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- Thread starter crazybuckfan40
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DZ83CK
Not Banned
billmac91;1303758; said:
Well, not really on the defensive end. BJ seems to get outside of the paint a lot on defense. Maybe on the offensive end he could dominate, but his teammates have to get him the ball. I remember one possession when he was open & calling for the ball & Hill (I think) had the ball at the arc but didn't pass the ball to BJ. This is an area where a guy like Madsen can be helpful - getting multiple guys out there who can make entry passes from different spots on the floor. I think Crater made a nice entry pass to BJ once.
BJ has to get consistent with establishing position & if he does that & his teammates get him the ball, then he'll score a lot of points. Of course, they weren't double-teaming him today, so he's going to have to deal with things like that when they come. They definitely seemed pretty focused on getting him the ball. They weren't as focused in getting Dallas the ball (despite the coaches' prodding), but Dallas didn't seem to post up defenders as well as BJ did.
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DZ83CK
Not Banned
CHU noted that there was a Matta interview on 1460 (Thursday), here is the link:
1460 The Fan : The Big Show :: 1460 The Fan :: Your #1 Source for Sports :: Columbus, Ohio
^^ interview is in the 6:00 hour, shortly before the 45:00 mark of that hour. You don't really need to listen to it, because I have made a fairly representative transcription of Matta's remarks below. His motive behind coming on the air was getting the word out about the open practice on Saturday from 4-5 in the Schott.
Matta's comments:
- they have a long way to go, for a lot of reasons, #1 so many new faces ? one of the biggest challenges is trying to coach the system, teach the system but at the same time build habits & break bad habits. For the new guys it?s been a completely different world with how they?re practicing and really the competition that they?re going against ? they need to get a mindset that every play is vitally important & something good has to come out of every possession.
- veteran players are getting a little bit better, they?ve got a feel for what they?re trying to get accomplished each segment of practice; with the newer players, they?re having moments where they?re getting the job done. Coach says he tells the new guys all the time that he?ll take consistency over greatness ... that?s the big challenge for all their guys to really hone in on just playing consistent and what they have to do. A guy like Jeremie Simmons at times has been good, he has shown he can really shoot the ball. Anthony Crater, is a guy who Matta keeps seeing steady improvement in. BJ is coming along , just trying to get the feel, the read on his catches. A guy like Walter Offutt, he just brings it and plays extremely hard, which coach loves, he may not know exactly what he?s doing, but he is playing very hard. William Buford will show some signs every now and then but he is one of those guys who needs to understand the importance of every single possession.
- coach agrees that they?re deeper in the backcourt this year ... [talks about Butler being brought along slowly his FR year, coming on in February] ... says he?s been preaching to these guys that they don?t have the luxury of bringing guys along [like Butler was brought along] ... he thinks it?s going to be a situation where they have to, by committee to get guys to understand how to handle the ball and run the team.
- Anthony is more of a true PG than Jeremie; Anthony is explosive, he can get inside the defense; Jeremie is a more ? he can catch and shoot the ball & he?s done a nice job of knocking shots down, so there?s a little bit of a contrast between those two, which coach likes because he can get a couple different things out of each of them.
- thinks BJ is definitely going to make an impact; the biggest thing is consistent play and continuing to learn; coach gives him credit because he thinks he wants to be a great player, he?s coachable, and he?s doing a good job of coming along. The big thing for him is consistent effort that has to be given both offensively and defensively that he?s still in the beginning stages of.
- feels like it really started to click for Dallas in March of last year; Dallas is a very intelligent kid, he?s a very gifted athlete & he?s really done a nice job of piecing together everything he?s supposed to do & he has some toughness to him; coach?s been very pleased with the progress he?s been making.
- coach has been very, very pleased with David; he?s a guy whose motor never quits running, he has that ability to keep coming at you; they?ve been talking in a staff meeting about how he started his first seven games his freshman year because of his ultra-competitiveness; feels like David?s always been a guy who?s had a chip on his shoulder; coach has been very pleased with what he?s brought to the table so far.
- coach has been very pleased with the progress that Jon has made; he appears to be more comfortable; one of the big things they?ve talked about with him in the offseason & into this year was slowing things down in his mind; last year, at times he was pressing so hard to put the ball in the basket, now it just seems that he?s slowed his game down, which, coach guesses that?s the natural curve for finishing your freshman year and going into your sophomore year ... Jon?s done a very nice job with that.
