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2011-2012 Men's Buckeye Basketball (Final Four Season)

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OhioState001;1899106; said:
The big question for me is: What can Ravenel do?
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As I'm sure Thad has seen what he can do in practice all year, we've been naturally shaded from it.. Say what you want about the Harrellson fellah, as last night I hated him more than any, but I hated him because he played a very good game. With that said if Ravenel can play a game like Harrellson does, I'll be quite pleased.
 
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I'm really looking forward to DeShaun Thomas next year. Matta loves a stretch 4, and that is exactly what Thomas will be. I picture a Ivan Harris with more penetrating ability on the wing.

Sully and Thomas are going to be problems next year for any team they face.

Add Shannon Scott, a kid who can get to the rim whenever he wants and I have a feeling we're going to see Sully finish a lot of easy dunks.

I think offensively, we won't really lose much. We're going to score differently, but as much as we did this year. It hurts losing such a versaile defender in Lighty, but at the same time, I'm hopeful Thomas can bang at the 4.

Normally you'd be concerned about Craft guarding bigger players, but I have no worries at all. The kid is a flat-out defender. My only disappointment will be that he probably won't get as much opportunity to take the opposing PG out of the game. I don't think you can let Shannon Scott guard a bigger wing player as a freshman.

And Buford will be a huge problem for most teams if he does play the 3. That's a lot to ask of a typical 3 to try and guard with his mid-range game and deep shot capability.

If the line-up is not:

Scott
Craft
Buford
Thomas
Sully

I think it will be:

Craft
Buford
Thomas
Sully
Ravenal

Still a lot of problems for opposing teams to face....
 
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I see a team less reliant on the outside shot and more reliant on offensive rebounding (Sully with another year, Thomas astounding on the glass, other bigs coming in). Won't be much different on D: focus on turning over the opponent, mediocre FG% defense, steals galore. Potential exists for a deeper bench, but Matta never wants to give minutes to more than 7 regardless.

From what I see on highlight videos (always dangerous) and read from pundits, I see Sam Thompson and Shannon Scott as being the most likely contributors among the frosh. Ross is the big unknown to me: he could ride the pine or be Big Ten FOY, easily. Talent is there for latter, but motivation and willingness to play hardnose D will be the hurdle to avoid former. Amir Williams will be great down the road, but some seasoning is needed first.

No idea about Ravenel, honestly. Hope he will contribute, but I'm thinking more along the lines of a Madsen.

I expect Craft will be all-B1G first team.
 
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Ironically, for a team which rarely uses depth, this is going to be a deep roster next year. There will be a real battle for playing time in the first two spots off the bench and probably the fifth starting spot. That's assuming that Sully and Buford do indeed come back.

I'm not sure at all that I see the Craft/Scott starting combination. Part of that depends on the development of Sibert, who I think is either the fifth starter or first man off the bench. Scott is a talent to be sure, so it's going to be interesting to see how he's used.

For an outside threat, Thomas, Buford and Craft will all hopefully be hitting the Schott for a lot of 2am sessions over the offseason. You can't replace Diebler, but with the ability of all three guys to go off the bounce it'd be a good thing if opposing guards/forwards are forced to defend them closely at the perimeter. I think already that Buford and Thomas are more than credible behind the arc, and Craft's shot has been evolving.

I'm also interested to see what Weatherspoon and Ravenel bring on defense. Evan looks like a big body, maybe not as big as Lauderdale, and 'spoon has the kind of ups that may make him a big time shot blocker. If between the two guys one can emerge as an inside defender and get some minutes, that would be good.

The one guy I am wondering about where he fits next year is Lenzelle Smith. Obviously his injury was a setback, and it appeared that Sibert moved ahead of hm. If Buford comes back, that could mean another year of limited playing time for him.
 
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Future Bright for OSU Basketball!

With Sully and Buford back, Thomas and Craft also strapping it on, the return of Jordan Siebert and JD Weatherspoon, and the addition of the #1 recuriting class of the Big 10, the Basketball future for the Buckeyes is looking real good. The additions of 6'10" 240" Center Amir Williams, speedy 6'6" swingman Sammie Thompson, great 6'-2" ballhandler Shannon Scott, and 6'9" Trey Mcdonald, and 6'8" Laquintin Ross, the Buckeyes should make a big impact next season. We wil have some of the missing depth that might have hinderd us this season. I predict that Thomas will emerge as a great scorer, and improve greatly on his defense. Sully will be a beast, and we will see the "old" Buford that lit up many teams this season. Go Buckeyes!
 
