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PF/C Kosta Koufos (CSKA Moscow)

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Dispatch

Ohio State men's basketball
Physical play in Big Ten forces Koufos to adjust

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:53 AM
By Bob Baptist


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
0115koufos200.jpg
KYLE ROBERTSON | DISPATCH
Ohio State's Kosta Koufos, shooting against Iowa, hasn't been as effective since the start of Big Ten play.


The dream was to have 7-foot Kosta Koufos play forward next to 7-foot Greg Oden at center. Ohio State would have been in back-to-back national championship games in football and basketball, then, and probably even won one.
The reality this season, though, has Koufos on the low block once occupied by Oden. The Canton-born freshman with the Greek lineage acknowledges he's a round peg on that square on the floor.
"My style of play is more of a European style of play, in and out. I'm more comfortable facing up to the basket than putting my back to the basket," he said.
But, he added, "Right now the Ohio State Buckeyes need a true (center), and I need to develop myself into that."
The growing pains have grown more acute the past two weeks with the start of Big Ten play. They figure to heighten tonight when the Buckeyes play at No.11 Michigan State, where bruises have been badges of honor for years.
"I'm looking forward to it," Koufos said. "I'm excited for it."

Continued......
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His best game is 15ft and in, off the bounce and on the block with his ability to shoot over smaller defenders and use the glass...He can also take advantage of the pick and pop much like Twig is doing with Jamar...

He is going to learn, but right now he is letting his struggles get to his head and is trying to shoot his way out of that slump...
 
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crazybuckfan40 said:
His best game is 15ft and in, off the bounce and on the block with his ability to shoot over smaller defenders and use the glass...He can also take advantage of the pick and pop much like Twig is doing with Jamar...

He is going to learn, but right now he is letting his struggles get to his head and is trying to shoot his way out of that slump...
Click to expand...
id say hes best at 8-12 feet maybe out to 16. when he gets much further than that away from the basket he tends to disengage from the offense and the team...
 
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I'm sick of the pick and roll with Koufus 22 feet from the hoop. I was hoping that Matta would realize that it wasn't working after we scored 3 points in about 7 minutes. I have never seen a team just dribble around the 3 point line around picks for almost an entire half like we did the first 17 minutes of the first half last night.

At some point we nee to post up KK, Hunter, and Twigs. These guys spend 75% of their time setting picks out on the three point line.
 
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OSUBasketballJunkie;1067454; said:
CPD

On another note, during one of the late first half timeouts by Coach Matta, I saw KK yelling at Twigs........not a very good night for KK.
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I saw that also. It was right after MSU scored a basket inside. I think KK was yelling at Twig blaming him for not being in position. I wondered if KK your thought it might be his fault.
Also, this is the last time I will make this statement this season but if he is a lottery pick I think I might declare.
 
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OSUBasketballJunkie;1063075; said:
It is not a question of IF he is ready.....it is about potential. We all went through the same situation last year with Cook and Conley.
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Conley was ready though. Cook wasn't and it probably affected his draft stock. He was supposed to be a lottery pick coming into Ohio St. but fell into the 20's when he left.
 
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