2024–25 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team

2024–25 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball
2024–25 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Record	– (– MAC)
Head coach	Jeff Boals (6th season);
Assistant coaches	Lamar Thornton (6th season); Kyle Barlow (6th season); Lee Martin (5th season);
Home arena	Convocation Center
	Seasons ← 2023–24 2025–26 →

2024–25 Mid-American Conference men's basketball standings
v t e	Conf				Overall
Team	W		L	PCT	W		L	PCT
Kent State	0	–	0	–	8	–	3	.727
Akron	0	–	0	–	7	–	4	.636
Miami (OH)	0	–	0	–	7	–	4	.636
Eastern Michigan	0	–	0	–	6	–	5	.545
Toledo	0	–	0	–	6	–	5	.545
Ball State	0	–	0	–	5	–	6	.455
Buffalo	0	–	0	–	5	–	6	.455
Central Michigan	0	–	0	–	5	–	6	.455
Ohio	0	–	0	–	5	–	6	.455
Bowling Green	0	–	0	–	5	–	7	.417
Northern Illinois	0	–	0	–	3	–	8	.273
Western Michigan	0	–	0	–	3	–	8	.273

† 2025 MAC tournament winner As of December 23, 2024

The 2024–25 Ohio University Bobcats men's basketball team will represent Ohio University for the 2024–25 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bobcats will be led by fifth-year head coach Jeff Boals, who is a 1995 graduate of Ohio University.^[1]^[2] They will play their home games at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio, as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC).^[3]^[4]

Previous season

The Bobcats finished the 2023–24 season 6–7 in non-conference play and started 1–3 in conference play. They rallied to win 12 of their final 14 conference games to finish the regular season 19–12 with a 13–5 in MAC play, to finish tied for 2nd place. They defeated Western Michigan in the first round of the MAC tournament and lost to Akron in the second round.^[5]^[6]^[7]

Offseason

For the second straight season the Bobcats avoided significant losses to the transfer portal as the only scholarship player to transfer was Ike Cornish who averaged 11 minutes per game the prior year. The team lost point guard Jaylin Hunter, who started all 33 games, guard Miles Brown, who started 17, and center Gabe Wiznitzer who averaged 14 minutes to graduation.^[8]

Coaching Staff Changes

Coaching Departures

Coaching Departures
Name	Alma Mater	Previous position	New position
Casey Crawford	Ohio University	Graduate Assistant	Director of Basketball Operations (Stony Brook)^[9]

Coaching Additions

Coaching Additions
Name	Alma Mater	Previous position	New position
Keith Williams	University of Charleston	Player (Charleston)	Graduate Assistant^[10]

Departures

Departures
Name	Number	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Reason
Miles Brown	2	G	6'1"	180	Grad. student	Rochester, NY	Graduated, exhausted eligibility
Gabe Wiznitzer	11	C	6'11"	240	Senior	Walhalla, SC	Graduated
Jaylin Hunter	12	G	6'0"	195	Senior	Manchester, CT	Graduated, exhausted eligibility
Quinn Corna*	15	G	6'3"	170	Sophomore	Columbus, OH	Entered transfer portal
IJ Ezuma	21	F	6'8"	240	RS Sophomore	Raleigh, NC	Left team
Ike Cornish	24	G/F	6'6"	190	RS Sophomore	Baltimore, MD	Transferred to Nicholls State

* Walk-on in 2023–24
^[11]^[12]^[13]

Incoming transfers

Incoming transfers
Name	Number	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Reason
Jackson Paveletzke	13	PG	6'3"	175	Sophomore	Kimberly, WI	Transferred from Iowa State. Will have two years of eligibility remaining.^[14]
Victor Searles	35	C	6'9"	240	Senior	Hilliard, OH	Transferred from Ashland. Will have one year of eligibility remaining.^[15]

^[11]^[13]

Recruiting class

College recruiting information
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Ayden Evans PF	Radcliff, KY	Elizabethtown	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Jul 15, 2023
Ayden Evans PF	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN grade: 80
Jessie Burris SG	Delaware, OH	Rutherford B. Hayes	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Jul 9, 2023
Jessie Burris SG	Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78
Elijah Elliot SG	Wichita, KS	Sunrise Christian Academy	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	Apr 30, 2024
Elijah Elliot SG	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports:
Kiir Kuany PF	Huntington, WV	Huntington Prep	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Jun 5, 2024
Kiir Kuany PF	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
Alex Evans* PF	Radcliff, KY	Elizabethtown	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Mar 9, 2024
Alex Evans* PF	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A
Chase Boals* PF	New Albany, OH	New Albany	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	240 lb (110 kg)
Chase Boals* PF	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2024 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

*Walk-on

Source:^[16]^[17]^[18]^[19]^[20]^[21]

