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Here's to starting a 20 game win streak 🍻 Bull horns

I’d just like to add a few thoughts. This isn’t about comparing Whitesell to Oats. No comparison. End of story. This isn’t about expectations being too high. Our expectations are where they should be based on the progression of this team. To me this is about striking while the window of opportunity is still open. Once Whitesell took over and returned all the players Oats left, the ship was stabilized and still on a championship course. A championship within the tenure of Mballa/Williams/Segu was not an unreal expectation. Many of us here feel if we don’t win this year, a return to dormant days are ahead.

Taking blue collar with them is fine. This team needs its own identity. This is year 3 under Whitesell. Where’s his imprint on the program? What’s this teams identity? So far the identity has been: not living up potential.

20 to 9 that is the difference right there we can not expect to win if we do not take care of the ball -

This. If we don’t win this year I feel like there’s a good chance we don’t win again in the next 5+ years (without significant change).

I think the smartest way to incorporate the young guys is that have them on the floor surrounded by vets. That way they can get use to game speed and not be relied upon to shoulder the load. Example…if Skogman is gonna play the perimeter he has to be out there with Mballa occupying the lane and Segu penetrating or running pick and pops. Jones has to be out there with Williams and other vets. A guy like Blocker out there with a Segu to create for him. Remember Graves freshman year…Oats brought him along. Mixed him in, and he played in every game. Remember Williams and Rondo as freshman…averaged like 8-10 minutes but were mixed in.

In a couple months we’ll have a lot more clarity regarding that. This is the year they need to make the tournament, I think everyone agrees on that. Just seems weird that people are throwing in the towel after one loss.

This is getting ridiculous. SFA winning 20+ games in one of the worst conferences in Div1 hoops has nothing to do with the fact that they are ranked somewhere in the 100-150 range this season. If anyone thought this Buffalo team was going to challenge for an at-large then this loss destroyed that opportunity. Not to mention, we basically just missed the front end of a 1-and-1 because now we get to play #228 Illinois State instead of #94 St Louis. It is an incredibly bad loss and it basically ended anyone's need to watch the rest of the regular season. I still don't understand how anyone can say that this team isn't a complete disappointment so far. We are down in nearly every statistical category YoY - PPG, Rebounding, Assists, Steals, Blocks... and if it weren't for a miracle comeback against UNT we would be 1 and 3. If you told me a couple of weeks ago that we would go 2-2 in our first 4 games and get completely outplayed by everyone except Rider then I would've been pissed. We have started every game completely flat-footed and we look like we don't have a strategy or even an identity yet - which is extremely disconcerting since this is one of the oldest, most experienced teams in the country.

I disagree, but it is what it is.

Cannot fathom how bad our depth is too. We have 4 guys who can do remotely anything and that’s it. This was supposed to be a considerably deeper team and they are the opposite.

So you’re saying they have 3 left……

They won the last with 19 😂

Good thing we have a bunch of D3 schools on our schedule.

For as poorly as they’ve played, the game is still well within reach. Obviously they need to rebound better in the 2nd half, safer passes and limiting turnovers…. and hit the free throws!

Team cannot simply rely on their outstanding athleticism to win games each time out. Coach Whitesell once again did not have this team ready to play.

Skogman is not Mitchell Watt, but he moves and plays a lot like him

Was someone reading fan board...taking a charge

Much better start tonight. Skogman looks great

That's been true for the past two decades but didn't always use to be the case. There's only been a handful of MAC teams during the past 20 years that have been in the at-large conversation. Buffalo in 2004-05 (not selected) and 2018-19 (Won MAC) Kent State in 2001-02 and 2007-08 (Won MAC both times) Ball State in 2001-02 (not selected after beating two Top 5 teams to open their season, made deep NIT run) Akron in 2012-13 (Won MAC) There might've been a few other instances I failed to mention. The majority of the time, these dominant MAC teams take care of business in Cleveland. To get an at-large bid, a mid-major conference needs their best program to choke in the conference tournament. That just hasn't happened the few chances the MAC has had for an at-large. It's not impossible for MAC teams to get a bid, it's just very unlikely given how little their margin of error is.

As would many coaches. The question is not is he as good as Oats. Clearly he is not. If the team improves in problem areas (primarily turnovers, and rebounding) I can see this team still meeting my expectations of rank in 60s with 20-21 wins (ex non-D1 opponents). Now many are saying that winning the MACC is a must. As a fan it is a must for me, but if we lose a 50/50 contest to a very good Ohio team I would.be disappointed but hard for me to say fire a guy who has say 60th (subjective of course) ranked team in country. I have asked before, are you able to hire an Oats caliber coach every 3 to 4 years? However one big caveat, his recruits need to start showing something. If Skogman continues at this pace it does not bode well for next year. Would also like to see more minutes for Jones too. Perhaps some minutes for Mading/Blocker would be nice.

2 factors matter this season: 1. Make the tournament 2. Show that the future is bright with the younger guys Whitesell needs to accomplish at least 1 of these to get another year in my book. Otherwise, I'd be willing to start the fund to bring Hodgson home. I can't stand what Hodgson did at the end of his UB tenure, but I was impressed with his support of our guys in the TBT tourney. I would be willing to give him a shot. We know he can recruit and he would be less likely to deviate from the Nate Oats system than Whitesell who has been a college head coach for over 25 years.

Good teams lose games they should win, we’ve seen upsets all over the country this season. I’m critical of Whitesell but I don’t believe he’s all that terrible. A loss like this is upsetting but I’m going to wait until the end of the season to see how we end up

Amen brother.

Less turnovers would be nice

Hopefully...TCB equals take care (of the) ball!

Graduating from Ohio

I think it’s highly dependent on how Whitesell does here. If we stay at or near the top of the MAC, make semi regular tournament appearances, and he ends up retiring or leaving, I would think promotion from within is absolutely on the table. If the program dips and he ends up getting let go, I think they look outside via search firm like they always do. I think all that is common sense, to be honest

Couldn’t agree with you more here. Do you remember when the team actually used to draw charges couple years ago? It’s almost like the coaches forgot to coach this, no one looks to take a charge anymore, and we usually have 4 or 5 called against us every game. It’s a huge factor in college basketball when players only have 5 fouls. That whole blue collar system is out the window now.

Coming back after playing with no heart isn’t showing heart

Doesn’t matter now. Had to win tonight for out of conference to even be relevant. Now got to win the Mac for tourney.

Always want our guys chasing their dreams, etc. But Josh sniffing the NBA has always been a pipe dream. If he's not a dominant, mini Bam Adebayo at the MAC level, it's just not even a thing.

Congratulations on 1,000 points 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Looking forward to a great senior season from him.

This team will only learn from this. Bring on St. Louis!

At the beginning of the season we thought this was a potential at-large team. In reality, this is a middling d1 team that might have a shot at the MAC championship if they hit a streak. beyond disappointing so far.

What do you mean? Isn’t one on four cowboy basketball the way to win? 😂😂

I guess we have never see. Pick and Roll?

Mballa look like an all-MAC rebounding machine to you? Not seeing much effort, not seeing much boxing out. Thus far, he's absolutely having a disappointing year. His rebounding and high FG% scoring are missing from the winning equation we need.

Bro please, just don’t reply to me

It’s called boxing out.

Cause Whitesell is an idiot

The MAC is absolutely looking strong this year. There's always going to be cellar dwellers. Us, Ohio, Kent, Akron, Toledo, and Miami are all legit. Going to be some battles this winter and whoever ends up winning it will be a nightmare for a 4-5 seed.