This topic contains 15 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by 
ForTheWin 14 years, 11 months ago.
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- Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 8:36am #32661
JNixonParticipant#4: Ohio State Buckeyes
Frontcourt- David Lighty Jr. was in college forever and a day it seemed, but he was a super valuable role player. Lighty Jr. provided everything on the court and had great character, and was the top defender in the Big 10 IMO. He surprisingly didn’t get drafted, but he will have get chances to play in the league. Also gone is THE Dallas Lauderdale, a tough post defender. They do return an impact player in Soph. Jared Sullinger, a 6’9 280 PF/C who’s coming off a Fr. year where he was an AP 1st Team All-American and Big 10 POY. It was definitely a bit of a surprise that he returned to school, having a title as his goal was the reason he did though. He can post up, rebounds extremely well, and he can knock down face-up shots. His touch is very soft. Sullinger really carves out space well with his wide lower body, and it allows him to seal off and get the room necessary for his shots down low. Sullinger is a solid passer too, and generally is a high IQ player, especially for his age. He’s not the most athletic player around or the best defender though, but he knows how to use his body and timing in good fashion. Sullinger really should monitor his weight too, as he has the body type that can add weight quickly and limit his explosiveness severely, which wouldn’t help him at all. I expect 19 ppg and 11 or 12 rpg from him as a Soph. The SG spot will be manned by Sr. William Buford a 4-year starter. Buford is pretty solid athlete with a 6’5 215 frame, nice shooting skills and the ability to score in transition very well. He has the ability to shoot off screens or spotting up. Buford has developed an effective pull-up jumper from mid-range too, and it makes him a bit more efficient a scorer now, as he can score at all 3 levels now. He also chips in solid rebounding skills from the wing. He not an accomplished defender though, and his ball-handling still isn’t very good, although he’s slowly but surely improved it over his career. Buford likely will be an NBA draft pick, and he’s got a chance to be a late 1st rounder. He’s had a nice career. Also figuring to get extended minutes is Soph. Deshaun Thomas. Thomas is a 6’7 240 combo forward who plays with a high motor and good aggressiveness and provides good athleticism to finish around the rim. He is a matchup ploy. Thomas is mature physically, although he’s a little short for a tweener forward. He wants to try and be a SF sometimes, but to me he’s clearly more of a PF despite his size. He can face up a little, but he’s not quite polished as a shooter or ball-handler just yet, although it will come. He’s unorthodox, but Thomas has a knack for scoring the ball (7.5 ppg in 14 mins as a Fr.) and will be able to up his numbers next year. He could start, or be a 6th man again. I don’t see why he couldn’t start at PF though. Depth will come from a host of Fr. in touted SF LaQuinton Ross, C Amir Williams, with SF Sam Thompson and PF/C Trey McDonald looking to play backend rotation time. J.D. Witherspoon also will fight for time. The 6’8 205 Ross is a physically impressive prospect with the frame to get bigger. He has a sweet shot from deep, and he’s also a nice athlete with a certain smoothness that intrigues. He should be able to score at a nice rate sooner rather than later. What Ross needs to work on is his aggressiveness, ball-handling and strength. He can disappear from games, because physical play can make him ineffective. He also isn’t a shot-creator yet. He’ll play rotation time though. The 6’10 225 Williams and 6’9 220 McDonald need time in the weight room and should add polish, but they have length and good hands. The 6’7 190 Thompson is a versatile talent who can do some of everything and can play all 3 perimeter spots. He needs to get stronger and work on his jumper, which is not very good. Witherspoon is a super athlete with developing skills. A lot of talented guys and depth, especially if the young guys can play some early. Sullinger is an All-American down low and Buford is one of the better wing players/prospects in the country.
Backcourt- The Jon Diebler loss is substantial. He was arguably the best shooter in the country as a Sr. and he provided the decision-making and maturity that helped the teams identity. He was the 52nd pick in the 2011 Draft to the Trailblazers. Starting at the PG spot will be Soph. Aaron Craft. The 6’2 195 Craft is a steady player with alright handle, sound spot-up shooting skills, and OK quickness, who will be asked to take care of the ball again. He is a good caretaker though (4.8 apg/2 topg), and he really had some brilliant moments last season. Craft didn’t stand out on the stat sheet to some, but he was a HUGE reason for OSU’s success last year. For him to be that saavy as a Fr. was real impressive. Craft needs to work on his D, as he was foul prone for a guard, and he’s a limited athlete. Hard to find a more cerebral young guard in the country. Craft will be backed up by the 6’2 175 Fr. guard Shannon Scott. Scott is a smooth player and decision-maker with length. He has a nice feel for the game and plays at his own pace. Scott doesn’t stand out anywhere really, but he’s solid all-around. He’s not very strong right now and needs to work on his shot, but he should be able to play rotation time next year. His drive and dish game is good. They have depth at SG with 2 Soph.’s in Jordan Sibert and Lenzelle Smith Jr. Sibert, at 6’5 200 is a natural scorer on the wing who can shoot and slash, but he lost some of his athleticism to a broken leg that happened in Summer 2009 last season. He’s still getting his athleticism back. If he can get more athleticism back, he could chip in 5 ppg or so off the pine. Smith is a big 6’4 220 perimeter player. The southpaw has the strength and girth to play all 3 perimeter positions, but he had to get used to playing off the ball as a Fr. and he’s still probably going to be improving next season. He has the raw ability, but he is promising. He has role-player potential and could be one of the better role-players in the conference by the time he graduates. Will Buford will see a lot of time at the SG spot. A lot of young talent in the backcourt, but it will be interesting to see who steps up on the wing.