- Evan?s had a very good off-season and has shown, the things he was doing last year, he?s a little bit better at them. The thing with Evan is keeping him on the up-and-up and keeping his mind right ... maybe if something doesn?t go well for him he?s gotta get on and play forward with it
- they definitely will play ET, WB and DLighty at the same time, no doubt about that; they?re getting to the stage that they?re looking at some different combinations ... two posts, four guards, just a lot of different scenarios; coach says, to be honest with you, he?s looking for five guys to play as hard as they can possibly play.
- still waiting on word on Kecman?s eligibility, hope to find out something real soon on; he?s done a very good job, he?s something they don?t have out there because he can definitely shoot the ball & he?s got some maturity about him, being older; one of the big things with him is getting him to learn the defensive system and what he has to do defensively of keeping guys in front of him and getting the rebounding position, but he?s something they don?t have out there.
- [whether they will go 5-on-5 or just practice during the open practice] depends on how much better they get the next couple of days ... coach says he?s told the guys the other day that they?re not ready to scrimmage yet ... they have to get a lot better before they do that on Saturday; coach hopes to do some scrimmaging - that?s the game-plan now, thinks it?s great for the fans to get a peek of who?s out there; they have had a few people to watch practice & they all need a roster sheet to tell who?s who, but by the same token, it?s great for their players because it puts people in the stands and puts them in a semi-game environment where they have to function.
1460 The Fan : The Big Show :: 1460 The Fan :: Your #1 Source for Sports :: Columbus, Ohio
^^ interview is in the 6:00 hour, shortly before the 45:00 mark of that hour. You don't really need to listen to it, because I have made a fairly representative transcription of Matta's remarks below. His motive behind coming on the air was getting the word out about the open practice on Saturday from 4-5 in the Schott.
Matta's comments:
- they have a long way to go, for a lot of reasons, #1 so many new faces ? one of the biggest challenges is trying to coach the system, teach the system but at the same time build habits & break bad habits. For the new guys it?s been a completely different world with how they?re practicing and really the competition that they?re going against ? they need to get a mindset that every play is vitally important & something good has to come out of every possession.
- veteran players are getting a little bit better, they?ve got a feel for what they?re trying to get accomplished each segment of practice; with the newer players, they?re having moments where they?re getting the job done. Coach says he tells the new guys all the time that he?ll take consistency over greatness ... that?s the big challenge for all their guys to really hone in on just playing consistent and what they have to do. A guy like Jeremie Simmons at times has been good, he has shown he can really shoot the ball. Anthony Crater, is a guy who Matta keeps seeing steady improvement in. BJ is coming along , just trying to get the feel, the read on his catches. A guy like Walter Offutt, he just brings it and plays extremely hard, which coach loves, he may not know exactly what he?s doing, but he is playing very hard. William Buford will show some signs every now and then but he is one of those guys who needs to understand the importance of every single possession.
- coach agrees that they?re deeper in the backcourt this year ... [talks about Butler being brought along slowly his FR year, coming on in February] ... says he?s been preaching to these guys that they don?t have the luxury of bringing guys along [like Butler was brought along] ... he thinks it?s going to be a situation where they have to, by committee to get guys to understand how to handle the ball and run the team.
- Anthony is more of a true PG than Jeremie; Anthony is explosive, he can get inside the defense; Jeremie is a more ? he can catch and shoot the ball & he?s done a nice job of knocking shots down, so there?s a little bit of a contrast between those two, which coach likes because he can get a couple different things out of each of them.
- thinks BJ is definitely going to make an impact; the biggest thing is consistent play and continuing to learn; coach gives him credit because he thinks he wants to be a great player, he?s coachable, and he?s doing a good job of coming along. The big thing for him is consistent effort that has to be given both offensively and defensively that he?s still in the beginning stages of.
- feels like it really started to click for Dallas in March of last year; Dallas is a very intelligent kid, he?s a very gifted athlete & he?s really done a nice job of piecing together everything he?s supposed to do & he has some toughness to him; coach?s been very pleased with the progress he?s been making.
