Basketball Recruiting Projections/General Discussions

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Recruit has zest for Zips
7-foot Pa. center drawn in by Akron's computer program Thursday, July 03, 2008Elton AlexanderPlain Dealer Reporter

McKeesport , Pa. ? Eastern Michigan's Earl Boykins was too small. Miami's Wally Szczerbiak was too slow. Bowling Green's Antonio Daniels couldn't shoot.

The saying goes ?There's a reason he's in the MAC' when talking of any player without superior size, skill or athleticism from his basketball peers around the Mid-American Conference.

Ezekiel 'Zeke' Marshall of McKeesport, Pa., is the 37th-best player in the class of 2009, according to the Internet recruiting service rivals.com.

The 7-footer, ranked the eighth best center in the nation, has received scholarship offers from Big East and Atlantic Coast Conference programs like Pittsburgh, Virginia and Boston College.

Continued

I wonder why cbf40 did you get this guy for Ohio State. I had never heard of him before seeing this article.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

Cleveland.com


I wonder why cbf40 did you get this guy for Ohio State. I had never heard of him before seeing this article.

Yeah I heard of him long ago, but never was interest...

[Buckskin86]

On the road again
Matta begins recruiting trip with one scholarship available
Sunday, July 6, 2008
By Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Mavens who sweat the fact that Ohio State is the only Big Ten men's basketball team without a commitment for the 2009 recruiting class might have overlooked something coach Thad Matta has not.

"We have no seniors on this team," he said.

That's a way of saying that, if everyone returns -- Are you reading this, B.J. Mullens? -- the Buckeyes will have the same team in 2009-10 that they have next season, only one year older and stronger and, presumably, wiser and better.

That's why Matta doesn't appear to be sweating as he and his assistant coaches begin their annual July journey across America, 20 days spent crisscrossing the country to evaluate the prospects in the classes of 2009 and beyond. The road work begins today.

With four freshmen and two junior-college transfers having recently enrolled and three more players -- including Jared Sullinger of Northland -- committed for 2010, Matta has only one scholarship to offer for 2009, which is considered a talent-poor year in Ohio anyway.

If the 7-foot Mullens becomes the third straight OSU center to leave for the NBA after his freshman year, that would free another scholarship next spring.

But if none of the remaining 2009 crop at that point suits Matta's taste, he could give up the scholarship for a year as penance to the NCAA for Kosta Koufos' ill-timed departure this year in terms of the Academic Progress Rate guidelines.

So when asked to describe his 2009 recruiting plan, Matta said, "I can't. We're kind of operating on (the policy that) recruiting changes every day, (because) it does."

It changed again Friday when point guard Trae Golden of Powder Springs, Ga., rescinded his verbal commitment to the class of 2010 and reopened his recruitment.

"We're moving forward," Matta said. "You'd say, 'So you're kind of all over the map?' Yes. But we know what we're (looking for)."

bbaptist@dispatch.com

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Ohio State Men's Basketball: On the road again

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Bucknuts.com$ (Jeff Rapp)

'Hot 16' List Provides Outlook For Summer Hoops...........nice list of prospects tOSU will be evaluating in the July period.......

[crazybuckfan40]

Well with the recent wave of a decommit and 3 offers I figured it was time for an update here...

For 09 the staff is look for one...Gonna be a big man...

Van Treese - I like him, due to his likely hood to play 4 years...He has solid skill, might not be an immediate impact guy like we would need in 09, but he would be here for a while, and would provide stability in the front court...

Orton - We will get a visit but don't see it happening...

Marquis Mathis - Juco kid, not much info on him...


For 2010 - I am really thinking the target number will be 6...I am assuming Buford, Turner, and Mullens are gone by then...We will have 6 to give...This would be a great year for the 2 year rule to be implemented...

Sullinger - His NBA potential will depend on him growing a couple more inches IMO...Right now he is very dominant and will dominate the college level much like a Kevin Love, Wayne Simeion, Tyler Hansbrough type big guys down low...

Thomas - He is a stud, He could end up ranked higher than Sullinger if his game develops like it could...He already has a solid jumper, great posts moves...He needs to improve his jumper, ball handling and passing ability...All of which are solid...But right now he is a pull up shooter from behind the arc and a post player...Not much in between, in terms of being able to shake his guy and dribble in traffic...Not for the college level...The thing is he still has two years of high school ball to develop...He already has a college ready body...He can play the 3, but I kinda envision the 4 some in Mattas offense, especially with the boat load of talent we will have in the backcourt...

