jimotis4heisman
Banned
seems like a real nice matchup of different style guys. conley/cook and oden/pouge, thats one if moved to conseco i might go see.
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bucknuts44820 said:
That would be an unbelievable game. We would also get a good look at Aaron Pogue up against Oden in that game.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
</CENTER><CENTER> </CENTER><CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>
Greg Oden
</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>Spiece Tourney Tips Tonight
By Evan Daniels Basketball Recruiting Editor
Date: Apr 28, 2005
Wake Forest recruits Greg Oden and Mike Conley are sure to be in attendance this weekend in Fort Wayne, as well as a lot of young talent. DeaconSports.com will have full extensive coverage.
</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3>
The Spiece Run N Slam in Fort Wayne is one of many stops on the AAU circuit that will be filled with all kinds of talent. While Boo Williams and Kingwood were loaded from top to bottom with talent, the Spiece Run N Slam isn’t going to be any different.
Among the top AAU teams in the country in attendance this weekend will be 64 senior division teams including the host team Spiece Indy Heat, The Family, Michigan Hurricanes, Illinois Wolves, Illinois Fire, D-I Greyhounds, Blessed IJN and many, many more.
The tournament will feature many of the top players in the class of 2006, but features a strong contingent of players from the class of 2007, including 8 of Scout.com’s top 20. There are also several top 2007 stars in attendance including:
O.J. Mayo- D-I Greyhounds
Billy Walker- D-I Greyhounds
Keenan Ellis- D-I Greyhounds
Derrick Rose- Meanstreets Express
Eric Gordon- Spiece Indy Heat
Cole Aldrich- Minnesota Magic
Darquavis Tucker- Michigan Hurricanes
Alex Legion- Michigan Hurricanes
For more on the tournament and the participants stay tuned or check out their Official Site
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Looks like a talented group of players will be on display.
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Excellent tidbit of info I had not read before... this poster is WF's equivalent of nevadabuck:
exclusiveclothes
Posted: 4/29/05 10:57:38 am
<hr size="1"> Thad Matta recruited Angelo Smith who played for LN when Conley and Oden were in 8th grade. The LN basketball team would go to team camps at Xavier along with other high schools in the Indianapolis area. Conley and Oden have known Matta since they were in 8th grade. Matta also recruited Indiana Mr. Basketball Justin Cage a few years ago from Pike HS. Daequan Cook pickup was just good recruiting, but Conley and Oden have had a long standing relationship with Matta. More importantly Matta has had a good relationship with the LN coaching staff as well as Pike coaching staff. Those 2 schools have produced most of the D1 talent in Indianapolis the past 7 or so years.
exclusiveclothes
Posted: 4/29/05 10:57:38 am
<hr size="1"> Thad Matta recruited Angelo Smith who played for LN when Conley and Oden were in 8th grade. The LN basketball team would go to team camps at Xavier along with other high schools in the Indianapolis area. Conley and Oden have known Matta since they were in 8th grade. Matta also recruited Indiana Mr. Basketball Justin Cage a few years ago from Pike HS. Daequan Cook pickup was just good recruiting, but Conley and Oden have had a long standing relationship with Matta. More importantly Matta has had a good relationship with the LN coaching staff as well as Pike coaching staff. Those 2 schools have produced most of the D1 talent in Indianapolis the past 7 or so years.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
At the Spiece Tournament in Indiana this weekend, Oden's team rolled to a 81-50 win over a New Hampshire team. Oden had 8 points and didn't play that much because of foul trouble.
(In my opinion everything I am hearing and that is being rumored is that OSU is the leader at this point for both Conley and Oden and that if everything on the visit goes as planned it will be hard to beat OSU at this point.)
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
(In my opinion everything I am hearing and that is being rumored is that OSU is the leader at this point for both Conley and Oden and that if everything on the visit goes as planned it will be hard to beat OSU at this point.)
