Boals Strolls Through Matta’s Revolving Door
Can Boals get OSU back on Payne’s radar?Since we were in the midst of the spring game aftermath, the addition of Jeff Boals to Thad Matta’s coaching staff kinda fell by the wayside. On second thought, maybe it wasn’t the spring game but instead a growing numbness that comes from non stop turnover on both the court and the sidelines.
I know we’re only talking about an assistant coach here but I think there are two key reasons for Buckeye fans to at least take notice of what could turn out to be a great hire.
For starters, Boals is the first “outsider” Matta has brought on staff since he came to Columbus. Until this opening, Matta had always gone with a guy closely aligned with his coaching tree, which essentially meant bringing on a guy who was already a disciple of the current coaching and strategic philosophy. I’m not necessarily up for challenging Matta’s existing game management and such at the moment but I think it can only help Thad to have a guy with fresh and different ideas on how to attack and defend offering suggestions. Even better, Matta has stated more than once this represents one of the key reasons why he made the hire.
Secondly, Boals has made a name for himself on the recruiting front in recent years and we all know it doesn’t matter what the game plan is if you don’t have the talent to execute. Specifically, Boals is Ohio grown and should help Matta maintain a firm grasp on the state’s top talent. Even more specifically, Boals revives hope that OSU can add 6′10″ Adreian Payne (Dayton Jefferson) to a 2010 class already featuring two of his AAU teammates in Jared Sullinger and Jordan Sibert. In fact, Payne was set to visit Akron but canceled after Boals left for Columbus and we’ve heard the Buckeyes are now major players for his services.
Some insiders claim the loss of former Matta assistant John Groce had a negative impact on recruiting, in game strategy and overall communication with prospects and existing players. A lack of communication could have something to do with the Cameron Wright decommit though another school of thought says Matta and company grew disinterested. Regardless, it was wasted time either way so maybe Boals can play a role in helping avoid the few recruiting mistakes made by the current regime.
Whatever the short term outcome, let’s hope Boals is the last coach/roster move for a while so the program can regain some stability on the personnel front.
Guys, come on. I thought we put bball to sleep for the summer. Wake it up in November. LOL
I was wondering who’d be first with the shenanigans! Shoulda known it would be ‘Ski!
Seriously, Matta oughta talk terrelle pryor into playing bball. You’d have to think he could play pg, at least as competently as dreadlocks, if not more so. and you know he’s going to be here for 2 more seasons.
he’s gotta focus on his throwing right now and not waste time playing other sports.
Also, Tressel said Pryor could play b-ball only if Matta’s team is plagued with injuries.
that is just something you say to be nice that you really don’t mean. i will sell my testicles on ebay if TP sets foot in the basketball court in an actual game.
also, TP is not what this team means. he was a good HS b-ball player based purely on athleticism not basketball IQ and fundamentals…shocking i know.
whoops i meant “TP is not what this team NEEDS”
In other News
KING JAMES TO BE NAMED MVP TODAY!!!
Hear, Hear!
The 2010 class is already going to be sick…
We have 4 kids in the top 50.
I don’t think that has every happened in OHIO STATE BASKETBALL.
This addition should help, for those that don’t care having a great basketball program only add’s a little postive instead of negative when it comes time to recruit football players.
Weren’t Oden, Cook, Conely, and Lighty all in the top 100?
Look what they did…….imagine what 4 in the top 50 will do!
ratings don’t mean anything. Its a different game in college. Oden was a once in 20 year type guy. No one in the 2010 class is really special.
Ouch. So is Oden better than both Carmelo and LeBron? Just wondering…
Neither of those two play Center. He’s an extremely rare talent at his position.
I’m sorry Dean but I forgot, what year did Carmelo and Lebron play for the Bucks?
I think Dean was refering to the fact that both these players graduated highschool in the last 20 years, not where they did (or did not) play.
That is what I was referring to… You don’t normally call someone “a once in 20 year type guy” if you’re talking only about the school he played at, though I may have misinterpreted.
Not a knock on Oden at all, I just mean we shouldn’t get carried away with the praise (and the unflattering comparisons to this year’s class)
what u r crazy tampa… To much sun!
Sullinger will be unstopable the kid is the real deal.
He is ranked number 1.
That means he is pretty freaking good.
