Turner's season so big it even overshadows great Wall

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Turner's season so big it even overshadows great Wall


John Wall of Kentucky is the best freshman point guard I've ever seen. He's the best freshman point guard you've ever seen, too, unless you're old enough to have seen Magic Johnson average 17 points, 7.4 assists and 7.9 rebounds at Michigan State in 1978. Either way, Wall is the best freshman point guard of the last 30 years.
That doesn't mean he's the national player of the year.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=280 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px" width=280>

</TD><TD style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px" width=15></TD></TR><TR><TD style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px" width=280>Evan Turner kept it up Saturday, with 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists vs. Michigan. (AP)</TD><TD style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px" width=15></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>John Wall is also the best NBA prospect in college basketball. In the NBA, Wall will be a cross between Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade. He'll be the No. 1 overall pick in June, and I don't care which team has that pick. It'll be Wall, because he's the best future pro in college basketball's present.

That doesn't mean he's the NCAA player of the year, either.

Bear with me, but John Wall reminds me of my own freshman year of college, when I worked at This Can't Be Yogurt and spent months making waffle cones. To make them, you pour the batter into the griddle and lower the lid. Wait one minute, peel away the excess batter on the outside of the griddle, lift the lid, and there you have it. A perfectly formed waffle cone.

That excess batter on the outside of the griddle? You peel it away and toss it. Delicious stuff -- but in the grand scheme of things, irrelevant.

The same goes for some of the biggest compliments we can say about John Wall. He's the best freshman point guard in decades, and he's the best NBA prospect in a few years -- but since we're discussing the national POY, those compliments are irrelevant. So peel them away and toss them.

Because John Wall isn't having the best season in college basketball. Evan Turner of Ohio State is having the best season in college basketball.

That's what the award comes down to, right? We're not picking the best future pro. We're not noting how impressive or even how difficult it is to be a freshman point guard on the No. 2 team in the country.

We're simply trying to identify the best individual season in college basketball -- and that season, in my opinion, belongs to Turner.

Look, John Wall would be a decent choice for POY, too. If Wall wins it, I'm not going to boycott the Naismith Award like I'm boycotting the Naismith Hall of Fame. Wall is a legitimate POY candidate -- and after Turner, he's the only legitimate candidate. If someone other than Turner wins it, and that someone isn't Wall, then the Naismith Award will become as silly to me as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of

Fame, baby. Syracuse's Wesley Johnson has had a great season, and so have Villanova's Scottie Reynolds and Washington's Quincy Pondexter and Notre Dame's Luke Harangody, but there is an All-American ... and there is a Player of the Year. And there is a difference.

And that difference is Evan Turner.

Turner is damn near pulling off a triple crown in the Big Ten, leading that conference in scoring (19.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.3) while placing second in assists (5.9). He's in the national top 40 in all three stats, and he leads the country with two triple-doubles, and he's also among Big Ten leaders in steals, blocks and field-goal percentage.

<TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(216,216,216)" border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="50%" align=left><TBODY><TR target="_blank" bg_fc.jpg);? ui2 cbss images sports.cbsimg.net http:><TD style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; LINE-HEIGHT: 18px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(1,53,103); FONT-SIZE: 12px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: middle; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 1px" colSpan=6>Player of the Year canddiates</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(213,220,224)" class=bg1 align=left><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; PADDING-TOP: 1px">Name</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; 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FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; PADDING-TOP: 1px">APG</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; PADDING-TOP: 1px">FG%</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(251,251,253)" class=bg2 align=left><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">Evan Turner</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">Ohio State (23-7)</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">19.7</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">9.3</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">5.9</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">54.3</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(251,251,253)" class=bg2 align=left><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">John Wall</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">Kentucky (27-2)</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">16.8</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">4.2</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">6.2</TD><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 1px">45</TD></TR><TR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(232,236,238)" class=bg4 align=left><TD style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; PADDING-TOP: 1px" colSpan=4 align=middle>Naismith Trophy</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>








Where is my argument for Turner? You just read it. That paragraph is all the argument I need. The categories and statistics are different, but Turner is putting up the kind of mind-boggling numbers that Blake Griffin had for Oklahoma in 2009, and Kevin Durant had for Texas in 2007. They were players of the year, of course. They were obvious picks.

So is Turner.