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
At the Spiece Tournament in Indiana.....Oden's team won the championship.
rivals.com$
5/2/05
Interview from the Spiece Tourney this weekend......Greg is very excited about his visit to OSU this weekend and is looking forward to meeting the players and the rest of the staff. He point blank said he is not looking at the NBA that much and IS going to go to college because that is what he wants to do.
Oden is very humble and at one point in the interview said he was nervous about his visit, he hopes the team likes him!
For a top prospect, he is very humble and sounds like a great kid.
rivals.com$
5/2/05
Interview from the Spiece Tourney this weekend......Greg is very excited about his visit to OSU this weekend and is looking forward to meeting the players and the rest of the staff. He point blank said he is not looking at the NBA that much and IS going to go to college because that is what he wants to do.
Oden is very humble and at one point in the interview said he was nervous about his visit, he hopes the team likes him!
For a top prospect, he is very humble and sounds like a great kid.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
LINK
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">Oden's AAU team wins key matchup
Spiece Indy Heat take tournament crown with victory over team led by O.J. Mayo.
<!-- SIDEBAR --><!-- ARTICLE SIDEBAR --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=210 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=10>
</TD><TD><!--MAIN PHOTO--><!--RELATED ARTICLES--><!--RELATED PHOTO GALLERIES--><!----><!--RELATED PHOTOS GALLERIES AND MULTIMEDIA ASSETS--><!--MAIN FACTS BOX--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#cccccc><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=10 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#eeeeee>Oden Update
• Staying put at No. 1: Talent scout Dave Telep said Greg Oden remains the top player in the nation in his class and has yet to have that status challenged. "He's a 7-1 center that runs the floor, blocks shots. He changes games defensively," Telep said Sunday, while watching Oden's AAU team, the Spiece Indy Heat, win the Spiece Run 'n' Slam Classic, which drew hundreds of the top players in the nation. "His stock is not going anywhere." In the championship game, Oden had 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots as Spiece beat the D1 Greyhounds, led by 6-5 O.J. Mayo, the No. 1 player in the 2007 class.
• A new Fab Five? Since Dayton Dunbar's Daequan Cook gave an oral commitment to Ohio State in March, there has been considerable speculation that Oden and Lawrence North classmate Mike Conley would follow. Cook has been trying to make it happen. "We've been talking a lot," said Cook, a 6-5 shooting guard ranked as the No. 8 player in the Class of 2006 and an AAU teammate of Oden and Conley. "We always said that we were going to play basketball together. It's always been on our mind to go to the same college. It'd be fun. We could win an NCAA championship. A championship would be bound to happen." Ohio State is also the leader for 6-5 David Lighty, a top-20 talent in Oden's class. Those four would make for the best recruiting class in the nation.
• Early hiccup: Oden's AAU team entered the summer season ranked No. 1 in the country by Telep with a star lineup that also included North Central's Eric Gordon. Spiece lost to Memphis Pump-N-Run in the final of its first event, the Real Deal on the Hill in Arkansas, with Oden scoring just 11 points after dominating the early rounds
• Going global: One of the most interesting events this summer is for individuals, but with team in mind -- Team USA. Oden and Conley have been invited to the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival in June, to be held in either Colorado Springs, Colo., or San Diego. For the first time, the Youth Festival will include international teams: from Russia, China, New Zealand and Canada. With the U.S. slipping in recent Olympics, USA organizers wanted to familiarize future U.S. players with the international game earlier. "It's an education process," USA Basketball men's director Sean Ford said. "It's knowing that skill and teamwork are important and that respecting your opponent is where you have to begin."
• Mowing local: If the weather is nice, it's possible you could see a 7-footer mowing a lawn near you. Oden's summer job is working for the mowing business run by Lawrence North assistant Ralph Scott. "When we don't have open gym, I'll work," Oden said. "It's trimming, mainly."
-- Jeff Rabjohns
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!--ADDITIONAL FACTS -->
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- STORY TEXT --><!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->
By Tracy Dodds
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--document.write(''+'tracy.dodds'+'@'+'indystar.com'+'');//--></SCRIPT>[email protected]
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- With two of the nation's top high school basketball players going against each other, hundreds of fans filled Spiece Fieldhouse -- and then some -- for Sunday's Run 'n' Slam Classic title game.
