If You Don’t Have Anything Nice To Say…
David Lighty’s leadership returns (AP: T. Gilliam)If the Pryor Monologues have gotten the best of you this week, it might be time to take a moment and catch up on the happenings of the Basketball Buckeyes. Sadly, we know many of you don’t hit your hoops stride until football season is complete but considering the state of Tressel’s squad combined with what Matta has brewing, maybe you’ll get the hoops itch a little sooner than usual.
Believe it or not, the cagers are less than two weeks away from tipping off the season. First up is a November 4th exhibition with Walsh then the regular season begins the following Monday against Alcorn State. Once again, the non-conference schedule has some quality matchups including a trip to the Garden to face UNC and either Cal or Syracuse in the Coaches v. Cancer classic. Turner and company will also take on Florida State in the ACC/BigTen Challenge plus Butler and finally a shot at redemption against West Virginia in late January.
Though the Buckeyes will be without the services of Dallas Lauderdale until at least the season opener, if not two weeks beyond, they’ll feature a truly veteran lineup (0 freshman?!) for the first time in what feels like forever. Losing Lauderdale for an extended period could be a blessing in that it’ll put some pressure on Kyle Madsen and Zisis Sarikopoulos to show us something in extended minutes. Unfortunately, I’m worried those minutes will also give us reason to have tempered enthusiasm about either one of them as key contributors on the block this year.
If you are scratching your head, you either have dandruff or you are struggling to remember Zisis as the 7′0″, 265 lb. transfer from UAB who sat out last season. We’ve only seen glimpses in open practice last year and we know he didn’t do much in two overseas tournaments this summer thanks to a left knee sprain. Thus far in ‘09, all we know is Baptist thinks he looks a little out of shape after catching his act in the recent open practice. Bottom line, Dallas needs to have improved tremendously over the summer but even if that’s the case, Matta will once again depend on the wings – and the return of David Lighty – to put OSU back in the NCAA’s.
Ironically, Lauderdale’s injury was caused by none other than the legendary P.J. Hill as he attempted a steal. It’s no secret Hill was my favorite whipping boy in the early going but he eventually filled a role on a team desperate for better-than-terrible PG play. I still view Hill as a liability if he’s forced to play more than 10 minutes per game but the good news is Matta appears very comfortable with Evan Turner running the point, allowing OSU to put their five best players on the floor. Assuming Turner initiates the offense the majority of the game, your starters will be ET, Diebler, Buford, Lighty and Lauderdale. Assuming some summer growth, that’s a legit starting five though they’ll need significant contributions from the bench because the Big Ten is flat out stacked this year. As many as seven teams could go dancing with Sparty and Purdue once again expected to be top 10 programs.
Good news for the bench is Jeremie Simmons has a year under his belt after a sketchy ‘08-’09 campaign, Hill might have found an outside shot to make defenders at least keep an eye on him versus sagging in the lane and Walter Offut has caught some attention after showing athletic flashes a season ago. The lack of depth in the frontcourt, however, could be the Buckeyes undoing. Spelling Dallas and Lighty will be the aforementioned Zisis and Kyle Madsen with Nicola Kecman as the wild card. Hopefully, Turner’s rebounding isn’t lost with his PG minutes. I’m assuming his PG duties will consist of bringing the ball up the floor while Matta will make Diebler or Buford cognizant of getting back on defense so ET can crash the glass.
Defensively, Matta contends the Buckeyes will play more man to man this year after featuring almost exclusive zone defense the last few seasons. The return of Lighty certainly helps Matta transition back to man as does ET’s crazy versatility. My guess is Offut’s minutes will increase because of this defensive change as he proved tough, long and quick last year in spot duty.
We’ll ramp up the coverage as tip off draws closer so stay tuned for updates on what should be an exciting season of Buckeye hoops.
This is awesome Chris, nice job! I love Buckeyes basketball and I’m willing to read about it during any point in the year and as much as possible.