But again, there is much to be said for John Wall. He is averaging 16.8 points, 6.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals, and those numbers don't do him justice. To appreciate Wall, you have to watch him with the ball 30 feet from the basket, and then -- don't blink! -- watch him approach the basket and take a hit and hang in the air and finish. It's remarkable. That said, Wall's numbers say he is having a better season than Derrick Rose had as a freshman at Memphis, and Rose had one hell of a season in 2008. Rose led Memphis to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a spot in the national championship game, and Wall could very well do the same for Kentucky.

If I seem to be wishy-washy, forgive me, but this argument doesn't have to resemble an arbitration hearing in Major League Baseball -- where a team cruelly breaks down its own player for the sake of winning the arbitration hearing and saving itself a few bucks in salary. I have no interest in breaking down John Wall to win my case for Evan Turner. Again, Wall is the best freshman point guard I've ever seen, and I saw Chris Paul and Michael Conley and Stephon Marbury and Kenny Anderson. Wall also is the best pro prospect in college basketball.

He just hasn't had the best individual season. There can only be one, and his name is Evan Turner.

http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/12989029/turners-season-so-big-it-even-overshadows-great-wall

Great article on Turner. Turner is going to be the 2nd or 3rd pick in the upcoming June draft.

 

[CBBI]

I think it's really interesting that basically every team slotted to pick in the top 5 of the NBA draft (pre lotto results) pretty much already has a established point guard or a good young prospect(s).

Nets: Devin Harris
Wolves: Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio
Warriors: Stephen Curry
Kings: Tyreke Evans (he could be considered a 2 guard)
Jazz: Deron Williams

The case could be made that all five of these teams need an elite level wing player more then an elite level point guard.

I'll be really curious to see if one of these teams actually picks Turner over Wall #1 or if everyone would just pick the best player and deal with the positional problem later.

 

[Damage]

Who else on here besides me will not be surprised if Turner is picked ahead of Wall?

 

[AMC]

Who else on here besides me will not be surprised if Turner is picked ahead of Wall?

I wouldnt be suprised, a team llike the Jazz would love get get Turner and put him next to Deron now since they traded Brewer.

And also, I think Wall would be a great fit with the Pacers. A Wall-Granger combo could be dangerous.

 

[Triumph36]

I think it's really interesting that basically every team slotted to pick in the top 5 of the NBA draft (pre lotto results) pretty much already has a established point guard or a good young prospect(s).

Nets: Devin Harris
Wolves: Jonny Flynn and Ricky Rubio
Warriors: Stephen Curry
Kings: Tyreke Evans (he could be considered a 2 guard)
Jazz: Deron Williams

The case could be made that all five of these teams need an elite level wing player more then an elite level point guard.

I'll be really curious to see if one of these teams actually picks Turner over Wall #1 or if everyone would just pick the best player and deal with the positional problem later.

Nets and Wolves would still pick Wall. Warriors...who knows, Don would probably try to play both Wall and Steph at the same time. Jazz would probably trade down to #2 instead of picking Turner #1.

I'd be pretty shocked if Wall doesn't go #1.

 

[themike]

Who else on here besides me will not be surprised if Turner is picked ahead of Wall?

I'd be really suprised for 3 reasons

1) Wall is athletic as hell and people always over value athletisim (Ty Thomas, Marvin Williams)
2) Wall is from the same system that produced Rose/Evans over the last two years. It's really hard to argue that Wall won't be prepared for an immediate impact based on the former PG's in that system.
3) Turner messed up his back and no GM wants to draft the next injury prone Oden. I'm not saying that I think he'll be injury prone just that back problems seem to scare a lot of people.

All of that being said I really think Turner could end up being the better player. When I watch him play he just reminds me so much of Brandon Roy with the amount of control he plays with, he's so "smooth" on the court it's amazing. He seems like he'll develop into a 20-5-5 type of guy that can really lead a team.

John Wall definately has the most upside in the draft but he seems like he can be a hit or miss kind of guy. I hate to say it but the guy remidns me of Beasley. Talented as hell but a quirky enough personality that I would really question whether or not he will make the most out of his potential. Despite that he seems to have the talent to be an elite PG on both sides of the ball.

 

[SanduskyCav]

Well, I have posted it on this forum before, and I'm pretty sure that Evan Turner will not be going to the draft this season with the information that I have heard. He and my brother are pretty good friends and he told him that his mom wants him to finish school before he goes to the NBA. Not sure if anyone read his article in the USA Today from a few days ago, but ET says that "he is not ready" for the NBA yet...

I think my brother may be going over to ET's house sometime this week, so I will push for him to ask him, but I've told him to do it before and he said he would feel like an asshole. But if he does, I will report back..