The objects of the fans' desire: Greg Oden of Lawrence North High School and Spiece Indy Heat, the nation's No. 1-ranked player in the Class of 2006; and O.J. Mayo of Cincinnati North College Hill and D1 Greyhounds, tabbed No. 1 for the Class of 2007.
On this day, Oden got the best of Mayo, getting 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots in Spiece's 77-58 victory.
This matchup may become a trend on the AAU circuit.
"It's the first of many times we'll probably play this year, and I look forward to playing against him," Mayo said.
Throughout the three-day tournament, Spiece and the D1 Greyhounds were magnets for the biggest crowds. Both teams feature many of the nation's top-flight high school players.
With Oden on the Spiece team were Michael Conley Jr., who also will be a senior at Lawrence North, and Eric Gordon, who will be a junior at North Central.
With Mayo on the D1 Greyhounds was Bill Walker, who also will be a junior at North College Hill.
After Spiece beat D1 Greyhounds, Spiece coach Michael Conley -- the younger Conley's father and a former Olympic triple jump star -- couldn't say enough about the talent on the court.
"There were a lot of future pro and college players on that court," Conley said. "There were some potential top picks, No. 1 draft picks. That was quite a show for $10."
Actually, admission was $5 Sunday, a day on which both teams played three games before meeting in the final.
In all, the Spiece Indy Heat had to win nine games to get the trophy. Three days, 156 teams competing in three categories, and the game the fans wanted finally materialized.
Backing Oden's effort in the final game was Daequan Cook (Dayton Dunbar) with 20 points. Gordon had 16.
Conley was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament's top division.
Mayo scored 27 points -- many of them after the outcome was assured -- and Walker 12 in the final game.
Getting to the final was no small task. It was Spiece's depth -- or, as its coach pointed out, the quality depth and guts -- that allowed the team to win so much and have something left for the title game.
"When you have the depth we have, you don't have to play as much, especially during the early parts of the tournament," Oden said.
D1 Greyhounds had an easier time in their semifinal game, making quick work of the King James Shooting Stars 69-46, while Spiece had to fight off a determined Illinois Fire 71-61.
"They were a good team," Oden said. "They wanted to beat us."
As did Mayo's team, which beat Oden's team two years ago in their only other matchup.
There could be something of a rematch during the high school season. The athletic directors for Lawrence North and Cincinnati's North College Hill are trying to set up a game. The idea is for the game to be on TV in early December, possibly at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Lawrence North coach Jack Keefer said: "We've tried to work with them in many ways but haven't been able to get any movement."
If that doesn't pan out, the Wildcats likely will target Dayton Dunbar, led by Ohio State recruit Cook, an AAU teammate of Oden's, for that date.
The Wildcats have an opening for an opponent in the Circle City Classic and an open date in early December that last year was used for the game against Poplar Bluff (Mo.), which was shown on ESPN2.
Lawrence North athletic director Grant Nesbit said his school will still try to work with Mayo's school. "We would love to play Mayo's team," Nesbit said.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The match-up between Oden/Conley vs Mayo/Walker would be interesting to see.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
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">Oden's AAU team wins key matchup
Spiece Indy Heat take tournament crown with victory over team led by O.J. Mayo.
<!-- SIDEBAR --><!-- ARTICLE SIDEBAR --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=210 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=10>
• Staying put at No. 1: Talent scout Dave Telep said Greg Oden remains the top player in the nation in his class and has yet to have that status challenged. "He's a 7-1 center that runs the floor, blocks shots. He changes games defensively," Telep said Sunday, while watching Oden's AAU team, the Spiece Indy Heat, win the Spiece Run 'n' Slam Classic, which drew hundreds of the top players in the nation. "His stock is not going anywhere." In the championship game, Oden had 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots as Spiece beat the D1 Greyhounds, led by 6-5 O.J. Mayo, the No. 1 player in the 2007 class.
