PHONE'S RINGING -- IT'S URBAN ON THE LINE
•Football Schedule•Basketball Schedule•Forum•About•ContactPretty good write-up from Seth Davis of SI on is trip to Columbus for their first practice last week (which included Sam Thompson dunking over Davis).
Check it out here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/seth_davis/10/18/Ohio-State/index.html
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Good stuff. Disappointing to hear that the team isn't jumping out of him, but it's a long season and they will have time to gel together. Still think the X-factor is going to be Q-Ross. We will always be a very difficult team defensively with the rangey, athletic wings that Matta specializes in recruiting, but we are going to suffer severely on the offensive end without Sully and Buford. Thomas will get his, but teams will key in on him, so it will all hinge on the #2 offensive threat. I'm still not convinced that Craft can be that guy, so my hope is that Q-Ross will make the leap.
Very nice read and it's early in the preseason so there is time for overwhelming improvement for a few guys. I agree Ross needs to be the X-factor and has to be a reliable 3 point shooter. If Craft can knock down shots more consistently that will only open things up for him to drive and kick it out. I think Amir will be a defensive force as well as Sam Thompson on the wing. Defense will be the Buckeyes calling card with shut down guys on the outside and the big man in the middle. If Matta can put together a solid offensive game plan to fit his players abilities and get out and run they can become dangerous.
The #4 preseason ranking may be too high and CBS has them at #17 which seems too low but I feel the Buckeyes are probably good enough to be a top 10 team and if one or two guys out of Thompson, Ross, Williams, and Scott step up and become somewhat elite then watch out for another deep run.
I think that Davis did a nice job. Depth is undervalued sometimes by national writers, as is defense (which are two of this teams biggest strengths). This team has a number of plus defenders (Craft, Scott, Thompson, Ravenel, Williams). If they can get two of Ross, Thompson, Williams and Scott to make significant leaps this year (like Thomas did between his freshman and sophomore campaigns) then I think they will be really good. #4 in the country sounds little high to me, but I'm not complaining!
didn't see anything from Ross last season, to make me think he will be a valuable contributor this year, here's to hoping for improvement. Thought he looked slow off the ball, with marginal ball handling ability..... I know I'm being critical, he's 1,000+ times better than I would be.
I think Williams will do just fine in the post, only question on him is how he plays for 30+ minutes, game in and game out. Lenzell Smith has under-valued offense skills.
Craft, Smith, Thomas, Williams and Ravenel/Thompson is a prety good starting 5/6 guy set.
developement of Scott, Sibert, Ross and Trey McDonald is key to any possible NCAA run. We need 2 out of those 4 to be much better. Matta seems to only play 7 to 8 guys a game anyway.
@JohnBlair- Sibert transferred to Dayton. Great guy, I hope things go well for him there.
@JohnBlair - Ross didn't get enough playing time to make any kind of true evaluation because he wasn't up to speed with the offense since he had eligibility issues. According to many pro scouts and national writers he is poised to break out and has NBA talent. The main thing is the kid can shoot the rock from deep and that was a huge weakness on last years team. I feel Ross will immediately contribute and be a pleasant surprise to many Buckeye fans who haven't seen him play or don't know much about his abilities.
@ BHartman13
I hope your right on Ross, but I think Seth Davis made a good point about him. He just seems a little too laid back. In the rough and tumble B1G, he's going to need a huge shot of adrenaline/intensity when he enters the game. He's definitely got the look and the skills, from what little we've seen and heard, but I hope he has the "attitude" to put it all together.
IF Q Ross can be the guy that comes in off the bench as instant offense, and provides some scoring punch to this lineup, I like OSU's chances this season.
"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
@OldColumbusTown - I hope so also! Ross definitely cannot take it easy and just think his athleticism and skill will lead him to the NBA. You must have fire and hustle to be an elite type of player. I read quite a bit about Ross throughout the summer when he and Deshaun were travelling to all the elite summer camps for NBA prospects and he turned some heads at times and other camps not so much. It will be interesting to see how he starts the season because if I was Matta I would make it a point to get him rolling early so he has confidence. With the tough non conference schedule the entire team will need to be ready right out of the gates.