31 Aug
August ’08 Blog Notes
* August 31st
- Rivals.com three star power forward David Chadwick(6-8, 210) from Latin High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, took an unofficial visit to Athens last Monday and Tuesday. Ohio offered Chadwick three weeks ago after the July recruiting period ended. Chadwick also has offers from George Mason, College of Charleston, Furman, American, Rice, Liberty, Wofford, and Valparaiso with interest from Tulane and Washington State.
- Of the visit, Chadwick said, “The campus is really nice. I wasn’t expecting how nice it would be. I really like coach Groce. He has great enthusiasm and has big goals for the basketball team. I think he will really build a strong program. I have not made a list yet, so I don’t know where they are (in terms of my favorites), but I would say in the top five or six.”
- Stay tuned to TroopSports.com Monday afternoon following Frank Solich’s weekly press conference for some news and notes entering week two.
* August 30th (10 am)
- Due to a long practice Thursday, Frank Solich was not able to join the “Jim Schaus Show on The Sports Fan” last night.
- Speaking of the show, Schaus discussed possibly playing the Miami (OH)-Ohio game at a neutral site, possibly in Columbus.
- Schaus also noted that they are trying to move that rivalry game away from the traditional Thanksgiving weekend.
- With Central Michigan’s 31-12 win over Eastern Illinois, the Chippewas have now scored at least 30 points in seven straight games dating back to last season. That streak is tied for the longest in the nation with Florida.
- Also, the Chippewas played 10 true freshmen in the game.
- What did Eastern Michigan gain by playing and stomping on Indiana State 52-0 last Thursday? The Sycamores have now lost 15 straight games.
- Rivals.com three-star recruit and Cincinnati de-commit Danny McElroy (6-7, 215) is down to Ohio, Bowling Green, Miami and Kent State. He will be visiting Kent State this weekend then is set to see BG next weekend. McElroy is set to visit Ohio the third weekend in September and will receive a home visit from Miami (OH) sometime in the near future.
- So who leads for McElroy? LaSalle High School coach Dan Fleming says while Miami (OH) is the closest to home, they don’t appear to be the leader right now. “I don’t think that’s as big of a factor,” Fleming said of Miami (OH). “I got the impression that he and Louie Orr of BG have kind of hit it off a bit. I don’t know if I can say that they are the front runner, but it seems like they have made an impact there.”
- Don’t count Ohio out as of yet, however. McElroy has a connection with two Ohio University athletes. He lived for a year with ‘Cats sophomore cornerback Julian Posey, and McElroy is very good friends with 2009 Ohio fullback commit Tim Edmonds.
- It sounds like ‘Cats assistant Dustin Ford is taking the lead on recruiting McElroy.
- Unlike in football where sometimes you can expect to see a handful of recruits on campus for a particular reason, Groce and company will only do individual official visits for recruits. Forward Marquis Horne (6-6, 185) will visit the first weekend of September, three-star PG D.J. Cooper (5-9, 165) the second weekend, and McElroy the third.
- Rivals.com reports 2009 SG Greg Gantt (6-2, 195) will visit Florida Atlantic this weekend, and 2010 three-star forward J.D. Weatherspoon (6-6, 200) is paying a visit to Xavier.
* August 28th
- Don’t forget, “The Jim Schaus Show on The Sports Fan” debuts tonight on 970 WATH from 6-7. This is the first of our weekly shows every Thursday. Tonight, Frank Solich will join us from 6:30-7. If you have questions for the show, shoot us an e-mail at ctroop@TroopSports.com, or give us a call during the show live (740-592-6646). You can listen live online by clicking here or check out the podcast.
- Last night new Ohio volleyball coach Ryan Theis joined us on “The Sports Fan” from Hawaii to talk about the upcoming tournament against three Top-25 teams this weekend. Click here to listen to the interview.
- An interesting tidbit from the interview: When asked who might be a surprise impact player this season for the volleyball team Theis said, “Katie Post, our freshman, will be playing the right side for us to start off. I think she really has a great arm and can do some things at an elite level.” Theis added, “As far as her skills and her ability, she certainly will be one of the elite if not the best freshman in the conference.”
- Sinclair C.C. hoops prospect Mark Anderson from the 2009 class is taking an unofficial visit to Miami (OH) today. Ohio has shown interest in Anderson, but Groce has not offered. According to Sinclair head coach Jeff Price, many schools are waiting to see Anderson’s grades from the most recent quarter, which are due to come out in the next couple of days.
- Wyoming play-by-play voice Dave Walsh will be a guest on “The Sports Fan” this Friday.
- More to come.
* August 26th (edited at 1 pm)
- Reggie Keely (6-8, 245) took an unofficial visit to Athens last week, according to his Cleveland Heights High School coach Barry Egan. Ohio has offered Keely, who also has offers from Kent State, Miami (OH) and Rider, among others.
- The soft-spoken Keely appears to be nowhere close to a decision, but Egan’s relationship with Ohio coach John Groce could play into the forward’s decision. Egan coached Ohio State players Jamar Butler, Matt Terwilliger and Ivan Harris.
