31 Mar
March ’09 Blog Notes
* March 31st
- Lee Renfro was a guest on “The Sears Sports Fan” last night.
- Kent State beat writer David Carducci reports 6-11 Owens Community College hoopster Justin Manns will visit KSU this week. He reportedly has an offer from CMU. It is unknown if Ohio has interest in the big man.
- Keep an eye on Ridge McKeither (6-5, 240) from North Dakota State College of Sciences. He told JucoJunction.com Ohio is joined by Kansas State, Chattanooga, Sam Houston St. and South Alabama in his top five. McKeither was a 2007 graduate of George Washington H.S. in Virginia. He is listed as the 19th best JUCO player in the nation by Rivals, the 8th best still available.
- His squad was the runner-up in the recent NJCAA Basketball Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, attended by John Groce. McKiether was the Mon-Dak Conference MVP.
- McKeither averaged a team-best 17.6 ppg and 9 rbg. He added 27 blocks and 68 steals in 31 starts. He got to the line 148 times, nailing 67% of his free throws as well.
- Two players that stuck out on day one for me: RS-Fr. lineman Joe Flading and RS-Fr. wide out Bakari Bussey.
- Ohio may just have to mix and match its tight ends use all season long. A guy like Jordan Thompson is probably the best down field catching TE in the mix, but Zac Clark may be your best blocker. Adam Olsheski is undersized but appears to have solid hands. Add in the fact the ‘Cats will be under a first-year coach in Scott “Izzy” Isphording and, well, it might take some time. Bottom line is there may not be a winner for the open competition at TE.
- The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Elton Alexander criticizes A.D. Jim Schaus and Frank Solich about the football schedules.
* March 27th
- Some thoughts on Ohio’s 2009 football schedule:
I don’t see how many fans can realistically complain about it. The Miami (OH) game is moved to earlier in the season, something Ohio A.D. Jim Schaus promised earlier. The cross-division contests will be against rebuilding Ball State and a Northern Illinois club that can’t replace DE Larry English overnight and has no proven running game.
- The ‘Cats schedule sees Ohio face just three teams who garnered winning records in 2008 (Connecticut, Ball State, Buffalo). The combined 2008 record for Ohio’s 2009 opponents was 62-76 (.449).
- Ohio will face four teams that went to bowl games (Connecticut, Ball State, Buffalo, Northern Illinois). Only UCONN won its appearance, 38-20 over Buffalo in the International Bowl.
- Of the 13 MAC teams, eight programs will play six true home games. Central, Eastern and Western Michigan play five home games while Toledo (Ohio State in Cleveland) and Miami (Kentucky in Cincinnati) play games away from its home turf.
- WMU’s three non-conference road games include trips to Big 10 foes Michigan State, Northwestern and Indiana. CMU, meanwhile, travels to the desert to face Arizona in week one before heading to Michigan State in week two. They also play at Boston College later in the season.
- Still, the EMU Eagles arguably have the toughest schedule. After hosting Army to open the season, how does at Northwestern and at Michigan sound? The worst part for new head coach Ron English? A week four bye before conference season gets under way means nine straight games to close out the season, split by an Oct. 31 date down south against Arkansas where EMU A.D. Derrick Gragg worked before going to Ypsilanti.
- Ohio’s contest at Akron on Oct. 10 inside the new InfoCision Stadium will see the Zips coming off a bye week. It will also be homecoming for UA.
- This uneven MAC schedule is creates a few head scratchers. For the second straight year Miami (OH) and Akron won’t play each other despite being in the East division together.
- Setting a season-best with five straight wins and allowing just two runs in their three game sweep at WMU, the baseball ‘Cats (11-10) are now over .500 and playing darn good baseball.
- Ohio football had two wins away from home in 2008. Ohio men’s basketball picked up three regular season wins outside of the Convo in 08-09. Joe Carbone’s crew, meanwhile, snagged three W’s in a span of two days. Yet as of 8:45 p.m. (ET) Saturday night, there was not one post regarding Ohio baseball on fan board site BobcatAttack.com. Where’s the love?
- “The Sears Sports Fan” will be back starting Monday on 970 WATH-AM in Athens. This week we’ll talk spring football with a few players and discuss Ohio baseball’s red hot start to league play. Plus, Friday Russ and Brian will have the 6 p.m. first pitch call as the ‘Cats host Toledo at Bob Wren Stadium.