- coach has been very, very pleased with David; he?s a guy whose motor never quits running, he has that ability to keep coming at you; they?ve been talking in a staff meeting about how he started his first seven games his freshman year because of his ultra-competitiveness; feels like David?s always been a guy who?s had a chip on his shoulder; coach has been very pleased with what he?s brought to the table so far.
- coach has been very pleased with the progress that Jon has made; he appears to be more comfortable; one of the big things they?ve talked about with him in the offseason & into this year was slowing things down in his mind; last year, at times he was pressing so hard to put the ball in the basket, now it just seems that he?s slowed his game down, which, coach guesses that?s the natural curve for finishing your freshman year and going into your sophomore year ... Jon?s done a very nice job with that.
- Evan?s had a very good off-season and has shown, the things he was doing last year, he?s a little bit better at them. The thing with Evan is keeping him on the up-and-up and keeping his mind right ... maybe if something doesn?t go well for him he?s gotta get on and play forward with it
- they definitely will play ET, WB and DLighty at the same time, no doubt about that; they?re getting to the stage that they?re looking at some different combinations ... two posts, four guards, just a lot of different scenarios; coach says, to be honest with you, he?s looking for five guys to play as hard as they can possibly play.
- still waiting on word on Kecman?s eligibility, hope to find out something real soon on; he?s done a very good job, he?s something they don?t have out there because he can definitely shoot the ball & he?s got some maturity about him, being older; one of the big things with him is getting him to learn the defensive system and what he has to do defensively of keeping guys in front of him and getting the rebounding position, but he?s something they don?t have out there.
- [whether they will go 5-on-5 or just practice during the open practice] depends on how much better they get the next couple of days ... coach says he?s told the guys the other day that they?re not ready to scrimmage yet ... they have to get a lot better before they do that on Saturday; coach hopes to do some scrimmaging - that?s the game-plan now, thinks it?s great for the fans to get a peek of who?s out there; they have had a few people to watch practice & they all need a roster sheet to tell who?s who, but by the same token, it?s great for their players because it puts people in the stands and puts them in a semi-game environment where they have to function.
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LitlBuck
Kevin Warren is an ass
After reading what Thad has said, I think there might even be a possibility of having Crater, Simmons, Turner, and Lighty on the floor at the same time with Buford and Diebler rotating in and out with those guys depending if he wants to go big or small. It sounds like Crater is more of a PG while Simmons is like a 1 1/2:)
He certainly does have a lot of guys that can do something very well like Hill being a team leader and really playing well in man-to-man defense. It sounds like Dallas has been improving since March and he can really bring some rebounding and defense to the team. I don't think he is that great of a scorer but will get his points around the basket.
I am happy to hear that they will be playing more man-to-man this year because the zone defense just gives a too many easy outside shots and, as we saw last year, does not lend itself to very good rebounding.
I think Mullens will be fine after a few games. I think with all the offense that we have he really doesn't need to contribute that many points but his rebounding and defense will offset the lack of points. I think between him and Dallas we will get enough points out of that position.
Things are sounding very good with a lot of different players seeking playing time. Competition is always good and will just make this team that much deeper and allow for more playing time for different players during the games which will bring the intensity up.
He certainly does have a lot of guys that can do something very well like Hill being a team leader and really playing well in man-to-man defense. It sounds like Dallas has been improving since March and he can really bring some rebounding and defense to the team. I don't think he is that great of a scorer but will get his points around the basket.
I am happy to hear that they will be playing more man-to-man this year because the zone defense just gives a too many easy outside shots and, as we saw last year, does not lend itself to very good rebounding.
I think Mullens will be fine after a few games. I think with all the offense that we have he really doesn't need to contribute that many points but his rebounding and defense will offset the lack of points. I think between him and Dallas we will get enough points out of that position.
Things are sounding very good with a lot of different players seeking playing time. Competition is always good and will just make this team that much deeper and allow for more playing time for different players during the games which will bring the intensity up.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
I am just hoping for consistent play from whoever ends up at the point guard position..........we need production and the ability to control the tempo.......
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buckeydoptimist
certified hoops nut
I'm not dismissing the possibility for Simmons to play some 2G, if we need his shooting there, but I read TM's comments as Crater and Simmons bring different looks to the PG, more than that both will play together. Crater being more of a penetrator ( like say a Conley tho obviously not at that level yet ) and Simmons more of a scoring/shooting point ( like Butler was ).
