Recruiting One and Done Players

[mross34]

Another issue, especially in OSU's case, as opposed to a UNC or Duke or Kentucky, is that there doesn't to seem as much of a deep-rooted relationship with the program. I don't see OSU being a "dream school" for a lot of these kids when they were younger, so there isn't necessarily the same attachment to the school that there is with a premier program like those I mentioned. Heck throw in IU, UCLA, Uconn, as well as several other....

I don't want to say these guys are mercenaries because that comes with far more connotation than is intended, but it just seems that OSU right now is still just a stepping-stone to the NBA. If OSU continues to win and can get to the level of an MSU (quite away off, I know), I think we may find more guys sticking around for an extra year or three.

The problem I see lies in the fact that Ohio State's recent basketball tradition pales in comparison to many, many other schools. There are not a lot of kids out there who were diehard tOSU basketball fans growing up and those are the kids who go to Michigan State, North Carolina, Kansas, Duke and stay for 3-4 years.

Echo?

 

[akronbuck]

Yes, the one and gone bothers all but, at least OSU will have a lot of PRO PLAYERS to give :osu: credit

 

[NFBuck]

Eh, it's a slippery slope. In one sense, you want the high profile names to bolster your recruiting reputation. In another, when your core players are leaving every year or two, it's hard to develop the team chemistry necessary to make a deep run in March. Look at next year, assuming B.J. leaves, there's another hole to fill. Not to mention the possibility of ET (I know what he's said, I still think he's gone) and possibly even Buford (wouldn't shock me), and you're starting over AGAIN next season.

I love watching Buckeye basketball, been following since the Dennis Hopson days. But, in all honesty, I don't have a quarter the emotional investment I do with the football program nowadays. There's such a revolving door the past couple years that you just don't get attached to the players like you do in football.

 

[DaytonBuck]

You have to go after the one and done guys. The reason this is even an issue for is that there's been a lack of elite 3/4 years guy on the team. I guarantee UCLA isn't sorry they recruited Kevin Love or Memphis with Derrick Rose or UNC with Marvin Williams.

The teams that consistently contend for Final 4 fours have the foundation in place to absorb some one and done losses and keep on rolling.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Echo?

What, now I'm supposed to read what other people to have to say first? Fuck this, I'm going to the ESPN boards.

 

[DaytonBuck]

Our biggest problem hasn't been Oden, Cook, Conley and KK. It's been the lack of Jamar Butlers and Terrance Dials.

 

[LitlBuck]

What, now I'm supposed to read what other people to have to say first? [censored] this, I'm going to the ESPN boards.

I understand what you and your "echo" are saying but I guess my question is how do we get back to that tradition. I think we sort of had it when Gary Williams was here. He could recruit the best Ohio kids and also went national for a couple others.

I guess I can see recruiting one one and done player a year but that player should be a difference maker the minute he steps on the court at Ohio State. The only guy in the past several years who I would call that type of difference maker would be Oden.

 

[DaytonBuck]

I understand what you and your "echo" are saying but I guess my question is how do we get back to that tradition. I think we sort of had it when Gary Williams was here. He could recruit the best Ohio kids and also went national for a couple others.

I guess I can see recruiting one one and done player a year but that player should be a difference maker the minute he steps on the court at Ohio State. The only guy in the past several years who I would call that type of difference maker would be Oden.

I'd say Conley would be in the difference maker group. To me it's not about getting the Ohio guys. It's getting people like Mario Chalmers, Ty Lawson, Hansflopper, Antonio Anderson, Terrance Williams, Thabeet etc. 3/4 year guys who can be all conference caliber players.

Imagine how good this team would be if we had Jeff Teague from Wake as our PG. He's from Indianapolis.

 

[LitlBuck]

I'd say Conley would be in the difference maker group. To me it's not about getting the Ohio guys. It's getting people like Mario Chalmers, Ty Lawson, Hansflopper, Antonio Anderson, Terrance Williams, Thabeet etc. 3/4 year guys who can be all conference caliber players.

Imagine how good this team would be if we had Jeff Teague from Wake as our PG. He's from Indianapolis.

I knew as soon as I made my post that someone was going to come back with Conley. Mika was a very very PG but my point was that you take away Oden how far does that team go. Take away Mike and the same question. I guess the question is if you had your choice who would you take and my answer is Oden. He was a game changer.

I also think that Matta might be putting too much emphasis on out-of-state recruiting which, in a way, can hurt tradition building. I know I will take heat for that statement also but that is my opinion.

 

[DaytonBuck]

I knew as soon as I made my post that someone was going to come back with Conley. Mika was a very very PG but my point was that you take away Oden how far does that team go. Take away Mike and the same question. I guess the question is if you had your choice who would you take and my answer is Oden. He was a game changer.

I also think that Matta might be putting too much emphasis on out-of-state recruiting which, in a way, can hurt tradition building. I know I will take heat for that statement also but that is my opinion.

I like in Ohio recruiting but who in the last 4 years from Ohio that we didn't get would you take?

 

[LitlBuck]

I like in Ohio recruiting but who in the last 4 years from Ohio that we didn't get would you take?

Look at Dayton and X and you will get quite a bit of your answer. I did not say all 13 guys had to be from Ohio that would be totally unrealistic.

 

[DaytonBuck]

[FONT=verdana,geneva]Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut, C, Jr.
Terrence Williams, Louisville, F, Sr.,
Jerel McNeal, Marquette, G, Sr.,
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame, F, Jr.
DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh, C, So.
Sam Young, Pittsburgh, F, Sr.[/FONT]




A.J. Price, UConn, Sr.
Wesley Matthews, Marquette, Sr.
Jonny Flynn, Syracuse, Soph.
Dante Cunningham, Villanova, Sr.
Da'Sean Butler, West Virginia, Jr.


All-Big East third team
Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati, Jr.
Jeff Adrien, UConn, Sr.
Earl Clark, Louisville, Jr.
Levance Fields, Pitt, Sr.
Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall, Soph.


Look at the adundance of upper classmen on the all Big East teams this year.


UConn, Louisville, UNC, Pitt, Kansas, aren't being driven by one and done guys.

 

[akronbuck]

Our biggest problem hasn't been Oden, Cook, Conley and KK. It's been the lack of Jamar Butlers and Terrance Dials.

great point

 

[Oh8ch]

If you are talking about a recruiting approach Matta has had some tough luck in the sense that he has not really recruited as many "one and done" players as it seems.

Few looked at Conley as a one and done player out of HS - but he was. Certainly Matta didn't expect it. And I can't imagine anyone on this board watching the highlight film from his one and only season in S&G and saying - "Wow, that was a mistake."

IMO neither Koufas nor Cook made the best move but each left for his own reasons. More often than not you will get 2-3 years from players of that caliber.

Oden was the only clear one and done Matta has recruited. Anybody think we should have passed?

Let's see what happens this year - but don't forget that Turner is already in his second season.

 

[stxbuck]

I think the worry about recruiting one and dones is overrated, because I really, really, really doubt ANY coach or program is ever again going to recruit the #1 7 foot player in the nation in three consecutive years. This is such a remarkable accomplishment in recruiting, it is almost silly to "worry" about it happening again. Oden,KK, and Mullens all virtually dropped into Matta's lap-Oden to to both geography and his prior relationship w/ him while at Butler, KK and Mullens due to the fact that they are Ohio boys.