• A new Fab Five? Since Dayton Dunbar's Daequan Cook gave an oral commitment to Ohio State in March, there has been considerable speculation that Oden and Lawrence North classmate Mike Conley would follow. Cook has been trying to make it happen. "We've been talking a lot," said Cook, a 6-5 shooting guard ranked as the No. 8 player in the Class of 2006 and an AAU teammate of Oden and Conley. "We always said that we were going to play basketball together. It's always been on our mind to go to the same college. It'd be fun. We could win an NCAA championship. A championship would be bound to happen." Ohio State is also the leader for 6-5 David Lighty, a top-20 talent in Oden's class. Those four would make for the best recruiting class in the nation.
• Early hiccup: Oden's AAU team entered the summer season ranked No. 1 in the country by Telep with a star lineup that also included North Central's Eric Gordon. Spiece lost to Memphis Pump-N-Run in the final of its first event, the Real Deal on the Hill in Arkansas, with Oden scoring just 11 points after dominating the early rounds
• Going global: One of the most interesting events this summer is for individuals, but with team in mind -- Team USA. Oden and Conley have been invited to the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival in June, to be held in either Colorado Springs, Colo., or San Diego. For the first time, the Youth Festival will include international teams: from Russia, China, New Zealand and Canada. With the U.S. slipping in recent Olympics, USA organizers wanted to familiarize future U.S. players with the international game earlier. "It's an education process," USA Basketball men's director Sean Ford said. "It's knowing that skill and teamwork are important and that respecting your opponent is where you have to begin."
• Mowing local: If the weather is nice, it's possible you could see a 7-footer mowing a lawn near you. Oden's summer job is working for the mowing business run by Lawrence North assistant Ralph Scott. "When we don't have open gym, I'll work," Oden said. "It's trimming, mainly."
-- Jeff Rabjohns
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!--ADDITIONAL FACTS -->
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- STORY TEXT --><!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->
By Tracy Dodds
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--document.write(''+'tracy.dodds'+'@'+'indystar.com'+'');//--></SCRIPT>[email protected]
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- With two of the nation's top high school basketball players going against each other, hundreds of fans filled Spiece Fieldhouse -- and then some -- for Sunday's Run 'n' Slam Classic title game.
The objects of the fans' desire: Greg Oden of Lawrence North High School and Spiece Indy Heat, the nation's No. 1-ranked player in the Class of 2006; and O.J. Mayo of Cincinnati North College Hill and D1 Greyhounds, tabbed No. 1 for the Class of 2007.
On this day, Oden got the best of Mayo, getting 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots in Spiece's 77-58 victory.
This matchup may become a trend on the AAU circuit.
"It's the first of many times we'll probably play this year, and I look forward to playing against him," Mayo said.
Throughout the three-day tournament, Spiece and the D1 Greyhounds were magnets for the biggest crowds. Both teams feature many of the nation's top-flight high school players.
With Oden on the Spiece team were Michael Conley Jr., who also will be a senior at Lawrence North, and Eric Gordon, who will be a junior at North Central.
With Mayo on the D1 Greyhounds was Bill Walker, who also will be a junior at North College Hill.
After Spiece beat D1 Greyhounds, Spiece coach Michael Conley -- the younger Conley's father and a former Olympic triple jump star -- couldn't say enough about the talent on the court.
"There were a lot of future pro and college players on that court," Conley said. "There were some potential top picks, No. 1 draft picks. That was quite a show for $10."
Actually, admission was $5 Sunday, a day on which both teams played three games before meeting in the final.
In all, the Spiece Indy Heat had to win nine games to get the trophy. Three days, 156 teams competing in three categories, and the game the fans wanted finally materialized.
Backing Oden's effort in the final game was Daequan Cook (Dayton Dunbar) with 20 points. Gordon had 16.
Conley was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament's top division.
Mayo scored 27 points -- many of them after the outcome was assured -- and Walker 12 in the final game.
