OSU's Lenzelle Smith out 3-6 months

• Writerbuckeye

  

  after having surgery to mend a torn ligament in his left (shooting) wrist.
  
  This means the Buckeyes now have 3 major injuries before any real conditioning even starts. Lighty did just get off his crutches today, so that helps, but Nicola Kecman is gone for the year with a torn ACL (his third, apparently).
  
  The loss of Smith is more significant because he is actually known for being a pretty good passer, and with a lack of a true experienced PG on the team, the Buckeyes need anyone they can to help in this area.
  
  With this injury and Lighty being slowed, it puts even more pressure on freshman Aaron Craft to be the guy who handles the bulk of the PG duties.
  
  If Smith is fortunate and the injury period is only 3 months, he'll at least be back well before Big Ten season starts, and he'll have a chance to get back in shape with the pre-conference schedule.
• thedynasty1998

  

  Probably doesn't need it's own thread, but this was in the Dispatch yesterday:
  

  Columbus Dispatch:
  
  When he got the news last week, William Buford couldn't stop smiling.
  
  The Ohio State junior found out he was among 20 college players invited to the USA Men's Select team to practice against the USA Men's National team. He leaves Sunday for Las Vegas.
  
  "I had the biggest smile on my face, ever," Buford said yesterday. "When Coach (David) Egelhoff told me, I was so excited. I told my parents, and I wanted to tell everyone."
  
  Even though the six-day competition will consist solely of drills and scrimmages, Buford believes it'll be invaluable for his development. Although most national-team members are unlikely to participate, young NBA stars such as Kevin Durant, O.J. Mayo and Derrick Rose are expected to play.
  
  "It's a test for me to see where my game is at - going against some of the best players in the world," Buford said. "I'm just going to soak up as much as I can from them to try to be the best I can at this level and the next level."
  
  Buford is coming off a season in which he averaged 14.4 points and made significant improvement on defense. With national player of the year Evan Turner having gone to the NBA, Buford could become the Buckeyes' top offensive player.
  
  As an underclassman, Buford mostly deferred to his older teammates, particularly off the court. With a large and talented recruiting class already enrolled and participating in open gyms, Buford is embracing a new role.
  
  "Will's done a great job helping (the freshmen) out," senior Jon Diebler said. "Last year, it wasn't really his role. Last year, he was a lot quieter. But this year, he's really taken on that leadership role."
  
  The open-gym workouts have been intense; current Buckeyes are scrimmaging against alumni such as Mike Conley Jr., Brent Darby and Ron Lewis.
  
  Asked what his priority has been this offseason, Buford replied: "Still defense. I guard the best players on the court in the open gym, and I'm trying to get better at that. I'm working on my ball-handling, working on my shooting, everything really."
  
  After open-gym games, Buford said, he'll shoot by himself at night.
  
  "I'm getting better day by day," he said.
  
  His confidence has grown along with that. He said he wasn't apprehensive about the challenge of guarding NBA stars next week.
  
  "Not at all, because I feel they've got to defend me, too," Buford said with a smile. "I don't really think about that too much. I've been playing the game for so long, since I was little, that I'll just go out and try to do my best.
  
  "I'm really excited. I don't think I've ever been as happy to be a part of something. It's a real honor to be invited down there."
  Freshmen impressive
  
  Diebler said the heralded freshman class has been impressive in workouts. He is particularly pleased by their attitude.
  
  "They're all open to listening to us," Diebler said. "Sometimes, that can be the hardest thing coming in as a freshman. You think you know it all. You think you already know what to do. But they all ask us questions and are doing a great job of listening to us."
  
  With guard Lenzelle Smith out because of an injured wrist, Aaron Craft is making a strong impression, especially with his defense.
  Lighty hopeful
  
  Senior David Lighty remains in a walking cast after suffering a broken bone in his left foot May 11. He said he expects it to be fully healed next month.
  
  It's the same injury he had two years ago, but Lighty said doctors have told him that the re-injury was not indicative of a chronic issue with the foot.
  
  Lighty was hurt when he stepped on Diebler's foot in a workout.
  
  [email protected]

  Good news for Buford and that can only help his confidence.
  
  BTW, I hope Dielber is the last guy those freshmen are listening to.
• Laley23

  

  I injured my wrist (broken bone) in the fall. It only took 5 weeks to heal completely and the cast came off, but the tendons were so fucking tight that I didnt have a shot until the 3rd game of the season, despite being healthy for 2 weeks prior.
• centralbucksfan

  thedynasty1998;425085 wrote:Probably doesn't need it's own thread, but this was in the Dispatch yesterday:
  
  
  
  Good news for Buford and that can only help his confidence.
  
  BTW, I hope Dielber is the last guy those freshmen are listening to.

  
  Wow, more Diebler hating from you. Seriously, get over it and move on. Its pitiful and VERY OLD. Diebler will be a senior leader on this team. And I wouldnt' be shocked if he isn't chosen to be a captain.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  Diebler will be a captain and rightfully so.
  