Wright - He is one that gets overlooked, but he fills the stat sheet every time out...Pts, Assts, rebs, and don't forget his defense...He is still a work in progress, and his frame will easily add weight, and he is a guy that will be a 4 year guy and a program stabilizer...

Sibert - Really like this offer...It also gives me the idea the staff is looking for 6 in this class, and that will give us some stability if guys like Thomas and Sullinger leave early...Sibert has loads of potential...Much in the mold of Offut, might have a better jumper, but his jumper is not great, but he can really get to the rim...Comparable player to Wright, but Wright is the better shooter and defender, while Sibert is more athletic and the scorer of the two...

Payne - I couldn't be happier about this offer...He could be the gem of this class, if guys like Thomas and Sullinger leave after a year...I love his potential, he has a long wingspan, and is very athletic...Some that have seen him have said that he is the most impressive on the AAU team with he Sullinger, Sibert, and Staten...

Johnson - Really don't know a whole lot about him...Just kinda what I read and that he is more of a PG than a SG, which is really what we need in this class as Crater will be the only one on the roster when these guys come in...

Golden - I was really turned off by his comments after he decommitted...Right now I have him on the back burner while we gauge our interest in Sibert and Johnson...Also there is no reason to not go after the talent in our own backyard first...

For 2011 we should have 3 or 4 ships depending on who leaves, and any transfers etc...

Right now the guys on the list are...

Chane Behanon - He is a strong PF, really hope that he grows at least 2 more inches, and then he could really be dominant, if not he would have to develop more of a 3's game...

Marquis Teague - Another that I really like, not real sure the interest levelon Teague's end, but one to watch for sure...

[osubuckeyes2731]

I love Johnson's height (6'3). I keep thinking Deron Williams for some reason. He's probably not even close to the same type of player but everytime I think of him, I think of Deron Williams.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by osubuckeyes2731

I love Johnson's height (6'3). I keep thinking Deron Williams for some reason. He's probably not even close to the same type of player but everytime I think of him, I think of Deron Williams.

Johnson is lanky kid, Think Evan Turner body type, not quite as tall tho...Deron Williams looks like a bull to me...He has a huge body for a PG...

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Ohio State men's basketball coaches, who already sponsor a "team camp" in June for high schools, are considering another way in which players -- and perhaps some future Buckeyes -- can be exposed to what the program has to offer.
A growing trend in college basketball is for schools to sponsor "elite camps," in which a few dozen high school-age players can compete against one another as well as receive instruction from the schools' coaching staffs.
Xavier had its camp recently. Ohio State coach Thad Matta is tentatively hoping to play host to one in August.
The upside, as noted, is exposure for the program and coaches. The downside: the coaches can't invite prospects. Anyone can register, pay the fee and attend. It's first-come, first-served until the camp is capped at somewhere around 40 players.
Ohio State has not publicized the camp yet. Somehow, though, word has reached the best prospects -- at least two the Buckeyes are recruiting in the classes of 2010 and 2011 say they might attend.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

2009 class..My thoughts..the staff is looking for just 1 post player..anything else is a bonus..offers out to Van Treese, Orton, Wall, Boynton, Wilson, Sidney, Cheek and Henry.

Orton Top player on the board right now for the staff..has offers from everyone, continues to list tOSU in his top 7 schools, also indicates he will visit.....if he does, we have a chance......personally I feel that he will leave the west but I don't like our odds of landing him..watch Kentucky here. Negative for me...one year rental.

Van Treese - Received an early offer....has not quite developed at the pace expected...has a high ceiling and potential...so far production has not matched his potential.....I am not very high on him...seems to be very interested in Indiana despite numerous players at his position......tough to tell who wins this recruitment. The one positive for me his he will most likely be a 3-4 year player.

Marquis Mathis He is a reach....but with the potential to develop into a solid player......much like Othello Hunter situation a few years ago.....athletic with raw ability. Positive for me is a 3 year player.

Wildcard category

Roberto Nelson - Keep an eye on this one.....has tOSU connections.........family in the area......could be in the running in the fall....

Take them if they want in category: Boynton, Sidney and Henry.


2010 class.......My thoughts.......I believe there are going to be 5/6 in this class......3 verbals and offers out to Sibert, Johnson, Payne, Golden, Hairston and Howard (??)

Sullinger Not much needs to be said about the #2 prospect in the nation. What is so great about Sullinger is that there is the feeling despite his talents he will be in college for more than one year. Great kid, Great family, Great program = Great addition to the program.

Thomas What is not to love about his game? He can take you down in the post........go around you on the perimeter and shoot over you from downtown......plus he is still developing his body........depending on the current NBA/CBA situation?Thomas could be a one year rental........but I will not complain. I love it......another Indiana top prospect who doesn't give Indiana a sniff.