- Egan pointed out Cleveland Heights guard Aaron Ashley as another possible 2010 target for Groce and Ohio in the future. Ashley plays his AAU ball for the Ohio Basketball Club.
- Archbishop Alter High School shooting guard Ryan Siggins (6-5) is sitting on offers from Jacksonville, Florida Gulf Coast and Loyola (Chicago). Ohio University has not offered, and there is no indication one is on the way.
- Rivals.com three-star forward Bill Edwards (6-5, 240) still has no offer from Groce, but there has been mutual interest between both parties. Edwards is expected to narrow his list to five or 10 schools in the next few weeks with Miami (OH) and Penn State as expected frontrunners.
- Point guard prospect Allen Roberts (6-1, 170) from the 2009 class is leaning towards Kent State. Ohio has yet to offer the Middletown High School product, but has shown interest.
- Three-star shooting guard Colt Ryan (6-4, 180) is set to visit Miami (OH) and Evansville. Unless another big-name school jumps into the mix, Ryan is expected to make a decision very soon. Ohio has not recruited Ryan since Groce was hired, and it doesn’t appear the ‘Cats are pursuing prospects at the two-guard spot.
- How ‘bout some women’s hoops recruiting news? It sounds like Ohio has created a bit of a pipeline in the Cincinnati area with former Mount Notre Dame High School assistant coach Karen Hewitt joining Semeka Randall’s staff and 2009 PG commit Ashley Fowler on board. One of Fowler’s friends in the backcourt is Ashley Reynolds (5-4), one of the top recruits in the state of Ohio for 2010. Her brother, J.R., was a standout baseball player at Moeller H.S. and was signed by ‘Cats head baseball coach Joe Carbone in April as part of the 2009 recruitng class.
- The new Voice of the Bobcats, Russ Eisenstein, will be on “The Sports Fan” Tuesday night at the top of the show.
- More to come.
* August 25th
Notes from Monday’s Press Conference
- Ohio University head football coach Frank Solich held his first weekly press conference Monday afternoon at Peden Stadium. Below are some quotes and notes from the press conference.
- On what to expect from Wyoming: “I think that we’ll see somewhat the same style of offense from them. Although, you look at last year, they ran the ball 5.7 yards a carry, so I don’t know why you’d change much. But it sounds like they are going to have a power game. The offensive coordinator’s background—they’ve used fly sweeps before, so we have worked on that and expect to see that. They’ll have a number of screens in, and they’ll try to be a little bit of everything—not too far from what we’re all about.”
- On new Wyoming QB Dax Crum: “He fits very well into what they’ve been about. We expect the same style of quarterback play from him. They’ll run a few things where he’ll have opportunities to carry the ball. He can scramble. He can pick up a first (down) while scrambling.”
- On Wyoming’s RB duo of Wynel Seldon and Devin Moore: “We’ve prepared for a lot of things for this first ball game. Hopefully we’ll be able to do them well. I’d like to think that we can line up and be able run some base defenses that will slow them down. We obviously don’t want to have to blitz every down or get into a routine of blitzing, so we’d like to pick our spots, but we’ll see. Once the game starts to unfold, we’ll adjust our game plan. I like what we are going to be all about defensively. I think we’ve got good personnel.”
- Senior defensive lineman Jameson Hartke will start alongside Ernie Hodge on the interior of the D-Line, giving Ohio two former defensive ends starting at tackle and nose guard. Solich thinks the change can help the defense. “That gives up a little bit different of a look. Jameson’s a guy that has been able to use his hands and his arms really well. He’s got great feet. We think that will booster what we are all about inside. And yet Curtis Meyers has played really well. He has come along very, very well. He’ll be an excellent rush end for us. At the other rush end, Kris Luchsinger, Dak Notestine, Connor Reilly—we’ve got a lot of experience coming back at the rush end spot. We’ve got some good young players coming up, so we think we can afford to do that. Jameson will be able to play both inside and outside if we want him (to).”
- Added Solich on Harkte and Hodge: “Those two guys inside, I think can take people on pretty well. I think they can give us a good pass rush. And then we have some speed at the rush end spots that I think will be very effective for us, too, in terms of looking at just four man pass rushes and not having to blitz everybody all the time.”
- Another noticeable change in the depth chart was CB Idris Lawrence starting over Julian Posey, who started nine games last season. Solich said between Lawrence, Posey and senior Mark Parson, all three will see plenty of action.
- Solich said that of the players in the freshman class, MLB Brandon Weaver and CB Travis Carrie will definitely play this season. Other first-year players such as LB Alphonso Lewis, S Gerald Moore and DE Tremayne Scott might see action this season as well.
- Linebackers Jordan Meyers and Errik Ejjike will not suit up against Wyoming. There is an increasing chance that Meyers could use his redshirt year this season. He has yet to practice this fall.
- Solich, always tight-lipped when discussing injuries, also indirectly mentioned banged up middle linebacker Michael Brown, who is questionable for week one.
