Matta's One and Dones

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Only Conley was ready from that list.

Obviously Greg Oden has had injury problems (speaking mainly of the surgery) but he was ready too, I'd say.

 

[naptownbuck]

I think Buckeye fans would be more mellow and chill about these situations if we were not also hit with the unlucky combination of injuries and transfers, in addition to the one and dones. Now it is really magnified, the grand recruiting visions of a couple years ago of the Buckeye super teams are now gone. I believe Evan Turner is doing a lot for the program by returning because many would be jaded to Matta's Buckeyes if Evan left with Mullens.

But maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel? Matta can't help but learn from the attrition. He keeps bringing in top talent, and we actually return a team next season :). 3 good veteran wing players, Buford and DLaud should be very comfy, another year for Hill & Simmons, and Big Z and Walt will get valuable experience just in time to glue with the 2010 super class.

Just think, the 08/09 team (without lighty) was probably some better guard play away from making it to the round of 32.

I can't help but notice that only 2 out of the 5 seemed to genuinely enjoy their time at OSU (through both words AND actions). Koufos, Cook, and Mullens, despite their contributions just didn't seem to be happy.

This is why it is a tricky assumption to think they would have improved their fortunes by staying when they probably didn't completely buy into Matta in the first place. But on the flipside, results are what matter and I don't think people are as salty with better results.

Yeah, Cook had a slump, but he performed well at times and contributed to a great team. He got his grievances with Matta out of the way and moved on.

The other two were seen as real disappointments indivudally and teamwise, although Kosta turned it on late in the season. He just didn't leave well and many do not like him to this day. I don't like the way he left either, but he's still a Buck and I'm interested in following his career.

I really miss those guys. Every single one. Something special happens when a group of talented players enjoy playing with each other, and get some years to play together. tOSU was very fortunate to sign 3 who had a couple years under their belt before coming. It was a great run, I hope we can have another one in the next couple years. I believe in Matta. :)

Huge NBA head, even bigger Buckeye fan.

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

I'm all for Thad still recruiting 1-and-dones- may as well get the best talent. However, OSU needs guys that will buy into the program completely during their time on campus. Seems like a difficult task though, considering a lot of these high schoolers would rather be in the pros then college and just go through the motions to get that paycheck.

It is hard to turn down the kind of talent that has come through the program in the past few years, but what has that revolving door done to the program. It got us to the championship game one year. After that the steady exodus of talent has drained it. I would rather see what they do at Xavier and develop talented players for three or four years.

 

[jwinslow]

I would rather see what they do at Xavier and develop talented players for three or four years.

Matta was recruiting the big 3 at Xavier.

 

[xcrunner]

I can't help but notice that only 2 out of the 5 seemed to genuinely enjoy their time at OSU (through both words AND actions). Koufos, Cook, and Mullens, despite their contributions just didn't seem to be happy.

I agree and here's the thing.. The two that bought in the most were the 2 most ready, and quite frankly, the 2 best--Oden and Conley. Cook and Mullens both played off the bench and Koufos did not have a great season.. I think those 3 might have felt under appreciated or something, because they just did not seem to enjoy themselves. Maybe they thought they deserved to start, maybe they thought Matta should have shown them more respect and given them whatever they want, or maybe they were just frustrated that they weren't reaching expecations. I have absolutely no idea and I'm definitely not making any insinuation that they expected preferential treatment because of their high school rank. Just an observation.

 

[BrutusBobcat]

When an "off" year is an NIT championship, or an NCAA 8 seed, and 22-25 wins, I'll take it. When an "on" year is an appearance in the NCAA title game, I'll take that, too.

The one and dones are a mixed bag, but overall I think they're worth it. The one year each we had out of Conley, Oden, Cook, Koufos and Mullins were worth the schollys, and I think those teams would have accomplished less without them. The problem hasn't been the one and dones as much as it's been the lack of four year players.

In addition to transfers, note that Ron Lewis, Othello Hunter, PJ Hill, and Jeremie Simmons are players who were not/will not be in the program for four years. David Lighty will be Matta's first four year player, and possibly five year.

Matta's teams have needed leadership. Transfer Ron Lewis provided a lot of that in the NCAA run, and we saw the strength of a senior-laden team in Donovan's Florida squad that year. Note that he hasn't fielded anything close to that since, despite some pretty good recruiting classes.