Wright I have seen him play twice and he is a younger version of David Lighty with a less consistent jump shot at this stage, but he can fill up the stat sheet in a hurry and is just solid. The staff jumped on him quickly and I have a feeling by his senior season he will be getting more pub. Bonus is he most likely is a 2-3 year player.

Sibert Much like Sam Longo.......Sibert burst on the scene this summer and has proven he is a top prospect in Ohio and moving up into the top 50-75 range nationally. I hope he accepts.

Payne It took awhile to get the offer and he is quiet by nature so it is hard to get a read on his favorites at this point. Buzz going around about Dayton.........what is obvious is that he is a long, athletic prospect who tOSU wants badly. This one will be interesting.

Johnson Anthony Johnson is another kid who within the last few months came on tOSU's radar and some believe we are the team to beat at this point........listed as a combo guard but from reports is more a point guard.

Pe'Son Howard - May hold an offer.......playing out of state but he is a gifted point guard who may see more love from the staff in the fall.....keep an eye on this one.

Golden In my opinion........Golden seems to want some love and wants to look around.......just me but I think the ship is sailing away.

2011 class..........two offers out to Behanon and Teague......

Chane Behanon - Top prospect in the Ohio 2011 class........enough said.

Marquis Teague Top prospect nationally in the class.......amazing quickness.......to early to tell which way he is leaning.

Early watch list

Ryan Taylor, Jeremiah Davis, LaDontae Henton

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

Well with the recent wave of a decommit and 3 offers I figured it was time for an update here...

For 09 the staff is look for one...Gonna be a big man...
...

Agree with the majority of what you say but I am almost of the opinion that if we do not get Orton, which seems like we won't, of the other two guys I really don't have a good feel for their abilities and unless a stud JUCO would come along I would bank the scholarship.

We have three openings now for the 2010 class even with our current 3 verbals so if we do not give out 6 in 2010 we could start the evening out our classes. I agree that BJ is probably a one and done but you never know. I think the kid really loves Ohio State. I think that Buford would be a Cook situation and if he only sees 25 minutes again next year I think it would be very beneficial for him to stay for 2 years. If Thad thinks that he is going to be a one and done, you might look for Ohio State to go at Nelson a little stronger. I also think that Turner might be around for all 4 years and unless I see great improvement in his outside shooting next year I will stay with that opinion. If the latter two guys would stay, it would certainly help balance out our classes after 2010.

From everything that I have read, I know that Payne would be a very a very good addition to the 2010 class but Dayton has a very strong shot at him and I think he needs to get a qualifying test score before he gets an "official". I am not sure how that part of recruiting works but even though he needs work offensively he would be a Ken Johnson clone for Ohio State. I would like to see him, Johnson, and Sibert round out the 2010 class.

[itownbuckeye]

CBF40 & Junkie, I noticed neither of you included Hairston in your summaries. Has the ship sailed or does OSU still have a shot?

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I overlooked Hairston.........I think if he visits then we have a chance but distance is a factor here.......would love to have him but not sure if we have a realistic shot without another visit.

[LitlBuck]

I forgot to say this in my original message but I believe that if we want SVT I think we could bring him in rather easily. Indiana already has 11 commitments over the next two years and with NCAA sanctions coming I seriously doubt if they will have room for him. I really don't see the other schools who he is interested in being a serious contender to Ohio State for his services.

Another reason I would like to bank a 2009 scholarship unless we could land a really big-time prospect is because of my APR concerns.

I would be a little bit shocked if we would land Hairston. I think he goes to Duke.

[crazybuckfan40]

I really don't see a way we can get around not taking a big man in 09...

We will be left with Lauderdale Kecman, and Madsen as guys over 6'6''...Think we need a guy that can man the C/PF position...

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

I really don't see a way we can get around not taking a big man in 09...

We will be left with Lauderdale Kecman, and Madsen as guys over 6'6''...Think we need a guy that can man the C/PF position...

Let me rephrase my thinking regarding 09 recruiting.

I guess what I was trying to say is that if we cannot get Orton, who I do not think we will land, I would rather the staff try and get a good junior-college PF/C rather than giving one to SVT who probably would not be ready to really help us for probably two years. I do not have high hopes regarding Mathis even though he is supposed to be very athletic. My question is how tall is he? Is he a big 6'7" or a small 6'8" or is he very similar to Eric Wallace. I trust the staff and realize that we will be lacking in depth in 09 in the frontcourt but neither of the latter two guys that I mentioned I cannot see helping us in their first year and look who we have coming in 2010.