I think PJ started to break out last season. I know he has his fair share of miscues, but he plays all out. We refer to him as “Spaz” in our house because he barely seems to be in control of himself. Simmons hit some big shots last year and I look forward to seeing how far he has come along.
The only things I’m really concerned about is getting beaten on the boards and having nothing underneath to really defend a nice post player or to put pressure on the defense under the rim. We seem small (other than the length of DL’s arms) and I’m not sure how far we can go being so undersized.
Agree. A lack of frontline size/depth will eventually trigger a tournament exit though I do think Thad’s intent to play much more man-to-man defense should help offset the terrible rebounding a little bit. They really struggled to block out when in zone last year. The plan to be an up tempo team could also help the size disadvantage although they tried that last year and when they allowed opponents to control pace it wasn’t pretty. Still, very much to be excited about this year. ET is gonna be so much better with Lighty there to help plus Buford and Diebler should be a little more seasoned/versatile. Hopefully Buford worked on his handles and defense. Same for Diebler.
We never feed the post anyway so the lack of size won’t matta. I’m looking for the baseline clear out play for PJ to be ran about 30 times a game.
On a serious note this team could be special if the outside shooters can knock it down. With lighty back this team will get tougher at the 3 spot which is what killed them last year. Lighty can bring some much needed rebounding to that spot and allow Buford to get back to the 2 spot where he is better suited.
A line up of Turner, Buford, Lighty, Dallas and Diebler should be deadly. Ohio state should be deeper then most people expect off the bench. I’m counting 5 players with Olfutt, J Sim, Sisis, Kecman and Hill. Not too bad and that is pretty good size off the bench with a 7ft center and a 6′8 foward. Not to mention all world hustle player… my boy(you know you love him Chris) PJ motherf’in Hill.
Haha…there you are, Mrs. Hill!
I hear you on the depth but I think Lighty’s gonna have to be the 4, not the 3. I’d imagine ET, Buford and Diebs are the true wings with Lighty playing a combo of perimeter and baseline, right? (at least when we have our best 5 out there)
No question thats the best 5. With that line-up your right about Lighty being the 4. It will create match-up problems for teams that play two bigs. Lighty is tough enough to guard most 4’s though so major advantage to the Buckeyes with Lighty back in the mix.
It really just comes down to can they hit the 3 this year. Hopefully Lighty and Turner can get to the hoop at will giving the Ghost and Buford plenty of wide open looks.
We always have PJ to fall back on though. Go Bucks!
actually, most college bball players coaches and ‘experts’ believe that unlike the NBA, come the post-season its all about Guard play…
depending on the matchup(and in college right now there are very few dominant big men) most NCAA tourney games are fast paced and played through the guards….but it all comes down to makin shots….if Diebler Simmons and lighty can consistently hit the open jumper off the kick out from ET, then we can play with anyone in the country.
If BRolle is the “Coked-Up Hedgehog”, then certainly Hill is the “Coked-Up Mongoose”.
Another year of the Predator. I can’t wait. Actually, I’ll give him a fair shake just as long as Tampa doesn’t trumpet him for induction into the Hall of Fame after a 10 point outburts against Walsh. (that’s just a joke, Tampa Hill!)
Heard PJ was stroking mad three’s during the public scrimmage. Expecting a 30 point game, obviously.
Yeah. He also lit it up in Canada though that competition was probably below Walsh-like. I’m hoping for the best. If he can just make defenses respect the fact he might make a shot, that will do wonders for keeping the lane open for Turner and Buford’s pull up j’s.
when you play a man defense, guys know exactly who they are suppoed to block out. when you are playing a zone, its pretty much a guessing game as to who you are in charge of once the ball goes up.
i know the zone is supposed to help keep your bigs out of foul trouble, but when they all suck ass who really cares. OH NO KYLE MADSEN IS IN FOUL TROUBLE. OH NO ZIGI SNUFALUPAGUS HAS THREE PERSONALS.
i wouldnt mind seeing thad implement a zone every now and then to throw off the opposing offense, but to run it exclusively through the year has always seemed to be a bit ridiculous to me.
