Archive

Summer Buzz: THE Ohio State University

  • Jester
    Pretty interesting write up on the changes OSU will make going in to next season. They've got a strong core coming back, and I love how Sully is continuing to improve his outside game.

    http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/33682/summer-buzz-ohio-state-buckeyes-2
  • Writerbuckeye
    Man, it's too bad Diebs graduated. Having that one killer 3 point shooter back would have made this group so much more dangerous.

    They may develop a deep threat (beyond Buford, although I think he'll be asked to do more creating) by the time the season starts, but it's definitely the area in question at this point.
  • centralbucksfan
    Going to be another exciting year for Buckeye basketball! Much deeper team, and probably more talented overall than last years. But last years experience was so valuable. Last years team had great chemistry. That is the key to success. Everyone has to accept their roles and be a piece to the puzzle. Hopefully everyone buys into that!
    Any news on recruiting? Been pretty quiet in that area.
  • thedynasty1998
    Lighty and Dieblers production will be replaced, but the leadership is the question. I think Sullinger answers that question and OSU is in a great place to be in contention for a National Chamionship.

    When watching this team next year, they will have the look and feel of a pro team. Size, athleticism and depth. Should be fun to watch.
  • centralbucksfan
    thedynasty1998;861181 wrote:Lighty and Dieblers production will be replaced, but the leadership is the question. I think Sullinger answers that question and OSU is in a great place to be in contention for a National Chamionship.

    .

    There is no one on the current roster that is near as good a 3pt shooter as Diebler was. His points may be replaced, the 3pt accuracy will not. And OSU will miss that, no question. They will also miss Lighty energy, defense and leadership as well.
    Overall, OSU will be more talented and athletic, no question. But they will be pretty young acorss the board. I am not too concerned about offense, defensively it will take some of the younger guys time to buy in and understand what it takes at this level.
  • ernest_t_bass
    Lighty's leadership will be missed.
  • Tigerfan00
    ernest_t_bass;862015 wrote:Lighty's leadership will be missed.

    cbf just said that in the post before
  • Big Gain
    All Matta has to do is ask Craft. He didn't shoot that many 3-pointers in HS or the AAU circuit. After his Senior year in high school Matta asked him to work on his 3-point shot. He made 38% last year. Ask him to become a 45% 3-point shooter and he will. Don't be surprised at times to see Craft on a wing and Scott at the point.
  • ernest_t_bass
    Tigerfan00;862334 wrote:cbf just said that in the post before

    Thanks, chap.
  • stroups
    Matta is still killing in recruiting right now. A top 10 player in the class of 2013 says he favors OSU.

    http://www.zagsblog.com/2011/08/14/chris-walker-says-ohio-state-is-favorite/
    Chris Walker Says Ohio State is Favorite

    NEW YORK — It’s not hard to imagine several of the players in Saturday’s Franchise Classic playing professionally down the road. Kyle Anderson, Archie Goodwin and Shaq Goodwin are all potential pros.

    But of all the players in the game, perhaps none has more pro potential than 6-foot-9 Chris Walker.

    Although Walker has to continue to develop his shot and his face-up game, his physicality, athleticism and ability to score near the basket are virtually unmatched at the high school level.

    The 2013 star from Bonifay (Fla.) Holmes County is still mulling his college options, but says he plans to visit several powerhouses unofficially in the coming weeks.

    “Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State and Florida, for right now,” he told SNY.tv early Sunday morning after scoring 18 points in Team USA’s 146-138 loss to Team New York at the South Bronx Job Corps. “Probably Kansas also.”

    Still, Walker listed one school as his “favorite.”

    “I’d say Ohio State is my favorite right now,” he said. “I like Ohio State a lot."
    Scout profile
    http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=4907707
  • hoops23
    Recruiting has never been a problem for Matta.
  • Writerbuckeye
    I can't recall the player's name...but he's top 15 and a back to the basket player; and I saw an article recently where Sullinger is actively trying to get him to OSU. Ironically, he plays the same position as Sully does and would likely be his replacement if he goes to the NBA next year (a big if at this point due to the labor situation).