- Solich did say QB Theo Scott will start against the Cowboys and guaranteed no playing time for QB Boo Jackson. “We’ll just see how the game unfolds before we determine whether or not we’ll go with one most of the way,” Solich said.
- When asked to grade fall camp, Solich said, “I’ll give it a B to a B+,” adding, “If we hadn’t gotten banged up, I’d give it an A.”
- Brad Bower was sacked six times last year against Wyoming, and the front four of the Cowboys’ defensive line is back. Keep an eye on how Ohio chooses to protect the quarterback, albeit with a more elusive Scott, on Saturday.
- Along with his kicking duties behind starter Barrett Way, freshman Matt Weller could see action as a pooch punter, Solich noted.
- Junior David White is listed as the starting left guard over Mike Eynon, but expect both to rotate pretty frequently.
- That’s all for now. You can hear much more audio from Frank Solich’s weekly Press Conference tonight on “The Sports Fan” from 6-7 pm.
* August 24th
- Chad Brinker will not return this season as the color commentator on OBSN’s radio broadcasts. Longtime OBSN broadcaster Rob Cornelius will fill Brinker’s role alongside new Ohio play-by-play broadcaster Russ Eisenstein.
- The position left by the now departed Joe Brackman as Ohio University’s Director of Multimedia Marketing has been filled. Recent Ohio University graduate Evan Shaw (’07) has been hired.
- Ohio University Associate A.D. for Compliance and Student Services Roderick Perry has left school to accept a job at Wright State.
- Reserve cornerback Dustin Tatum has left the ‘Cats football program.
- Senior DE Jameson Harkte, senior TE David Carter and senior LB Michael Brown are the captains for the 2008 football team.
- QB Boo Jackson returned to the field and practiced on Saturday.
- Kickers Barrett Way and Matt Weller took most of the repetitions for kickoff and field goal drills on Saturday. You can read more about the kicking situation in Monday’s Athens NEWS, but Way is expected to handle the kicking duties week one.
- Way was nailing his kickoffs consistently between the five and 10 yard line, while Weller was hitting line drives to about the 10-15 yard line.
- ‘Cats playing taking reps in the kickoff return coverage drills on Saturday include WR LaVon Brazill, RB Chris Garrett, RB Donte Harden and freshman CB Tyler Futrell, among others.
- More to come.
* August 21st
- Don’t forget, “The Sports Fan” returned on the radio this week. Just like a few months ago, the podcast is available at thesportsfan.mypdocast.com. This week Brian Boesch and I talked about the quarterback competition, the injuries starting to pile up the ‘Cats, Tim O’Shea’s controversial quote in a paper a few days ago and the new American Idol-esque tradition started this season by Frank Solich and the ‘Cats at the end of practices.
- Speaking of “The Sports Fan,” we’ll begin “The Jim Schaus Show on The Sports Fan” next Thursday, August 28.
- Power 105 (WXTQ-FM) will be broadcasting live at Peden Stadium Saturday night for the Ox Roast and Fan Fest Day at Ohio University. I’ll be talking to coaches and players during our remote on WXTQ, the flagship station of Ohio University sports. Come on by, say hi and talk some football.
- If you’re down in Athens on Saturday, be sure to stop by and check out the volleyball team. They’ll hold a free clinic for kids grades 1-8 from 1:30-3 pm. The team will scrimmage from 4-5 pm, then stick around and sign autographs for the kids afterwards. So head down early, watch some volleyball and head over to the Roast afterwards.
- Lakota West High School point guard Tessa Elkins (5-6) gave a verbal commitment to Sylvia Crawley and Ohio University in January. Her prep coach Andy Fishman confirmed that Elkins will no longer be a part of that 2009 recruiting class, but was tight-lipped as to the reasoning behind the change. It is unclear at this time whether Elkins or new head coach Semeka Randall withdrew the commitment. Thus far Elkins has been unable to be reached for comment.
- Ohio 2009 PG target Justin Jordan will visit Boise State in a week, then Texas Tech the following weekend. The ‘Cats have not offered a scholarship to Jordan and with possible commitments coming from D.J. Cooper and Randal Holt, one doesn’t appear imminent.
- I did a piece in The Sporting News on Ohio’s tight end duo of Andrew Mooney and David Carter. Click Here to read.
- More to come.
* August 19th
PG Recruit ‘Leaning towards Ohio’
New Ohio University head coach John Groce knows the importance of the point guard position. He has targeted several recruits around the Midwest at the position in the 2009 and even 2010 class already. All of that hard work may pay off in the next few weeks.
Glenville High School (OH) point guard Randal Holt (6-1) has narrowed his choices to Kent State and Ohio. The 2009 recruit paid an unofficial visit to Athens last week with his father.
“I took a visit, and I fell in love with it on site,” Holt said Tuesday. “I’m leaning towards Ohio right now. But I’m not making any decision. Me and my dad are doing a lot of considering and thinking about what I’m going to do for the next four years.”
