Can Crater emerge as the starting point guard?There were a few hoops happenings in the past week so we're keeping our promise of sprinkling in some news on the Buckeye basketball front in prep for the upcoming season.
Open Practice Set for October 25 Our man Bob Baptist reported today Matta will hold an open practice Saturday, October 25 - the same day as the pigskin throw down with Grandpa Joe's Nittany Lions. Baptist said a specific time has yet to be nailed down but expect the session to begin sometime between 4 and 6pm.
Maybe it's just me, but I think it's a shame that Matta is almost forced to have an open practice coincide with a home game in order to get a decent amount of folks to show up.
Regardless, I plan to attend because I want to see what Noopy Crater and Jeremie Simmons look like. I already know Buford and Mullens will be fixtures in the rotation but the emergence of either Crater or Simmons is a requirement if OSU is going to have a chance to finish in the top third of the conference.
Our spies on the ground indicate Simmons was mainly brought in to challenge Crater at the point because Matta plans to give him every chance to be the PG from day one. Matta's squads seem to get younger every year, don't they? Think about it, if Crater starts alongside Turner, Lighty, Mullens and Buford, that gives Matta a starting lineup comprised of three freshmen, one sophomore and a junior.
I'm also interested to see if Nikola Kecman looks like he'll hang out on the wings like a typical 6'8" Euro or if he has the makeup to help out down low. My gut says he won't give Matta much on the glass.
Lastly, I want to see how Dallas Lauderdale looks after a summer of working on his offensive game. Dude showed some promise at the end of last season and whether or not he can take the next step is just as important to this team as the aforementioned emergence of Crater or Simmons at the point.
Got Tickets? The university announced yesterday single game tickets go on sale November 3rd including tickets in the OSU section for the contest against Notre Dame in Indianapolis in the Hartford Hall of Fame Showcase. Duckets to the showcase also get you a seat for the other half of the twin bill, Indiana versus Gonzaga.
With former Irish hoopster and current Miami Heat guard Chris Quinn scrimmaging against the Buckeyes all summer, Matta will need to account for the scouting report the Dublin native plans to share with ND coach Mike Brey.
Hoops Report Slots Buckeyes at #14 The Hoops Report offers a solid preview of this season's Buckeye squad ranking them 14th and going so far as to predict the possibility of a March run. Lots of things have to go right for that prognostication to become reality but if the talent can gel, anything is possible.
Comments
Hang on Noopy, Noopy hang on. Dah dum, dah dum, dah da da dum.
Sorry. Couldn't help myself. GO BUCKS!
I'm stoked for what this team might look like. Very young granted, but that is the trend in college basketball, at least at the major schools. Thad continues to downright impress with his ability to recruit. The 2010 class is downright nasty.
I'm still not convinced (having seen him play a few times) that Buford will be able to contribute that much early on. He will get manhandled defensively as he does not have the size to handle himself. Turner was so much stronger physically as a frosh than Buford will be I just don't see him helping that much next year.
Ohio State is going to have a lot of young classes as long as the One-And-Done is in place. Matta is a recruiter of near incredulous ability, which means we are always going to be losing players after only 1 or 2 years. In fact, right now Ohio State leads the nation in the number of freshman leaving for the NBA.
And I don't see anyone catching up to us since we will most likely have at least one One-And-Done player in each of the next 3 years.
It will be a little frustrating in that it will make building a team for a championship drive in March difficult but on the upside it will still be very exciting and interesting ride.
turner will be the man this year
And I agree if they can gel as a team they should be great because they have great talent
Matta is making a name for himself as being a all time great basketball coach at OSU. I think Matta needs to give Tressel some pointers how to get the most out of your players because he does it every year since he has been here. Its nice to be excitied about basketball again at OSU. I think Mullens has a chance to be frosh of the year in the country. I agree with baba booey Turner, if he hits the jumper will be very good and would like to see Lighty play up to everybody's hype because other then two key shots he has not done alot to merit his hype. I think Mullens is going to lead the Big Ten in blocks and dunks this year. Thanks CL for giving B-Ball updates love it.
GO BUCKS
Turner plays out of control sometimes. He will have to be better moving without the ball too. PJ Hill will be the starter a point guard. He is a pure point guard and it will give Crater time to develop.
Sorry to be all nit-picky, Chris, but the word is "ducats", not "duckets".
ECDS -- It's all good...I was WAY overdue for a spelling error anyway. Thanks for showing me the airer uf mi weighs.
While I'm at it, I'll continue my constant disagreement with my man Tampa when it comes to PJ Hill...Come clean, Tampa.. Are you PJ Hill under an alias or are you his cousin or maybe his barber?! I kid.
I'll bet you a t-shirt PJ Hill doesnt start a conference game all year. You in?
Turner was a bit sloppy last year but thats his inexperience showing.. his game got better and better all year and I expect him to break through this year.. Hes got raw talent, and the mistakes will fade..
but PJ Hill??? The Predator? No thank you! He is not good, I'm on Chris's side.. He's a good bench guy because he has good handles but he provides absolutely no offensive spark at all..
Anyone heard of LiC will be round-balling next year??
Anyone heard IF LiC will be round-balling next year??