Basketball Recruiting Projections/General Discussions

[jclvd_23]

Thank you for the responses OBJ and cbf40, that's about what I thought was happening.

Do you guys agree with the recent "criticism" of Riley and believe he might be a project/4 year player? I've heard that he has a ton of athleticism and is a pretty good defender, but he hasn't really put it together on the offensive end and I'm thinking we might need more of an offensive contributor out of our PF recruit in '09.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by jclvd_23

Thank you for the responses OBJ and cbf40, that's about what I thought was happening.

Do you guys agree with the recent "criticism" of Riley and believe he might be a project/4 year player? I've heard that he has a ton of athleticism and is a pretty good defender, but he hasn't really put it together on the offensive end and I'm thinking we might need more of an offensive contributor out of our PF recruit in '09.

I don't think you will look at Riley as a PF for 09. You are spot on about his game and his best position for the college game right now would be smack dab in the middle.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I don't think you will look at Riley as a PF for 09. You are spot on about his game and his best position for the college game right now would be smack dab in the middle.

I agree, but I would take him if we are able to get a guy that can contribute right away...

His potential is sky high and 3/4 from a kid like that only helps the program not hurts it...Not all kids can be 1 and done kids...I know you want more 4 year kids...

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

I agree, but I would take him if we are able to get a guy that can contribute right away...

His potential is sky high and 3/4 from a kid like that only helps the program not hurts it...Not all kids can be 1 and done kids...I know you want more 4 year kids...

You don't even have to read my mind to know that. I think we might lose a scholarship next year because of Kosta "blindsiding" Matta. From what I understand, Riley needs to want to play and if he does that I am fine with him because we have enough scorers.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Do you guys agree with the recent "criticism" of Riley and believe he might be a project/4 year player?

Personally, I am not high on Riley......nice prospect....but I think we can do better........

I don't think you will look at Riley as a PF for 09. You are spot on about his game and his best position for the college game right now would be smack dab in the middle.

I agree

Van Treese has some question marks in my mind also......

[osubuckeyes2731]

Why are we shooting blanks in '09? Cause there is no talent in Ohio?

And I don't really want Van Treese. I want a guy like Orton but from what we've heard, it doesn't neccesarily sound like a good shot.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by osubuckeyes2731

Why are we shooting blanks in '09? Cause there is no talent in Ohio?

And I don't really want Van Treese. I want a guy like Orton but from what we've heard, it doesn't neccesarily sound like a good shot.

Unfortunately, the 09 class in Ohio is very weak especially with the type of player that Ohio State needs which is a big man. People think that we have a shot at Orton but I am not included in that group.

There are other guys who know more than me with regards to who Ohio State might be looking at. They have offered Van Tresse but I think Ohio State's interest might be decreasing with regard to him but I am not positive of that.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by osubuckeyes2731

Why are we shooting blanks in '09? Cause there is no talent in Ohio?

And I don't really want Van Treese. I want a guy like Orton but from what we've heard, it doesn't neccesarily sound like a good shot.

Well we only have 1 to give...They can't really cast a wide net, the midwest overall is down on talent, and the guys they targeted early never really developed...Orton is going to be close to impossible to land...

Right now the staff doesn't have any targets...Think we may look to go the juco route earlier in the recruiting season this year...

[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - UCLA's class could help Bruins to another Final Four - Insider

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

UCLA's class could help Bruins to another Final Four

Every year, coaching changes and commitments from players have a major impact on action that takes place in the time span between the early and late signing periods for college basketball. When the season ends and the coaching carousel begins to move, a number of talented players also start to move, often switching their allegiance to new college basketball programs if their original school of choice hires a new coach. Also, some players who give verbal pledges to schools decide against signing a letter of intent during the early signing period. This generally happens if the player believes he can play at a higher level or if his school of choice starts to recruit better talent and he fears will not receive playing time.
This heightened level of activity among coaches and players serves to dramatically alter the national recruiting scene and the rankings of the top recruiting hauls in the country. The 2008 recruiting class has experienced its share of coaching and player movement. This has helped some programs skyrocket in the rankings, while other programs have dropped in the rankings due to losing players to other teams.

Contd...

