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C Zisis Sarikopoulos (Tsmoki-Minsk - Belarus)

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DZ83CK;1747095; said:
Wow - that was a surprise. So he's not even going to play this upcoming season? Hopefully the lack of depth at C this year won't be a problem for OSU.
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To me I think the suprise is just how little news there was.

There is a rising influence, or at least the possibility, of playing in Europe and not college. This possibility is further hieghtened by backgrounds of players such as Zisis. Weighing the information at hand, Zisis getting paid to play versus sitting on the bench while DL and JS got most of the post minutes, results in a decision which is not suprising to me.
 
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Sarikopoulos might leave OSU
Sunday, August 15, 2010
By Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Reports on international basketball websites yesterday said that 7-foot center Zisis Sarikopoulos has signed or will sign a professional contract in his native Greece and forgo his final two seasons with Ohio State.

An Ohio State spokesman said Sarikopoulos, who spent the past two months in Europe playing with Greece's under-20 national team, told OSU coaches in their most recent conversation that he had not signed a contract.

But the spokesman, Dan Wallenberg, said he did not know whether Sarikopoulos indicated he will sign one, as another report indicated.

After sitting out one season following his transfer from Alabama-Birmingham in 2008, Sarikopoulos averaged six minutes in 14 games last season behind Dallas Lauderdale and Kyle Madsen. He figured to be third on the depth chart inside again this season, playing behind Lauderdale, a senior, and freshman Jared Sullinger.

Sarikopoulos' departure would make it more important for coach Thad Matta to sign a big man in the 2011 class because Sullinger is the only projected returnee inside for the 2011-12 season. Matta's preferred big man in the 2011 class, Anthony Davis of Chicago, committed to Kentucky on Friday.
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College basketball: Sarikopoulos might leave OSU | BuckeyeXtra
 
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If in fact, Z does not come back it might force Matta back in to play a zone defense to protect his big guys especially if Lighty is for us to play PG. The move by Z does it really surprise me, if it is true, because Matta wanted him to stay here this.
 
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MaxBuck;1747409; said:
Not sure I see this as a negative. If Sarikopoulos doesn't want to be here, it's best he leaves prior to the season IMO.
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I agree with you. While I love seeing great big-men come to OSU, I would gladly trade a 5-star in for a 4-star that will stay more than one year. We have seen Mullens, Kofus, and Oden come and go after only one year. None of the listed have made the big splash they thought they would in the NBA.

The mentality of a player that comes to a school for self-gain, knowing he will do a one-and-done, IMO, is there to improve their own game. The guys who come and stay 2-3 years is hear to improve themselves and the guys around them, as well as enjoy the life of a college student.

I wish this guy the best, but as already said, these are the dangers of taking a young kid that is from another country.
 
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MaxBuck;1747409; said:
Not sure I see this as a negative. If Sarikopoulos doesn't want to be here, it's best he leaves prior to the season IMO.
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Agreed. I have a hard time getting too worried about someone who's not going to play in most Big Ten games as a big deal either. If he wants to leave, that's fine with me, the win total won't be affected whether he's here or not in my opinion. We lost Madsen but add Sullinger which puts us in the same spot as last year in terms of depth except with more talent.
 
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OSU needs him to stay for this year due to "insurance" purposes (i.e., if DLaud or Sully is not able to play for several games for whatever reason, then they will need SOMEONE to be the backup C and there really don't appear to be any other viable options).
 
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starBUCKS;1747411; said:
I wonder how this would affect the APR???
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Won't hurt at all. Any player that leaves in good academic standing ( and Zisis reportedly was an honor roll student ) that signs a pro contract anywhere does not cost the program any APR points at all. The problem is if they flunk out their last quarter like Oden and Doufus did.
 
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DZ83CK;1747912; said:
OSU needs him to stay for this year due to "insurance" purposes (i.e., if DLaud or Sully is not able to play for several games for whatever reason, then they will need SOMEONE to be the backup C and there really don't appear to be any other viable options).
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I don't see this as a big deal at all. Sarikopolous was not likely going to play much anyway. I'll bet that DeShaun Thomas makes a better 3rd string center than bigZ did. I don't remember him playing that much last season or that well when he did. No lo$$ at all.

Now that Anothony Jr is off the board, anyone know who Matta might now be after for the post spot the season after next? I know he is looking at AJ Hammons for the 2012 class. Who is going to play it in the 2011-2012 season? Besides Evan Ravenel? Speaking of Ravenel, he is listed as a Forward on all of The Boston College sites I've seen. I know he is a wide-load guy, but can he play the post well or is he more of a PowerForward type? We seem to need post players the most right now.

:osu:
 
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buckeydoptimist;1748005; said:
Won't hurt at all. Any player that leaves in good academic standing ( and Zisis reportedly was an honor roll student ) that signs a pro contract anywhere does not cost the program any APR points at all. The problem is if they flunk out their last quarter like Oden and Doufus did.
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I believe it does affect APR, but to a lesser extent. The ones that leave and are not in good academic standing count as two strikes (they are referred to as "0-2" guys). Teams are given 1 point for every player in good academic standing, and 1 point for a player that remains at the institution. The APR is then calculated by earned points divided by possible points (done each semester or quarter). Since basketball has such a small team the overall possible points is small, and any additional loss in points is very damaging.
 
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Sarikopoulos is gone

http://blog.dispatch.com/hoopsscoops/2010/08/sarikopoulos_is_gone_1.shtml

Zisis Sarikopoulos has signed a three-year contract with the Greek basketball club Maroussi, the club's website reports this morning.
The 7-foot center will forgo his final two years of eligibility with the Buckeyes and leave them with scant depth inside this season with senior Dallas Lauderdale and freshman Jared Sullinger expected to play major minutes.
There are no other post players on the roster this season, and Sullinger could be the only post player returning in 2011-12 unless, as some speculate he could, he enters the NBA draft after one season.
Coach Thad Matta has made it a priority this summer to secure a big man in the 2011 recruiting class, but pickings are slim and his top target, 6-10 Anthony Davis of Chicago, made a commitment to Kentucky on Friday.
It was reported on several international basketball websites Saturday that Sarikopoulos had signed or agreed to a three-year deal with Maroussi. An Ohio State spokesman said at the time that the information was "incorrect," but it was only a matter of time before the transaction became official.
Matta has not commented on the development. Sarikopoulos has not responded to a text message and e-mail from The Dispatch seeking comment.
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