It is interesting that Hill wasn't mentioned, as some had said he may have been ahead of the other PGs in open gyms coming into the practice season.
It is interesting that Hill wasn't mentioned, as some had said he may have been ahead of the other PGs in open gyms coming into the practice season.
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its going to be a fun year to watch the Hoosiers
crazybuckfan40
Head Coach
Wasn't able to attend, but from many first hand accounts that I have talked to here is what I heard...
Crater - seemed to really have command out there, didn't shoot the ball, but right now looks to be our best option...Will probably need to take shots come later in the season or teams are going to back off him like they tried to with Conley when he was here...
Simmons - seems to be more of an offguard, can really shoot the rock from the outside...Not a great creator from the pg spot, but will put it on the floor and score...From reports reminds me of Jekel when he was here...
Buford - Should be able to light up the scoreboard at times here...Still needs to get better defensively and get bigger...
Lighty - True leader of this team, and looking to take his game to another level...
Turner - He has taken his game to another level...Did lots of bringing the ball up the court, which is something that I think we will see with him as a point forward type role...Couple of nice spin moves for scores...Will need to cut down turnovers...
Diebler - shot the ball well yesterday, and looked better defensively...If he can shoot the rock with consistency he will stay on the court...If not then he might not...
Offut - Great defensively...Great first step on offense...Lacks a true all around offensive game tho with a midrange game and jump shot...
Mullens - struggled to score around the basket yesterday...think it could take him a couple games into the season to get used to always playing guys his size, but he has the talent there, and can score around the basket...Forced some jumpers yesterday as well...needs to play all the time as well...
Lauderdale - Really really improved...Lost weight, and looks good...Probably the best defensive presence in the paint, and had a monster jam yesterday...Still not great touch around the basket...
Hill - I have been kinda expecting big things from him...Not sure we see him as the starter tho, but I do think he will see time as the primary backup, in the 4out 1 in as Simmons should be seeing time at the 2g...Still much improved...
Madsen and Kecman - from what I hear both could provide valuable minutes...Gonna get shooting from Kecman and another big body with Madsen, but nothing to flashy with either one...
Z - with who I talked to most were pretty impressed with athletically...Not quite as athletic as Mullens and Lauderdale, but not a stiff...Should be able to contribute in his role as a backup C next year...
Crater - seemed to really have command out there, didn't shoot the ball, but right now looks to be our best option...Will probably need to take shots come later in the season or teams are going to back off him like they tried to with Conley when he was here...
Simmons - seems to be more of an offguard, can really shoot the rock from the outside...Not a great creator from the pg spot, but will put it on the floor and score...From reports reminds me of Jekel when he was here...
Buford - Should be able to light up the scoreboard at times here...Still needs to get better defensively and get bigger...
Lighty - True leader of this team, and looking to take his game to another level...
Turner - He has taken his game to another level...Did lots of bringing the ball up the court, which is something that I think we will see with him as a point forward type role...Couple of nice spin moves for scores...Will need to cut down turnovers...
Diebler - shot the ball well yesterday, and looked better defensively...If he can shoot the rock with consistency he will stay on the court...If not then he might not...
Offut - Great defensively...Great first step on offense...Lacks a true all around offensive game tho with a midrange game and jump shot...
Mullens - struggled to score around the basket yesterday...think it could take him a couple games into the season to get used to always playing guys his size, but he has the talent there, and can score around the basket...Forced some jumpers yesterday as well...needs to play all the time as well...
Lauderdale - Really really improved...Lost weight, and looks good...Probably the best defensive presence in the paint, and had a monster jam yesterday...Still not great touch around the basket...
Hill - I have been kinda expecting big things from him...Not sure we see him as the starter tho, but I do think he will see time as the primary backup, in the 4out 1 in as Simmons should be seeing time at the 2g...Still much improved...
Madsen and Kecman - from what I hear both could provide valuable minutes...Gonna get shooting from Kecman and another big body with Madsen, but nothing to flashy with either one...
Z - with who I talked to most were pretty impressed with athletically...Not quite as athletic as Mullens and Lauderdale, but not a stiff...Should be able to contribute in his role as a backup C next year...
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DZ83CK
Not Banned
I saw two practices (Thursday and Saturday).