Evan Turner turns up heat, joins nation's elite at Ohio State
Updated 4d 18h ago

By Marlen Garcia, USA TODAY
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Evan Turner's roommate describes Ohio State's do-it-all point guard as fearless and relentless on the basketball court.
That's probably true of all national player of the year contenders, an elite group Turner, 21, has joined. Yet he has distinguished himself by continuing to play with such moxie since returning from a month-long layoff after a December fall that broke two vertebrae in his back.

"Other guys might (worry) about getting hit in the lane," roommate and 6-6 junior guard Jon Diebler says. "My man was trying to dunk and do the same things he had been. That's how he is."

Turner is a versatile 6-7 junior who over three seasons has played four positions. Maybe his biggest achievement is the self-doubt he has overcome since freshman year.

"I had a lot of learning to do," says Turner, who averaged 8.5 points in a turnover-prone first season. "I didn't know how I was going to be at this level."

He turned out to be a star. He is projected to be the No. 2 pick behind Kentucky's John Wall in the June NBA draft, if they leave early, according to NBAdraft.net and DraftExpress.com.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Would you pick Turner, Wall or Johnson?
Coming out of St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Ill., near Chicago, Turner was ranked 49th by Rivals.com in a class stocked with star power. Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley and one-time Ohio State teammate Kosta Koufos were some who left college after one year for the NBA.

Turner's game evolved over time. He leads the Big Ten Conference with averages of 19.5 points and 9.3 rebounds and is second in assists at 5.8. He led ninth-ranked Ohio State (21-7, 11-4) in a win at Michigan State on Sunday. The teams are tied for second, a half-game behind Purdue.

"For a parent who wants their son to be a great player, you need to study an Evan Turner," Ohio State coach Thad Matta says. "He came here with (few) accolades. He's done the work to make himself a great player."

In an instant on Dec. 5, though, Turner's remarkable season turned into a question mark. He fell on his back after dunking in a win against Eastern Michigan, and some teammates feared the injury would knock Turner out for the season and hurt his chances for a professional career. The school initially announced he would miss two months.

Turner was preoccupied with what his absence meant for the team. "He kept saying, 'I'm sorry, guys,' " Diebler says. "He thought he was letting us down by getting hurt."

Without Turner, Ohio State went 3-3.

Turner was diagnosed with transverse process fractures of the second and third lumbar vertebra on non-weight-bearing sections of the vertebrae and didn't require surgery.

"If you had to pick a spot on the vertebrae (to fracture), that's the best spot," Ohio State athletic trainer Vince O'Brien says. "These fractures heal with rest and by staying immobile."

Turner's mother, Iris James, came to stay with him for two weeks during his recovery. Turner says she had to help him dress the first week. He spent most of that time on the couch wearing an immobilizing soft brace to keep his upper body still. While lying there, Turner dribbled a basketball.

By the second week he was doing pool workouts. He also stood courtside during practices, dribbling while envisioning plays, "just so I'd be ready."

He was ready a full four weeks sooner than expected.

Before he could play, his mother had to be convinced he was OK. She drove five hours from Chicago to look at the X-rays that showed the fractures had healed. She also watched him practice.

"I'm truly amazed that physically and mentally he's come back," she says. "I thought there would be ill effects."

Messing up really bugs him

Turner has needed no extra medical attention since his return Jan. 6 in a victory against Indiana. He scored eight points in that game but has been a double-digit scorer since.

It took Turner three years to develop the confidence he exudes, and while recovering he worried about losing it.

He arrived at Ohio State in 2007 lacking self-assurance. When he committed a turnover, he says it bothered him during ensuing possessions. He had 99 turnovers compared with 98 assists in 37 games that season.

"Freshman year was horrible," he says. "I'm a perfectionist. When I mess up, it really, really bugs me."

He also had reservations about whether he fit in at OSU. Most of his teammates had friends, other Ohio natives, at the school.

MORE ON THE BUCKEYES: Ohio State team page
"He was a very shy, quiet kid," Matta says. "He walked in the office one day his freshman year, and I made him go back out. I had to show him how to enter a room, to look people in the eye and how to say hello."

Matta also wanted Turner to stop dwelling on the turnovers. To make his point, Matta brought Turner into a gym and pointed to a rack full of basketballs.

"He told me to throw them all over," Turner says. "When I did, he said, 'OK, do I look mad?' I said no, and he said, 'OK, so I don't care. And you shouldn't either. I know you take risks. You're going to have greater rewards.'

"That helped me a lot."

Turner still can be turnover-prone, but he's less self-conscious.

