite some time.  Their two leading scorers are a Soph and Fr.  Team to keep an eye on maybe.

[Fifth and Putnam]

Muskingum has played a pretty bad schedule but is 5-0.  But they have not had any trouble with bad teams that have given past Muskie teams trouble in the past thus far.  Its entirely possible Muskingum is actually a good team this year.

Just from passively following OAC rosters for my own purposes, the Muskies have more size and numbers than they've had in quite some time.  Their two leading scorers are a Soph and Fr.  Team to keep an eye on maybe.

You're right about the improvement in the Musky program and to be honest it started last year. The results didn't pan out but you could see a new attitude and culture begin to develop there over the season. Is this the year Muskingum makes a run into the top half of the conference and is a player in the title race? No, most likely not. But I certainly think they can get out of the basement, get into the middle of the conference and set themselves up to be a player next year. Coach Schwab is doing some great things down in New Concord.

[smedindy]

Just cruised by this board to see if it was a safe space for actual OAC discussion. Maybe we should move the Top 25 posts here, and let someone have a monologue there.

/sarcasm
//or is it?

[Dr. Acula]

JCU picks up their first OAC win with a 91-89 win over my Raiders.  Jackson went for 35 and 9, but it wasn't enough.  Mount had a couple chances to tie down the stretch, but the Streaks held them off.  I'm sure Fuline was unhappy with the 20 turnovers (not that Moran is turning cartwheels because they "only" had 16).  Tough loss, but when you're looking at the schedule a loss at JCU is not a back breaker.  I kind of had that penciled in already anyway. 

[Dr. Acula]

Just cruised by this board to see if it was a safe space for actual OAC discussion. Maybe we should move the Top 25 posts here, and let someone have a monologue there.

/sarcasm
//or is it?

Is someone an OAC poster?  I didn't think any of us posted enough on hoops to have a monologue!   

[Onward on, John Carroll]

JCU picks up their first OAC win with a 91-89 win over my Raiders.  Jackson went for 35 and 9, but it wasn't enough.  Mount had a couple chances to tie down the stretch, but the Streaks held them off.  I'm sure Fuline was unhappy with the 20 turnovers (not that Moran is turning cartwheels because they "only" had 16).  Tough loss, but when you're looking at the schedule a loss at JCU is not a back breaker.  I kind of had that penciled in already anyway.

Jackson was THE man on the floor last night.  Outstanding performance.  I think Fuline will be less frustrated with the 20 total turnovers and be more focused on the fact that Kukura had 8 or 9 of those himself - not the kind of double-double you want from a coach's kid.  Nice win for the Streaks as 1-6 was looking like a real possibility with Etta coming to town on Saturday.  You cannot lose more than 6 or 7, maybe 8 (depending to whom those losses come, regional rankings, etc.) and expect an at-large bid so you would hate to be in a position where you have no choice but to win the OAC tournament title and it is not even Christmas.

[Fifth and Putnam]

I fully expect to see John Carroll's best Saturday against Marietta. I expect a nip and tuck game the whole way, much of what we thought we'd see between the two this season.

[Dr. Acula]

Jackson was THE man on the floor last night.  Outstanding performance.  I think Fuline will be less frustrated with the 20 total turnovers and be more focused on the fact that Kukura had 8 or 9 of those himself - not the kind of double-double you want from a coach's kid.  Nice win for the Streaks as 1-6 was looking like a real possibility with Etta coming to town on Saturday.  You cannot lose more than 6 or 7, maybe 8 (depending to whom those losses come, regional rankings, etc.) and expect an at-large bid so you would hate to be in a position where you have no choice but to win the OAC tournament title and it is not even Christmas.

That's been an ongoing issue for Kukura.  He can get a little sloppy with the ball.  8 or 9 turnovers is inexcusable though.  Watching him play the last couple of years my only knock on him is that and also he can sometimes get a little trigger happy.  Every scorer is like that, but Fuline gives his guys a lot of latitude so JJ takes advantage sometimes.  The kid can definitely score though and they need that this year. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Just cruised by this board to see if it was a safe space for actual OAC discussion. Maybe we should move the Top 25 posts here, and let someone have a monologue there.

/sarcasm
//or is it?

It would be nice if he moved here... agreed.

[Gregory Sager]

Just cruised by this board to see if it was a safe space for actual OAC discussion. Maybe we should move the Top 25 posts here, and let someone have a monologue there.

/sarcasm
//or is it?

Is someone an OAC poster?  I didn't think any of us posted enough on hoops to have a monologue!   

Read the past week's posts on the Top 25 board ... if you dare.

[Onward on, John Carroll]

I fully expect to see John Carroll's best Saturday against Marietta. I expect a nip and tuck game the whole way, much of what we thought we'd see between the two this season.

This team, for lack of a technical term, looks goofy, F&P.  I would like to think that they will look like they are turning the corner against you guys on Saturday but I am less than hopeful that will be the case.

[Fifth and Putnam]

I fully expect to see John Carroll's best Saturday against Marietta. I expect a nip and tuck game the whole way, much of what we thought we'd see between the two this season.

This team, for lack of a technical term, looks goofy, F&P.  I would like to think that they will look like they are turning the corner against you guys on Saturday but I am less than hopeful that will be the case.

Maybe I have just had to many nightmares of JCU over the last few years that I just assume the worst.