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#1 Ohio State 78, Valparaiso 58 (Final)

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Cook with 22 points on 9 field goal attempts. Incredibly efficient, especially considering the missed dunk. :lol:

Over a span of about 13 (gametime) minutes, OSU outscored Valpo 28-4, taking it from 18-18 to 46-22.

22-37 on free throws (8-15 left-handed for Oden) was the only really disappointing part of the game. A lot of those came up way short. The legs looked pretty tired out there. Still recovering from Wed's game and travel perhaps....
 
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Photos from the game.......

capt.a06a07b617e7473aac19bdfe75d22787.valparaiso_ohio_st_basketball_ohtg109.jpg

Ohio State players Greg Oden, left, Daequan Cook, center, and Mike Conley Jr, right, react on the bench during the final seconds of a basketball game against Valparaiso, Saturday, Dec 2, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won, 78-58.
(AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

capt.7404410d72354c7ea20e6ba1229dbcba.valparaiso_ohio_st_basketball_ohtg107.jpg

Ohio State's Greg Oden walks off the floor of a basketball game against Valparaiso Saturday, Dec 2, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 78-58.
(AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

capt.f5252c9b182c40b7bb5ba77865836233.valparaiso_ohio_st_basketball_ohtg106.jpg

Ohio State's Ivan Harris (3) shoots two over Valparaiso's Samuel Haanpaa (13) during the first half of a basketball game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio.
(AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

capt.c190afdd369344e2b474b35d2863f058.valparaiso_ohio_st_basketball_ohtg105.jpg

Ohio State's Greg Oden (20) shoots a free throw with his left hand during the first half of a basketball game against Valparaiso Saturday, Dec 2, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State's Jamar Butler stands in the background.
(AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

capt.748c8ecf8b5547a68b8087b81fdc81e9.valparaiso_ohio_st_basketball_ohtg104.jpg

Ohio State's Greg Oden (20) looks to shoot as Valparaiso's Moussa Mbaye, left, defends during the first half of a basketball game Saturday, Dec 2, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio.
(AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

capt.d32540e70fed4d1885e72da2107820fa.valparaiso_ohio_st_basketball_ohtg103.jpg

Valparaiso's Urule Igbavboa (00) has his shot blocked by Ohio State's Greg Oden during the second half Saturday, Dec 2, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio.
(AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

capt.c616b1c9b86f4c48a123940c759ccc1c.valparaiso_ohio_st_basketball_ohtg102.jpg

Ohio State's Greg Oden (20) gets instructions from coach Thad Matta as Oden enters the game for the first time during a basketball game against Valparaiso, Saturday, Dec 2, 2006, in Columbus, Ohio.
(AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)
Click to expand...
 
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DDN

Oden makes his debut for Buckeyes month early


By Mark Gokavi
Staff Writer

Saturday, December 02, 2006


COLUMBUS ? Maybe that right wrist injury wasn't that big of a deal. Greg Oden's first point for Ohio State was shot left-handed.
Playing a month earlier than estimated, the 7-foot freshman made his debut Saturday in Ohio State's 78-58 win against Valparaiso at the Schottenstein Center.
Wrist surgery in mid-June kept the centerpiece of coach Thad Matta's heralded recruiting class on the sidelines in OSU's first seven games.
The crowd of 17,311 gave Oden a standing ovation as No. 20 rose to check in at the 16:01 mark. Oden wore a black rubber wrist guard.
"It felt really good," Oden said of finally playing in scarlet and gray. "I had fun out there with my teammates."
At 12:56, Oden was fouled and shot his free throws left-handed, making the first before missing the second. He struggled in that regard, hitting just 8 of 15 at the line.
Clearly, Oden's right wrist is not at full strength. He also isn't quite in game shape after not playing in seven months. But a double-double in his college debut shows why basketball aficionados compare Oden's potential to that of the all-time great centers.
His first basket came a few seconds after his first blocked shot. Oden scored at 1:39 on a bank shot from the right block.
Oden, a two-time national high school player of the year at Indianapolis Lawrence North, finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, three turnovers and two fouls in 23 minutes. He made 3 of 4 field goals and was fouled on many others.
Defensively, his mere presence caused Valparaiso's Urule Igbavboa to throw up a ridiculous backwards shot in the lane when he saw Oden closing in.
Oden had four of his five blocks in the second half, getting a standing ovation after back-to-back blocks with 6:27 left. He also changed numerous other Valpo shots and helped cause some of the Crusaders 19 turnovers.
Oden's final standing ovation came with 2:02 left when he left the court.
Contact this reporter at [email protected] or at (937) 225-6951.
Click to expand...
 
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CPD

No. 3 Ohio St. 78, Valparaiso 58

12/2/2006, 8:29 p.m. ET By RUSTY MILLER
The Associated Press


COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) ? Greg Oden's much-anticipated college debut was a lot of fun ? even if he didn't get to show off one of his favorite skills.
"It felt really good. I had fun out there with my teammates," Oden said after getting 14 points and 10 rebounds in No. 3 Ohio State's 78-58 victory over Valparaiso on Saturday. "I didn't get a chance to dunk. You could tell I was anxious. I traveled, like, eight times."
Not really. In his first competition after sitting out seven months with a wrist injury, the 7-foot freshman, touted by some as the best U.S.-born big man in a generation, did not disappoint. He was welcomed with a standing ovation that was followed by an encore during the game.
Still, he never got to dunk.