A recent Rivals.com article reported that Holt could follow his now former Bedford High School teammate Robert Johnson to the Golden Flashes. While Johnson has not given a verbal pledge to KSU, Holt did confirm that Johnson more than likely will sign with Geno Ford. Holt, however, noted that Johnson’s decision does not severely impact his school of choice.
“He was thinking about it, but he hasn’t committed (to Kent State),” Holt said of Johnson. “It’s not going to make a big impact on my decision, but at the same time, we are real close friends.
“That doesn’t really have any impact on my decision, though. My decision is totally for me.”
Holt said he plans to take official visits to both schools when classes start back up, but he has yet to set a date for each.
The Cleveland-area prospect led Bedford High School to a 17-7 record last season, but according to his All-Ohio Red AAU coach George Howard, he will head to Glenville for his senior season.
”He’s really, really leaning towards OU,” Howard said. “Randal is going to go somewhere where he feels he will be an integral part of the offense. That’s the one thing about Groce’s offense. He loves to have a good point guard. He would make Randal the real deal.”
While admittedly bias for his point guard, Howard said Holt and Rivals.com three-star recruit Carl Jones are the top two point guard recruits in the state for 2009.
Added Holt, “Kent State is a good fit for me because it’s closer to home and my parents can come watch me, but I like OU.”
* August 18th
One-on-One with Ohio Commit Dan Molls
Padua Franciscan inside linebacker Dan Molls (6-1, 212) committed to the ‘Cats this weekend. TroopSports.com caught up with the two-star linebacker about his recent decision.
TroopSports.com: Your choices came down to Ohio and Central Michigan. Obviously, CMU has had a lot of recent success in the MAC, but you clearly liked Athens enough to go with Ohio. What specifically made you decide on OU over CMU?
Molls: Ohio was just a place where I felt extremely comfortable at. You can’t beat the campus. It is simply one of the best. The coaching staff also made a big impact. I immediately felt a part of the football family when I visited. Lastly and probably most important (are) the academic programs. I’m uncertain on what I plan to major in exactly, but Ohio had big selection in my areas of interest.
TroopSports.com: When you called the coaches on Saturday, whom did you speak to and how did they react when you told them the news?
Molls: I spoke with my recruiting coordinator, coach Pete Germano. He was actually just walking off the practice field when I told him. He sounded very excited and almost relieved. It was a great phone call.
TroopSports.com: What have the coaches said about where they want to put you and what they think you can do for them?
Molls: The coaches intend on having me play at linebacker—they’ve specifically mentioned their Will backer spot as a good beginning fit. They want to use my athleticism to make plays in the open field. Early on I would just be happy with getting on the field anywhere I can.
TroopSports.com: Do you have any teammates or friends who are being recruited by the ‘Cats as well?
Molls: I have a couple teammates who attended the Ohio camps and have been in contact with the coaches—our running back Cory Depiero and tight end Mark Ellis. It would be real cool if one or both of them ended up joining me.
TroopSports.com: Plan on attending any Ohio games this season? If so, which games?
Molls: I would like to. It’ll be hard seeing that our team will still hopefully be in season. Therefore any game I can make it to, I’m going to try.
TroopSports.com: I’m sure you are excited to get the recruiting process over. Right now are you breathing a big sigh of relief and just focusing on your senior year?
Molls: Definitely. It was a very exciting process, but I set a goal to get it done before the actual season started, and now that have I feel relieved and also more focused and ready for my senior season.
TroopSports.com: Last question. What’s next? Still looking to improve and get bigger, faster, stronger?
Molls: Absolutely. There’s always something more to improve on, and there is always progress to be made. It can only make it easier to be bigger, faster, and stronger.
* August 15th
Molls Commits to Ohio
- Padua Franciscan High School (OH) inside linebacker Dan Molls (6-1, 215) committed to Ohio on Saturday. Molls becomes the second recruit to verbal to Ohio for the 2009 football recruiting class. After receiving offers from several schools including most of the MAC, Molls chose Ohio over Central Michigan. Rated as a Rivals.com and Scout.com two-star recuit, Molls had 151 tackles and 5 sacks last season and reportedly runs a 4.57 40-yard dash. Scout.com lists Molls as the 65th best linebacker in the 2009 class. TroopSports.com will have more with Molls early next week.
- Ohio University has offered a scholarship to 2009 point guard James Kinney (6-1, 150) from Centennial High School in Chicago. “(Coach Groce) was at my last 11 games of the summer and I’m their most wanted guy right now,” Kinney said “OU is right in the mix of things right now. I am trying to visit sometime this fall.”
- Kinney has a multitude of offers and wasn’t shy to dish them out when asked to name them all. “I have offers from North Dakota St., South Dakota St., Ohio, Illinois St., Murray St., Colorado St., Evansville, Missouri St., Drake, SIU Edwardsville, Wright St., Penn St., Northeastern, George Mason, Arkansas St., Detroit, IUPUI, Eastern Illinois, Austin Peay, and Western Illinois.” Others showing interest in Kinney include Iowa, Xavier, Iowa St., Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.