    Edit: I found his name: DaJuan Coleman. He's 6'10" and about 285, and also being recruited by just about every other major program.
  • thedynasty1998
    centralbucksfan;862012 wrote:There is no one on the current roster that is near as good a 3pt shooter as Diebler was. His points may be replaced, the 3pt accuracy will not. And OSU will miss that, no question. They will also miss Lighty energy, defense and leadership as well.
    Overall, OSU will be more talented and athletic, no question. But they will be pretty young acorss the board. I am not too concerned about offense, defensively it will take some of the younger guys time to buy in and understand what it takes at this level.

    You have Buford as a senior and the main leader from last year's team, Sullinger, returns. Add in your starting PG and leadership should be fine.

    Diebler will be replaced by Thomas, Sibert and the new combo guard. Lug this replaced by the athletic 4 man.

    I see no possible way how OSU isn't improved next year.
  • hoops23
    People seem to underestimate Deshaun Thomas. He's going to be really, really, good this season.
  • centralbucksfan
    thedynasty1998;865791 wrote:
    I see no possible way how OSU isn't improved next year.

    Hey, I hope you are right. But last years team had great chemistry. Thats not always an easy thing to duplicate. Its not as easy to replace 4yr guys, with guys who don't have much experiences. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. I am not sure I expect this years team to be better, early. Maybe by seasons ends. Highly doubt they have only 3 losses going into NCAA
  • centralbucksfan
    hoops23;867209 wrote:People seem to underestimate Deshaun Thomas. He's going to be really, really, good this season.

    Could be. If he buys into the system and learns to play defense. I can admit, he worries me a bit with this shot selection as well as the number of shots he llikes to take. He has to know, the ball goes through Sully.
  • thedynasty1998
    They could have 4 losses and still be better. Sully and Craft are both a year improved and Buford is going to have a great year. Those are 3 positions where you potentially have top 10 players at each respective position. Thomas will score. The rest is replaced by the depth of everyone else.

    They will play an exciting style the the home court advantage will continue to grow with the potential of a mediocre football season and a national championship contender in basketball.
  • Big Gain
    thedynasty1998;868063 wrote:They could have 4 losses and still be better.
    Especially considering their non-league schedule includes Wright State, Florida, Duke, @ Kansas, and @ South Carolina. There should be no whining about strength of schedule this year.
  • Writerbuckeye
    Looks like one of Thad's incoming recruits may not play...at least at this point. LaQuinton Ross is ineligible unless the clearing house decides to reverse a decision on two grades that were switched from D's to C's (apparently because the school's grade system changed also).

    OSU is appealing.

    If things don't change, that would be too bad for the kid. He'd end up just losing the year, I believe.
  • osu45804
    LaQuinton Ross may be ruled academically ineligible

    http://www.buckeyextra.com/content/blogs/hoops-and-scoops/2011/08/laquinton-ross.html

    E    dit: Did not read the post above.... so minus rep for me I guess
  • centralbucksfan
    Writerbuckeye;874334 wrote:Looks like one of Thad's incoming recruits may not play...at least at this point. LaQuinton Ross is ineligible unless the clearing house decides to reverse a decision on two grades that were switched from D's to C's (apparently because the school's grade system changed also).

    OSU is appealing.

    If things don't change, that would be too bad for the kid. He'd end up just losing the year, I believe.
    This could be a BIG loss. Ross has HUGE potential! I believe as a HS Soph, he was #1 national recruit by many. I am hopeful this will get cleared up. His transfer from one school to another and transcript issue are the cause. Hopefully they can get some clarification and get it cleaned up.
  • thedynasty1998
    Have no idea how every HS doesn't use a standard grading scale. I went to a private school where the grading scale was much more difficult than public schools. I don't see any advantage of it.
  • Azubuike24
    Duke and Florida are huge games, but both are at home.

    Kansas will be far worse than a year ago, and South Carolina isn't going to be any better than last year.
  • Writerbuckeye
    Azubuike24;875397 wrote:Duke and Florida are huge games, but both are at home.

    Kansas will be far worse than a year ago, and South Carolina isn't going to be any better than last year.
    Says the guy whose team doesn't have one true away game before conference play. :p
  • Y-Town Steelhound
    Azubuike24;875397 wrote:Duke and Florida are huge games, but both are at home.

    Kansas will be far worse than a year ago, and South Carolina isn't going to be any better than last year.
    Kansas is still Kansas as long as Self is still there....and the Allen Fieldhouse is still the Allen Fieldhouse. It's still going to be a huge test for OSU.