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Dispatch

OHIO STATE MEN?S BASKETBALL
Butler still adjusting to new shooting role
Focusing on scoring different game from passing all the time

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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The line in the box score detailing Jamar Butler?s junior debut did not befit someone who finished last season playing as well as, if not better than, any point guard in the Big Ten.
Three field goals attempted, one made, all from outside the three-point line. Three assists. Four turnovers.
There could be at least a couple of reasons for that. The most significant is that Butler is not the primary point guard anymore for the Ohio State men?s basketball team. He is a shooting guard who will play the point when freshman Mike Conley Jr. does not.
"It?s something I?ll have to get used to," Butler said.
He did not say it with a tone of resignation.
"I kind of liked it. It?s not a bad position," he said. "I think once we get our sets in, I?ll be fine."
That?s the second reason Butler looked a little lost on offense Wednesday in the Buckeyes? 80-57 exhibition win over Findlay.
"I think we called three sets," coach Thad Matta said. "That was, quite honestly, by design."
The Buckeyes play their second and final exhibition today in Value City Arena against Walsh University, NAIA Division II national champion two years ago and a quarterfinalist last season. They open the regular season Friday night. This early in the season, three weeks into practice, Matta is more interested in fundamentals, rebounding and defense, and he was more than satisfied with Butler?s defense Wednesday.
As far as Butler?s offense is concerned, he spent the offseason working on getting it with the ball out of his hands rather than in them, coming off screens in set plays for open jump shots. Few of those sets were in the game plan against Findlay; rather, the Buckeyes spread the floor in their halfcourt offense and tried to beat the Oilers off the dribble, which Butler does not do as well as fellow guards Conley, Ron Lewis and Daequan Cook. Fifty-four percent of his career shots from the field have been threes.
"Being a point guard, you?re looking to pass first. With him moving over to the two spot, he has to look to shoot more, and that?s one thing he just has to get in the mind-set of doing," Lewis said.
"It?s going to come with time. I think it?ll help him when we start putting in more sets (because) then he knows it?s coming to him instead of him (having to get) it for himself."
Matta said another factor Wednesday was that Butler and Conley had played together in practice just a few times before the game because they are the only point guards on the roster.
"I?m not going to say I had one of my best games," Butler said. He also said that doesn?t make him feel that he has something to prove today.
"I just want to get (the team?s five newcomers) used to playing the college game, for the road we have ahead of us," he said. "It?s a long season. I want them to be prepared.
"I?ll be fine. I?m not worried at all."
bbaptist@dispatch.com