DZ83CK;1875365; said:
I think he might have the skill set to go in the second round depending upon the underclassmen who declare for the draft but I think another year of college would benefit him greatly physically. The only thing he lacks is a little more toughness IMOthemongoose32;1875757; said:
Buford giving Buckeyes another option on offense
Sunday, February 20, 2011
By Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Some expected William Buford to be the heir apparent to Evan Turner as the go-to guy on the Ohio State men's basketball team.
Then freshman Jared Sullinger bullied Baylor in a preseason scrimmage, followed that with double-doubles in his first two college games, and there was no question to whom the Buckeyes would be going to first on every possession.
Three-and-a-half months later, though, opponents have figured out how to blunt, somewhat, Sullinger's impact in the post.
And lately, they have limited Jon Diebler's opportunities outside the three-point arc.
But they can't cover everyone at once, and Buford is beginning to take advantage.
"I've been feeling pretty good lately, my teammates know that, and it's been working out for me," Buford said after scoring 23 points against Michigan State on Tuesday. "Every shot I take I think is going to go down."
Buford is shooting 52.7 percent from the field and averaging 17 points in the Buckeyes' past six games, a run that started in a Jan.25 rout of Purdue in which he tied his career high with five three-pointers.
The Buckeyes and Boilermakers meet again today in West Lafayette, Ind., with Purdue (21-5 overall, 10-3 Big Ten) needing a win to maintain a realistic shot at the conference championship. Ohio State (25-1, 12-1), with a win, would have a three-game lead in the standings with four games to play.
Ohio State coach Thad Matta said the foundation for Buford's surge was laid about a month ago.
"Will's been spending a lot more time after practice with coaches, working on his game," Matta said.
"It's maturity. He's in his junior year. I think we saw the gains that a guy like Evan Turner made in his junior year. We haven't seen a lot of our guys (stay and improve) year after year after year. I think Will is really (taking advantage of) that."
Cont...
Elevating his game: Ohio State's William Buford is another go-to player for the No. 1 Buckeyes
Published: Sunday, March 13, 2011
Paul Vernon / Associated Press
Blossoming in the second half of the Big Ten season, junior guard William Buford has emerged as Ohio State's scoring counterpart to Jared Sullinger.
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Buckeyes explain a lot about their teammate with a simple "Will is Will." Yet Ohio State junior William Buford was trying to put a finer point on his game by describing his "hot spots," the places on the court where he likes to be to score.
Where, exactly, are these hot spots?
"Everywhere," teammate David Lighty interrupted.
Buford paused and gave Lighty a glance.
"I guess everywhere," he said. "As of lately, yeah."
As the No. 1 Buckeyes begin their NCAA Tournament charge as the favorite to win their first NCAA title in 51 years, the typically nerveless Buford may hold the key to their fortunes. Teams can attempt to take away big man Jared Sullinger by double-teaming him inside and forcing him to pass. Teams can take away 3-point specialist Jon Diebler by using long, quick defenders that push up on him and limit his shooting opportunities.
But what can a defense do with a 6-5 shooting guard who can drive to the rim and dunk, has been making more than half his 3-pointers for the last 10 weeks, posts up, slices hard off screens and can catch-and-shoot with a quick release, and possesses a step-back mid-range jumper that he can get off over almost anyone?
If he is covered, he likes it even more.
"Sometimes he'll seem to pass up an open shot to take a tougher one that he'll make," Diebler said. "You're like, 'Will, why didn't you shoot the first one?'"
Because Will is Will.
Cont..
