• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

SF LaQuinton Ross (Memphis Hustle - NBA G-League)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
The Buckeyes got that benefit in part because of the improved play of substitute forward LaQuinton Ross. In a 50-43 win over Wisconsin yesterday in the Big Ten tournament final, where points were as hard to find as gold doubloons, Ross had seven of Ohio State’s 27 points in the second half.

Four of those points came during a two-minute stretch with under five minutes remaining where a 43-41 lead turned into a six-point advantage that, ridiculously enough, all but put the game out of reach.

Ross, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, also grabbed two rebounds in the stretch and played like his pants were on fire, like a player who was determined to win the game himself. In a way, he was. Frustrated coach Thad Matta had just told the team during a timeout, “Somebody make a play here,” and Ross was determined to be that guy.

“We needed a couple of baskets,” Ross said, “and I was like ‘Hey, why not me?’ ”

Ross was a factor in all three OSU games in the tournament, an encouraging development for a team that got a second seed and good draw from the NCAA Tournament committee, starting with a game on Friday in Dayton against Iona. He averaged nine points and two rebounds in almost 18 minutes of action and also played defense, an aspect of the game that once gave him an allergic reaction. Ross’ growth was a topic in every corner of the locker room.

“He’s a scorer,” Deshaun Thomas said. “He can spark off the bench. He’s the X-factor.”

There could be lots of X-factors on this 26-7 team, but Ross probably fits the description best. Thomas struggled with his jump shot here, which would have been disastrous for this team early in the season. Since then, others have supported their junior All-American’s prolific scoring. But Ross’ improvement could mean even more because he might be the best shooter on the team.

“He’s a phenomenal scorer all around,” junior guard Aaron Craft said. “Sometimes he plays with the ball a little too much, but he has great size and he can shoot over (smaller) defenders and drive by the bigger ones, so it’s a mismatch problem. And I think he’s taking a lot more pride in his defense lately, and that’s really helpful.”

His leaky defense was one reason Ross didn’t get on the floor much early.

“I thought he was tremendous in this tournament,” Matta said. “He’s turning the page. … We were just sitting in there talking, and I said, ‘You’re so much more engaged in everything right now, from practice to shootaround to film to all of those things.’ I think that’s kind of been the missing piece, of saying ‘OK, what do I have to do?’

“I love his game. I love his growth.”
Click to expand...
http://buckeyextra.dispatch.com/con...s-stepping-up-at-right-time-for-buckeyes.html
 
Upvote 0
HilmerJ said:
LaQuinton Ross - Highlights - Big Ten Tournament - YouTube
Click to expand...
I think of all the shots in that video the two that I enjoy the most are the last two where he really shows some determination. It seems like when he makes an outside shot there are no rim rattlers but they just go Swish:)

You also think that the announcers during these games, including Special K would know that Q brings some offensive prowess to the court and they would have heard about some of the preseason hype regarding his ability to shoot the ball.
 
Upvote 0
Didn't we have another sophomore that came on late in the season, then went on to win the Naismith? (ET)

Q's confidence just keeps growing, which is lovely to watch. Man, Deshean, come back for your senior season!
 
Upvote 0
EidoloN;2317138; said:
Didn't we have another sophomore that came on late in the season, then went on to win the Naismith? (ET)

Q's confidence just keeps growing, which is lovely to watch. Man, Deshean, come back for your senior season!
Click to expand...

Pretty sure ET came on late in the year his Freshman year.

I love that Q can finish near the basket with either hand. At times, you can tell he plays nervous, and plans out his moves before he starts. When he does that, he tends to get offensive fouls. If he can continue to get confident, OSU could make a run all the way to the championship.
 
Upvote 0
Well, it looks like I am going to have to take back some of my posts regarding the Worthington Summer League and comments made about how great Jimmy Ratliff played and the comparisons of back to Q. He really can shoot the ball and has a pretty good handle. He is finally starting to play with more intensity and I think that is why he is getting much more playing time during the last couple weeks.
 
Upvote 0
For all the knocks Q has endured because of his ostensible weak defense, he showed up on both sides of the ball today. He was, for a time, the only Buckeye who seemed interested in pounding the boards (fortunately that ended in the second half). And he made several good plays and got a key steal that resulted in fast-break points.

I'll admit he got beat on a back-door to Niang, but we had several other guys who would have to admit the same thing. Terrific game all around for Ross.
 
Upvote 0
With the way our Defense is playing right now we are in good shape.

Add in the way Craft is playing on Offense, then give us two hot hands with D.T. and Q and this team definitely has the talent to keep moving forward in the tourney.

I love the way this team looks right now. They are really putting it together. Craft has really stepped it up another notch in the leadership department. All the pieces are in place to make a run for the trophy.

:osu:
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top