link
7/7/05
Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">
COMMENTARY: OSU basketball talk of the town
<!--REPLACE WITH TEASER-->
By Jon Shecket The Lantern
Columbus, OH (U-WIRE) -- Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of traveling to Indianapolis at The Lantern's expense to report on the verbal commitments of Lawrence North High School center Greg Oden and point guard Mike Conley, Jr. to play basketball at Ohio State. One day I will tell my grandchildren that I was there the day that OSU began to emerge as a "basketball school."
That's not to say that the mighty King Football will be relinquishing his throne. There will be no jumping into Mirror Lake in February, no Script Ohio on the hardwood, and the millionaire lawyers that populate the Schottenstein Center still won't make any significant noise until late in the second half.
What has changed, however, is OSU has a coach in Thad Matta who has the charisma and the vision necessary to recruit top young athletic talents. For the first time in memory, instead of rebuilding, the Buckeyes will be reloading.
Oden and Conley joined guards Daequan Cook of Dayton and David Lighty of Cleveland in committing to OSU. In addition, 6-foot-8-inch, 205-pound small forward Josh Chichester of Lakota West became the latest member of the class Sunday, committing to play both basketball and football.
There potentially could be one more big name small forward. Possibilities include 6-foot-8-inch Thaddeus Young of Memphis, Tenn., and 6-foot-9-inch Jamil Tucker of Gary, Ind.
No matter what happens, the "Thad Five" (or six) have already generated plenty of hype. A palpable buzz is spreading around the water coolers, dinner tables and online message boards throughout the Buckeye nation. It is as though a national championship is already in the bag for 2006-07. In the meantime, there is much to look forward to in the upcoming season.
The Buckeyes will be led by four capable seniors: guards J.J. Sullinger and Je'Kel Foster, center Terence Dials, and clutch forward Matt Sylvester. Together, the four averaged 41.3 points per game last season. <!-- STORY AD BEGINS HERE -->
New additions include 6-foot-9-inch power forward Brayden Bell, junior college transfer and shooting guard Sylvester Mayes and ex-Bowling Green guard Ron Lewis.
Best of all, the self-enforced post-season ban will no longer be in effect, potentially allowing Buckeye fans their first taste of March Madness in four years.
With all of the excitement surrounding the team itself, this is just as good a time as any for the OSU Department of Athletics to do the things fans have long asked for.
First, it's time to improve the game-day atmosphere at the Schottenstein Center. The NutHouse should be moved from behind the west basket to the front rows along the length of the court. This might ruffle the feathers of the aforementioned millionaire lawyers, but home-court advantage is well worth the cost.
Second, who wouldn't love to watch the Buckeyes play Cincinnati, Xavier or Dayton? Too many years have passed since OSU last played a quality in-state opponent. Win or lose, it pays to give players as much big-game experience as possible.
Third, it's time to bring back "Midnight Madness." Big-time college basketball is supposed to be exciting, so kick the season off with a party. With the personnel this team will have, it can end the season the same way.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
