Ohio State Basketball Official Thread

• Midstate01

  

  Buckeyes played a second straight great second half and completely rolled
• Terry_Tate

  

  Another game, more Russell highlights. If Kaminsky wins B1G player of the year it's because it was given to him before the year started.
  
  Tate just brings the heat every play. Dude is fun to watch.
• centralbucksfan

  Big nite for OSU. Not only winning the game, but also got committment from JaQuan Lyle. Former 5 star player who committed to Oregon last year but ran into some academic issues. 6'5", 220 guard. He is added to an already top 10 class next year. Huge pick up for Matta! Russell replacement more than likely.
  
  http://ohiostate.247sports.com/Bolt/Russell-Hints-Return-To-School-Source-Lyle-Verbals-To-OSU-35189601
• ernest_t_bass

  

  I sure hope Russell stays. Would love to bring both trophies to CBus next year.
• se-alum

  

  ernest_t_bass;1701388 wrote:I sure hope Russell stays. Would love to bring both trophies to CBus next year.

  That would be awesome, but very surprising for someone projected to be a top 5 pick. Although Sully did do it.
• centralbucksfan

  ernest_t_bass;1701388 wrote:I sure hope Russell stays. Would love to bring both trophies to CBus next year.

  Not likely. Top 5 pick. Some have him at #2 after his play the past few weeks. Just getting better. Not sure it would be smart to stay.
• centralbucksfan

  se-alum;1701394 wrote:That would be awesome, but very surprising for someone projected to be a top 5 pick. Although Sully did do it.

  Then dropped to what, 20th pick? Thats another reason for Russell not to stay. Get it while the gettins good.
• se-alum

  

  centralbucksfan;1701396 wrote:Then dropped to what, 20th pick? Thats another reason for Russell not to stay. Get it while the gettins good.

  I don't expect him to stay, just saying I could see him staying, especially with that comment w/ the Lyle pic. Barring injury, I don't see his stock dropping next year like Sully's did. The team in Sully's 2nd year wasn't nearly as good as his Freshmen year, and I think OSU will be better next year with that recruiting class.
• Laley23

  

  Have fun with Lyle. That kids a fucking disaster.
• se-alum

  

  Just caught the highlights of the game. From what I saw, Loving looked like a completely different player. Not hesitating to take the shot, which he has done thus far in his OSU career. Him being confident will be huge for this team down the stretch.
• ernest_t_bass

  

  Speaking of OSU bball... do you all know that Jamar Butler is helping coach Lima Senior HS? From the few times I've seen him, dude is a POS. Perfect for their program.
• Heretic

  

  Last night was the sort of glorious dominating win I was expecting to see more of against decent competition this year. Looks like the team may have gotten over the doldrums of playing 15 no-namers in 17-18 games to open the season. Moves them into a tie for second in the conference with a team they just beat and a team that's far inferior talent-wise, which is good going forward assuming they can do well on their 4 road games in 5 games stretch.
• Terry_Tate

  

  Laley23;1701404 wrote:Have fun with Lyle. That kids a fucking disaster.

  This is what I remember with him a year or two ago when Ohio State was after him. Hopefully he won't be a distraction.
• centralbucksfan

  Laley23;1701404 wrote:Have fun with Lyle. That kids a fucking disaster.

  We'll see. But I think in the time Matta has been at OSU, player problems are just about nill on the radar. He isn't one to go out on a limb with troubled players. I know from a good source that Matta isn't one to sell his soul in the recruiting game.
• centralbucksfan

  Heretic;1701443 wrote:Last night was the sort of glorious dominating win I was expecting to see more of against decent competition this year. Looks like the team may have gotten over the doldrums of playing 15 no-namers in 17-18 games to open the season. Moves them into a tie for second in the conference with a team they just beat and a team that's far inferior talent-wise, which is good going forward assuming they can do well on their 4 road games in 5 games stretch.

  The 15 no namers had nothing to do with how OSU was playing. Everyone plays that many crap teams. How OSU is playing now has to do with Matta changing the lineup. Amir on the bench not getting minutes he was. Loving coming off the bench. Tate getting more minutes and producing. And of course, Russell playing lights out. Things are coming together. But I am still cautious to say too many good things. Gotta go to Purdue (never easy place to play), then Rutgers. Two winnable road games. Win those and I'll feel better.
• Prescott

  Be careful OSU shot the ball very well last night, which is not going to happen every night.
  
  The question I have is: Who made the decision to play a zone early in the season? They had some breakdowns last night but I think their man-to-man defense was superb. They took Melo completely out of the game and did good jobs on Layman and Wells.
  
  Purdue has (2)7-footers who have been playing very well. Amir and Trey will need to play well especially on defense and on the boards.This will be a difficult game for OSU.
• Laley23

  

  I'm just saying, you get kicked off your high school team (and yes, it was much more than just a "transfer") because you are a selfish asshole who doesn't pass and gets technicals a lot...a few for confronting his own teammates and coach, you got a problem. If Rick Pitino decides you are a problem recruit, you might actually be a problem. Then he can't get into Oregon?? I have my doubts he ever sees the court for OSU.
  