Obviously, we won't have any one and dones next year, since you need to have some actual Freshmen. The 2010 class looks like a good one, but no one jumps out at me yet as an obvious one and done. We'll see how Sullinger develops.

Mostly, we've had the one and done guys at center, which is a high priority position for teams in the Association. Sarikopolis looks like a guy who will need to stick around and develop, but I think both he and Dallas will complete their eligibility here. Steady improvement from both will keep our center play solid.

The one and done who hurt the most was Conley. Cook's production was replaced by Turner and now Buford. Each Center replaced the other, so if any one of them had stayed, we'd be fine. You can't play three centers. :)

Of the three, Oden was by far the most talented and strongest contributor. If you could keep one, he'd be the guy.

 

[OH10]

I don't want to keep this thread going in a negative direction (we should be celebrating OSU becoming an NBA factory)

but...

I can't help but notice that only 2 out of the 5 seemed to genuinely enjoy their time at OSU (through both words AND actions). Koufos, Cook, and Mullens, despite their contributions just didn't seem to be happy.

I'm all for Thad still recruiting 1-and-dones- may as well get the best talent. However, OSU needs guys that will buy into the program completely during their time on campus. Seems like a difficult task though, considering a lot of these high schoolers would rather be in the pros then college and just go through the motions to get that paycheck.

I share this concern. I really do wish nothing but the best for these guys at the next level and in life after basketball. But its difficult for me and for others who obviously have a special bond with the university to understand how these young people could have disliked their time at Ohio State that much.

That's my only concern with Cook, Koufos and Mullens. They didn't like at at Ohio State, and that's makes it difficult to cheer them on as true Buckeyes.

 

[Sportsbuck28]

That's my only concern with Cook, Koufos and Mullens. They didn't like at at Ohio State, and that's makes it difficult to cheer them on as true Buckeyes.

If they put on that Buckeye uniform and gave 100% then they are a true Buckeye.

 

[GrizzlyBuck]

If they put on that Buckeye uniform and gave 100% then they are a true Buckeye.

Agreed, they each had their own reasons for what seemed an apparent dislike of some of their time here, but all were Buckeyes. I think Cook wanted more playing time, Koufos had expected Dallas to be good enough to help in the low post so he could show off his mid-range and three point shot as well as his passing ability.

That said, Cook seems to have some cockiness that will help him in the long run and KK seems to have a bit of a mean streak as well.

BJ is the one that concerns me the most, because I'm just not sure why he did not seem to be happy here. I obviously have no idea of his role in team chemistry, and if I remember right a player, I think Diebs, spoke very highly of his love of tOSU and unselfishness when it came to the team. I hope the young man has that killer edge under the surface, because the NBA is a league for men, and it will be unforgiving if he lacks the desire to exceed and to crush his foes on the court. And given the situtations the NBA coaches are in, win now or get fired, they may not have the patience for him to develop his talent.

I hope in a few years to be rooting all of the former tOSU bball players on including, hopefully some 2, 3, and 4 year players, they all have my best wishes for their futures.

 

[ysubuck]

BJ didn't show much maturity during his time at Ohio State.

He would sulk, walk away from Matta before he was finished talking, hang his head.

I think he looked at his time at Ohio State as just that...time. He put in his time and as soon as he was able he punched his ticket to the NBA. Will he be a success in the NBA? I doubt it. It's not like you can just push a button and develop a work ethic. Maybe he will and for his sake I truly hope that he does.

As far as the discussion goes I believe that the staff needs to re think their recruiting and start to go after the good talent that they believe they can develop into great talent. Guys that will stay 3 years. Xavier can do it. Villanova can too. Especially the guards. I love PJ and Jeremie but they might have been the least talented guards in the entire tournament. That just shouldn't happen at Ohio State.

 

[Oh8ch]

As far as the discussion goes I believe that the staff needs to re think their recruiting and start to go after the good talent that they believe they can develop into great talent.

What has happened the past three seasons is indeed frustrating, but in the past five seasons we have won two Big Ten titles and gone to the NCAA Championship game.

Prior to Matta we won two titles in the preceding 12 years. Prior to that it was two titles in 21 years. Matta has accomplished as much in five seasons as any OSU coach in their entire tenure since Fred Taylor. Let's not let Matta's success lead us to believe that we are more than we are. We are not Duke, UNC or UCLA. We are not in basketball what we are in football. These ARE the up years.

