Just got back from the game. Thought I'd add some thoughts...
I was expecting a work-in-progress. They are a work in progress, but they are further along than I had been thinking. This is a surprisingly athletic team and it doesn't take a whole lot to see the kind of potential that this team has down the road. 'Tis a good call that this team isn't ranked yet, but this team is going to be a team that won't be a fun one to play against later this season.
I haven't really heard any stats (plus I wasn't really paying much attention to them during the game), but I'll give my honest assessment on these fellas for their first "game" of the season:
--The Starters--
Koufos (C) - Played like a 5*. MUCH faster than Oden getting up and down the court and always in the right spot on rebounds (his ability to find the right spot down low seemed uncanny). Plays well beyond his years (it's hard to believe he's only a freshman-- he played like an upperclassman out there). Fundamentally sound and plays very fluid. For a C, he's also a really good passer. He is the go-to guy in this offense, much the same way Oden was last year. Needs to work on his communication, and wasn't dominant on D, but both will get better with experience. Once we get into games that count, he needs to get the ball more. I said this earlier, but once this guy gets accustomed to the college game and his teammates, he's going to be unstoppable. I don't think he missed a shot when he posted up. A starter from day 1. I hope he sticks around to play with Mullens. Oh man.
Butler (PG) - Pretty impressed how he led this team. Spread the ball out a lot, didn't make stupid turnovers. Didn't shoot the ball very well, but control wise looks better than he did last year. Also noticed he seemed about 3/4 of a step faster this year. Played well but not spectacular on D. I like this year's Butler better than last years, especially when he finds his range again.
Diebler (SG) - Had his entire Upper Sandusky team sitting behind the bench tonight. Didn't shoot the ball particularly well, but he looked tentative out there tonight. His first two 3-balls were very flat, no arc. Not sure if that's how he normally shoots or whether he was just nervous. Looked like he was trying hard on D, but he is the weak link defensively at guard (looked like Ashland was picking on him at times). Picked it up a lot near the end of the game and forced a couple TO's late. Looking forward to seeing how he plays against Findley on Tuesday. He's got a lotta room for improvement.
Lighty (SF) - Looks like a different player this year and I think a lot of it has to do with confidence. Made some really athletic plays on both ends of the court. On D, looked like he was overpursing which led to some mistakes. A couple different times he went 100% on steals that he didn't get which led to point points for Ashland and another time he fouled the guy shooting a 3 (which he made). I guess I'm being picky with him on D because he was a shut-down defender for us last year. Really like what I saw out of him and want to see more.
Hunter (PF) - One of two players that sported mohawks (Lighty joined him). Seemed like the only guy that played with any agression out there. Everyone else seemed like they were letting the action come to them. Played really well in the paint, particularly on put-backs on offense. He's another guy that has improved since last year. Love his athletic ability and the spark he brings to the team when he's out there. I thought he played really well in combination with Dallas Lauderdale on D.
--Off the bench--
Wallace - One word: exciting. A young JJ Sullinger. He's ripped, he can really jump, he's athletic as all get-out, and he plays so smoothly. Didn't take too many shots from too far away from the basket, but he didn't miss the bunnies. Watch for his dunks to spark this team and the crowd this year. It looks like he thinks too much when he dribbles, but he plays really well without the ball. I'd like to see him shoot some jumpers and see more of him on D. I'd like to see him at SF and move Lighty to SG- I think those two would compliment each other really well. He's gonna be starting by the end of the season.
Hill - Wasn't expecting very much, but he surprised me. Quickest guy on the team and plays like his hair is on fire on D. If we play a Box&1, he might be the 1 because he does NOT lose his man. Impressive D. However, the first thing I noticed about his dribbling-- he takes a little hop before he makes a move on a defender that is gonna get called for traveling in a lot of games and he also got called for palming a couple different times tonight. Both of those things aren't going to be easy fixes, but he's gotta work on those if he wants to see any significant playing time relieving Butler. If he can make those changes, he's going to be an impact player off the bench. Glad we have him for 3 more years.
Lauderdale - Might have been the biggest surprise for me. I was expecting a project and he's farther ahead than I thought he was going to be. He's a half-step faster than Oden, but he's slower then the guys he will most likely be guarding (plays power forward on O but he's the center on D when we're in zone). He let Ashland get some easy putbacks. Got some good rebounds though and was on the receiving end of some great passes from Koufos and Diebler for easy buckets. I'd like to see him get two shifts a game (1 each half) in relief of a starter down low. Plays similarly to Ken Johnson his sophomore year. The light switch is not turned on yet, but you can see the potential he's got. MVP of the All-Name Team.
Madsen - Looked kinda awkward and out of place most of the time. His best play was how he spontaneously reacted to an offensive rebound and put it back in for two. Plays similar to how Twigs played early in his career. Needs to quit thinking so much and just play. On an 11 scholarship team, he's the lone 3rd stringer at this point in my book.
Terwilliger - His random 3 was a surprise from the corner. Needs some confidence. Their D left him open a couple different times and he looked for someone to pass to rather than take the wide open jumper or drive to the basket. Still plays a little stiff, but its hard not to like the heart with which he plays.
Turner - The ball didn't seem to come to him very often, so it was hard for me to get a read on him offensively. He did make some good athletic plays on D creating chances for TO's. Definetly want to see more of Evan.
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Overall, I think we have the makings of a pretty decent team here. With this team being so young, there is a TON of room for improvement and it should be a lot of fun seeing this team develope. I love how Matta focuses on our D and I think that is going to carry us through a lot of games while our O catches up. There's a surprising amount of athletic ability on this team that I thought we would be lacking with Lewis & Co leaving this past year. Koufos is a starter on any college team in the nation at C if not PF and Butler's gonna be 1st team All-Big Ten this year.
I'm a bit worried about our depth due to how young we are at this point and because of that I think we're gonna lose a game or two early that we probably shouldn't. We're gonna be outmatched against teams like North Carolina & Tennessee, but I can't wait to get revenge on Florida (circle December 22nd on your calender!). We ought to be a formidable team once we get to the Big Ten season, but I'll be happy if we finish in the top 3. I'm thinking we finish 4th in the Big Ten behind Mich St and two out of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Purdue (we'll have to see how their four 4* froshes do).
I'm so glad basketball season's almost here! OSU football AND basketball at the same time? My favorite time of year.