"My brother was sitting behind the bench," Oden said, a slight smile creasing his face. "He was telling me, 'What's going on? You haven't dunked.'"
Oden, who said he was shopping at Target on Friday night when he got a text message telling him he could play, had not participated in summer ball or with the Buckeyes since undergoing surgery June 16 to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist.
"There were times when, I think both of us would agree, it's been hard," coach Thad Matta said. "He has a tremendous future in front of him, as does this team. To be honest, I was shocked with his conditioning today. I thought he'd get a little bit more tired, but it goes back to how much work he did to put him in position when this day came."
Daequan Cook scored 20 points and Ron Lewis had 10 for Ohio State (7-1), coming off a 98-89 loss at No. 7 North Carolina on Wednesday night. Mike Conley Jr., Oden's teammate at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, added seven points and seven assists.
Samuel Haanpaa had 18 points and Urule Igbavboa 10 for Valparaiso (3-4), which lost its fourth in a row. Brandon McPherson ? yet another former high school teammate of Oden's ? had 11 points for the Crusaders.
Valparaiso pulled even at 18 on McPherson's layup with just over 9 minutes left in the opening half but was outscored 15-4 before the break. Ohio State then opened the second half with a 14-0 run.
With 6 1/2 minutes left in a game that had long been decided, Oden leaped high to swat Moussa Mbaye's shot back at him. When McPherson got the loose ball and drove the lane, Oden blocked that, too, prompting the crowd of 17,311 to shower him with a second standing ovation.
"He had a double-double and he only played 23 minutes," Valparaiso coach Homer Drew said. "He's fun to watch. As he gets back in a little more game-playing shape, you're going to see some exciting things from him. We didn't have anyone to contend with him on the inside."
Oden had run, worked out and occasionally participated in drills with the Buckeyes but didn't play in their first seven games. The target date for him to begin full practices was Jan. 1, but he healed quickly and passed a strength test given to him by team doctors on Friday. His surgeon in Indianapolis then cleared him to play.
Oden, a two-time national high school player of the year, said he had jitters for the previous 48 hours just knowing that he might finally be making his collegiate debut.

A roar went up at 16:37 of the opening half when Oden stood, stripped off his warmups and walked slowly to midcourt to check in. He was greeted by a standing ovation of almost 30 seconds.
"When Greg came in, the momentum changed," Drew said. "The crowd got into it a little more and he made some blocks and we got a little hesitant on our inside play against him."
Seconds later, Igbavboa put up a looping 12-footer. Oden jumped high ? the ball barely going over the tips of his fingers before falling through the net. The crowd oohed at how high Oden jumped, at his mammoth wingspan and how close he came to blocking the shot.
Oden scored his first point at 12:56 of the opening half with a left-handed free throw. He wore an elastic brace on his right wrist and hand. He hit just 8-of-15 from the line and was 3-of-4 from the field. He also had five blocked shots in 23 minutes.
He said he wasn't worried about re-injuring his wrist.
"My doctor told me specifically don't dive for a loose ball, and if I do fall to put my hand up and bust my head," he joked.
Oden was the nation's top recruit and was widely perceived as the No. 1 player in the NBA draft ? if the league hadn't changed its rules to prevent high school graduates from immediately jumping to the pros.
Although he isn't 100 percent, Oden said until he gets full mobility back in his right wrist he can still help the Buckeyes.
"All I have to do is rebound and block shots," he said.
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1. Cleared or not, I am glad Oden did not play vs. NC. This is a very different team without him. No longer are they pushing the ball and firing a shot. They are waiting on Oden and running the half court. That will make them better for sure, but they were out of sync for much of today's game. Didn't need that against NC.

2. I am aghast at the impact Oden had. Forget the blocks and points. He drew enough fouls to put two players out of the game. Both of Twigs baskets were off of plays where Greg (he told me I could call him Greg) was doubled. On one play he stepped out from the basket taking two defenders with him and opened a lane for a layup.

And he was not on his game. Several times he went up for a shot and the ball was stripped while he was being fouled. Wait till he gets the brace off. No more of that crap.

And who expected 23 minutes? Most for anyone was 27.

3. I like the new rotation. Would not be surprised to see Twigs become a starter when Oden does - bringing Harris and Hunter in to spell them. Cook as 6th man and Lighty as 7th. Our ability to play matchup basketball is fantastic.

And before this year is through Butler WILL regain his touch.

Wow! What a team.
 
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Nice game today to get Oden on the court and to gain some confidence back after the NC game. I figured they would come out flat early and they did, but they put it on them midway through the first half and then the second half.

I know it has been said already, but Cook is very very good. He could easily be one and done, but I really hope that he stays 2 years.

