Dave Thurman (8:47 am)
Almost lost in the Urban Meyer recruiting onslaught is the fact that Ohio State once again has a nationally ranked basketball team that has a legitimate shot at a Final Four run. Standing at 16-3 (4-2 in the B1G), and ranked sixth in the nation, the Buckeyes have stumbled over a couple of speed bumps, but also had some very impressive outings. One third of the way through their conference schedule, it seems like a good time to analyze their strengths and weaknesses and take a stab at how they will finish.
Quick Recap:
Some may be concerned with the fact that Ohio State has already lost as many conference games as they did last year, when they finished 16-2 in the B1G. However, don't count me in that crowd. For one thing, the B1G is really tough from top to bottom this year, and nobody is going to waltz their way to an overly impressive record. Every road game is a war, and even the top teams can't take a night off when they enter an opponent's gymnasium. In addition, I look at the two OSU losses, and can't be too critical. Sure, the team had a great chance to win both games, and didn't make the plays down the stretch as they needed. But they were defeated by teams that played incredible basketball. Indiana is a bear at Assembly Hall, possibly the toughest venue in the country. Their home court is worth about 15-20 points to the Hoosiers this year. And as for Illinois, they rode the hot hand of Brandon Paul who simply was in the zone on the night the Buckeyes came to town. I'm not sure anyone could have shut him down that game, and sometimes those things happen. Hats off to both teams, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over either contest.
On a positive note, Ohio State has played very well at home, as demonstrated by their impressive dismantling of Duke back in late November, 85-63. Outside of Florida nobody has given the Buckeye hoopsters much of a challenge at the Schott. That is important, because if this team can hold serve at home, and pull out some road wins at places like Nebraska, Minnesota, and Northwestern, they will have a chance to win the conference again. Personally, I think they have the potential to win every game from here on out. Trips to Madison, Ann Arbor, and East Lansing will all be tough, but each is winnable. More on that in a minute.
Almost lost in the Urban Meyer recruiting onslaught is the fact that Ohio State once again has a nationally ranked basketball team that has a legitimate shot at a Final Four run. Standing at 16-3 (4-2 in the B1G), and ranked sixth in the nation, the Buckeyes have stumbled over a couple of speed bumps, but also had some very impressive outings. One third of the way through their conference schedule, it seems like a good time to analyze their strengths and weaknesses and take a stab at how they will finish.
Quick Recap:
Some may be concerned with the fact that Ohio State has already lost as many conference games as they did last year, when they finished 16-2 in the B1G. However, don't count me in that crowd. For one thing, the B1G is really tough from top to bottom this year, and nobody is going to waltz their way to an overly impressive record. Every road game is a war, and even the top teams can't take a night off when they enter an opponent's gymnasium. In addition, I look at the two OSU losses, and can't be too critical. Sure, the team had a great chance to win both games, and didn't make the plays down the stretch as they needed. But they were defeated by teams that played incredible basketball. Indiana is a bear at Assembly Hall, possibly the toughest venue in the country. Their home court is worth about 15-20 points to the Hoosiers this year. And as for Illinois, they rode the hot hand of Brandon Paul who simply was in the zone on the night the Buckeyes came to town. I'm not sure anyone could have shut him down that game, and sometimes those things happen. Hats off to both teams, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over either contest.
On a positive note, Ohio State has played very well at home, as demonstrated by their impressive dismantling of Duke back in late November, 85-63. Outside of Florida nobody has given the Buckeye hoopsters much of a challenge at the Schott. That is important, because if this team can hold serve at home, and pull out some road wins at places like Nebraska, Minnesota, and Northwestern, they will have a chance to win the conference again. Personally, I think they have the potential to win every game from here on out. Trips to Madison, Ann Arbor, and East Lansing will all be tough, but each is winnable. More on that in a minute.
Grading the Players:
As we take time to quickly reflect on the first 19 games, let's take a moment to evaluate the players thus far:
-Jared Sullinger: Big Sully is a force, and injuries aside, has not disappointed. There are a few nights when he doesn't seem quite as motivated as I would like, but outside of that there isn't much to criticize. He has such a nice shooting stroke for a big man, and knows how to use his body like a seasoned pro. Jared can get a double-double as effortlessly as anyone I have seen in recent years. No sophomore slump, here. I'll give him an A-
-Deshaun Thomas: Tank has been a pleasant surprise to me. We all knew he liked to shoot and could score points, but I think he has played within himself most of the time, and done a little better job on the defensive end. The way he took over at South Carolina after Sully left the game was very impressive. He still needs to improve his defensive rebounding, but the fact that he is averaging an assist a game is reason to cheer. Grade: B
-William Buford: I admit that Buf is my personal whipping puppy on the team, because I don't think he steps up his game in the bigger contests. However, you have to give props to a guy who has stayed all four years, and Buford does so many things well, as evidenced by his averages of 15.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, and 3.5 apg. He will always be a hot and cold shooter, but is a complete player. Grade: B
-Aaron Craft: How can you not love a kid who plays tough defense every night, and sets up his teammates with excellent passes? Sure, there have been nights thus far when he has turned it over a little too much, and we all know he is weak beyond the arc, but this team goes only as far as Craft leads them. His 5.3-2.1 assist to turnover ratio is good, and his 2.5 steals per contest is great. I'll give him a B+ thus far.