- While Kinney could not name a Top 5, he did say that his favorites are George Mason, Evansville, Ohio, SIUE, Missouri St., Colorado St., Xavier, Iowa, Kentucky and Northeastern.
- Are the ‘Cats still recruiting Florida SG Greg Gantt (6-2, 195)? “(I don’t know) what’s up with them,” Gantt said Tuesday. “My AAU coach told me he doesn’t think they are going to recruit me anymore because they already have a sophomore at my position and they need a backup point (guard).” It sounds like you can take Gantt off the board for Ohio.
- Traveling from St. Louis to good ‘ole Athens on Sunday. More on Molls and other recruits early next week. Plus, I’ll get a chance to look at the ‘Cats football squad for the first time this fall and weigh-in on what I see. Stay tuned.
* August 13th
Notes on the Hoops Schedule
- Here are a few notes I gathered after I spoke with ‘Cats hoops coach John Groce regarding the 2008-2009 men’s basketball non-conference schedule, which was released on Wednesday:
- The hoops and football teams both play on November 22. The boys with the pads host Akron, while Groce and company are at Austin Peay with a scheduled game time of 8 pm. For the sake of ‘Cats fans, let’s hope the Akron football game will be an early afternoon game. I imagine both schools are waiting to see what time the Michigan-Ohio State game will be played on that day in Columbus.
- For the fifth straight season Ohio will open the regular season at home.
- The William & Mary contract is a one-year deal. “We both had an open date that weekend and it just fit perfectly,” Groce said. “It just happened in July. As you are out there in July on the recruiting circuit, teams are looking for games.”
- I asked Groce why he decided to schedule two exhibition games instead of just one. “Quite honestly, because both teams were promised that they were going to play in some form or fashion. At one point, they were trying to put a Classic together, and a contract was signed both by Wooster and by us,” Groce said, noting Tim O’Shea’s original plans of beginning the Bobcat Classic at The Convo. “I do think it is great for this particular team because they’ll be getting a feel for me for the first time. If we can go through a game day routine on two occasions rather than one, I think that can really benefit us.”
- Much like last season when the ‘Cats played six straight games away from The Convo during the school’s winter break, Groce and company will be on the road for a long time early on this season. Ohio will have a stretch from Nov. 22 to Dec. 17 where they will play 8 of 9 away from home, including six straight at one point. Groce’s reaction? “I think it is a concern, obviously, when you play that many games away from home in a stretch of days like that,” he said, adding, “I also think, at the same time, we realize it is a great challenge. I think we will learn a lot about our basketball team. I think it will give us a chance to bond as we are traveling together. That will pay dividends for us as we round the calendar, head into ’09 and go into MAC play.”
- On the bright side, the Bobcats have three straight home games to close out the non-conference portion at the end of 2008. Ohio beat Bucknell and St. Francis in close games last season, and lost to Holy Cross on a buzzer beater. The combined total margin of those teams was just 12 points, all road games for Ohio last year.
- Groce on the end of the non-conference schedule and the overall outlook of it: “It gives us a chance to get back home and get our feet back under us. I think it kind of is what it is right now. I think our overall schedule in terms of the body of the schedule and the number of roads games we are playing—I wouldn’t say it is the most difficult nationally. I don’t know about that, but it is certainly up there…and I like that.”
- The ‘Cats will play one more non-conference game for ESPNU’s Bracketbusters matchup on the last Saturday of February. This season it will be on the road.
- More to come tomorrow, including an update on Ohio SG recruit Greg Gantt and a new scholarship offer from Groce to a highly touted 2009 prospect.
*August 12th
- Rivals.com two-star forward Jonathan Smith (6-7) took an unofficial visit to Ohio University on Sunday. “It went really well,” said Smith’s Grove City High School coach Greg Waits, who accompanied Smith on the trip. “He didn’t commit, but when we left there he was very impressed with Coach Groce, his coaching staff and the campus. He loved the campus. I know he was very intrigued when we left there.”
- Smith, who has 16 scholarship offers, has narrowed his list to about five schools. Ohio, Bowling Green, St. Louis, James Madison and Wright State top his current list. “Miami (OH) is in there, but he hasn’t visited there, and I don’t know if he is going to,” noted Waits. As of now, Smith plans to take all five allotted official visits when school starts up next month.
- Waits added, “OU is up there high on his list now. After his visit with Coach Groce and his staff and getting to see the facilities they have at OU, John left there really, really impressed.”
- Rivals.com reports that Bedford High School PG Randal Holt (6-1) is down to Kent State and Ohio. Holt’s high school teammate, two-star forward Robert Johnson (6-6, 190), is expected to commit to the Golden Flashes in August.
- Princeton High School forward Marquis Horne will visit Ohio September 5-7.
- More to come.
* August 11th
- There were previously two high-major schools after Rivals.com three-star shooting guard Colt Ryan, Michigan and Wake Forest. While the Wolverines have backed off, Ryan is still waiting to see if he receives an offer from the Demon Deacons. If Wake does not offer, it sounds like it will be down to Miami (Ohio), Evansville and Princeton. Expect a decision later this month from the Batesville High School (IN) product.