Just looking at Saturday ...
Offutt really stood out in a good way. He was making a lot of plays on both ends of the court. He actually looked like one of our better players out there. He has to work on avoiding turnovers and his perimeter shooting, which is probably going to be pretty poor this year.
Buford hit some shots. I think he's ticketed for a 6th man role ala Cook. He has a real smooth shot that when he's on it doesn't hit rim.
Crater is a true PG, Simmons is more in of a scoring point. Simmons is a guy who really takes care of the ball well - he makes some errors of aggression trying to attack the defense, but otherwise not so many. Simmons showed the ability to sneak into the lane and hit the floater and is definitely a guy you can't leave open on the perimeter because he'll make you pay. Crater is like Offutt in that his jumper just isn't falling. I don't see how you can start a guy who's a poor shooter - he just doesn't put the same kind of pressure on the defense as Simmons does.
Lighty looked very strong & is a guy who should shoot over 40% on 3s this year. Of all of OSU's players, Lighty looks like the best candidate for all-Big 10 honors.
Turner didn't do much. I saw one nice drive to the hoop by Turner, other than that he was very quiet. He couldn't handle a pass from BJ at one point, but it was a bad pass by BJ.
Diebs looked better than last year, doing better shooting the ball and being more aggressive in taking it to the basket off the dribble.
BJ has a lot of work to do in refining his low-post shots. Practicing against Dallas should do wonders for him in that regard - he's not going to face guys as tough as Dallas in games very often. BJ isn't as efficient as he needs to be, and this is only against one guy let alone the double teams he's likely to encounter.
Dallas looks like a different guy body-wise. He showed some flashes, but really needs to refine his half-hook and generally do a little better converting his shots. He doesn't commit as many mistakes as BJ (e.g., turnovers, charges), that's for sure.
Madsen is clearly preferable to Kecman. Kecman couldn't keep up with the pace of the scrimmage and kept getting blocking fouls. He also turned it over a couple of times. Kecman should not make the rotation, IMO. Madsen really can't play the 5 against most opponents, but he has enough savvy and skill to be a valuable reserve at the 4. Hill didn't really do anything to stand out.
Just looking at Saturday ...
Offutt really stood out in a good way. He was making a lot of plays on both ends of the court. He actually looked like one of our better players out there. He has to work on avoiding turnovers and his perimeter shooting, which is probably going to be pretty poor this year.
Buford hit some shots. I think he's ticketed for a 6th man role ala Cook. He has a real smooth shot that when he's on it doesn't hit rim.
Crater is a true PG, Simmons is more in of a scoring point. Simmons is a guy who really takes care of the ball well - he makes some errors of aggression trying to attack the defense, but otherwise not so many. Simmons showed the ability to sneak into the lane and hit the floater and is definitely a guy you can't leave open on the perimeter because he'll make you pay. Crater is like Offutt in that his jumper just isn't falling. I don't see how you can start a guy who's a poor shooter - he just doesn't put the same kind of pressure on the defense as Simmons does.
Lighty looked very strong & is a guy who should shoot over 40% on 3s this year. Of all of OSU's players, Lighty looks like the best candidate for all-Big 10 honors.
Turner didn't do much. I saw one nice drive to the hoop by Turner, other than that he was very quiet. He couldn't handle a pass from BJ at one point, but it was a bad pass by BJ.
Diebs looked better than last year, doing better shooting the ball and being more aggressive in taking it to the basket off the dribble.
BJ has a lot of work to do in refining his low-post shots. Practicing against Dallas should do wonders for him in that regard - he's not going to face guys as tough as Dallas in games very often. BJ isn't as efficient as he needs to be, and this is only against one guy let alone the double teams he's likely to encounter.
Dallas looks like a different guy body-wise. He showed some flashes, but really needs to refine his half-hook and generally do a little better converting his shots. He doesn't commit as many mistakes as BJ (e.g., turnovers, charges), that's for sure.
Madsen is clearly preferable to Kecman. Kecman couldn't keep up with the pace of the scrimmage and kept getting blocking fouls. He also turned it over a couple of times. Kecman should not make the rotation, IMO. Madsen really can't play the 5 against most opponents, but he has enough savvy and skill to be a valuable reserve at the 4. Hill didn't really do anything to stand out.
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