Eligibility of LaQuinton Ross Still in Question

By 11W Staff - 26 August 2011
18 Comments

Two grades from previous school in question. Not good. We heard directly from a current NBA player who attends open gyms that Ross has been a boss. (Rumblins)

Source dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2011/08/26/rumblings-8-26-art-g3od...

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Comments

BucksfanXC on 26 Aug 2011 - 9:35am #

Damnit. Not that we need him this year, but it would be nice. Always sucks to lose a guy to grades. I never understand how you can't get the grades together when everyone in the universe is willing to help you out on that front. You have plenty of teachers, coaches, parents that would lend a helpful hand, not to mention the less ethical methonds. I've seen players take tests with tutors, take-home extra-credit assignments, make-up exams that are easier,etc. I'm sure he's not exactly taking AP calculus either.

Thanks for the B-ball updates Chris.

“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody

Chris Staff on 26 Aug 2011 - 9:58am #

Definitely frustrating. It's a strange story. Sounds like maybe C's at one school were considered D's by the NCAA probably due to the percentage scales being different. Hope he makes it. Like I say, Corey heard that Ross was straight ripping the nets in open gyms against high caliber defenders.

Also heard that all the talk of Craft potentially moving to #2 might be premature. Craft has been playing almost exclusively point guard all spring/summer. Will be very interesting to see how the Scott/Craft situation shakes out.

Matta seemed to indicate they could play together but Scott doesn't look like a 2 guard to me at this point. Strictly a 1.

BucksfanXC on 26 Aug 2011 - 10:03am #

I wouldn't mind a Scoonie Penn/Michael Redd 1-2/2-1, we both play PG situation. That's worked out for us before.

“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody

Chris Staff on 26 Aug 2011 - 10:39am #

I wouldn't mind it either but neither Craft nor Scott are the caliber of shot maker that both of those guys were. Neither Scott or Craft can really stretch a defense with the three yet.

I firmly expect Craft to be a much bigger threat from the outside this year but not sure if it'll be enough to have he and Scott out there together for long stretches. Plus, Buford is going to log his 39 minutes on the perimeter/wing. I don't see him shifting to a true 3 often since that wont help him at next level and Thad is conscious of that. Just like Sully will play facing the bucket a lot more this year to prep for the next level even though he helps OSU more by playing with his back to the basket full time.

BucksfanXC on 26 Aug 2011 - 11:28am #

That is true. I think Craft did just fine for us at PG last year, even though there were questions going in if he could handle that. He and Sully have a good thing going, so maybe Thad shouldn't mess with it.

“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody

Alex on 26 Aug 2011 - 11:35am #

Word on the street is your startes are: Craft, Sibert (yes, you read that right), Buford, Thomas, Sullinger....first guard off the bench is Scott and first big man is Ravenel (yes, not Amir Williams)...think Jamar Butler-Mike Conley in the back court when talking Craft and Scott playing together, only none have the ego and poor attitude of Butler

Chris Staff on 26 Aug 2011 - 12:09pm #

Yeah. Sibert is fine with me if he's matured a bit. He's got the shot to stretch the D and obviously Buford does as well. That'll keep lanes open for Craft. I can see Sully at the 5, but I have to believe they will do what they can to get Ravenel/Williams at least effective enough on defense to allow Sully more freedom offensively to face up from the baseline and extended elbows. He didn't lose weight to play exclusively with his back to the basket.

Definitely hearing Williams isn't as far along as we might hope from one source but from another I heard Williams would be good enough to contribute. Judging from his twitter, he doesn't appear to be overly serious about much.

BucksfanXC on 26 Aug 2011 - 12:23pm #

Williams is not only a nearly 7footer that usually gets to cruise through basketball all the way up to college on height alone, but he's also from Birmingham, MI. Birmingham is the bousy of the bousy. Home of the born with a silver spoon in my mouth youth that drive Mercedes to private school class, start bands with no talent but the best instruments, wear expensive clothes, etc. Entitlement from every which way I'm sure surrounded him growing up. I'm not following him on twitter, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's acting spoiled and selfish on there.

“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody

Alex on 26 Aug 2011 - 1:18pm #

Nothing about Amir at all, but I'm hearing Evan Ravenel (pronounced RAVEN-EL like the football team) is highly suprising. Saying he has improved a ton since going against Sully every day in practice and will contribute a lot more to this team than Dallas Lauderdale did. My sources say he will play more than Amir Williams this season.

BucksfanXC on 26 Aug 2011 - 1:10pm #

Btw, I love that we're talking Basketball in August. And not one commenter has complained about it (yet)!

“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody

Chris Staff on 26 Aug 2011 - 1:30pm #

That's only cuz it's in Buckshots. If this chat was within the front page post, we'd all get the Jordan Jefferson treatment!

BucksfanXC on 26 Aug 2011 - 1:41pm #

Like the fella once said, ain't that a kick in the head?

“Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.” - Woody

Haters Gonna Hate on 26 Aug 2011 - 1:30pm #

Not surprised about Ravenel. Dude can straight jump out of the gym. I have been looking forward to seeing him play since watching him in the pregame mess around time last season.

"Because I couldn't go for three" - Woody

Is it Saturday Yet on 26 Aug 2011 - 2:22pm #

What's up with Spoon? Is he just not doing anything? Watched him, Sully, and Tank all play at the Schott and was impressed with what Weatherspoon did there.

Corey Staff on 26 Aug 2011 - 4:32pm #

Spoon is just very raw still and is sitting behind players with more of an all around skill set. There is no question he can jump and he might be a valuable piece that gives Thad an energetic 10-12 minutes this year, but I'm sure him becoming ineligible last season didn't sit well with the coaches.

Williams and McDonald are both going to take some time to develop offensively, but I think they can give Thad some inside D and allow Sully to move outside a little bit more, but something tells me we are stilll going to see plenty of Sully down in the paint.

With Revenal developing his game and Siebert becoming good enough to start, Thad is going to be able to go 10 deep, if he wants to. Man, I can't wait for hoops season.