- Speaking of Wake Forest, my condolences go out to Wake Forest assistant basketball coach Jeff Battle and his family. Battle’s wife, Joyce, died of cancer recently at the age of 44. Battle was speculated to be one of the candidates for the Ohio University men’s basketball opening this summer.
- Ohio University is recruiting 2010 forward prospect Kendall Kinnison (6-5), according to Chicagohoops.com. Xavier is also looking at the Decatur MacArthur High School (IN) recruit.
- Rivals.com three-star PG D.J. Cooper, currently choosing between Ohio and Kent State, has scheduled a visit to Athens from September 11-13. He has not yet set a visit for KSU.
- John Groce is looking at another point guard. Trotwood-Madison’s Aaron Robinson (6-2, 170) may be the backup option at the PG spot in 2009 if the ‘Cats can’t land Cooper. “Ohio U. is after me, but I haven’t got an offer yet,” Robinson said. “I hope they will because I’m real interested in OU. But I’m going on my visits to Miami (OH) and Lehigh when school starts back up. Miami (OH) offered me, and I’m thinking Lehigh will on my visit, but I also would like to get a chance to visit Ohio U.”
- Rivals.com two-star linebacker Dan Molls recently narrowed his choices down to Ohio and Central Michigan. On Sunday he took an official visit to Athens and came away impressed. “It went real well,” Molls said late last night. “I just got back about an hour ago. I still haven’t made an official decision, but I feel very comfortable with the campus and coaching staff at OU. I can really see myself fitting in there well.”
- My Q and A with ‘Cats football coach Frank Solich appeared in Saturday’s edition of The Sporting News Today in their college football section.
- More to come.
* August 9th
1-on-1 with Ohio target Marquis Horne
TroopSports.com had a chance to catch up with Princeton High School small forward Marquis Horne (6-6, 185) out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Horne averaged 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game last season after transferring Georgia after his sophomore year. Bobcats head basketball coach John Groce has offered Horne a scholarship for the 2009 recruiting class.
TroopSports.com: How is everything going with your recruiting?
Horne: Everything’s going real good right now. With my recruiting, I’m sitting on nine offers.
TroopSports.com: Do you have a top list of schools yet?
Horne: I don’t have a top 5. I’m wide open right now. I haven’t made any visits since the July period, so I haven’t cut my lists or anything like that. After my visits I will cut my list.
TroopSports.com: What do you think of Ohio and John Groce?
Horne: I haven’t visited yet. I plan on visiting sometime in September once they start school. I’m thinking highly of OU and coach Groce. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the school, the campus and coach Groce, too. I know he has a very good background, and I’m really just looking forward to meeting him in person and seeing the campus and everything in person.
TroopSports.com: You said you had nine offers? What are they?
Horne: It is Ohio, Miami (Ohio), Bowling Green, Kent State, Western Michigan, Tennessee Tech, Marshall, St. Bonaventure, and George Mason.
TroopSports.com: Do you want to stay closer to home? I know Miami (Ohio) is pretty close to you.
Horne: Yeah, Miami’s really close. But distance probably won’t play a factor in my situation and me deciding what school I want to go to and play at.
TroopSports.com: Do you want to play with your high school and AAU teammate Orlando Williams, who just committed to the Redhawks? Has he been trying to get you to go there?
Horne: Yeah, we talked about it. My plan was originally to go to school with Orlando or with somebody that I am close with or one of my friends. But if I have to go alone, then I’ll go alone, you know. I’m not sure, it’s just whatever is a good fit for me.
TroopSports.com: And I know you and Rivals.com three-star recruit Danny McElroy are pretty good friends also, right?
Horne: Yeah we are. We were talking about going to school together also. Me and him actually both have offers from OU. Basically if Miami was the perfect fit for me, I would go be with Orlando. But if the school Danny is going to was the perfect fit for me, then I would go with Danny. It really doesn’t matter who it is. It just matters what the perfect fit is. When I talked to Danny, (he said) he is really interested in going somewhere with some of his teammates. He is not trying to go anywhere alone. He’s weighing his options also, and is trying to go somewhere with one of us.
* August 8th
- A bunch of media news to announce and go over today.
- First off, “The Sports Fan” radio show will kick back up starting Monday, August 18 from 6-7 pm on 970 WATH-AM in Athens. Of course, for those out of the area or not able to at a computer and listen live online via athensi.com, you can download the podcast at www.thesportsfan.mypodcast.com. Listeners can also subscribe to the podcast via itunes on that page.
- I’m back for a second year of hosting the show, and classmate Brian Boesch will co-host the program with me. Brian filled in on “The Sports Fan” every now and then last year, and also called Ohio Bobcats baseball during the spring on the same airwaves.
- As noted in this media release, WATH is excited to announce “The Jim Schaus Show on The Sports Fan” on Thursdays. It should be a lot of fun to get to pick Jim’s brain every Thursday, and I know this show will turn into a must-listen for breaking news concerning Ohio athletics. I have a strong feeling we will have some solid guests every week, too.