3. Ohio State, six signed prospects

The Buckeyes have one of the most versatile classes in the country. When he plays with intensity, B.J. Mullens gives Ohio State a superior inside presence, which will come in handy given Kosta Koufos' early departure for the NBA. The Buckeyes added two juco players since the early signing period, bringing power forward Nicola Kecman and point guard Jeremie Simmons on board. Both players will bring maturity to a very young team and mesh perfectly with ESPN 100 prospects Will Buford, Walter Offutt and Anthony Crater.

[LitlBuck]

I made a statement about some players being offered too early in one of the player's thread because of the possibility of that player suffering a severe injury or personal reasons. Another point has crossed my mind. With Sibert coming on very strong and possibly becoming one of the top two players in Ohio in 2010 it is also possible that you offer a player too early and he stays sort of status quo while other players pass him by skill wise. I am mostly talking about guys in the 9th, or possibly even the 10th, grade who at that point of time can dominate players simply by possessing greater physical skills but by the 11th and 12th grades there might be kids out there who are now much better basketball players than the players were offered earlier.

A player in the 10th grade might not be as "good" as some other guys but with a lot of work and effort can improve their ballhandling and shooting skills and become better basketball players than some guys who were offered almost because they were more physically talented at that age.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I made a statement about some players being offered too early in one of the player's thread because of the possibility of that player suffering a severe injury or personal reasons. Another point has crossed my mind. With Sibert coming on very strong and possibly becoming one of the top two players in Ohio in 2010 it is also possible that you offer a player too early and he stays sort of status quo while other players pass him by skill wise. I am mostly talking about guys in the 9th, or possibly even the 10th, grade who at that point of time can dominate players simply by possessing greater physical skills but by the 11th and 12th grades there might be kids out there who are now much better basketball players than the players were offered earlier.

A player in the 10th grade might not be as "good" as some other guys but with a lot of work and effort can improve their ballhandling and shooting skills and become better basketball players than some guys who were offered almost because they were more physically talented at that age.

Thus you gotta make sure you are right when offering...You can tell by skils, body development, frame, and what not...You always leave your self an extra ship if possible...We are kinda ahead of the game in terms of the 2010 class in terms of how quick they all pulled the trigger, but you are talking about 3 kids ranked top 10, and you know they are not going to fall very far if they do fall...Watching Sullinger, Thomas, and Golden they are all types of kids that could skip their junior and senior year and compete at the college level...They just need to continue to improve their skills...

Wright was a kid that the staff liked his potential...Lots of scouts see him at times and just come away unimpressed, due to the mindset IMO of always looking for the next big thing...But when you really break it down, he is a solid 6'4-5 wing with length that stuffs the stat sheet, good defender and is only a sophomore so by the time he actually gets to college watch out...

Should be interesting to see what happens with Sibert and Payne...I think the staff has a good idea about these kids after seeing them quite a bit in the spring...I think if it wasn't for Payne and his injury he might already have an offer...Sibert is going to need to show a little bit more...Also if Hairston still has solid interest he might need to jump on board before the offer to Payne or he could left behind...

09 continues to be a crap shoot...I have no idea what is going on...Really no one that we are showing interest in that is showing it back...

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

The OSU staff is interested in Wesley Johnson....SF from Iowa State who was their leading scorer....here is the link....

LINK

[Napoleonbuck]

This would actually be a pretty good fit IMO. Not a post presence, but there doesn't seem to be too many out there interested in Ohio State. Would sit out next season and be ready to play in 2009.

Seems like he had much more of an inside game his freshman season. He had over 100 more rebounds as a freshman than a sophomore and over 20 more blocks.

Maybe a sophomore slump or maybe him just trying to diversify his game.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by Napoleonbuck

This would actually be a pretty good fit IMO. Not a post presence, but there doesn't seem to be too many out there interested in Ohio State. Would sit out next season and be ready to play in 2009.

Seems like he had much more of an inside game his freshman season. He had over 100 more rebounds as a freshman than a sophomore and over 20 more blocks.

Maybe a sophomore slump or maybe him just trying to diversify his game.

He had an injury of some sorts that really held him back his sophomore year, not sure what it was tho...

[osugrad21]

BN Free--ESPN: Matta Bags Another Top-Five Class