Ohio's season starts in 17 days.
With Ohio's first exhibition game 17 days away, there are a few story lines swirling around "Saul Ball" this season.
Here are a few before Ohio's matchup with Indiana Tech on Nov. 7:
Jaaron Simmons wants Central Michigan, Buffalo
Simmons, who's projected to be Ohio's starting point guard this season, wants to beat Central Michigan and Buffalo.
Like, real bad.
"Central Michigan," Simmons said. "That's who I want right there. To be the best you got to beat the best."
The Bobcats will play the Chippewas on Jan. 23 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and the Bulls on Feb. 13 and 27.
In 2014, coach Saul Phillips and company split their season series with Buffalo after former forward Maurice Ndour helped beat the Bulls with a last-second dunk.
Simmons' homecoming
Speaking of Simmons, the transfer has come home after a stint in Houston during the 2013 season, where he played in 32 games and only received one start.
Simmons said his family seeing him play was one of his top reasons for transferring to Ohio. He's from Dayton.
"I wanted to be able to have my family see me play every single game," Simmons said. "They could see us play (at Houston), but we were on TV, but it's a difference when they can see you play in person, talk to them after the game."
Phillips said Simmons will be a "cornerstone" to Ohio's foundation this season after the redshirt sophomore showed off his athleticism in the dunk contest last Saturday during "Bobcat Madness."
Ohio's offense looks to utilize "Horns" setup
During the offseason, Simmons, forward Antonio Campbell and Kenny Kaminski showed some half-court pacing by utilizing a "horns" setup.
The "horns" offensive set is when a guard — in this case, Simmons — brings the ball up as two post players plant at the top of the arc on opposite lanes. Two other forwards/ guards are placed in the corner pockets of the half court, thus making an "A" formation.
Ohio could use that formation during the season, as the Bobcats have an array of shooters including Campbell, Kaminsky and stretch-forwards like Khari Harley, Gavin Block and Jordan Dartis.
"You can expect a lot of horns this season," Campbell said. "Basically pulling my man away from the rim so when I roll in they don't have a good chance to double."
Campbell averaged 10 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last season, but now, he doesn't have Ndour in the front court with him.
"It'll be tough. (Ndour) drew a lot of attention from teams and helped me out," Campbell said. "This year, actually, it'll be the other way around. I don't have Mo and team's defense is going to be on me."
@Lukeoroark
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