- Along with “The Sports Fan” and high school football coverage, Brian and I will co-host “The Bobcat Insider” pre-game show an hour before every ‘Cats football game just like Jimmy Smith and I did last year. To hear or subscribe to that podcast, go to www.thebobcatinsider.mypodcast.com.
- From radio now to print. You may have noticed a lack of columns appearing in The Athens NEWS from yours truly over the last couple of weeks. That’s not a coincidence. As the busy fall sports season inches closer, I have decided to cease writing “Troop’s Takes” and instead switch over more to the reporting side. Along with simply covering the ‘Cats, I will try to do more feature articles on student-athletes and other events on a consistent basis. It was difficult but also very fun being a columnist for 11 months, but it’s time to shift focus a bit. Besides, you will hear more than enough opinion from me on the radio show every single night.
- I recently was asked to start a blog at The Sporting News for their “Campus Watch” department online. My first entry was on Wednesday. I transcribed a Q and A with ‘Cats head coach Frank Solich. For die-hard ‘Cats fans, these articles may be a bit generic, but that is by design to attract more readers who may not typically follow Ohio sports or the MAC.
- As always, feel free to shoot me an e-mail for thoughts and suggestions. I enjoy and listen to all your input.
- Come back later on for an update on Ohio basketball target Marquis Horne.
* August 7th
- Some recruiting updates from the three stars of the AAU Ohio Basketball Club.
- Of course, SG Orlando Williams Jr. (6-4, 180) committed to Miami (Ohio) Tuesday. Orlando Williams Sr. said Wednesday that he is excited for his son and knew Miami was the right fit. And while the younger Williams told TroopSports.com that ‘Cats coach John Groce offered him, his father says that was not the case. “Orlando liked OU a lot, too, but coach never did offer him,” Williams Sr. said. “They said maybe it would be another week (until Groce offered), and we just did not want to pass this opportunity. To be honest with you, it was really between OU and Miami.”
- So while Williams Jr. is off the board, there are still two impressive 2009 recruits from the same AAU team looking heavily at Mid-American Conference schools. Williams Jr.’s AAU and Princeton High School teammate, small forward Marquis Horne (6-6, 185), has an offer from Ohio. He reportedly visited Athens last weekend. Likewise, LaSalle High School forward Danny McElroy (6-6, 200) is still available for the ‘Cats and plenty of other schools after de-committing from Cincinnati several months ago.
- I asked Williams Sr. if his son’s commitment might help persuade Horne and/or McElroy to follow suit to Miami? “To be honest with you, I don’t think it does with Horne. I don’t know with McElroy. I know Danny wanted to go wherever Orlando goes, and I know Miami was one of the schools on both of their lists. I don’t think Miami was as high on Marquis (Horne)’s list as it was McElroy and Orlando’s (lists). But I think with those guys it is still is up in the air. I think Ohio could make a pretty decent push at those guys. But if they choose to stay together, I’m assuming Miami may be their choices.”
- Added Williams Sr. about Horne: “I know he is going to seriously consider OU. I know he likes OU a lot.”
- Click Here to listen to an (awkward?) interview with ‘Cats women’s basketball coach Semeka Randall on the Al Woods Show a week ago.
* August 6th (11: 45 am CDT) (updated)
- From the I-kid-you-not department: Ohio Bobcats senior offensive lineman Mike Eynon has reportedly won the Ohio Lottery. The amount? Try $250,000 for the ‘Cats starting right guard.
- I’m sure there will be MUCH more to come on throughout the next couple of days.
- Click Here for the story about Eynon’s winnings as first reported by The Athens NEWS.
* August 6th (12:50 am CDT)
- Ohio University released a statement about the recent reports surrounding ‘Cats women’s basketball coach Semeka Randall’s dealing with a recruit from Minnesota. “In accordance with NCAA bylaw 13.10.2, all members of the Ohio Athletics Department are prevented from commenting on the specifics of a situation regarding a prospective student-athlete,” said Ohio Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations Jason Corriher on Tuesday.
- Three-star 2009 point guard recruit D.J. Cooper reiterated that he is currently deciding between Kent State and Ohio. “Yes, those two are still my two front runners,” Cooper said late Tuesday.
- Ohio University has offered 2009 forward prospect Reggie Keely (6-8, 230) from Bedford High School in Ohio. According to Rivals.com, Keely has offers from Cleveland State, Kent State, Miami (OH), Toledo and Oakland.
- Ohio University is recruiting 2009 point guard prospect Justin Jordan (5-10, 180) from North Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. “Yes, John Groce is after me. I’m supposed to be hearing from him here in the next couple days to see where they are at with me.” Jordan plays his AAU ball for the Spiece Indy Heat program. He said he has offers from Texas Tech, Boise State, Western Michigan, Kent State, Ball State, Miami (OH), Central Michigan, Butler and IPFW. “Recruiting this past month has been crazy for me. A lot of high-majors got interested in me in July,” Jordan added.
