Basketball Recruiting Projections/General Discussions

[BuckTwenty]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm worried as all get out about our situation at PF next year. Next year, we have Koufos starting at PF (IF he chooses to stay) and Madsen as the back-up, with Mullens at C and Lauderdale backing him up. If Koufos jets, we are in BIG trouble. As far as I'm concerned, Madsen is a glorified walk-on and won't be starter material unless he has some serious lights turn on for him. With 13 available scholarships, we HAVE to have 5 semi-interchangeable big men on the team, and we have 4 projected for next year at this time.

I'm praying that Matta can find at least 1 more big man to throw into the mix of PF/C's we have here before the '08-'09 season starts or that Matta can teach Eric Wallace how be the Sullinger-like explosive undersized PF (which is entirely possible).

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I wish Luke Babbit would have kept his verbal.....we wouldn't have an issue at PF......

[jwinslow]

Originally Posted by OSUBasketballJunkie

I wish Luke Babbit would have kept his verbal.....we wouldn't have an issue at PF......

Yup, PF has been the thorn in Matta's side thus far... perhaps a Cali kid could help change that

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

I don't know about you guys, but I'm worried as all get out about our situation at PF next year..

This has been one of my concerns also. I thought that Thad might be looking in the junior college ranks for a PF but OBJ has told me that is that it is not in the cards as far as he knows. I think you have to remember that when Sullinger became a glorified 4 he was a junior/senior Anna Wallace will only be a sophomore. I really don't see Wallace moving to that position next year. I had heard good things about Madsen during the summer by someone who should have known and obviously they have not come true and he probably will remain a "glorified walk on". If KK goes I think we are in big trouble. Maybe Lighty can play a little 4 but that would not be good. I guess we have to get through this year first before we start worrying about next but time seems to be going by pretty fast.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

2 biggest needs in the 2009 class our PF and C......I guess it is possible they could go the junior college rout for a PF.....they took Hill late. I don't see them reaching again.....

[BengalsAndBucks]

I still think we are going to make a hell of a push for Tom Pritchard if for some reason he becomes available.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

He has good size at 6-8 and around 240 pounds.......he would also need to be let out of LOI by Indiana.....if things fall apart over there.......never really looked at tOSU and the staff saw him plenty while recruiting Roe....not sure of their interest at this point, but PF is a need.....could be something to watch...

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by BengalsAndBucks

I still think we are going to make a hell of a push for Tom Pritchard if for some reason he becomes available.

Did a search on him and there never was a thread on him so I guess there wasn't much interest or somebody missed something. Losing Luke really hurt us for next year but Time heals everything or does it.

[BengalsAndBucks]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

Did a search on him and there never was a thread on him so I guess there wasn't much interest or somebody missed something. Losing Luke really hurt us for next year but Time heals everything or does it.

Part of it might have been that, at the time he committed, we were still very much in play for Kevin Jones. I could be dead wrong here and the staff may have absolutely no interest whatsoever. But looking at our abhorrent post depth if KK leaves, I have to think that we make some sort of move, and I was relatively impressed with Pritchard when I have seen him play this season. OBJ is right, he still has to be let out of his LOI, and for all I know IU is his absolute dream school and there is no way he switches, but from looking at his recruitment I didn't get that impression.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by BengalsAndBucks

OBJ is right, he still has to be let out of his LOI, and for all I know IU is his absolute dream school and there is no way he switches, but from looking at his recruitment I didn't get that impression.

If they are put on some form of probation, I think he is automatically released from his LOI and does not have to get Indiana's blessings. I might be wrong about that but I think when a school is hit with a major penalty everybody is let loose if they so desire.

[crazybuckfan40]

You guys worry too much...

As for next year...I have faith in Crater and Hill to get the job done...No reason for big numbers from the point in terms of point, just need someone to keep defense honest, take the ball to the hole, create and get us into offense...I think those guys can get the job done...

Mullens, KK, Buford, Turner, Diebler, Lighty all give scoring options and Crater has shown ability to knock down the three and has been criticized by many for his lack of not taking shots...

With the number of guys on the wing, I don't think it would be out of the question to see 4 guard type lineup...We have seen it some this year with Turner, Lighty, and Diebler all on the court at the same time...

I think Lauderdale will be more than ready to be the first big man off the bench next year and I think that Madsen will also be able to give us some minutes much like Twig has done over his past 3 years...

Also agree that We need a PF/C in the 09' class, and wouldn't mind adding another one in the 10' class...

[GrizzlyBuck]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I just hope that Hill will show some improvement next year and that Crater will be 3/4 of Conley and that will be good enough for me.

I agree about Hill, I am disappointed that he has not shown more this year. The staff saw something in him to offer him a scholarship. He seems to have great quicks and speed, so if he can learn to play under control and in the structure offense, he should improve dramatically (insert finger crossed emoticon here) with another year in the system and under the tutelage of the staff.

I think that it is great that Crater went the prep school route to help in his discipline (not that he needed it, but it can't hurt) and really upgrade the level of competition. I hope you're right, around 3/4 of Conley would be perfect, any more and the risk of he being a one and done is too great, any less and this team may not reach its immense potential.

[Best Buckeye]

Who is out there for us to recruit at PF/C ? anyone at all besides the ones already talked about?

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by Best Buckeye

Who is out there for us to recruit at PF/C ? anyone at all besides the ones already talked about?

Not for next year. At least nothing that I have heard about. I would like for Thad to give Walker from Middletown a look for next year. I think the other guys from out-of-state next year might be reaches for us. Both BJ and KK are projected to go in the NBA draft in 09 so we will need a PF bad.

[osubuckeyes2731]

I haven't been paying attention much, but it seems like the PF's in '09 aren't all that interested in us..

Can anyone tell me who we're going after that we actually have a pretty good shot at?