Getting to the final was no small task. It was Spiece's depth -- or, as its coach pointed out, the quality depth and guts -- that allowed the team to win so much and have something left for the title game.
"When you have the depth we have, you don't have to play as much, especially during the early parts of the tournament," Oden said.
D1 Greyhounds had an easier time in their semifinal game, making quick work of the King James Shooting Stars 69-46, while Spiece had to fight off a determined Illinois Fire 71-61.
"They were a good team," Oden said. "They wanted to beat us."
As did Mayo's team, which beat Oden's team two years ago in their only other matchup.
There could be something of a rematch during the high school season. The athletic directors for Lawrence North and Cincinnati's North College Hill are trying to set up a game. The idea is for the game to be on TV in early December, possibly at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Lawrence North coach Jack Keefer said: "We've tried to work with them in many ways but haven't been able to get any movement."
If that doesn't pan out, the Wildcats likely will target Dayton Dunbar, led by Ohio State recruit Cook, an AAU teammate of Oden's, for that date.
The Wildcats have an opening for an opponent in the Circle City Classic and an open date in early December that last year was used for the game against Poplar Bluff (Mo.), which was shown on ESPN2.
Lawrence North athletic director Grant Nesbit said his school will still try to work with Mayo's school. "We would love to play Mayo's team," Nesbit said.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The match-up between Oden/Conley vs Mayo/Walker would be interesting to see.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
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BuckBackHome
Wolverine is largest member of weasel family
In the for what it's worth file, my boss was down at this tournament over the weekend. His son was playing in the tournament in the age 15 bracket. Had his team done better they would have played Greg's "little" brother who is 6'8". At some point my boss was sitting near Greg and said he seemed like a quiet and polite kid. One of the players from my boss's son's team asked Greg to sign a basketball and he politely did while talking with him.
Oh yeah, he said in one game Greg just made everything look so easy. He said he just kind of glided up and down the court while never breaking a sweat. The kids guarding him were dripping in sweat trying to keep up.
Sounds like a heck of a player and person.
Oh yeah, he said in one game Greg just made everything look so easy. He said he just kind of glided up and down the court while never breaking a sweat. The kids guarding him were dripping in sweat trying to keep up.
Sounds like a heck of a player and person.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
SCOUT.COM$
5/2/05
5/2/05
</CENTER><CENTER> </CENTER><CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>
Greg Oden
</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>Spiece: Oden & Co. Take Title
By Dave Telep National Recruiting Director
Date: May 2, 2005
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The people got the matchup they wanted as it was Greg Oden’s crew against O.J. Mayo and the boys. Oden and his running mate, Mike Conley, took it to the Greyhounds to capture the Spiece Run ‘n Slam Classic.
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Spiece Indy Heat beat D-I Greyhounds, 77-58..........
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
scout.com$
5/5/05
5/5/05
</CENTER><CENTER> </CENTER><CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>
Greg Oden
</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>Official Visits Are On As Planned
By Kyle Lamb
Date: May 4, 2005
This is a big weekend for OSU basketball recruiting as two of the nation's top prospects -- guard Mike Conley and center Greg Oden of Indianapolis Lawrence North -- will be coming in to Ohio State for a visit. Kyle Lamb has the latest update on the visit details.
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Oden and Conley will be taking an official visit to Ohio State this weekend. Also, Cook will be taking his official visit and possibly Lighty at this point. A note on Young, apparently they are going to try to set up a visit in two weeks but nothing is definite. Oden, Conley and Cook will not play in the AAU tourney in Columbus this weekend.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
LINK
5/5/05
Quote:
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May 5, 2005
Recruiting coup?