* March 27th (12:55 p.m)
Dobbs, Waters Transferring
Freshman guards Frankie Dobbs and Stacey Waters will both depart the men’s basketball program at Ohio University, the athletic department announced today. Both will transfer out of Athens at the end of the 2009-09 academic year.
“Both Frankie and Stacey are quality individuals who were a pleasure to coach last season,” Ohio head coach John Groce said in a release. “We appreciate everything they brought to the program, and we wish them nothing but the best as they continue their college careers.”
An April signee under then head coach Tim O’Shea, Dobbs played in all 32 games for Ohio last season, averaging nearly 14 minutes off the bench. He averaged 1.9 points and 1.5 assists per game. Waters, who signed with the ‘Cats in late May exactly one month before O’Shea’s resignation, played in just 14 games for the Green and White, scoring a total of 18 points in 43 minutes.
The news means Ohio has two open scholarships to fill for the 2009-2010 season.
* March 26th (12:50 p.m.)
- The complete 2009 football schedule will be released today at 2 p.m. ET, according to Ohio Director of Media Relations Jason Corriher.
- Ohio A.D. Jim Schaus hinted last week on his radio show the Bobcats-Redhawks game could be moved up a few weeks earlier this season. We’ll see if that happens.
* March 25th
- A strong interview with Ohio CB Thad Turner from Wade Peery.
- Former Bobcat football player Dell Robinson has been named the commissioner of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (DII). He graduated from Ohio in 1988 and is currently the associate commissioner for legislative and compliance services for the Mid-American Conference.
- More to come, including some football spring practice insight. Stay tuned.
* March 18th
- I just recorded an interview with Kent State A.D. Laing Kennedy, who is one of 10 on the NCAA tournament selection committee. The interview will air Thursday night at 6:45 on the “Jim Schaus Show on The Sears Sports Fan”. Amy King, who coordinates Ohio’s academic services, will be our guest at 6:30.
- Brian and I are slowly but surely getting all of last week’s podcasts online. We had some great discussions about the future of MAC basketball, Ohio hoops season recaps, a great interview with Jason Arkley last Friday, and more. Definitely worth a listen once they are all up.
- A couple interesting stats Brian and I discussed on the radio last night.
- As sophomores, the two of us have seen five completed seasons in the three major sports (football, men’s basketball and baseball). The combined record of those teams is 74-74.
- Ohio men’s hoops won a school-record 25 games in the 93-94 season and lost a school-record 21 games in the 97-98 season.
- Congratulations to Matt O’Donnell and Steve Gartner of The Post sports staff, who each earned prestigious MLB.com internships for this summer.
- Here is an entertaining article about Michael Tamburo, a Sumanee North (GA) High School quarterback who signed with Boise State. Tamburo was offered by Ohio among several other big name schools. In the article, Tamburo was asked what the funniest thing a coach said to him during recruiting process. “When Ohio offered, the head coach made me yell, ‘Go Bobcats.’ It was 9:30 in the morning and I was half asleep. He asked me if I knew the fight song. I told him I didn’t, so he told me to learn it. It separated them from other schools.”
- Think John Groce will have a young team next year? Toledo’s Gene Cross will have zero seniors on his squad.
- Northern Illinois is my pre-season pick to win the MAC West next year, but I reserve the right to change depending on how many pounds of muscle Ball State’s Jarrod Jones adds. In the East, Akron will be the team to beat. League Defensive Player of the Year Nate Linhart is the only departing senior, and while it won’t be easy to replace the pesty Linhart, Akron should be able to.
- There are two interesting MAC coaching stories to possibly follow: Will Charlie Coles get another contract from Miami A.D. Brad Bates? Will Akron’s Keith Dambrot, fresh off his fourth straight 20-win season, depart for greener pastures?
- I hope Coles is back if he is healthy, and I think Dambrot will be at UA regardless.
* March 13th
- A belated condolences goes out to the family of former Eastern Michigan standout Kennedy “Big Dude” McIntosh, who succumbed to a stroke on Mar. 6. McIntosh played from 1967-71 with George Gervin. He set school records in points and rebounds, and had his jersey retired at EMU in 2006.
- If it’s up to Ohio A.D. Jim Schaus, there will be changes in the format surrounding the MAC Basketball Tournament next season.