Roster

2023–24 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team

Players

Coaches

Pos.	#	Name	Height	Weight	Year	Previous school	Hometown
G	0	Ajay Sheldon	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Jr	Dublin Coffman	Dublin, OH
G	1	Elmore James	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Jr	Brush	Cleveland, OH
F	2	Alex Evans (W)	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Fr	Elizabethtown	Radcliff, KY
G	3	AJ Brown	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	RS So	Orlando Christian Prep	Orlando, FL
G	4	Shereef Mitchell	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	GS	Sunrise Christian Academy Creighton	Omaha, NE
F	5	Ayden Evans	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Fr	Elizabethtown	Radcliff, KY
G	6	Elijah Elliot	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	Fr	Oak Ridge	Orlando, FL
F	7	Ben Nicol	6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)	208 lb (94 kg)	RS Fr	George Washington	Charleston, WV
F	10	Aidan Hadaway	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Jr	Lafayette	Lafayette, GA
F	11	Kiir Kuany	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Fr	Huntington Prep	Melbourne, Australia
G	13	Jackson Paveletzke	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Jr	Kimberly Iowa State	Kimberly, WI
G	14	Ben Estis (W)	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	RS So	Southlake Carroll	Southlake, TX
F	15	Chase Boals (W)	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	235 lb (107 kg)	Fr	New Albany	New Albany, OH
G	21	Jessie Burris	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Fr	Hargrave Military Academy	Delaware, OH
F	23	AJ Clayton	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)	225 lb (102 kg)	Sr	Philo	Roseville, OH
F	35	Vic Searles	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)	245 lb (111 kg)	GS	St. Charles Ashland	Hilliard, OH

Head coach

Jeff Boals (Ohio)

Assistant coach(es)

Lamar Thornton (Ohio Dominican)
Kyle Barlow (Concordia–Ann Arbor)
Lee Martin (Catawba)

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
(W) Walk-on

Injured
Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: June 10, 2024

Support staff

**2022-23 Ohio Bobcats support staff**
Jake Ness – Director of Basketball Operations Mike Cifliku – Video Coordinator Keith Williams - Graduate Assistant Meredith Camacho - Head Manager Sara Legarsky – Senior Director of Athletics Communications Tyler Congrove – Associate Athletic Trainer (Men's Basketball, Soccer, Men's Golf, Women's Golf) Jessica Arquette – Ohio Athletics Sports Dietitian Kaitlyn Michener – Nutritionist Hannah Rastatter – Nutritionist

Source:^[22]

Schedule and results

Date time, TV	Opponent^#	Site (attendance) city, state
Exhibition
TBA* TBA, TBA	TBA	Convocation Center Athens, OH
Non-conference regular season
November 4, 2024* TBA, TBA	at James Madison MAC–SBC Challenge	Atlantic Union Bank Center Harrisonburg, VA
November 12, 2024* TBA, TBA	at Illinois State	CEFCU Arena Normal, IL
November 21, 2024* TBA, TBA	vs. TBA Myrtle Beach Invitational quarterfinals	HTC Center Conway, SC
November 22, 2024* TBA, TBA	vs. TBA Myrtle Beach Invitational	HTC Center Conway, SC
November 24, 2024* TBA, TBA	vs. TBA Myrtle Beach Invitational	HTC Center Conway, SC
November 30, 2024* TBA, TBA	Robert Morris	Convocation Center Athens, OH
February 2, 2025* TBA, TBA	TBA MAC–SBC Challenge	Convocation Center Athens, OH
TBA* TBA, TBA	at Marshall	Cam Henderson Center Huntington, WV
TBA* TBA, TBA	at Morehead State	Convocation Center Athens, OH
TBA* TBA, TBA	Austin Peay	Convocation Center Athens, OH
TBA* TBA, TBA	vs. Davidson	Spectrum Center Charlotte, NC
TBA* TBA, TBA	at Memphis	FedExForum Memphis, TN
MAC regular season
January 4, 2025 TBA, TBA	at Central Michigan	McGuirk Arena Mount Pleasant, MI
January 7, 2025 TBA, TBA	at Buffalo	Alumni Arena Amherst, NY
January 11, 2025 TBA, TBA	Northern Illinois	Convocation Center Athens, OH
January 14, 2025 TBA, TBA	Ball State	Convocation Center Athens, OH
January 18, 2025 TBA, TBA	at Akron	James A. Rhodes Arena Akron, OH
January 21, 2025 TBA, TBA	at Eastern Michigan	George Gervin GameAbove Center Ypsilanti, MI
January 25, 2025 TBA, TBA	Kent State	Convocation Center Athens, OH
January 28, 2025 TBA, TBA	Toledo	Convocation Center Athens, OH
February 1, 2025 TBA, TBA	at Miami (OH)	Millett Hall Oxford, OH
February 4, 2025 TBA, TBA	Western Michigan	Convocation Center Athens, OH
February 11, 2025 TBA, TBA	at Bowling Green	Stroh Center Bowling Green, OH
February 15, 2025 TBA, TBA	at Kent State	MAC Center Kent, OH
February 18, 2025 TBA, TBA	Central Michigan	Convocation Center Athens, OH
February 22, 2025 TBA, TBA	Akron	Convocation Center Athens, OH
February 25, 2025 TBA, TBA	at Western Michigan	University Arena Kalamazoo, MI
March 1, 2025 TBA, TBA	Miami (OH)	Convocation Center Athens, OH
March 4, 2025 TBA, TBA	Eastern Michigan	Convocation Center Athens, OH
March 7, 2025 TBA, TBA	at Toledo	Savage Arena Toledo, OH
MAC tournament
March 13, 2024† TBA, TBA	vs. TBA Quarterfinals	Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Cleveland, OH
*Non-conference game. ^#Rankings from AP poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. All times are in Eastern.

