Matta Unveils 2006-07 Basketball Squad

[Style]

Article: http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/578707.html
Photos: http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/578704.html

Wow, with the exciting football season in full swing, I forgot that basketball was just around the corner! The first Buckeye exhibition game is november 1st.

So what do you guys think? With only 1 returning starter, relying on 5 freshmen to play key roles, the best player out until January 1st (and then rusty for awhile after that), having a brutal non-conference schedule (@Florida, @UNC, Cincinati, and more), and being extremely shallow (just 10 scholarship players), this could be a rough season. This team absolutely can not withstand any more major injuries. However, if they stay healthy, by the end of the year they could be playing some really good basketball. Hopefully that will happen, and they'll make the Big Dance. From there, who knows?

The bright side of Oden's injury is perhaps it will have him consider coming back for his sophomore year. It still doesn't seem very likely, as regardless he will likely be the #1 pick in the draft, so what reason does he have to come back? He can't possibly increase his stock, only decrease it. Still, if he does come back ( ray: ray: ray: ) along with every one else, in 2007-2008 Ohio State should rock. They'd only lose Ron Lewis and Ivan Harris, neither of which has been a starter to this point, and Harris brings little to the table besides being able to hit the deep ball. They would not be big loses. Jamar Butler and Twig would be back, the freshmen would of had a year to get use to college ball and to grow and gel, the transfer from Vanderbilt (Kyle Madsen) would be eligible to play, and there would be another fantastic group of freshmen to add to the mix. Come to think of it, even if Thad loses Oden, as long as Butler comes back they should be real strong next year.

Anyway, I need to stop talking about next year. This year hasn't even started yet! I'm going to enjoy Oden while we've got him, and live for today. It should be fun!

 

[Mac]

People are expecting the Fab 5 results here in Ohio, but I doubt that happens right away.

These are some talented kids, but they play in the tough Big Ten and the NCAA in whole has a lot of tough teams.

I expect them to be very good, but until they get Oden in the full swing of things, I dont expect them to see their true dominance until next year, that's if Oden stays.

Keep in mind, Butler is probably the best player on the team so dont expect Conley, sp?, to see huge minutes at the point.

Another thing to consider, like Style said, if they get an injury to one of their core players, they are in trouble because the Buckeyes have no depth this year at all...

It should be a fun year, but it will be an up and down one due to growing. Give it time, these guys should be real special.

 

[Style]

Butler is fantastic. I'm actually worried he might not come back for his senior year. If he improves on what he did last year, he would likely be a first round pick, especially since he plays PG and the league is so shallow at that position.

I'm trying to get tickets to the game in Chapel Hill, but have had no luck so far.

 

[TrueCavsFan23]

i cant wait for the season to start.same here style i wanna go to chapel hill so bad.i heard oden isnt back until big ten play?

 

[Mac]

Early Jan at the best for Oden...

Playing UNC is going to be tough because the post play for OSU will get dominated by the Heels.

But the future is def. bright. I wonder who they are looking at for next years class. They need to find some bigs, because outside of Oden they are pretty thin.

 

[cdt]

Tyler Hansbrough is going to give us fits...UNC is my 2nd favorite team..

 

[Style]

i cant wait for the season to start.same here style i wanna go to chapel hill so bad.i heard oden isnt back until big ten play?

They're targeting a Jan 1st return for Oden. They play the heels in late november.

Mac, here is the class for next year so far:
http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=145&p=9&cfg=bb&c=8&yr=2007

Lauderdale is a four star, strong center (15th best C in the country), but many on this site who've seen him play are saying he's not good. Koufos is a finesse inside/out PF.

Here's who they're still looking at:
http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=145&p=9&cfg=bb&c=4&yr=2007

As you can see, the only ones on that list that haven't committed already somewhere are Mayo, Ellis, Pogue, and Siakam, and none of them even have offers. My guess is Ohio state is done with the four they already have.

Next year, they'll also have bigs Twig and Hunter (both will be seniors), and the Vandy transfer (sophomore).

The class of 2008 has the #2 center in the country:
http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=145&p=9&cfg=bb&c=8&yr=2008

 

[cavincali]

Mac brings up the concern I have with the team. I dont think this team will be a top tier team this year, because its a bunch of 18/19 year olds playing in tough enviroments for the first time.

The only way this team competes for the title is if Oden stays at least 2 years.

But then again Matta is a hell of a coach.

 

[PIP]

The OSU basketball team won't even come close to playing for a NC in college basketball unless Conley leads them..

PG play is the key

 

[cdt]

And neither will you..you blew it last year when you had Farmar..and then Afflalo went to the NBA Camp and got embarassed by 2nd rounders and guys who went undrafted.

Things are looking up..

 

[Style]

The OSU basketball team won't even come close to playing for a NC in college basketball..

Ever? If you're just talking this year, you're probably right. Next year is the year, IF everyone comes back.

Looking long term, it sure seems like Matta has this team headed in the right direction. They guy has done nothing but win, and win big, where ever he's gone, and he's bring in top national recruits like crazy. Once he's had a few years to get his players in there (ie. 4 recruiting classes), I don't think being a perennial top ten team is out of the question, and with that will come the occassional NC. Like what JT has with the football team. If he can do that, it will be even more impressive than what JT is doing, as OSU is a football school. Basketball is the obvious second sport.

 

[Cavsfan89]

Today, for the first time I heard Eric Wallace's name. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=145&p=8&c=1&nid=1151998

He has a OSU offer and Osu is his leader

Has a offical visit soon.

 

[Mac]

I can tell you first hand that Lauderdale is trash...he is the next Matt Marincheck, sp?.

Koufas has a ton of potential, he just isnt tested so he is not going to be a player that is ready for the DI level right away. Id expect him to be a redshirt, seeing few minutes his freshman year. Soph year learning more of the ropes and then make an impact his junior year. Im not sure how strong he is, so that will be an issue to look into, but he has a nice touch and handle for a guy his size, but hasnt faced much comp because he was a relatively unkown product until his junior year, but he broke a foot so he hasnt played any AAU ball so its hard to tell how good he really is.

 

[TrueCavsFan23]

Lauderdale is overrated style i have played against him since 7th grade.he shoulda went to a mac school.lauderdale has no coordinations,all he can do is catch oops,putbacks.he has gotten bigger though,i can't to play solon this year to see if he has improved.last year he was up to 6'8 235.he has potential but no shot or post play.lets see though,i am rooting for him though.