  Anyone who doesn't appreciate what he brings to OSU by now simply doesn't have a clue about basketball. That's the only reason I can find, aside from mindless bias.
• cbus4life

  Great article on Buford, really nice to see.
  
  And, nice to see Brent Darby is still balling.
• devil1197

  Craft will be fine with the talent he'll have around him. Plus the kid is very good on the defensive end.
• CinciX12

  

  Writerbuckeye;425633 wrote:Diebler will be a captain and rightfully so.
  
  Anyone who doesn't appreciate what he brings to OSU by now simply doesn't have a clue about basketball. That's the only reason I can find, aside from mindless bias.

  
  Diebler sucks. Which one am I?
  
  No really though, you are right. Solely because he does seem to have leadership capabilities that others don't.
• thedynasty1998

  

  I made the comment about Diebler half joking, because some on here know that I don't have much respect for his game. With that said, I'd love to sit in on some early season practices this year. I have a feeling they will be a dogfight as these younger guys will be trying to steal some minutes. It hurts that Smith is out in that regard as I expected him to really compete for some PT.
  
  Who are your bets on who throws the first punch in practice? I say Lauderdale as I think Sullinger goes at him daily, or maybe someone like Weatherspoon who is trying to separate himself from others with tough play.
• thedynasty1998

  

  I made the comment about Diebler half joking, because some on here know that I don't have much respect for his game. With that said, I'd love to sit in on some early season practices this year. I have a feeling they will be a dogfight as these younger guys will be trying to steal some minutes. It hurts that Smith is out in that regard as I expected him to really compete for some PT.
  
  Who are your bets on who throws the first punch in practice? I say Lauderdale as I think Sullinger goes at him daily, or maybe someone like Weatherspoon who is trying to separate himself from others with tough play.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  CinciX12;426874 wrote:Diebler sucks. Which one am I?
  
  No really though, you are right. Solely because he does seem to have leadership capabilities that others don't.

  
  Since you're from CinciTucky, I'll go with just plain stupid.
• CinciX12

  

  Writerbuckeye;429026 wrote:Since you're from CinciTucky, I'll go with just plain stupid.

  
  I'm not originally from there, and I can tell you I get dumber everyday I'm in this area I swear to God. The difference just driving over the bridge to Kentucky is scary.
• centralbucksfan

  OSU playing Miami, Ohio this year the nite before the OSU/UM game. Also have a home and home scheduled with Kansas starting in 2011.
  
  Matta said Smith injury is similar to Oden injury...which kept him out till Dec. Lets hope his injury is not as long. He was my pick as the surprise player of this class. But this injury will set him back significantly.
• CinciX12

  

  I hadn't heard the Kansas news yet, thats pretty awesome.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  Matta does not shy away from playing anyone -- but he always tries to gear those tougher games to coincide with years he has more experienced teams. It's good coaching, in my view. If he can ever have a stable flow of players (not a bunch of one and dones), I think you'll see him toughen the schedule all around, every year.
• CinciX12

  

  I know a team they won't ever play
• Laley23

  

  centralbucksfan;429742 wrote:OSU playing Miami, Ohio this year the nite before the OSU/UM game. Also have a home and home scheduled with Kansas starting in 2011.
  

  
  Ive wanted Indiana to start up a series with Kansas in basketball FOREVER. Very jealous OSU gets it (even though its only 2 games). Ive wanted IU and KU to play alternating games every year the way Indiana does with Kentucky.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  CinciX12;431039 wrote:I know a team they won't ever play

  
  I'm betting you're wrong and a series with Cincinnati happens.
• CinciX12

  

  Writerbuckeye;431926 wrote:I'm betting you're wrong and a series with Cincinnati happens.

  
  The hell would I care about UC? I'm saying Xavier. Why would you play a team worse than Xavier to prove you were the best team in Ohio?
• krazie45

  

  CinciX12;432927 wrote:The hell would I care about UC? I'm saying Xavier. Why would you play a team worse than Xavier to prove you were the best team in Ohio?

  
  Ah yes...impossible for me as a Buckeye to think about Xavier without remembering this:
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE0c-TzO7d4
• CinciX12

  

  Congrats on that..you should have won by 30.
  
  Also, if Craft has to handle all the PG responsibilities from the start I don't think he will be able to handle that. But I'd have to look at the schedule to be sure, there is a good chance its not all that difficult.
• thedynasty1998

  

  I was thinking about that the other day. If OSU didn't win that game, would Matta be considered a tournament underachiever?
• krazie45

  

  CinciX12;433457 wrote:Congrats on that..you should have won by 30.
  
  Also, if Craft has to handle all the PG responsibilities from the start I don't think he will be able to handle that. But I'd have to look at the schedule to be sure, there is a good chance its not all that difficult.

  
  
  A win by 3 or 30 is a win nonetheless...sadly OSU underachieved that whole tournament though.
• devil1197

  Craft will be fine.
• Laley23

  

  thedynasty1998;433459 wrote:I was thinking about that the other day. If OSU didn't win that game, would Matta be considered a tournament underachiever?

  
  At OSU yes.