-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
- Thread starter bkochmc
- Start date
LitlBuck
Kevin Warren is an ass
The preseason coaches poll is out and we are ranked #10 right behind TSUN. Top five of Kentucky,, sparty, Louisville, Duke, Arizona. Complete poll at http://www.usatoday.com/sports/ncaab/polls/
Upvote
0
LitlBuck
Kevin Warren is an ass
according to the official website http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/osu-m-baskbl-sched.html
the Walsh exhibition game will be shown at 4 PM the day of the game
the Walsh exhibition game will be shown at 4 PM the day of the game
Upvote
0
Buckskin86
Moderator
2013-2014 Season Preview: No. 10 Ohio State Buckeyes
Rob Dauster
Oct 21, 2013
Reuters
All month long, CBT will be rolling out our 2013-2014 season preview. Check back throughout the day, as we’ll be posting three or four preview items every day.
To browse through the preview posts we’ve already published, click here. The rest of our Top 25 Countdown can be found here. For a schedule of our previews for the month, click here.
Last Season: 29-8, 13-5 Big Ten (t-2nd); Lost in the Elite 8 to Wichita State
Head Coach: Thad Matta (10th season at Ohio State: 250-73 overall, 111-45 Big Ten)
Key Losses: Deshaun Thomas, Evan Ravenel
Newcomers: Marc Loving, Kameron Williams
Projected Lineup
- G: Aaron Craft, Sr.
- G: Lenzelle Smith, Sr.
- F: Sam Thompson, Jr.
- F: LaQuinton Ross, Jr.
- C: Amir Williams, Jr.
- Bench: Shannon Scott, Jr.; Trey McDonald, Jr.; Marc Loving, Fr.; Kameron Williams, Fr.
They’ll be good because …: Aaron Craft, who has made a career out of being one of the most polarizing players in the country, is back for his senior season. Craft is a short, white point guard that lacks vertical explosiveness and wins with every clichéd intangible ever uttered by a broadcaster. He plays the game the right way, he’s gritty, he’s got a high basketball IQ. Craft needs to be more consistent and more aggressive as a playmaker this season, whether he’s looking to score or create. The same can be said for LaQuinton Ross, and there’s reason to believe he can help replace the output of Deshaun Thomas. Ross came on strong late in the year, and capped it by averaging 17.7 points in the last three games of Ohio State’s run to the Elite 8. That included the game-winner against Arizona you see below.
What Craft does best, however, is anchor a perimeter that will be absolutely stifling at times this season. He’s probably the best on-ball defender in the country, capable of turning a trip into Columbus into a nightmare for opposing point guards. Sam Thompson can shut down big wings with his length and athleticism, and back-up point guard Shannon Scott has proven himself to be quite the playmaker on the defensive end. One way to counteract the Buckeye’s question marks in the paint is to apply enough pressure on the perimeter to takeaway entry passes.
cont...
http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcspo...014-season-preview-no-10-ohio-state-buckeyes/
Upvote
0
bkochmc
Assistant Coach
Scott consistently knocking down shots? Williams greatly improved? I'm a little skeptical until I see it on the court against stronger opponents but if both are true that goes a LONG way in answering the offensive concerns I have for the upcoming year.
My big concern defensively is the new hand check rule and how that will affect the pressure our guards place on the ball handler. Craft and Scott both have quick hands and quick feet but if it is going to be called by the letter of the rule (we'll see how that plays out, especially with the Big Ten refs) we could see some foul trouble, at least early on until players get used to the way the rule will be called.
I'm also interested to see how much the two freshman contribute to the team. Kam will have a tough time seeing the court for meaningful minutes but if he can provide a spark like Thompson did his first year that would be a big plus. Really excited to see what Loving can do.
Upvote
0
DZ83CK
Not Banned
I've been high on Scott for years, but it looks like this year is finally going to be the year when he puts it all together. He was hitting his 3s consistently in the practice, willing to take them regularly, and he was showing a bit of range beyond the arc as well - he can be a double-digit scorer for this team this season in my opinion. I like Scott to be the guy who has a breakthrough year this season. Of course Ross is going to score a lot more than last year as well but I think that may be more of a product of a larger role and more opportunities than anything. I did see Scott as being improved shooting the ball but I didn't really notice Amir making great improvement.
I don't think the change in the rules should affect Scott much on D, as he has been very good with stealing the ball with his quick hands and has not really been a guy that has bumped guys off of drives to a significant degree - on the other hand, it should be harder for other teams to keep Scott from driving. Craft probably is one we have to watch out for being affected by the rule changes - I don't think what he's been doing is fouling a lot, but the way the rules are written it's almost as if they're trying to take strong on-ball pressure out of the game and the refs may have it in their minds that they are going to target him considering his reputation. I think Smith also will have some adjustments to make with the new officiating as he also plays physical defense and has been known to bump and grab from time to time.
Upvote
0
Buckskin86
Moderator
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...aft-lenzelle-smith-senior-leadership/3168377/Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith give Ohio State senior support
Rob McCurdy, USA TODAY Sports
October 28, 2013
(Photo: Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports)
Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith no longer enjoy the luxury of worrying about themselves. The two Ohio State guards can't fixate on their respective games.
Selfishness yields to selflessness now. Such is the plight for the two seniors.
"Each year guys are trying to find themselves or want to contribute to the team and make the team better. This year it's more about being a senior leader on the team. You do everything," says Smith, a 6-4 shooting guard. "It's not trying to figure out what you're going to do. It's knowing what you have to do, and you have to do those things from Day One, especially when you have guys looking up to you."
For Ohio State, it's a welcome change.
The Buckeyes went the last two years with one senior on those rosters -- all-Big Ten guard William Buford two seasons ago and backup big man Evan Ravenel last year. Neither was known as a vocal leader.
"We've been through the battles. We've been in tough situations. We've won some big games. We've lost some games pretty big. We've seen both ends of the spectrum," Craft, a 6-2 all-Big Ten point guard, says of the experience he and Smith bring.
cont...
Upvote
0
lord vegas
aka Kasino Royale
Land Grant's Breakdown of the Walsh Game.
Interesting that Matta put Shannon Scott in the starting lineup over Thompson. I like the fact Matta seems to not be as rigid as he once was with the lineups and rotations. Even stated in his presser his lineup might be dictated on match ups.
Interesting that Matta put Shannon Scott in the starting lineup over Thompson. I like the fact Matta seems to not be as rigid as he once was with the lineups and rotations. Even stated in his presser his lineup might be dictated on match ups.
Upvote
0