Big 4 Hoops Blogger

Old Dominion starting point guard to Ohio. Averaged 9.7 points, 4 assists per game at ODU. Believe he has two years of eligibility remaining.

Former Top 150 recruit who couldn't see the court at Louisville. Had offers from plenty of P5 schools out of HS. 6-11 forward. Will be a junior next season.

https://247sports.com/player/gabe-wiznitzer-46057505/

Was ranked 117th and a 4-star recruit by Rivals. Planned on redshirting freshmen year but didn't due to Covid season.

https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2020/gabe-wiznitzer-233211

On 4/9/2022 at 12:00 PM, DooleyBull06 said:

 

 

I covered Jaylen Butz in high school when I was a sports anchor in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was a very good player at that level, guiding North Side to a state runner-up with his star teammate, Kentucky wing Keion Brooks Jr.

Buffalo could use a guy like him. He's a solid forward that's a decent defender and rebounder. He's a limited scorer but good down low. He'd project around 10-13 points per game and 6-8 rebounds per game in the MAC imo

Was a solid player at DePaul but didn't see the court much at Western Kentucky.

You guys know I love Mark Sears but I have no clue how this will play out.

He’s a great mid-major scorer but has some limitations. Sears didn’t have the best vision and his height limits him.

Luckily for him at Alabama, he won’t be asked to be an impact player like he was at Ohio. I see him being a SG now, averaging 10-15 mpg, 6-7 ppg and 1-2 apg. I think he’s talented enough to play P5 basketball but I’m not sure he’s good enough to be an impact player at that level.

My gut says he’ll be more of a role player. Has a great shot and offensive game. Wish him the best!

Butler hired Thad Matta as head coach so it appears Boals and Groce will remain in the MAC unless something unforeseen happens.

Going back to the original theme of the thread...

It's been an unbelievable run for St. Bonaventure that salvaged their season (I had said their season was a disappointment following Atlantic 10 Tournament. That's no longer the case) This is the first NIT Final Four appearance for a WNY school since Canisius in 1995. Of course, we all know the Bonnies won the NIT in 1977, which is the 2nd best accomplishment in their school history behind their Final Four appearance in 1970.

I think their run might've played a role in Schmidt staying. The money obviously helps but the timing would've been horrible to leave during the middle of a magical run when you're considered one of the iconic coaches in school history.

Another question is if Schmidt really took UMass seriously or if this was a money grab by his agent the entire time to leverage St. Bonaventure into paying him more.

Regardless, good for the Bonnies fanbase as much as some on this board despise them.

FLJ is one of the best ambassadors of UB athletics the school has ever seen. She lit up every room she walked in with her bright personality. Her players loved her and she made women's basketball relevant at UB in the same manner that Hurley/Oats did for the men.

Wish her the best at Syracuse. It's her dream job and appears to be a perfect match. My only hope is that UB will hire someone that will be able to continue the positive momentum she started. Obviously, it'll be difficult with Fair and Woolley being potential transfers but I still want to believe that they'll figure it out.

6 hours ago, Kevin said:

Was the right hire at the time for UB and recommended to the team per my info inside the Tennessee program

Was told similar things around that time before he took the job at Georgia State. Big reason why I was shocked when UB ended up hiring Jim Whitesell.

4 hours ago, squire17 said:

Then we have the case of UB, which made it to last year’s conference championship, and brought back the core of its lineup this season. Early on the Bulls picked up encouraging wins against N Texas and Western Kentucky. Covid played havoc with the schedule, which caused the cancellation of one conference game and one non conference game against UC Irvine (ranked 128 by kenpom). The wheels started coming off the bus in the Canisius game. Covid hit the coach and one of the best players, Mballa. There were some blow out wins against a couple of D III teams, and a nine game winning streak against conference bottom feeders, eight of which have ranks hovering around the 300 mark. UB beat one top 100 ranked team. The Bulls split with Kent St, lost twice to Toledo and Akron each, plus lost to Ohio. Yeah…St Bonaventure had a more discouraging season. LOL!

It’s all based on expectations. You can “lol” all you want but those play a role in how teams are perceived. No one is saying UB is better than Bona. We thought the Bulls were a Top 75 team that finished around 125 in KenPom while Bona was a Top 30 team that finished around 90. They “both” had incredibly disappointing years. That’s not up for debate.

It’s truly amazing how badly Toledo chokes in Cleveland on a yearly basis.

Tough night for Ohio. Kent State has been playing the best basketball in the MAC.

If they can continue playing their stifling defense and sneak in as a 14, they might have a chance to pull an upset in the tourney. Won’t predict it but they’re a solid squad.

6 hours ago, DooleyBull06 said:

I’m not saying Schmidt will be or should be fired…but do guys consider this season a failure for Bonaventure? If you are objective you should say yes. Much like if you are objective about UB basketball you would consider this season a failure for us. 

Big time failure for St. Bonaventure. More so than UB because they had even higher expectations coming off NCAA Tournament season in which they returned their entire starting lineup and opened the year ranked.

I doubt he’ll ever leave but if there was a time, it would be now for Schmidt to bolt for another school based on his age and the rebuilding project facing the Bonnies.

In reality, UB and St. Bonaventure had similar seasons in regards to failing to meet their lofty preseason expectations. The main difference is Schmidt is highly regarded due to his history with their program while most here feel that Whitesell has been a disappointment.