Overview- Thad Matta now has depth. He’s a pretty good coach who has proven he can get his teams to play well whether they have a lot of depth and talent or are top heavy in talent like last year. He keeps his rotations short, but there are capable bodies at every spot on the roster so he might look to play more than 6 or 7 guys this year. Ohio State has the look of a Final 4 team, and they are a darkhorse title contender. They have depth at every position, and experience now to add on to their talent. I wouldn’t be surprised if they took home the title.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 8:54am #590338
hiphopismylifeParticipantCan’t wait to see how this team shapes up. Really want to see how their collection of young wings constribute. Have to wonder if Deshaun Thomas’ gunning style will disrupt continuity in a bigger role. Ross could be anything from a spot player to looking like a future pro this year. He’s got an advanced skill level at that size but also some question marks as you noted. Thompson will probably play the crowd favorite/energizer this year before developing into an expanded role later on. He’s a top-shelf athlete. There’s enough talent/experience returning to make a run, and Aaron Craft is one of the toughest point guards in the nation. Maybe the best defender at that position.
Nice work again.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 8:54am #590760
hiphopismylifeParticipantCan’t wait to see how this team shapes up. Really want to see how their collection of young wings constribute. Have to wonder if Deshaun Thomas’ gunning style will disrupt continuity in a bigger role. Ross could be anything from a spot player to looking like a future pro this year. He’s got an advanced skill level at that size but also some question marks as you noted. Thompson will probably play the crowd favorite/energizer this year before developing into an expanded role later on. He’s a top-shelf athlete. There’s enough talent/experience returning to make a run, and Aaron Craft is one of the toughest point guards in the nation. Maybe the best defender at that position.
Nice work again.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 8:54am #590782
hiphopismylifeParticipantCan’t wait to see how this team shapes up. Really want to see how their collection of young wings constribute. Have to wonder if Deshaun Thomas’ gunning style will disrupt continuity in a bigger role. Ross could be anything from a spot player to looking like a future pro this year. He’s got an advanced skill level at that size but also some question marks as you noted. Thompson will probably play the crowd favorite/energizer this year before developing into an expanded role later on. He’s a top-shelf athlete. There’s enough talent/experience returning to make a run, and Aaron Craft is one of the toughest point guards in the nation. Maybe the best defender at that position.
Nice work again.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:05am #590344
sahrgobucksParticipantIm expecting big things from Sullinger and Buford. I heard Sully dropped down to 260 now though..
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:05am #590766
sahrgobucksParticipantIm expecting big things from Sullinger and Buford. I heard Sully dropped down to 260 now though..
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:05am #590788
sahrgobucksParticipantIm expecting big things from Sullinger and Buford. I heard Sully dropped down to 260 now though..
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:12am #590356
Bryant24ParticipantSam Thompson has freakish athleticism. think he will get a lot of playing time next year iggy?
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:12am #590778
Bryant24ParticipantSam Thompson has freakish athleticism. think he will get a lot of playing time next year iggy?
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:12am #590800
Bryant24ParticipantSam Thompson has freakish athleticism. think he will get a lot of playing time next year iggy?
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:15am #590359
sahrgobucksParticipantIm thinking he will. Hes another great athlete from chicago. The last one we had from there was Evan Turner and he was ranked like 60th in his class. Im hoping Thompson develops into a real nice player
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:15am #590781
sahrgobucksParticipantIm thinking he will. Hes another great athlete from chicago. The last one we had from there was Evan Turner and he was ranked like 60th in his class. Im hoping Thompson develops into a real nice player
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:15am #590803
sahrgobucksParticipantIm thinking he will. Hes another great athlete from chicago. The last one we had from there was Evan Turner and he was ranked like 60th in his class. Im hoping Thompson develops into a real nice player
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:25am #590371
ForTheWinParticipantDoes anyone know if Nikola Kecman will be on the roster next year? He was injuried his entire junior year.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:25am #590793
ForTheWinParticipantDoes anyone know if Nikola Kecman will be on the roster next year? He was injuried his entire junior year.
0 - Posted on: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 9:25am #590815
ForTheWinParticipantDoes anyone know if Nikola Kecman will be on the roster next year? He was injuried his entire junior year.
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