I dont have anything nice to say….LOL
I am worried about depth, the return of man to man defense means more fouls and more free throws in exchange for lower 3pt% and offensive reb% by the opponent.
The single biggest question is can this team (and Turner/Hill/Simmons/Lauderdale in particular) cut the turnovers down to the point where the offense can be considered the Big Ten’s best.
We’ll see. In previous years, Matta’s teams played man and amazingly they committed very few fouls. Hoping that trend resurfaces because you are right, this team can’t absorb a bunch of fouls in the front court like they can in the back court. Cutting down on TO’s is also a huge concern especially if Thad truly plans to run and gun for 40 minutes. Man, I can’t wait for the season to start.
You’re right Chris, I think they lead the nation in fewest fouls a game when they were rocking the man to man defense.
One of my biggest fears with ET running the point is the “carrying” call the refs like to whistle him for. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets at least 1 a game, unless he has improved upon it.
They really haven’t rebounded very well the last few years in the zone.
Basketball is far from my area of “expertise”, so I’m going to be content with shouting “DEFEND THE GD PERIMETER!” at my TV every 2.5 minutes.
lmao
don’t forget “crash the boards!”
I think I’ve given up on Lauderdale et al. growing a set and getting physical in the paint. Doesn’t seem to be what Matta wants out of his post-Oden big men.
THE VILLAIN RETURNS TO THE COURT!!
i am spitting my gum out on the floor and putting it back in my mouth over and over again just to be ready for this season.
Haha! Good one. Reminds me of when I purposely ripped out my vocal cords to get in touch with my inner O’Brien.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJ6BhhTuMI
nice report, chris. i’m looking forward to the season, as i expect da bb bucks to be a strong unit. a little thin up front, but fast and exciting to watch. i hope the greek kid can contribute a little bit — i was hoping for about 6pts/6rbs and a few fouls and blocked shots. not expecting much from madsen, but kecman could be a real sleeper for them. they will need someone to help out close to the basket and kecman seems like the logical choice. they could have a punishing fast break with lighty, turner & buford with diebler trailing. ultimately, it will depend on how much they want it, and how well they get after it on the defensive end. in any case, it will be nice for thad to have a team back that isn’t completely new!
Who’s going to make up for all the rebounds we lost when Mullens left?
OK, you can stop laughing now. We’re going to be fine. Lauderdale is the only one I am worried about when it comes to foul trouble. He’s shown a tendency to try to block everything and that’s usually a recipe for foul trouble. But the others should be OK. I’d like to see Buford play better defense, and I’d like more consistency from Diebler. And I want to see Simmons get his confidence back. Turner is a given; the supporting cast will make all the difference this season.
Dang, I sure wish we hadn’t lost Morgan to Sparty.
They will be playing basketball 5 months from now. The good old days when the first game was after Thanksgiving were fine by me /get off my lawn you kids / we walked to school in the snow every day, even in the summer…
RE: Orrin Hatch vs. the BCS
An antitrust case is probably a non-starter: essentially, leagues are allowed to operate by just about whatever rules they want, even if those rules are “agreements in restraint of trade,” under the theory that, were the leagues not allowed to make those rules/agreements, competitions wouldn’t happen at all (including, for example, rules about the number of a school’s games that can be televised). As long as the NCAA can make a plausible case that the BCS is necessary to them, courts probably won’t want to be seen as deciding what’s best for the NCAA.
20-odd years ago, a bunch of the big football universities got together to sue the NCAA for instituting blackout rules that hurt the big schools, but were probably good for the smaller schools, and the Supreme Court didn’t want to mess with it on those grounds. This looks mostly the same, to me, though it might be harder to make a case that the BCS is actually good for competition.
Sorry, nerd moment over.
We will find out if Matta is really overrated as a coach or not, as this may be the first season we havent had a top 10 freshman on the team.