Three of the five players under discussion took us to the NCAA title game. Surely that was worth it. So the discussion boils down to Koufas and Mullens. As for those two - shit happens.

Let's see what a team that started zero upperclassmen and made the tourney does when it returns all four - the very "developed" players you are asking for - before we start calling for new directions.

That said, I sure wanted Raymar Morgan and Chris Wright.

 

[Snappy_Jay]

When I heard Mullens was leaving I think I was just as shocked as when I heard Kosta was leaving last year. I think they both should've stayed at lest 1 more year to help mature their game. They have size which you can't teach but the skills just weren't there yet. Then again if I'm a 19 year old kid that is 7' tall and someone flashes $$$$ in front of me I think I'd take it too. I know people talk about the injury thing and One of my old college teamates I played baseball with at Malone College in Canton was a prime example. Troy Thompson was his name he was from Claymont HS and was drafted in the expansion draft by the Marlins but he wanted to play one more year in college. Tore a ligament in hhis elbow and never played again. I also look at the same situation Antonio Pittman was in. He left early, was he ready ? I don't think so but then again he knew in the back of his mind Beanie was gonna "BE THE MAN" the next year. With all these great recruits Thad gets I think some of these big guys feel the same way and that comes from having no confidence in your own ability. Oden Cook and Conley all had that "swagger" as does Terrelle on the FB team. It's not being cocky but if you don't have that confidence at this level you will be eaten alive. Mullens IMHO didn't live up to the hype. Neither did Kosta or Cook. I think 1 more year would've made a huge difference in their games. Conley exceeded my expectations of him and Oden well we all knew what that was gonna be like lol. I see good thing to come for the OSU hoops team. I look at the past year and ET just came out of nowhere. I see him having that "swagger" he seems to just say "ok boys hop on my back I'll take you home" Next year is gonna be scary with Lighty ET and the whole crew. Although I have to say my favorite player is PJ "the spider monkey" Hill the guy is like a chipmunk on crack how fast he is. Can we throw some pads on him and line him up like LSU did Holliday? LOL GO BUCKS!!!

 

[Onebuckfan]

There needs to be more honesty between the coaches and recruits. If a BJ Mullens or a Koufus,etc are going to be one and done they need to be honest with the staff. Likewise if the staff knows a recruit is one and done they need to play them and develop them in that year or don't recruit them. Devolping a Mullens or Koufus for next year when you know they will be gone is a waste of resources. Playem35 min a game or pass on them! One -and Done will work..with the right recruits..also many here in Illinois think Thad is a great developer of talent over a 3 or 4 year period and dont understand why he isn't recruiting to his strengths.Obviously you don't pass on an Oden or Anthony but more balance at least is needed.

 

[jwinslow]

There was no confusion or deception about what the past two centers were doing.

Mullens doesn't warrant 35 min a game at this point either.

 

[LitlBuck]

There needs to be more honesty between the coaches and recruits. If a BJ Mullens or a Koufus,etc are going to be one and done they need to be honest with the staff. Likewise if the staff knows a recruit is one and done they need to play them and develop them in that year or don't recruit them.

I think when a coach is recruiting a player who is extremely talented that they have some idea that the kid might be a one and done player. I know that it would be nice for the player to tell the coach that he only intends to stay in school for one year but is that realistic. What if he would tell the coach, that he would stay for 2-3 years but after the first year when the money starts to talk he decides to leave. The coach has no recourse because you cannot write then into a LOI that a player must stay at your school for x number of years.

Re: developing the player while he is in college. I don't think you can do that if there would be detrimental to the team. You can't sacrifice the team to develop a player so that he would be more ready for the NBA.

I really don't know how other coaches do it but they seem to get talented players who are willing to stay for 3-4 years. I think the problem with Coach Matta began when all three of the guys decided to leave at once. I think that blindsided him and has thrown the class members out of whack.

If your classes aren't evenly distributed and a couple guys decide to leave early especially after only one year,it really puts the coach behind the eight ball because he then has to scramble to see if he can find someone to fill that player's role and that is not only is easy when it is so late in the recruiting process.

Hopefully in the coming years, Coach Matta will be able to balance his classes out and when a new CBA is reached all high school players will have to stay for at least 2 years once they enter college. That rule would solve almost everything.