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2015-16 Ohio State Men’s Basketball Player Preview: Keita Bates-Diop
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Ohio State men’s basketball season is right around the corner. The upstart Buckeyes will take on Walsh in exhibition play on November 8th. To help get you ready for tip-off, The Buckeye Battle Cry will be bringing you Player Previews leading up to the beginning of the season. Today, we continue with the returning players.
There is some early excitement surrounding the 6’7″ sophomore forward and it’s primarily from his performance in OT against VCU in the NCAA tournament last season. The then freshman hit two crucial three-pointers when they needed them most while the VCU defense was doing everything it could to thwart D’Angelo Russell.
While Shaka Smart was scheming defensively to mind the offensive explosion on special at the D’Angelo Russell store, It was Bates-Diop that cooked the Bacon and Eggs.
He might not be the top cook at the Ohio State diner, but the proof is in the pork that KBD can be a go-to hash slinger for Thad Matta this upcoming season.
Keita Bates-Diop
Hometown: Normal, Ill
High School: University High School
Position: Forward
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 235
High School Awards
Freshman Season
Strengths
He may end up with a new nickname after those shots against VCU of “Big-shot Keita”. Time will tell if it does and people need to remember just how much hype surrounded him coming out of high school. He has all of the physical attributes to be a massive rebounder and the shooting touch to hurt teams from anywhere on the court.
Maybe his biggest strength is that he is a rigorous practicer. The gym rat proved it time and time again last season and was ready to go when called after subbing for Marc Loving while he was out for three games. Bates-Diop has the ability to be a leader for this team in the upcoming season.
Weaknesses
It’s not a weakness as much as it is a condition that a player like Bates-Diop has. He is a player, and when you are a freshman in college and you are no longer the man, bad things tend to happen. There were several instances last season where he went cold shooting and that in turn would effect his defense on the other end.
That is probably what was his primary weakness a year ago and it should take care of itself this year as his playing time should increase as well as his role on the team. When he got more playing time during Loving’s suspension we saw flashes of what he should be for this years team.
Role on the Team
The returning group of players are going to be expected to contribute and take control heavily for this team to be successful. Bates-Diop role should be well defended and if he adjusts to the expectations as a starter this season, he will be a star.
Early on he will need to continue developing his perimeter shot to draw defenders out and ultimately set up inside out opportunities. One thing that will be a high expectation for his role will be great perimeter defending and good post defensive help. His size will contribute to the rebounding help that this team will need.
Keita Bates-Diop has an opportunity to be one of the better players on this years team and time will tell if he is.
The post 2015-16 Ohio State Men’s Basketball Player Preview: Keita Bates-Diop appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Ohio State men’s basketball season is right around the corner. The upstart Buckeyes will take on Walsh in exhibition play on November 8th. To help get you ready for tip-off, The Buckeye Battle Cry will be bringing you Player Previews leading up to the beginning of the season. Today, we continue with the returning players.
There is some early excitement surrounding the 6’7″ sophomore forward and it’s primarily from his performance in OT against VCU in the NCAA tournament last season. The then freshman hit two crucial three-pointers when they needed them most while the VCU defense was doing everything it could to thwart D’Angelo Russell.
While Shaka Smart was scheming defensively to mind the offensive explosion on special at the D’Angelo Russell store, It was Bates-Diop that cooked the Bacon and Eggs.
He might not be the top cook at the Ohio State diner, but the proof is in the pork that KBD can be a go-to hash slinger for Thad Matta this upcoming season.
Keita Bates-Diop
Hometown: Normal, Ill
High School: University High School
Position: Forward
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 235
High School Awards
- Three-time First Team All-State (Class 3A) selection by the Associated Press
- Averaged 18.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and shot 52 percent from the field as a junior in 2013, leading University High to a 22-6 record and a second-consecutive Corn Belt Conference championship
- As a senior, led University High to a third-consecutive Corn Belt Conference championship after going 22-5 and extending their conference winning streak to 42 games
Freshman Season
- Bates-Diop played in 33 games last season averaging nearly ten minutes a contest.
- Season and career best day versus Rutgers with 14 points, 3 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals
- Had another stellar performance against TTUN with 12 points and 3 rebounds
- Hit two three-pointers in OT against VCU in NCAA’s his only points of the game, but clutch
Strengths
He may end up with a new nickname after those shots against VCU of “Big-shot Keita”. Time will tell if it does and people need to remember just how much hype surrounded him coming out of high school. He has all of the physical attributes to be a massive rebounder and the shooting touch to hurt teams from anywhere on the court.
Maybe his biggest strength is that he is a rigorous practicer. The gym rat proved it time and time again last season and was ready to go when called after subbing for Marc Loving while he was out for three games. Bates-Diop has the ability to be a leader for this team in the upcoming season.
Weaknesses
It’s not a weakness as much as it is a condition that a player like Bates-Diop has. He is a player, and when you are a freshman in college and you are no longer the man, bad things tend to happen. There were several instances last season where he went cold shooting and that in turn would effect his defense on the other end.
That is probably what was his primary weakness a year ago and it should take care of itself this year as his playing time should increase as well as his role on the team. When he got more playing time during Loving’s suspension we saw flashes of what he should be for this years team.
Role on the Team
The returning group of players are going to be expected to contribute and take control heavily for this team to be successful. Bates-Diop role should be well defended and if he adjusts to the expectations as a starter this season, he will be a star.
Early on he will need to continue developing his perimeter shot to draw defenders out and ultimately set up inside out opportunities. One thing that will be a high expectation for his role will be great perimeter defending and good post defensive help. His size will contribute to the rebounding help that this team will need.
Keita Bates-Diop has an opportunity to be one of the better players on this years team and time will tell if he is.
The post 2015-16 Ohio State Men’s Basketball Player Preview: Keita Bates-Diop appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...