We Are Family
After the chemistry debacle that was last season’s hoops squad, it sounds as if Matta is doing all he can to make sure that lesson is learned only once.
In the pros, I don’t really buy the chemistry excuse because they are paid to perform but at the college level, especially in hoops where the number of players is so small, it pays to have a unit that’s on the same page.
We all remember Jamar Butler blowing up any chance at harmony last year with his aloof personality combined with some frustrated comments directed towards teammates he never really accepted. What I didn’t give as much credence to is the fact the team never had a chance to form any legit relationships before the season started thanks to various reasons.
Besides Butler’s in season exhibition of how not to be a captain, he wasn’t even on campus the summer preceding meaning he never really got a chance to bond with his new teammates before practice began. In addition, both David Lighty and Kosta Koufos played overseas.
Hoping to avoid another train wreck, Bob Baptist notes Matta’s ‘08-’09 Buckeyes have been together since summer pickup games with David Lighty serving as the team leader. Sure, Lighty seemed to regress as a player last year but nobody can question his team first attitude and his personality is definitely more fitting of a leader than we ever saw from the introverted Butler.
Of course, chemistry can only take you so far but with a roster comprised of seven combined freshmen and sophomores, it’s a good start, especially with the amount of raw talent some of these kids possess. Excluding afterthoughts Kyle Madsen, Danny Peters and Mark Titus, the Buckeyes could go as many as 11 deep in the early going (assuming Kecman is ruled eligible) before the inevitable shortening of the bench as conference play gets rolling.
Understanding they must all put aside their personal goals for the benefit of the team will be crucial to the success of this year’s Buckeyes. So what do you think – Is chemistry overrated even at the college level? Further, do you think this team can make the Dance with as many as eight freshmen and sophomores playing vital roles?
I think that is a good sign that these guys played together so much. Buford and Mullens have played together alot as well in all star games and pick up games im sure. I think the loss of J butler will be a good thing although I will give him credit for being a better team player late in the year.
This team should be very explosive and great on defense with two big shot blockers and long athletic guards outside. Should be atleast a sweet 16 run this year.
With all of the GARBAGE being spewed about the football team the past five days I am actually welcoming a quick mindset shift to hoops for a few moments.
I think with Thad we should expect to be in the dance every year. They should’ve been there last year as proven by winning the #66 tournament.
Winning with Freshman and Sophomores is the expectation now with the early pipeline to the NBA. Good experienced players are a luxury and becoming less and less the norm.
Lighty and Turner have the opportunities to lead both in what they say and how they play. I think Koufos was a bit more of the distraction last year than Butler. Both are gone now and the door is wide open for new leaders to emerge and bring this talented group together.
Chemistry is a huge part of college hoops. That was evident two years ago with Conley and Oden. Now, I know they are not the norm, but the chemistry they had leads to a comfort level. When a team is comfortable with each other, they can play a little more loose and have fun. Not having a comfort level and playing loose is exactly what the football team is going through right now.
Thad is one heck of a coach and I have all the confidence he will get this team going. Last year was the first time he missed the NCAA tournament, but he took his team to the NIT championship, still impressive.
I loved J. Butler, but I thought he regressed last year and dribbled way too much. Good Riddance to Koufos, I will not miss him.
I am excited to see the progress made by Lighty, Turner and Diebler from last year.