Highlights http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3616771&categoryid=3611092
Super 60 Rankings http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/espnu100?&season=2010&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fespnu100%3f%26season%3d2010
DeShaun Thomas ranked 6th
Jordan Sibert 42nd
Lenzelle Smith, Jr 45th
GREAT CLASS
i can’t lie, reading about payne and what the basketball team could potentially be like next year makes me giddy. however, i’m still irritated about this program being treated like a stepping stone for the next level after one year (don’t tell me it’s the ncaa’s fault, and they are to blame, but other college basketball players have stayed…..see hansbrough….and yes, they are way better than mullens). i just want some players that can come in and be relied upon, instead of me letting out a groan or shrugging the shoulders. i know that’s selfish, and i really like the basketball team as it is now, but i hate seeing this team struggle.
MGoBlog doesn’t care for ElevenWarriors.com
http://mgoblog.com/content/unverified-voracity-has-tattoo-itself-all-over-itself-its-very-realistic
Apparently, he hasn’t lost credibility for proclaiming that Michigan football isn’t in the dumps and RichRod knows what he’s doing. Now that’s a crime.
brian is one of the pissiest cfb bloggers out there, the dude can write but good lord get over yourself.
Yeah, that was interesting.
While I think Brian’s tact is about as impressive as his hair, he obviously makes a very valid statement. I was trying to make a point that Boals may actually help improve communication that is said to have been lacking – not just with Wright – but calling it a decommit is giving Matta far too much credit for how things were handled. Further, I was suggesting Boals may actually help prevent situations like that from occurring in the future by ensuring all are in agreement on who to target and then following up to ensure that player feels wanted through signing day. That thought was based on what I’ve read and heard about Boals heading up / coordinating the recruiting effort. We shall see…
Nice pick-up Troll Poe… God forbid anyone reference the delusion of the buckeye fan base. It’s already well known to the rest of the country.
i think that’s pretty funny coming from a fan of a team that claims 11 national titles, EIGHT of which were “awarded” before 1940
Right, the “burn history” argument. So, “thee” OSU started playing football AFTER 1940? Why weren’t they “awarded” any of these NC’s? Doesn’t matter, live in the now – until y’all start losing again…
no, the argument is that you’re delusional if you think anyone cares about who won what in the pre-AP era. history is great, but only when it’s relevant. currently, OSU is about 10 times more relevant than michigan is in the major sports. stop being terrible and then you can talk trash.
as far as the mgoblog thing goes, brian is the perfect blogger for that fanbase. for better or for worse
Agree with Buckeye Jer. There’s NO reason not to take interest in basketball now. Extending that Buckeye brand past the BCS season can only help recruiting in football. Just an observation a long way from Columbus, but there are programs emerging as “super powers” in college athletics and I think that is a trend to watch. Schools like Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas are prototypic and the Buckeyes should be right there with them. In fact, as far as I’m concerned, we are. Just gotta get the fanbase interested and to stay focused. W’s across the board and all year long!
Or we could just check out and go watch the Indians.
Yeah, I checked and John Groce hasn’t changed his name to Jim.
Now we are excited that we are getting recruits to switch from Akron?
Fixed the name, thanks.
And, Payne could have visited Columbus State and we’d still be stoked to get him.
Petro —
Thanks for catching my colossal error. Between you and Brian, I’m not sure who to thank more. That’s what I get for hurrying. I hope the rest of you will kindly assume I am aware of John Groce’s name. I did the same thing last year calling Malcolm Jenkins “Mike” at least twice. Not good.
As for Payne, I think your negativity goes a bit far suggesting there’s no reason to get excited about possibly bringing him into the 2010 class. He’s certainly an upgrade over Wright.
Payne plays at a rinky dink country high school, D4 the lowest div. He’s a little shy of the bright lights and big crowds, but Id say, having Boals makes him almost a lock to be a Buckeye.
Ive seen Payne and Sullinger play in person. Sullinger is more your typical “bang it down low” big man. He’s got a big body and long arms, can shoot ft’s, and is money in the paint.
Payne is a silky smooth big man. Probably one of the smoothest shooting strokes Ive ever seen from a guy 6′10. He’s also an absolute beast on the glass, and a natural shot blocker. I could see him like a Kevin Durant like player, a little less offense, and a little more defense.
Of the two, Id take Payne all day, but if we get these two in our 2010 class, I may ejaculate directly in my shorts.