Matta's decision to move Turner to point guard this season was the topic of conversation at Big Ten media day in October. There were skeptics who wondered how Turner would transition from power forward.

"I didn't want to be conceited or anything, but I was like, 'Why is everybody questioning if I can run it or not?' " Turner says. " 'My coach isn't just pulling this out of nowhere. He obviously knows I have the capability.' "

CAMPUS RIVALRY: Latest on the college hoops scene
Turner excels because he can see over defenders, often looks for an open teammate before looking for his own shot and is speedy. On defense, his lanky arms help him deflect passes. He still rebounds with the gusto of a power forward.

If he moves on to the NBA he'll likely play the wing position, going up against stars such as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. "It's the toughest position in the NBA," Turner says. "Whenever I decide to go, I want to have an impact."

He wasn't ready after last season, he says, and "not now either." Yet factors such as contentious negotiations between the NBA and players' union that pose the threat of a lockout in 2011 could weigh on his decision.

'It's about giving back'

That will leave Turner with a tough decision because he has come to enjoy college and Columbus. He has been a strong influence on a local resident, 15-year-old Devon Pitts, who like Turner has been raised by a single mother.

Eighteen months ago, Pitts and his mother, Carol, moved from Milwaukee to Columbus. Turner was familiar with them because they had a mutual friend at Turner's high school.

Turner, remembering how tough his transition was, befriended Pitts, an only child, and offered encouragement about being the new kid in town.

"Growing up, a lot of people helped me out," Turner says, naming his mother and older brothers Darius, 22, and Richard, 32. "It's about giving back."

Occasionally, Turner will show up at Pitts' house with his Xbox controller. When some of Pitts' classmates discouraged him from trying out for the eighth-grade basketball team, Turner told him it didn't matter if he made the team. "Just try your best," Pitts' mother says Turner told her son. Pitts made the team.

When Pitts did a class project comparing high-top gym shoes against low-tops, Turner came and later took pictures with Pitts and his classmates.

"My son's teacher was so impressed that she cooked him a meal and took it to him when he hurt his back," Pitts' mother says.

The back injury is behind him.

"(Matta) always said the better I play, the better our team plays," Turner says. "I have kept my edge."

 

[themike]

If he stayed one more year he could lead the talented buckeye recruiting class to a national championship next year, I'm convinced of that. HAVING SAID THAT (lol) it would be wild to see a player stay an extra year instead of being drafted top 2.

 

[Hurl Bruce]

I wonder how serious he and Sammy Prahalis are. That is another reason for him to want to stay.

If Evan stays, along with William Buford, then OSU will be a Final Four favorite with Sullinger in the middle. If Evan can make a three pointer, then his game will be complete.

 

[Mike Manifesto]

I still think Wall is overrated. I'm hoping Turner wins it, and he deserves it with his coming back from that spinal injury. Wall is going to be a good player, I just don't think he'll live up to the #1 overall pick status. Turner can do so much more for a team. Even though he's is a little undersized, I think he'll be the better pro. That's just me, though...

 

[DougHeil]

Good articles.. both of them.

I actually believe Turner would be the better "overall" NBA player. I also believe he would be picked over Wall. That said; if his Mother wants him to finish school, and they being VERY close like they are, he just may play his last year. Wouldn't that be amazing? A kid/Mother who may choose education over money? A final four team for sure. They would have the same problem the Cavs have.... almost too much talent. The incoming Freshman for next year are extremely good.

 

[DougHeil]

I still think Wall is overrated. I'm hoping Turner wins it, and he deserves it with his coming back from that spinal injury. Wall is going to be a good player, I just don't think he'll live up to the #1 overall pick status. Turner can do so much more for a team. Even though he's is a little undersized, I think he'll be the better pro. That's just me, though...

I agree with you except "undersized?" Turner is 6'7". For a PG I'd say that over-sized. That's Magic Johnson status.

 

[Mike Manifesto]

I agree with you except "undersized?" Turner is 6'7". For a PG I'd say that over-sized. That's Magic Johnson status.

I don't know what I was thinking. I knew he was tall, maybe I was thinking weight? I don't know he just looks thin. Disregard the "undersized" comment.

 

[Triumph36]

I agree with you except "undersized?" Turner is 6'7". For a PG I'd say that over-sized. That's Magic Johnson status.

He's not going to be a PG in the NBA.

 

[DougHeil]

He's not going to be a PG in the NBA.

At the start of the year I would have agreed with you.

Not now. Of course he's going to be a point guard in the NBA.