As for the big man, it is just crazy how good defensively he has made us just from stepping on the floor. It caused Valpo into a couple shot clock violations just because they didnt want to go inside. Also not sure if anyone noticed, but it is crazy that if Oden is going to shoot his free throws left handed shouldnt he at least put his left foot in front of the right like a lefty would shoot. That looks so akward from the line.

That is about all I have for today, other than Twig needs to stay on his feet some and leaving the shot blocking to Oden. He had at least 2 or 3 today where he wasnt even close, but caused him to be out of position or they drew an and 1.

On a side note, watching the Gtown vs. Duke game Dickie V said that he thinks that we are the team to beat...:biggrin:
 
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everyone is going to expect me to start with oden, im not going to.

who stole the #3 jersey? ivan once again where is this comming from. is it a case of a kid realizing what he had all along, or is that he is finally developing. on more than one trip he played stopper. not just a little defense, but i saw a true lock down (ok maybe thats a tad of a stretch) defender. rebounded well for ivan, but checked his man time and time again. though he had that one shot from 18 feet where he looked like "uh whats this wheres that little white stripe" where he chucked the ball up and missed poorly. that was offset by that nice turn around shot.

oden. he essentially played with a hand tied behind his back literally. he didnt warm up with it other than his sky hook and the baby hook. changes the game any moron can tell you that. a double double. solid play. i believe he was credited with five blocks, id say he altered half a dozen more, took away a handful more and forced half a dozen turnovers with his size and length.

cook. solid solid game. hes special. had a very quiet game i thought until he missed that dunk. cook has the ability to take over a game very silently. he was what six of nine from the floor including that dunk miss and dropped 20. 20 points on 9 shots.

butler. pagin jamar. he has essential stopped being assertive. im not worried about a little shooting funk, i dont see that. i see a kid who has either is thinking assertively or has been dialed down from the coaching staff. i just dont see an attacking kid i saw last year. i also saw him get beat down the floor for a layup, then get beat down the floor on the next trip. something is up here, i just dont know what...

conley, passive on the 3ball. had two or three times he had the shot, looked at the rim and backed away. if he really wants to be a big time impact player he needs be able to knock down that shot in b10 play. i saw very nice things out of mike today when he was pressured.

hunters game every game seems to get more and more smooth. whether hes nervous or whether he was really that raw i dont know. still needs to work on developing his moves to the left. seems to always force the issue with his right hand.


lewis both his 3s i felt where questionable, they went in. but needs to start to dish when he heads towards the iron. drew a block that i really thought should have gone the other way. defensive issues still exist.

some numbers
17,311 the attendance.
6 valpo had six more second chance points than the bucks
13 the number of points ohio states bench outscored valpo by

some thoughts
greg oden, enjoy every second of it. in person on tv. you are watching something special. enjoy every moment of it.

d cook. see above.

the press how many times do i say this? practice makes perfect. and its getting better but still not good. still awful.

shot chart, i didnt chart the game. but i did notice one thing. i didnt see a good look at the hoop for valpo when they were in the lane. not one. edit heres the cbs shot charting, if you go youll see what i mean.
http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/gamecenter/shotchart/NCAAB_20061202_VALPO@OHST

rebounding, rebounding rebounding rebounding.36 28 in favor of valpo... ive said it so many times im not gonna say it.
 
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butler. pagin jamar. he has essential stopped being assertive. im not worried about a little shooting funk, i dont see that. i see a kid who has either is thinking assertively or has been dialed down from the coaching staff. i just dont see an attacking kid i saw last year. i also saw him get beat down the floor for a layup, then get beat down the floor on the next trip. something is up here, i just dont know what...
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Here is my opinion on the situation...

First he has never played the game not having the ball in his hands. He has played the pg ever since he was a kid. Not sure how many times people watched him in high school, but a ton of his shots came off the dribble. When he came up the court off the dribble he would just pull form anywhere. He is not a catch and shoot guy like alot of your 2 guards are. If you watch him play alot of his 3 pointers will come when he goes around a pick and the guy doesnt pop out.

Honestly in high school his best shot was the 15 foot pull up jumper to his left. I think I have seen it twice since him being here. I keep waiting for him to use it, but he just hasnt. He also isnt the best penetrator, he can get to the hole if need be like he did the one time today and drew the foul.

I also don't think the staff is putting the weight of the offense on his shoulders. I think that if the 3 ball is there they want him to take it, but I think that is best attribute right now is his passing ability and finding the open man.

I do know that in his freshmen year, he was told that he was to be a defensive stopper and not to hold off on the shots, while BFC launched all the time. I never really understood it, but that is what Matta wanted. Could be one of those situations again, where with the scorers we have the staff would like him to concentrate on the defensive end. There is no questioning his defense which is the best on the peremiter with Lighty right there behind him.

At this point I am not really sure what to expect from him the rest of the season. I expect him to have a couple big games where he gets 20 or so, but I also expect him to have games where he gets 2 or 3. I think if need be he will assert himself, but he really isnt needed on the offense end right now, but at times he just looks a little lost without the ball in his hands...
 
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