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Height/Length will not be an issue for next years team.

Departing Players:
Dallas Lauderdale- 6'8''
Nicola Kecman- 6'8''
Jon Diebler- 6'6''
David Lighty- 6'5''
Eddie Days- 6'0''

Returning Players:
Jared Sullinger- 6'9''
Evan Ravenel- 6'8''
J.D. Weatherspoon - 6'7''
Deshaun Thomas- 6'6''
Wiiliam Buford- 6'5''
Jordan Sibert- 6'4''
Lenzelle Smith Jr.- 6'3''
Aaron Craft- 6'2''

Incoming Freshman: (if the scouting services are correct)
Amir Williams- 6'9''
Trey McDonald- 6'9''
LaQuinton Ross- 6'7''
Sam Thompson- 6'6''
Shannon Scott- 6'1''

It is a great time to be a Buckeye! Thanks Thad, keep it up!

:osu:
 
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Personally, as an osu fan and someone who likes to get hyped up about future possibilities, I believe this upcoming baskeball season as possibly the most hyped I've been in a while.

With sullinger declaring he will return (if that is indeed what happens) the team is looking very solid. Even the possibility of Buford returning makes you wonder how there will be enough time for all the talent. However, I think buford will leave for the nba , which will leave the buckeyes with a lineup similar to this:

5- Sullinger----------Williams
4- Thomas-----------McDonald
3- Weatherspoon---Ross,
2- Sibert--------------Thompson, Smith Jr.
1- Craft---------------Scott

We already know what we can get from sullinger and that is more than enough from that spot, and amir williams is widely considered to be one of the elite recruits at center and arguably the best if he lives up to his potential but he will not be preasured to do so with sullinger's production so it might help him come out of his shell.

Thomas is an under the radar monster, he has the ability to take over games, the kind of guy who can easily put up 20 points a night especially with consistent minutes. He had a 65 point game a couple of years ago as a senior in hs and averaged over 30 ppg for his career (that's even as a freshman playing older and more experience guys), he was a mcdonalds all amercan for a reason, he's definately got star power. I don't know a whole lot about mcdonald but espn and rivals seem to think him pretty legit so that's enough said.

Weatherspoon is easily one of the most athletic guys I've ever seen play, he is a human highlight reel and a future regular on the sports center top 10 plays. There is also the addition of another superfreak athlete in sammie thompson, these two will light up the highlight reels. Laquinton ross, too, is highly touted and loaded with talent, he is a surefire future star but limits will be limited.

Sibert looked very good in the b10 tourney game against michigan and seems to be as good as the recruiting advertised him to be. I look at him to be almost a lock to start if buford goes pro.

The point guard position will be loaded with breakout freashman craft returning, and the addition of bigtime recruit shanon scott, there will be no problems at this position when it comes to talent or performance. Unfortunately there will once again be extremely limited minutes for smith jr who has shown much dedication and efforet to the team, for a player as highly rated as he was as a recruit, it is somewhat rare to see such little pt for the first 2 seasons and we may be witnessing a tranfer in the making.

With 11 recruits in the last 2 years who were considered elite prospects, osu has as much talent as anyone, and with a coach as good as Matta, the question will become who will be able to stop them other than themselves and or Butler (jkjk)?!
 
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DrMatta411;1899501; said:
:

5- Sullinger----------Williams
4- Thomas-----------McDonald
3- Weatherspoon---Ross,
2- Sibert--------------Thompson, Smith Jr.
1- Craft---------------Scott

Thomas is an under the radar monster, he has the ability to take over games, the kind of guy who can easily put up 20 points a night especially with consistent minutes. He had a 65 point game a couple of years ago as a senior in hs and averaged over 30 ppg for his career (that's even as a freshman playing older and more experience guys), he was a mcdonalds all amercan for a reason, he's definately got star power. I don't know a whole lot about mcdonald but espn and rivals seem to think him pretty legit so that's enough said.
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I agree with you for the most part other than I'm not so sure 'Spoon's all around game will be ready enough for a starting spot next year.

Now as far as Thomas is concerned, if in fact Buford does declare like your gut says, I think he will be the man that will step up. As you said he has proven what he is capable of, and I think he'll improve on his consistency. It's going to be a long off season, but it's really just because we have so much to look forward to yet again. Thank you Matta for getting basketball back on the block around here!
 
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