- Schaus on the lack of a Marching 110 presence in Cleveland this week at the MAC Tournament: “It is a case of learning this week that the band would not be coming due to finances. I understand with crisis on the campus. We (the athletic department) are limited as to what we could do ourselves. We tried a few alternatives but could not pull it off in time. It is unfortunate. However, this was a very rare set of circumstances that I believe we will not see again. No one’s fault. I expect the band there in the future.”
- As I said before this basketball season, Ohio would be a league contender if freshman Steven Coleman could be consistently good. As much as #2 excelled this season, he wasn’t there every night, though it was obviously encouraging to see him come on late this year.
- Sophomore Tommy Freeman is a fan favorite for many reasons, and you can’t ignore his intelligent, controlled play. But if the ‘Cats want to excel, they need Freeman to develop in to more than a spot up three-point shooter and charge taker. He has the work ethic to become a better ball handler and bigger, more physical player. Let’s hope it happens.
- You won’t find many more enjoyable guys to be around than the trio of seniors departing Athens. Mike Allen dispelled all of the bad attitude myths that surround JUCO transfers. Jerome Tillman was a team-first player for four years, and finally got to take the spotlight of the program this season. Justin Orr always provided entertainment, and his confidence is something the ‘Cats needed.
- Who is Ohio’s captain next season?
- In an article yesterday on RivalsHoops.com, 4-star big man Kyryl Natyazhko discussed his recent visit to Pittsburgh, but said he’s still wide open. “I would say all four (Pitt, Ohio, Xavier, Arizona State) schools are equal. I need some time in my decision, and I appreciate all the coaches for understanding,” the IMG product said. Next up looks to be a visit to ASU with Groce mentor Herb Sendek’s program.
- Kalvin McRae worked out during Ohio’s Pro Day yesterday. The school’s all-time leading rusher graduated in December and apparently is still pursuing a professional career.
- I’m told CB Mark Parson ran in the 4.5 range during his 40-yard dash Thursday.
- Expect about three or four guys to make it to an NFL camp this summer. Predictions about how many ‘Cats will get drafted is hard to determine.
- More to come.
* March 11th
- We apologize, but the server site that hosts “The Sears Sports Fan” podcast is down. Hopefully it will be back up and running shortly, but it’s out of our hands. You can still tune in live online via Athensi.com. Thanks.
* March 6th
- There are two men’s college basketball head coaching openings in the state of Ohio. Tiffin University (D-II) head coach Rodney Martin recently resigned after three seasons and Malone University (NAIA) legendary coach Hal Smith recently announced that he was stepping down.
- Sylvia Crawley is having a fine first season at Boston College. As the 7th seed in the ACC tournament, the Eagles upended Miami 76-59 last night for its 20th win of the season.
- Tim O’Shea’s Bryant Bulldogs have won more road games (3) than Ohio (2) this season.
- Reportedly speaking on ESPN2 last night, commentator Fran Fraschilla mentioned Ohio playing Kentucky next season in basketball. This, according to A.D. Jim Schaus, is not true.
- On his weekly radio show last night Schaus did say, however, Ohio is slated to play between seven and eight non conference home men’s basketball games next season after only playing five this year.
- If it makes Ohio fans feel any better, in Buffalo’s seven point overtime loss to Kent State last night, the Bulls made just 14 of 27 free throws (52%).
- Kent State’s Tyree Evans has been held to single digits in four of his last six contests.
- More to come.
* March 3rd
- Had a chance to call Waterford versus Trimble on the radio last night in the Division IV sectional championship at Wellston High School. Big man D.J. Cunningham had 30 points, 24 boards and 10 blocks in the win. Impressions? I’ve been shy about simply looking at his numbers as proof he can play at the next level because his competition in the TVC-Hocking is irrelevant. For example, Trimble’s tallest player last night was 6-1. But Cunningham impressed me with his range (hit a few 10-15 foot jumpers) and his ball handling.
- Can Cunningham be a dominant MAC post player? No. But he’s a guy that is 15-20 pounds away from being able to—at the very least—accomplish the same things Kenneth van Kempen is accomplishing. He can eat minutes and fouls at the next level.
- For those interested in seeing the 6-11 D-I prospect, Waterford will play in The Convo next Monday.
- Interesting coaching hire by Butch Davis at UNC. He hired Fort Washington Friendly High School (D.C.) offensive coordinator Marcus Berry as Director of Player Personnel.
- Ohio recruited several of Berry’s players in the 2008 class, including OL Quinton Sales (UMass) and LB Eteyen Edet (who is still trying to find his way on to a college team).
- More to come.