2 hours ago, RecoveringHillbilly said:

WVU - I was born in southern WV coal country, closer to Va Tech but strong 'eers fans even with the distance, few Hokies fans. I remember wanting to punch my TV when the Domers beat Major Harris in the Fiesta bowl. Learned to hate Pitt and SU before I even knew UB existed. Loved WVU football in the Big East. I got to see UB football get edged in the Dome, but happily return to SU later that season when Pat White/Steve Slaton ran over the Orange. My passion declined sharply with the Big 12 move. Why would I care to play OSU, Iowa St, even Texas? Unnatural realignment. WVU basketball was barely anything in the 80's, and I used to think, "Why the heck are we playing Bonnies and Duquesne?!" Loved the BE move. Was hard to see WVU play UB in 2015 but fully I support UB sports when played against WVU. It was funny for a few years when UB (alma mater), WVU (first love), and Hartwick College (I spent my teen years in Oneonta) all played MAC soccer.

Minor cheering for Cornell (sister attended). Used to like Marshall when they were winning 1AA championships for West Virginia pride but once they joined the MAC I dropped them fast. 

Where did you live in West Virginia? I lived in Oak Hill near Beckley for one summer back in 2014 and worked at WOAY. Was all over the southern counties. Our sports guys covered a ton of Virginia Tech, Marshall and WVU.

25 minutes ago, DooleyBull06 said:

Does anyone believe we will get an invite to a postseason tournament? The NIT is highly unlikely (?) but what about the CBI or The College Basketball Classic (formerly the CIT)? 

I know it’s not what we envisioned but it’s another chance to play an extra game or more. Another chance to practice. Or will the school be cheap and not bother? Which I think sends the wrong message.

I doubt this team will participate in any postseason tournament. They don't have the resume for the NIT and I doubt any of their seniors have any ambition to play in the secondary tournaments.

6 minutes ago, skrabukes said:

Congrats guys, you got what you wanted. Now you can talk shit about all these guys for the next 6 months.

I never wanted this. I’ve been holding out hope the entire season that we’d see the best version of UB in Cleveland. Unfortunately, we didn’t. This was our last good shot for a while with our senior class. I think they’ll remain competitive but they’re now a rebuilding project pending any offseason moves that shift their trajectory.

I’m officially on the fire Whitesell bandwagon.

This is one of the most disappointing seasons in the history of UB basketball from a expectations standpoint.

If UB loses this game, I have a feeling we won’t be arguing about many of the hot-button issues going forward.

4 hours ago, ChubbyHubby said:

Who on this board is in Cleveland, or will be?  My job keeps me from being there for now.  I need to retire.  We'll be there Saturday if either or both teams advance.

I’m at the arena right now! Great to have the MAC Tournament back to normal.

My list is long…

Grew up a diehard Syracuse fan but not really passionate about them anymore.

I love Ohio University since I went to college there.

Obviously care a ton about UB as well which makes things interesting every year.

I support all of Buffalo’s Big 4 opponents. Canisius was the first school I had season tickets for. My uncle went to St. Bonaventure and I have a soft spot for A10 hoops. Also, Niagara was good during my teenage years when they had Mihalich.

The one outlier is Purdue Fort Wayne (formerly IPFW). I covered the Mastodons for two seasons and have a lot of respect for their head coach, Jon Coffman.

2 hours ago, DocCas86 said:

I feel the key to how competitive UB will be next week,  is which Mballa shows up.  His production tailed off a little in the past two games.  If he finds a way to play close to  last year's MAC tourney, the Bulls have a shot at making some noise.  It will also help if Jack / Skogman contribute as well. Maybe it is foolish optimism on my part, but still pulling for these guys to succeed.

If Mballa returns to form, I think UB will beat Akron. I think the biggest key to a run will be how Toledo performs in a different atmosphere. If the Rockets play like they’ve been all season, I don’t think Buffalo can upset them but if the Rockets start missing looks they normally hit, they’ll be vulnerable and anything could happen.

20 minutes ago, Bluebird96 said:

So, Ohio lost. If UB hits 2 more 3’s tonight (Brewton? Jack?) we’d be the 2 seed, correct?  As up and down and disappointing as this season has been at times, it’s amazing that after all of that, we were that close to stealing the 2. Ohio practically tried handing it to us this last week but we just couldn’t take advantage. Brand new season in Cleveland… now let’s go steal the MAC title, Bulls!

Had UB won tonight, they would've been the 2-seed since Ohio lost.

7 minutes ago, DooleyBull06 said:

Yea probably. But do we think NIU is gonna be Ohio? Anything can happen. Ohio is reeling but are they reeling that badly?

UB wins and Ohio loses, UB can move up to the 2-seed. Every other scenario involves UB in 4/5 game.

Finally got 100% confirmation.

Buffalo can’t be the 3-seed. There will be no multiple team tiebreakers with unbalanced records. In Kent State, Ohio, Buffalo scenario, they’ll break the 15-5 tie first betwen Kent and Ohio which Kent wins. Then it would be 15-5 Ohio vs. 14-5 Buffalo, which Ohio wins.

Getting more clarification now. The previous scenario where UB could be tied with “both” teams ahead and behind them based off winning percentage is not applicable, meaning, if Akron is 14-6, UB is 14-5 and Ohio is 15-5, that will not be considered a 3-way tie even though UB would technically be tied with both of them according to “no contest” rules. This is a complete mess!