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SF William Buford - 4 BTT Title Games, most Buckeye starts (Virtus Roma - Italy)

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needs to eliminate some of the ups and downs in his intensity. he needs to play at a higher level with more consistency. this will come. needs to flatten out his effort ups and downs and play at a high level at all times. this is a kid who offensively exemplifies, be quick-dont hurry. in the two times ive seen him he has proven he can play. playing with more consistency, urgency and within the framework of the team will be important.
 
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LitlBuck;1333365; said:
I didn't see much lacking from Buford on defense but it was hard to tell since they were playing a zone. First time that I have ever seen him and the one-word there would describe in my mind is smooth. I would have liked to see him handle the ball a little more.
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Yeah, I agree completely...smooth was my word too. He just looked very fluid in the offensive game and has a real scorers mentality. He didn't appear to really force anything either. He had a play where he caught the ball on the wing, took two dribbles to the side and buried a jumper. Just looked so sweet.

I didn't notice him getting burned on defense either. I'd read somewhere that his d is lacking a little. We played a crappy team, but Buford looked very solid. Good things to come for this young man. And we've had some scorers come out of that Toledo area. :biggrin:
 
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Smooth and a scorer. He's starting by mid-season in my opinion, especially if you don't get consistent scoring from turner and lighty. His defense looked solid and he's great in the open floor. Turner and Lighty can be explosive but are often out of control going to the hoop. I hope he doesn't get too good too quick and end up another one and done. I'd like to see a few of these guys stick around a few years, develop and see where it takes this program.
 
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I would like to see more of Buford on the court. I think by the end of the season he could be a go to type of player. I do not see Turner or Lighty leaving early before their four years are up. On the other hand, Buford reminds me a lot of Cook and could be gone after this year. If not, he is a two-year guy at most.
 
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I think Matta is still trying to figure out his rotations at this point.......I would be very suprised if Buford's minutes do not continue to increase as the Big Ten portion of the schedule approaches.........he has to much talent......

13 points and 4 rebounds in 22 minutes first game.......

9 points and 2 robounds in just 16 minutes the second game.....

Shooting an even 50% from the field through two games (8 out of 16)
 
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jimotis4heisman;1353202; said:
minutes arent given out they are earned. his defensive play and consistency of level of play need to improve.
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Those were pretty general statements. When playing a zone defense, the only defensive improvements that one player can make is in awareness and hustle. With regard to his consistency, I don't see him turning the ball over much but I am sure that there is much more to your statements than that but I am having a hard time reading your mind:)
 
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on the defensive end. sure there is getting back, postioning, boxing out, coverage, passing players, assignments. at this level its not a third grade 2-3, its a tad more complicated. willie will earn it im sure. but it wont come without proving his place. heck look at evan last year, he earned more and more time and more and more of a role as the year progressed.
 
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Blade
Article published Tuesday, January, 2009
EARNING NEW LETTER
Buckeyes want Buford to be big on defense too
Ohio State freshman William Buford, Ohio's Mr. Basketball at Libbey, is already a regular in Ohio State's young lineup.
( ASSOCIATED PRESS )

By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
COLUMBUS - Ohio State aggressively recruited William Buford the slasher, William
Buford the explosive leaper and William Buford the scorer. The Buckeyes are hoping their freshman from Toledo continues evolving into William Buford the defender. Buford, the former Libbey star who was Ohio's Mr. Basketball last season, came to the Buckeyes with a distinct scoring pedigree. He averaged 23 points per game in his senior season with the Cowboys and scored 29 in the Division II state championship game last spring. After merging into the Ohio State playing rotation early this season, Buford has been on a roll at the offensive end, reaching double-figures in six of the last seven games. He had 19 points to lead the Buckeyes in their recent win over Houston Baptist and had 17 to lead Ohio State in its previous game, a loss to Michigan State. For the three-time City League player of the year, the scoring has come easier than meeting the defensive expectations of his teammates and Ohio State coach Thad Matta. "I never really had to play it [defense] but I gotta play it now, if I want to play," Buford said yesterday as the Buckeyes prepared for tonight's Big Ten game with Indiana. "I just feel it's just a big part of my game now, to get better on defense."Sophomore Evan Turner, Ohio State's leading scorer at about 16 points per game, said the lack of defense on Buford's resume came up during a recent game, as it has in OSU practices.
"The other day, I told him he better start playing defense or we are going to lose," Turner said. "He has long arms and he's capable of doing what he wants, when he wants to." Turner said Buford has been receptive to the direction he has received from his older teammates, and Matta.
Cont...
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