Nation's best have Ohio State, Matta on their 'fab' list of colleges
<!-- SIDEBAR --><!-- ARTICLE SIDEBAR --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=210 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=10>
</TD><TD><!--MAIN PHOTO--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[url="http://cmsimg.indystar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BG&Date=20050505&Category=SPORTS06&ArtNo=505050460&Ref=AR&MaxW=250&Q=80&Border=0"]http://cmsimg.indystar.com/apps/pbc...0&Q=80&Border=0[/url]</TD></TR><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD>Hot on their trail: Greg Oden (from left), Mike Conley and Daequan Cook, teammates for the Spiece Indy Heat during the AAU season, all are considering attending Ohio State. Buckeyes coach Thad Matta, who played and coached at Butler, is trying to convince them. -- David Dixon / For The Star
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<!--RELATED ARTICLES--><!--RELATED PHOTO GALLERIES--><!----><!--RELATED PHOTOS GALLERIES AND MULTIMEDIA ASSETS--><!--MAIN FACTS BOX--><!--ADDITIONAL FACTS --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- STORY TEXT --><!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->
By Jeff Rabjohns
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--document.write(''+'jeff.rabjohns'+'@'+'indystar.com'+'');//--></SCRIPT>[email protected]
Since leaving Butler University in 2001 after his first season as a head coach, Thad Matta has ascended quickly in the college basketball coaching ranks.
He led Xavier to three NCAA Tournaments, then jumped to Ohio State before the 2004-05 season.
Now, after his first year with the Buckeyes, he's quietly on the verge of landing what analysts are calling the best recruiting class since Michigan's heralded Fab Five -- and it might include Greg Oden, the top-ranked player in the country.
This weekend, Oden and Mike Conley are making their official visits to Ohio State. If the Lawrence North duo end up committing to play for the Buckeyes, it would give Matta four players ranked in the top 20 in the 2006 class.
The first piece of the puzzle came in March when Matta received an oral commitment from Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar's Daequan Cook, an AAU teammate and close friend of Oden and Conley. Then came a commitment from David Lighty, another nationally ranked player from Cleveland. Another top-10 player, 6-8 Thaddeus Young of Memphis, Tenn., also is considering Ohio State.
College coaches are prohibited by NCAA rules from commenting on recruits, and Oden hasn't announced any decisions since naming his final four college choices: Ohio State, Wake Forest, Indiana and Michigan State.
But Conley's father said the close friendship among Cook, Oden and his son could play a role in where the latter two attend school. He also said his son and Oden are impressed with Matta, who was a regular at Lawrence North games this past season, even attending one the night before Ohio State upset top-ranked Illinois.
"They can relate to him, and they see him as a good coach," said Mike Conley Sr., who coaches the powerhouse AAU team that includes his son, Oden, Cook and North Central's Eric Gordon.
"Thad, from day one, has talked to the kids about a vision he has, where this class and this team can go. Some of the kids see that vision also."
Oden, a 7-foot center, and Conley, a 6-1 point guard, made an official visit to Wake Forest two weekends ago. Conley has said Ohio State and Wake Forest are his leaders.
The two have said they're not necessarily a package deal, but also that they'd like to play together in college.
"Behind the scenes, it certainly looks like Ohio State has a lot of momentum with Conley, and I've always thought that Mike Conley is the greatest predictor of what happens with Oden," said Dave Telep, a national talent scout.
Nothing is certain in the world of basketball recruiting, but the signs of Ohio State's potential windfall are impossible to miss.
Gordon, a top-10 player in the 2007 class, said in a recent question-and-answer with an Ohio State fan Web site that the Buckeyes were one of his three favorites, along with Indiana and Illinois.
Oden and Conley have played on the same summer team with Cook since the three were in eighth grade.
"With that kind of history among them, it's more than just kids who knew each other in the summertime and said, 'Hey, let's go to the same school.' It's more of a relationship," Conley Sr. said.
"When they first all met, I may have called them a Fab Five, but the world wasn't screaming for Greg Oden and Mike Conley and Daequan Cook in eighth grade. Greg wasn't even discovered then, and no one had any idea who Cook was. But the kids were bonding."
Another factor is whether Oden, widely projected to be the top pick in the 2006 NBA draft if he declares, decides to play in college. That decision could be taken out of his hands if the NBA institutes an age minimum of 20, which it is considering.