† If a top-eight finisher in MAC Source:^[23]^[24]

References

^ "Jeff Boals". Ohio University Athletics. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
^ "Jeff Boals". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
^ "Convocation Center". Ohio University. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
^ "MAC Men's College Basketball Standings – 2023–24". ESPN. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
^ Clark, Dave (March 9, 2024). "MAC basketball tournament bracket set; Miami RedHawks face Akron in first round". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
^ "Ohio 82, Western Michigan 55". ESPN. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
^ "Akron 65, Ohio 62". ESPN. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
^ "2023-24 Ohio Bobcats Roster and Stats". Sports Reference.
^ "Casey Crawford Joins Men's Basketball Staff as Director of Operations". Stony Brook Athletics. May 22, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
^ "Keith Williams". Ohio Bobcats. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "2024-25 Men's Basketball Roster". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
^ "2023-24 Men's Basketball Roster". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "TRANSFER PORTAL". Verbal Commits. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
^ Keegan, Robert III (April 17, 2024). "Men's Basketball: Ohio makes splash with addition of Jackson Paveletzke from Iowa State". The Post. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
^ "Ohio Men's Basketball Adds Transfer Searls to Roster". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
^ "Ayden Evans". ESPN. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
^ "Jessie Burris". ESPN. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
^ Beach, Ashley (November 16, 2023). "Ohio Men's Basketball Adds Two During Early Signing Period". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
^ "Evans headed to Ohio University". The Elizabethtown News Enterprise. November 17, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
^ DiRenna, Frank (November 9, 2023). "National Signing Day: Which class of 2024 central Ohio athletes are heading to next level?". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
^ Adams, Logan (November 9, 2023). "Men's Basketball: Ohio lands huge commitment from three-star guard, Elijah Elliott". The Post. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
^ "Men's Basketball Coaching Staff". ohiobobcats.com. Ohio University Athletics. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
^ "2024-25 Men's Basketball Schedule". Ohio University Athletics. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
^ "Ohio Bobcats Schedule 2024-25". ESPN. Retrieved August 17, 2024.

[1] "Jeff Boals". Ohio University Athletics. Retrieved May 15, 2022.

[2] "Jeff Boals". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 29, 2022.

[3] "Convocation Center". Ohio University. Retrieved September 29, 2022.

[4] "MAC Men's College Basketball Standings – 2023–24". ESPN. Retrieved May 19, 2023.

[5] Clark, Dave (March 9, 2024). "MAC basketball tournament bracket set; Miami RedHawks face Akron in first round". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 10, 2024.

[6] "Ohio 82, Western Michigan 55". ESPN. Retrieved March 15, 2024.

[7] "Akron 65, Ohio 62". ESPN. Retrieved March 15, 2024.

[8] "2023-24 Ohio Bobcats Roster and Stats". Sports Reference.

[9] "Casey Crawford Joins Men's Basketball Staff as Director of Operations". Stony Brook Athletics. May 22, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.

[10] "Keith Williams". Ohio Bobcats. Retrieved August 18, 2024.

[roster-11] "2024-25 Men's Basketball Roster". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved April 3, 2024.

[12] "2023-24 Men's Basketball Roster". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved April 3, 2024.

[transfer-13] "TRANSFER PORTAL". Verbal Commits. Retrieved April 3, 2024.

[14] Keegan, Robert III (April 17, 2024). "Men's Basketball: Ohio makes splash with addition of Jackson Paveletzke from Iowa State". The Post. Retrieved April 21, 2024.

[15] "Ohio Men's Basketball Adds Transfer Searls to Roster". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved April 19, 2024.

[16] "Ayden Evans". ESPN. Retrieved April 4, 2024.

[17] "Jessie Burris". ESPN. Retrieved April 4, 2024.

[signings-18] Beach, Ashley (November 16, 2023). "Ohio Men's Basketball Adds Two During Early Signing Period". Ohio Athletics. Retrieved April 3, 2024.

[19] "Evans headed to Ohio University". The Elizabethtown News Enterprise. November 17, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2024.

[20] DiRenna, Frank (November 9, 2023). "National Signing Day: Which class of 2024 central Ohio athletes are heading to next level?". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved April 3, 2024.

[21] Adams, Logan (November 9, 2023). "Men's Basketball: Ohio lands huge commitment from three-star guard, Elijah Elliott". The Post. Retrieved April 30, 2024.

[22] "Men's Basketball Coaching Staff". ohiobobcats.com. Ohio University Athletics. Retrieved June 10, 2024.

[23] "2024-25 Men's Basketball Schedule". Ohio University Athletics. Retrieved August 17, 2024.

[24] "Ohio Bobcats Schedule 2024-25". ESPN. Retrieved August 17, 2024.

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v t e Ohio Bobcats men's basketball
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