I guess I really cant blame Butler for not really filling the leadership role. He played 4 years for the bucks and was by far one of the best players to come out of Ohio state. He may never make it in the NBA but he may get a shot here or there. He shot 97 percent from the free throw line. a team will bring him on just for that reason alone, he could also shoot the 3 with some consistancy and played decent defense. he may get a shot. If he can mature some playing in europe a few years he could make a splash with some one. If you look at the teams he played for they were mostly older. He never had to be the leader. Then when Oden, Conley, and Cook were there he didnt even have to be a leader. Then they all left and now he has to take over again. I have a feeling he felt mistreated or something. Of course, he may not be the leader type either. Something tells me though with all the players that came and left while he was there it was probably getting to him a bit. Who knows, I thought he was a great player and always seemed to make a basket when they needed it most, and not only that but he may not of lead well but he controlled the court like no other.
sure, we CAN make the dance this year – its the “do we WANT to make the dance” that is uncertain. we are going to be younger than almost every team we go up against, so game in and game out we are going to have to want it more than the other guys.
plus hopefully we wont be playing as much zone defense this season and will be able to block out more effectively. and i have a hunch mullens is a better banger in the post than kufos. more rebounds = less second chance points for teams like freaking iowa = more wins = NCAA berth.
i cannot wait for basketball season.
I, like many others, actually think this team Should make the NCAA – all they have to do is finish 4th or 5th in the Big ten and I do not think asking for that is too big of a reach. I would expect Thad to be able to put together a top 3 Big ten team every year
I think some of the chemistry issues last year … meaning that the chemistry issues were not as much about personality clashes and lack of leadership as much as this team simply was “Built” wrong
there was no good point guard so that Butler could be a shooting guard. Diebler offered nothing to the team, KK was good in spurts but was not physical enough
bottom line this team had some real issues as far as how it was put together and even if they were best of friends, they would have struggled
I meant to say that some of the chemistry issues are overblown and seemed to have included that thought in the ellipses for some inexplicable reason
chemistry is important, not simply that they like each other, but that they know what they should be doing when they are on the court together. the lack of a true point guard last year clearly hurt them. not having a true distributor of the ball forced them to play a lot of one on one which led to poor shot selection with the clock winding down. we’ll see how good crater is at drawing the defense in and exploiting his quickness. turner is a key as well, as he has the ability to take his man off the dribble. this team could be extremely fun to watch. lots of speed!
Guys I think your setting your expectations too low. MJ Mullens is a #1 draft pick. He will help us at both ends of the court right now. The combination of Light, Turner, Buford on the outside will create match-up problems with every team in the nation. The only question is who will play point guard. I think PJ Hill will start the season but Crater will get the majority of the mins. if he fails to get the ball to the scorers. Diebler might be the difference between a final four and a sweet 16 run. If he can knock down wide open 3’s(which there should be plenty of those this year) buckeyes will roll.
Yes… thats right final four run. Anyone think im crazy?
I think this year’s team is going to be better then last year. Its going to be nice to have a seven footer who will rebound, block shots and score inside and have kick out three’s. I think this will be a real good team at the end of the year. I can’t wait to see all the young players come together nad i truly believe Thad is the best coach at any sport at the university
That scarlet mohawk is money!!
“Are we imploding” ? Be careful for what you wish for ! Is it the Offensive play calling ? Is it the lack of talent on the O Line ? Are the wide receivers bothered by the fact that they can’t get any separation, or just that balls thrown their way are dropped ? Is it Pryor’s fault that Tressel doesn’t know that tight ends are allowed to catch passes ? Boeckman is a classy young man, but do you really want him as the QB ? Is the last drive at Wisconsin history ? We better get this straightened out fast or our season ends Saturday !
Mark Titus is NOT an afterthought
danny peters – all-american watchlist.
Mom, you’re embarrassing me!
Not to play “Monitor”, but lets not get 11W bad press like Scout had with Arian Foster’s mom (FostersMom)…..
Laura,
Sorry if you took that as a slight but just being honest based on his minutes last season and the influx of highly rated recruits. I think any reasonable fan could assume Mark won’t be in the regular playing rotation – that’s not to say we don’t love him though :)
So, “afterthought” was used on context of him fitting into the rotation, not to say he’s not a part of the team. I hope you are wrong and he works his way in, but until then, we’re just trying to breakdown the more likely scenario with regard to number of players in the rotation. Regardless, I should’ve chosen my words more carefully.
Sincerely,
Chris