Ohio State is also high on the list of two other top-10 players in the Class of 2007: shooting guard O.J. Mayo, the No. 1 player in the class, and small forward Bill Walker, teammates at Cincinnati's North College Hill.
At the Spiece Run 'N Slam in Fort Wayne, Ind., last weekend, Mayo was asked if he'd like to see a game between Lawrence North and North College Hill during the high school season.
"Most definitely," Mayo said. "Greg is a great player. I'd love to play against him and I'd love to play with him."
The 37-year-old Matta, who was born in Hoopeston, Ill., and played basketball at Butler before graduating in 1990, has deep ties to Midwest talent pools, which are as strong as ever.
"I'm excited about the direction of the program," Ohio State associate athletic director Miechelle Willis said. "Thad and staff are tireless. They are so positive and upbeat. . . . I think that same energy has had a tremendous impact and carryover in recruiting."
Conley Sr. said he doesn't expect his son or Oden to make a commitment this weekend. He pointed to the week in April when the two were visited at school by many big-name college coaches: Matta, Skip Prosser (Wake Forest), Roy Williams (North Carolina), Bruce Weber (Illinois), Tom Izzo (Michigan State) and Mike Davis (Indiana).
"When the coaches came in, after each one (left) they were like, 'We're going there.' Then it was, 'We're going there.' And, 'We're going there.'
"They're committed to go through this whole process."
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5/5/05
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May 5, 2005
Recruiting coup?
Nation's best have Ohio State, Matta on their 'fab' list of colleges
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</TD></TR><TR><TD>Hot on their trail: Greg Oden (from left), Mike Conley and Daequan Cook, teammates for the Spiece Indy Heat during the AAU season, all are considering attending Ohio State. Buckeyes coach Thad Matta, who played and coached at Butler, is trying to convince them. -- David Dixon / For The Star</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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By Jeff Rabjohns
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--document.write(''+'jeff.rabjohns'+'@'+'indystar.com'+'');//--></SCRIPT>[email protected]
Since leaving Butler University in 2001 after his first season as a head coach, Thad Matta has ascended quickly in the college basketball coaching ranks.
He led Xavier to three NCAA Tournaments, then jumped to Ohio State before the 2004-05 season.
Now, after his first year with the Buckeyes, he's quietly on the verge of landing what analysts are calling the best recruiting class since Michigan's heralded Fab Five -- and it might include Greg Oden, the top-ranked player in the country.
This weekend, Oden and Mike Conley are making their official visits to Ohio State. If the Lawrence North duo end up committing to play for the Buckeyes, it would give Matta four players ranked in the top 20 in the 2006 class.
The first piece of the puzzle came in March when Matta received an oral commitment from Dayton (Ohio) Dunbar's Daequan Cook, an AAU teammate and close friend of Oden and Conley. Then came a commitment from David Lighty, another nationally ranked player from Cleveland. Another top-10 player, 6-8 Thaddeus Young of Memphis, Tenn., also is considering Ohio State.
College coaches are prohibited by NCAA rules from commenting on recruits, and Oden hasn't announced any decisions since naming his final four college choices: Ohio State, Wake Forest, Indiana and Michigan State.
But Conley's father said the close friendship among Cook, Oden and his son could play a role in where the latter two attend school. He also said his son and Oden are impressed with Matta, who was a regular at Lawrence North games this past season, even attending one the night before Ohio State upset top-ranked Illinois.
"They can relate to him, and they see him as a good coach," said Mike Conley Sr., who coaches the powerhouse AAU team that includes his son, Oden, Cook and North Central's Eric Gordon.
"Thad, from day one, has talked to the kids about a vision he has, where this class and this team can go. Some of the kids see that vision also."
Oden, a 7-foot center, and Conley, a 6-1 point guard, made an official visit to Wake Forest two weekends ago. Conley has said Ohio State and Wake Forest are his leaders.
The two have said they're not necessarily a package deal, but also that they'd like to play together in college.