-Lenzelle Smith Jr.: The weak link for most of the season, Smith went off for 28 against Indiana, which is hopefully a harbinger of things to come. He plays excellent defense, is a wonderful rebounder for a guard (4.7 per game), and shoots the three well. So what is the problem? Besides free throws, which have been abysmal (50%), Smith has failed to be an offensive threat too much of the time. However, if he exerts himself, Smith can be a poor man's David Lighty. Grade: C+
-Bench: Wait a minute - Thad has a bench? Well, yes, he does, although he is still a little hesitant to use it. Evan Ravenal and Shannon Scott seem to be the two that Matta is most comfortable with right now, and both have played pretty well. Evan gives the Bucks another body inside and he can score some, too. Scott is a smooth ball handler who sees the court well, but needs to develop his shooting eye. As for the others, freshman Sam Thompson has a big upside, and has shown moments of solid play. Everyone loves J.D. Weatherspoon, who is a dunking machine, but he's still working on some of the finer points of the game. Amir Williams can provide some solid inside defense in a pinch, but has a way to go offensively. The guy who has been the biggest disappointment is sophomore guard Jordan Sibert. He can't find his outside shot, which is supposed to be his forte, and because of that, is playing less and less. If he can somehow regain his stroke down the stretch it will be a huge bonus for this team. Overall this is the deepest bench Thad has enjoyed at OSU, and I'll give them a B.
Predicitions:
A month ago I predicted that Ohio State would win the B1G, and I still believe that to be the case. Right now, I see the Buckeye hoopsters finishing the regular season at 26-5 (14-4), stumbling a couple of times on the road. Depending on how they do in the conference tournament that should get them a #1 or #2 seed for the big dance. Then it all comes down to match-ups, as is always the case in the NCAA tournament. If the draw is favorable, I could see this team getting to the Final Four, but I could also see them getting knocked out in the second or third round. Time will tell.
As we take time to quickly reflect on the first 19 games, let's take a moment to evaluate the players thus far:
-Jared Sullinger: Big Sully is a force, and injuries aside, has not disappointed. There are a few nights when he doesn't seem quite as motivated as I would like, but outside of that there isn't much to criticize. He has such a nice shooting stroke for a big man, and knows how to use his body like a seasoned pro. Jared can get a double-double as effortlessly as anyone I have seen in recent years. No sophomore slump, here. I'll give him an A-
-Deshaun Thomas: Tank has been a pleasant surprise to me. We all knew he liked to shoot and could score points, but I think he has played within himself most of the time, and done a little better job on the defensive end. The way he took over at South Carolina after Sully left the game was very impressive. He still needs to improve his defensive rebounding, but the fact that he is averaging an assist a game is reason to cheer. Grade: B
-William Buford: I admit that Buf is my personal whipping puppy on the team, because I don't think he steps up his game in the bigger contests. However, you have to give props to a guy who has stayed all four years, and Buford does so many things well, as evidenced by his averages of 15.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, and 3.5 apg. He will always be a hot and cold shooter, but is a complete player. Grade: B
-Aaron Craft: How can you not love a kid who plays tough defense every night, and sets up his teammates with excellent passes? Sure, there have been nights thus far when he has turned it over a little too much, and we all know he is weak beyond the arc, but this team goes only as far as Craft leads them. His 5.3-2.1 assist to turnover ratio is good, and his 2.5 steals per contest is great. I'll give him a B+ thus far.
-Lenzelle Smith Jr.: The weak link for most of the season, Smith went off for 28 against Indiana, which is hopefully a harbinger of things to come. He plays excellent defense, is a wonderful rebounder for a guard (4.7 per game), and shoots the three well. So what is the problem? Besides free throws, which have been abysmal (50%), Smith has failed to be an offensive threat too much of the time. However, if he exerts himself, Smith can be a poor man's David Lighty. Grade: C+
-Bench: Wait a minute - Thad has a bench? Well, yes, he does, although he is still a little hesitant to use it. Evan Ravenal and Shannon Scott seem to be the two that Matta is most comfortable with right now, and both have played pretty well. Evan gives the Bucks another body inside and he can score some, too. Scott is a smooth ball handler who sees the court well, but needs to develop his shooting eye. As for the others, freshman Sam Thompson has a big upside, and has shown moments of solid play. Everyone loves J.D. Weatherspoon, who is a dunking machine, but he's still working on some of the finer points of the game. Amir Williams can provide some solid inside defense in a pinch, but has a way to go offensively. The guy who has been the biggest disappointment is sophomore guard Jordan Sibert. He can't find his outside shot, which is supposed to be his forte, and because of that, is playing less and less. If he can somehow regain his stroke down the stretch it will be a huge bonus for this team. Overall this is the deepest bench Thad has enjoyed at OSU, and I'll give them a B.
Predicitions:
A month ago I predicted that Ohio State would win the B1G, and I still believe that to be the case. Right now, I see the Buckeye hoopsters finishing the regular season at 26-5 (14-4), stumbling a couple of times on the road. Depending on how they do in the conference tournament that should get them a #1 or #2 seed for the big dance. Then it all comes down to match-ups, as is always the case in the NCAA tournament. If the draw is favorable, I could see this team getting to the Final Four, but I could also see them getting knocked out in the second or third round. Time will tell.
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