- What a difference a few days make. As first reported by Scout.com, Princeton High School shooting guard Orlando Williams (6-4, 180) has committed to Miami (Ohio). Just four days ago Williams said, “I’m wide open right now…my top (schools) are Tulane, Miami(OH), Ohio, and BG.” This is the first of five commitments Miami can take for the 2009 class.
- To football recruiting news, and some positive news at that.
- Padua Franciscan High School linebacker Dan Molls (6-1, 212), who recently narrowed his school list to Central Michigan and Ohio, will visit Athens on Sunday with his parents. The Rivals.com two-star recruit will decide between the schools shortly thereafter.
- Fork Union Military Academy offensive lineman Skyler Allen (6-4, 265) is fresh off a visit to Athens with his parents last weekend. So, what’s the verdict? “I didn’t commit,” Allen said. “I am going to wait a little longer, but yeah, I loved it there and so did my parents.”
- A recent development with his teammate might help sway Allen to Ohio, he said Tuesday. Ohio University has offered fellow Fork Union Military Academy standout Jamil Shaw. Shaw is a 6-0, 175-pound cornerback rated by Scout.com as a one-star recruit. According to the recruiting website, Shaw has nearly a 34-inch vertical leap.
- Much more to come. Stayed tuned.
* August 5th
- Tennessee and Dayton have now offered 2010 point guard Aaron Craft from Liberty Benton High School in Ohio. ‘Cats coach John Groce has shown interest, but has yet to offer Craft.
- AAU Indiana Elite product Jordan Prosser (6-8, 210) committed to Bradley this weekend. It was unclear if Groce ever had interest in the three-star forward.
- Semeka Randall has received a verbal commitment from 6-1 forward Tina Fisher from Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Fisher averaged 9.6 ppg and 4.3 rbg her junior season for the 25-3 Wolfpack. She currently plays her AAU ball for the Minnesota Metro Stars. She joins Mount Notre Dame High School guard Ashley Fowler as the second commit in the 2009 recruiting class for Randall.
- While Randall successfully went after one Minnesota prep player, she is in hot water by some over the way she handled another. Reports out of Minnesota say Randall recently reneged on a verbal commitment the ‘Cats received from Hopkins High School forward Kara Elofson. Elofson committed back in January to then-head coach Sylvia Crawley before Crawley left to go to Boston College. Click Here or Here to read about the situation.
- Elofson, who averaged nearly a double-double last season, played at Hopkins High School, the same school as Jackie Hiebert. Hiebert recently transferred from Ohio after her freshman year to attend South Dakota.
- More to come.
* August 3rd
- Ohio has now offered Princeton H.S. shooting guard Orlando Williams Jr. (6-4, 200). According to Williams, he is wide open right now, but lists Ohio, Bowling Green, Miami (OH) and Tulane as his top choices in no particular order. Williams will visit Athens sometime in the near future.
- Rivals.com three-star point guard D.J. Cooper is down to two schools after the nation’s top player in the 2009 class, PG John Wall, is expected to commit to Baylor and fill the fourth and final ’09 scholarship the Bears can give out. So it’s Ford vs. Groce—undoubtedly Part I of a lengthy recruiting battle between Kent State and Ohio over the next few years between the young new leaders.
- The O-Zone makes a difference in Ohio recruiting. Why is 2009 SG Greg Gantt (6-2, 195) looking hard at Ohio? “I think highly of Ohio. It’s a great program,” Gantt said. “I recently watched a highlight tape from last season on them, and it blew me away. I didn’t know they had such fan support.” Gantt has set no timetable for an official decision and couldn’t name his top three favorite schools right now, but said he plays to take an official visit to OU soon.
- Ohio is recruiting 2009 PF Dominic Nicholson (6-8, 250) from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. Among the other schools chasing Nicholson are Valparasio, George Mason and Cleveland State. “I really don’t want to attend a big program,” Nicholson said. “I just want to go somewhere (that) I can play but also have competition. So, a mid-major would suit me.” Nicholson has had four surgeries on his left knee due to a patellar tendon rupture that occurred in April of 2006, but says he “feel(s) great now and ready to go for this upcoming season.”
- Forward J.D. Weatherspoon (6-6, 200) from Northland High School in Columbus now has an offer from Purdue, according to Rivals.com. Weatherspoon has been offered by Ohio.
- To football now.
- I can’t be the only one who thinks it is incredible that Central Michigan has already locked up 22 commitments for their 2009 football recruiting class.
- Not much of a surprise here, but Shaker Heights H.S. (OH) WR Perez Ashford (5-10, 170) has narrowed his list down to three, and it does not include Ohio. Ashford told Rivals.com his schools of choice right now are Syracuse, Bowling Green, and Iowa. Ohio is out of the running for the talented three-star wide out.
- Harvest Prep (OH) DT Trae Tiller (6-2, 255) told Rivals.com that Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ashland College are all very interested in the three-star lineman. The ‘Cats have a shot at getting the 68th ranked player in the state of Ohio.