"Behind the scenes, it certainly looks like Ohio State has a lot of momentum with Conley, and I've always thought that Mike Conley is the greatest predictor of what happens with Oden," said Dave Telep, a national talent scout.
Nothing is certain in the world of basketball recruiting, but the signs of Ohio State's potential windfall are impossible to miss.
Gordon, a top-10 player in the 2007 class, said in a recent question-and-answer with an Ohio State fan Web site that the Buckeyes were one of his three favorites, along with Indiana and Illinois.
Oden and Conley have played on the same summer team with Cook since the three were in eighth grade.
"With that kind of history among them, it's more than just kids who knew each other in the summertime and said, 'Hey, let's go to the same school.' It's more of a relationship," Conley Sr. said.
"When they first all met, I may have called them a Fab Five, but the world wasn't screaming for Greg Oden and Mike Conley and Daequan Cook in eighth grade. Greg wasn't even discovered then, and no one had any idea who Cook was. But the kids were bonding."
Another factor is whether Oden, widely projected to be the top pick in the 2006 NBA draft if he declares, decides to play in college. That decision could be taken out of his hands if the NBA institutes an age minimum of 20, which it is considering.
Ohio State is also high on the list of two other top-10 players in the Class of 2007: shooting guard O.J. Mayo, the No. 1 player in the class, and small forward Bill Walker, teammates at Cincinnati's North College Hill.
At the Spiece Run 'N Slam in Fort Wayne, Ind., last weekend, Mayo was asked if he'd like to see a game between Lawrence North and North College Hill during the high school season.
"Most definitely," Mayo said. "Greg is a great player. I'd love to play against him and I'd love to play with him."
The 37-year-old Matta, who was born in Hoopeston, Ill., and played basketball at Butler before graduating in 1990, has deep ties to Midwest talent pools, which are as strong as ever.
"I'm excited about the direction of the program," Ohio State associate athletic director Miechelle Willis said. "Thad and staff are tireless. They are so positive and upbeat. . . . I think that same energy has had a tremendous impact and carryover in recruiting."
Conley Sr. said he doesn't expect his son or Oden to make a commitment this weekend. He pointed to the week in April when the two were visited at school by many big-name college coaches: Matta, Skip Prosser (Wake Forest), Roy Williams (North Carolina), Bruce Weber (Illinois), Tom Izzo (Michigan State) and Mike Davis (Indiana).
"When the coaches came in, after each one (left) they were like, 'We're going there.' Then it was, 'We're going there.' And, 'We're going there.'
"They're committed to go through this whole process."
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
I have heard that Matta and staff have made this their major recruiting hook for the 06 class. Obviously, some of the kids are believing in it.
scout.com$
5/5/05
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Daequan Cook
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Final Spiece Run N’ Slam Evals & Notes
By Kyle Lamb
Date: May 5, 2005
This past weekend's Spiece Run N' Slam tournament in Ft. Wayne, Indiana saw some of the best basketball talent in the country show their stuff. Top players from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin all came to Ft. Wayne, and several players stood out as future stars. Kyle Lamb was in attendance and now checks in with a detailed scouting report on who stood out at the tournament, along with some recruiting tidbits as well
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scout.com$
5/5/05
Quote:
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Daequan Cook
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By Kyle Lamb
Date: May 5, 2005
This past weekend's Spiece Run N' Slam tournament in Ft. Wayne, Indiana saw some of the best basketball talent in the country show their stuff. Top players from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin all came to Ft. Wayne, and several players stood out as future stars. Kyle Lamb was in attendance and now checks in with a detailed scouting report on who stood out at the tournament, along with some recruiting tidbits as well
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An overview of how some of the top prospects played in the tourney....
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
scout.com$
5/6/05
Conley and Oden will be on an official visit to Ohio State this weekend.
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5/6/05
Conley and Oden will be on an official visit to Ohio State this weekend.
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ginnandjuice
Sophmore
When do they come in? Is it today through Sunday or Saturday through Monday??
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