  Hell of a talent, but I'm glad he isn't on my team. Seems like a fucking douchebag.
• centralbucksfan

  Prescott;1701488 wrote:Be careful OSU shot the ball very well last night, which is not going to happen every night.
  
  The question I have is: Who made the decision to play a zone early in the season? They had some breakdowns last night but I think their man-to-man defense was superb. They took Melo completely out of the game and did good jobs on Layman and Wells.
  
  Purdue has (2)7-footers who have been playing very well. Amir and Trey will need to play well especially on defense and on the boards.This will be a difficult game for OSU.

  They shot well in the second half. I don't believe they did in the first half. I think the biggest thing last nite, was rebounding. They limited Maryland to one shot. They dominated the boards. A weakness with this team. And Maryland had some size as well. And yes, the defense was very good.
  From what I have read, Matta decision to play zone was based on a couple of weak links and the fact that he thought OSU was so long and athletic, they could be similar to a Syracuse. Thank goodness he made the change, as well as the starting lineup/minutes change. Something I would not have thought he would do with either.
• centralbucksfan

  Laley23;1701497 wrote:I'm just saying, you get kicked off your high school team (and yes, it was much more than just a "transfer") because you are a selfish asshole who doesn't pass and gets technicals a lot...a few for confronting his own teammates and coach, you got a problem. If Rick Pitino decides you are a problem recruit, you might actually be a problem. Then he can't get into Oregon?? I have my doubts he ever sees the court for OSU.
  
  Hell of a talent, but I'm glad he isn't on my team. Seems like a fucking douchebag.

  Again, maybe so. Maybe he grew up this year. Who knows. As I said, Matta has had just about zero player issues. I would assume its a combination of type of players he recruits as well as keeping a thumb on them when they arrive. Every coach its gonna take a chance on a player or two. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't. With Russell probably leaving..I think its worth a shot.
• se-alum

  

  Laley23;1701497 wrote:I'm just saying, you get kicked off your high school team (and yes, it was much more than just a "transfer") because you are a selfish asshole who doesn't pass and gets technicals a lot...a few for confronting his own teammates and coach, you got a problem. If Rick Pitino decides you are a problem recruit, you might actually be a problem. Then he can't get into Oregon?? I have my doubts he ever sees the court for OSU.
  
  Hell of a talent, but I'm glad he isn't on my team. Seems like a fucking douchebag.

  I've never seen a kid grow up and mature. I seriously doubt Matta would've taken him if he thought he was as bad as you claim. Even if he is, he was worth a shot in this class with the positions of need already covered. Also, let's be honest, Crean would've taken the kid in a heartbeat if he had the opportunity.
• thavoice

  se-alum;1701519 wrote:I've never seen a kid grow up and mature. I seriously doubt Matta would've taken him if he thought he was as bad as you claim. Even if he is, he was worth a shot in this class with the positions of need already covered. Also, let's be honest, Crean would've taken the kid in a heartbeat if he had the opportunity.

  Only if the recruit kisses his dad on the lips..........
• Prescott

  centralbucksfan;1701514 wrote:They shot well in the second half. I don't believe they did in the first half. I think the biggest thing last nite, was rebounding. They limited Maryland to one shot. They dominated the boards. A weakness with this team. And Maryland had some size as well. And yes, the defense was very good.
  From what I have read, Matta decision to play zone was based on a couple of weak links and the fact that he thought OSU was so long and athletic, they could be similar to a Syracuse. Thank goodness he made the change, as well as the starting lineup/minutes change. Something I would not have thought he would do with either.

  Be real........they were 10/17 behind the arc.Loving and Russell were 9/11 behind the arc.They did dominate the boards, which was pivotal, but hitting 3's at near a 60% rate was also crucial.
• Laley23

  

  se-alum;1701519 wrote:I've never seen a kid grow up and mature. I seriously doubt Matta would've taken him if he thought he was as bad as you claim. Even if he is, he was worth a shot in this class with the positions of need already covered. Also, let's be honest, Crean would've taken the kid in a heartbeat if he had the opportunity.

  Very possible. Just not often do you see kids at multiple high school, and then multiple colleges before they even enroll, turn out well.
  
  And of course Crean would've taken him back in the day (he backed off the recruitment after the Oregon mess), but I wouldn't have liked it.
• Midstate01

  

  Prescott;1701532 wrote:Be real........they were 10/17 behind the arc.Loving and Russell were 9/11 behind the arc.They did dominate the boards, which was pivotal, but hitting 3's at near a 60% rate was also crucial.

  They've been hot the last two games. Which is when they decided to go small. I don't expect them to shoot 60% but they're capable of shooting it very well. They've eliminated shots from amir and trey and that's taking their percentage up.
• Mulva

  

  Midstate01;1701586 wrote:They've been hot the last two games. Which is when they decided to go small. I don't expect them to shoot 60% but they're capable of shooting it very well. They've eliminated shots from amir and trey and that's taking their percentage up.

  Amir is shooting almost 71% for the season.