One and done?Buckeyes Finish 35th in Final Coaches Poll Not exactly what I had in mind heading into the season but strides were made down the stretch. The extra games and practice time can only help what will be an even younger squad next fall. Assuming Koufos bolts for the NBA or Greece with Butler, Hunter and Wiggler already history, three starting jobs and four of the top seven spots in the rotation would be up for grabs.
That sets up next year's squad to be even younger than the '08 group as Anthony Crater, William Buford and BJ Mullens enter the fold expecting to see immediate action alongside a slew of soph's in Turner, Lauderdale, Diebler and Wallace.
Somewhat scarily, Lighty will be the elder statesman on the squad. Hill and Madsen will also be juniors but they won't provide any on court leadership from their seats on the sideline. You know Matta's gonna challenge Lighty to polish his game and leadership ability over the summer and I expect Turner to be the #2 in that regard.
OSU: Scholarship Hit Appears Likely As stated in previous reports, it now appears certain the Basketball Buckeyes will be forced to give up a scholarship for a year due to a below 925 Academic Progress Report (APR) score.
Ohio State created an academic improvement plan and mailed it to the NCAA along with a dozen no-bake cookies and two Asian strippers in hopes the Evil Empire will choose not to invoke a penalty.
Though many will point a finger in Oden's direction for pulling the infamous O'fer 2 (leaving during a term and being ineligle for next season at time of withdrawal) Bob Baptist noted the four year rolling score was also hurt by the early adios' from five players though Conley and Cook are said to not have hurt the APR score since they finished spring quarter before taking their skills to the NBA.
Hopefully, Koufos won't follow in Oden's footsteps with his own O'fer 2.
Comments
Forgetting Walter Offut in the recruiting class or am i missing something...?
Baptist makes some good points. Like he said Matta can't follow guys around that have already declared for the draft to make sure they're going to class. Surprised that Oden was the 1 of the 3 to cost the Bucks, though. My money would have been on Cook.
DTI -- I didn't forget Offut, just not sure the time off with his rehab will allow him to be ahead of Lighty, Turner, Diebler, Buford and Wallace on the wings or ahead of Hill or Crater at the point in the early going. I'd love for it to happen but I'd be surprised if Matta doesn't move slowly with him.
I'm all for players making decisions based upon what is best for them and their families, but what really irks me is those same players making decisions that hurt the program. Losing one scholarship in football isn't a huge deal. For basketball it is.
I think Oden is great and enjoyed watching him last year, but he made a decision that is going to hurt the program. I understand Thad and the staff can't make guys who are going pro attend class, but at least have the respect for your school, your coaches, and teammates to do right by them in honoring your end of the deal.
I agree Chris, Thad's team will have plenty of wing players next year and I wouldn't be shocked if Offut red shirted. This is his second major knee injury in the last four years and there is no reason to rush him back. Plus they are going after the JC player who made 109 three's and shot 41 percent from there.
I read that the JC you mention, Devan Dumes, was also contacted by Indiana once Crean took over so he's no lock to come to OSU. Playing time will be much easier to obtain in Bloomington which I would think is a major selling point to a JC transfer..I personally would be surprised if Dumes ends up in Columbus...
Because OSU is on the quarter system, Oden would've had to stay through June to not cause OSU any issues. I have a hard time blaming him. He had to take time off to get himself ready & in shape for the NBA Draft.
If OSU was on semesters, it would've been different. For example, Gordon from IU will only have to stay a few more weeks to finish the semester & then he get himself prepared for the draft.
Any school on the quarter system will be effected by the APR. This rule needs to change somehow. You can't blame Matta for recruting a once-a-decade type player like Oden. And I have a hard time blaming Oden because he needed to prepare for the draft & his future.
Not knowing how the dates sync up, I might only blame Oden for starting the quarter to begin with considering he knew he was leaving...
I think pj hill will be the starting point guard but crater is a good passer from what ive seen. They will end up sharing the mins. and it will be nice to have a true pt guard next season. Lightly should start along with hill, Mullens, Dallas, Turner. Twin towers down low will be hard to beat. Buford could replace Dallas if we decide to start 3 guards which i think we will. If KK comes back which im not betting on he'll start for Dallas or Buford.
Buford needs to hit the weight room hard this off season.
Anything less than sweet 16 with all this talent would be a bummer
If PJ Hill is at the point, there is not shot at making the Sweet 16. Not even in the NIT. It will either be Turner or Crater.
I do agree with you though, I think Koufos is gone, probably to Greece. A mistake IMO.
I'd like to make a couple of those 4.7 million dollar mistakes.
TLB,
I don't think you're giving PJ Hill a fair assesment.
Wil and PJ sittin' in a tree...K-I-S-S-I-N-G...
Sorry, Wil...couldn't resist..as we discussed last week, we'll have to agree to disagree regarding the Predator...
pj hill does what a point guard should do at ohio state push the ball. That was what held back this team all year. You had bulter looking for his shot everytime.
I couldn't help it Chris, his hair was calling out to me! Don't judge me.
[...] His last game against Phoenix was perhaps his best all year, going for 19 points, 7 boards and 5 assists. His season high of 20 came against LeBron back in January and he has shot a respectable 42 percent from the floor. Conley is rumored to be honing his skills in Cbus this summer, so he should be able to tutor PJ Hill and Evan Turner in their fight to settle the newest 11W debate. [...]