Basketball Recruiting Projections/General Discussions

[ScriptOhio]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

I would say the guy is right about where the schollies will come from with Mullens leaving early and either one of Buford or Turner leaving early...

The thing I disagree with is at the end of his column he says to not be surprised to see one of the 2010 guys open up their recruitment and head elsewhere even tho they have already verballed...I can only assume that he is talking about Wright and I don't see that happening...

I guess that means "zero" recruits for the 2009 class.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I guess that means "zero" recruits for the 2009 class.

Not really a suprise at this point.........not a deep talent pool in Ohio or the region for that matter.............looking towards 2011 and a true point guard in my opinion.

[crazybuckfan40]

Z is the only recruit for the 09' class that we needed...

[Bucks21]

Matta spoke at the block O meeting yesterday. Its no surprise that he can recruit. The guy is full of energy and personality. Right when he got on the mic he did a Will Ferrell like bit by from old school that pretty hilarious.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Z is the only recruit for the 09' class that we needed...

Good point.......Z could be a sleeper and develop into a productive player in the Big Ten.........He has potential.........lets hope Matta gets the most out of him......I am excited to see what he can bring to this program in the next few years...........

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Link

Ohio State Adds Two More to Loaded 2010 Class

Ohio State men's basketball Head Coach Thad Matta and assistants Archie Miller and Alan Major have been in hot pursuit of four star prospect Lenzelle Smith from Zion-Benton High School in Zion, Illinois.
That hard work has paid off. The guard has made his verbal commitment to Matta and the Buckeyes on Sunday to join the already loaded 2010 recruiting class.
After announcing his commitment, Smith told the Columbus Dispatch, "When I took my official visit (in August), stepping on campus, I just knew Ohio State was the best school I could accomplish my personal goals at and win a national championship for my class."
Smith is rated the No. 2 prospect in his class from Illinois and No. 97 nationally by Rivals.com, which calls him an "unorthodox guard" because of his 6' 3", 205-pound frame, 6' 9" wingspan, and an "affinity for physical play".

[buckeydoptimist]

It's pretty clear that there will be no '09 recruits ( as mentioned Zisis was probably signed because they couldn't find any viable bigs left in the '09 class worth offering, besides Orton - and he was always a longshot at best ).

It also seems clear that Payne is the primary and possibly only/last target for '10 now.

I don't like seeing that even the media feels there is some doubt about Wright - that would seem a bad road to go down IMO and I hope it is baseless speculation only!

It wouldn't surprise me at all if someone from the '08 ( now 7 members ) or '10 class ( 5 going on 6 ) does eventually xfer out for more playing time though. It is almost inevitable that when you stock a full roster you just can't keep all 13 happy. A couple may end up content to ride the bench or wait their turn but it isn't unusual for someone to decide they can't! Just look at our recent past, we typically haven't been able to keep even 10 guys all happy ( though IMO a lot of that comes from their delusions or from some desparation pick-ups that didn't pan out - and the days of such "reaches" are hopefully over NOW ). I will say that Zisis might be considered a reach. Hopefully he'll end up being a "Hunter"-esce raw developer instead of a bench warmer. Only time will tell!

[LitlBuck]

I agree that someone might transfer out at some time or another but that is the case with any program. I think it is important to remember that of the 12 guys that will be playing this year one of them only has 2 years of eligibility and another only has 3 years of eligibility. I am not including Z because he is not eligible to play until the 09 season and he will only have 3 years of eligibility.

I guess I just don't understand why you are so down on a guy that you have never seen before. He doesn't 7 feet mean anything. I mean the guy doesn't even start to play competitively until next season so let's at least give the guy a chance.

I would not be surprised then if we do not get Payne that Matta might surprise us again with a junior college player or possibly even another high school big guy. Some of the things that he does surprises the heck out of me.

[crazybuckfan40]

We brought in the big numbers due to guys leaving early and some transfers so they don't have a full 4 years...

This is what we have missed when bringing in guys like Oden, Cook, Conley, etc...

We will be in much better situation now when guys like Mullens and Buford leave early...

[buckeydoptimist]

I'm not "so down" on him. I just think the timing and all on his coming here are very reminiscent of past reaches. Hopefully he'll be the first that COMES THRU, but I am hoping that is the last time they have to take such a risk.

I also hope that with the '08 class we've seen the last JUCO for a long time. I'm not a fan of continued use of JUCOs to plug gaps and provide upperclassman either. It is also a desparation move but definitely more successful than summer pick-ups ( JUCO or xfers ). I understand and support it during coaching changes - or if you have a mass exodus like our '06 class. But I think the '10 class is a good start at signing extra h.s. kids when some of them are likely early pros.

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I agree that someone might transfer out at some time or another but that is the case with any program. I think it is important to remember that of the 12 guys that will be playing this year one of them only has 2 years of eligibility and another only has 3 years of eligibility. I am not including Z because he is not eligible to play until the 09 season and he will only have 3 years of eligibility.

I guess I just don't understand why you are so down on a guy that you have never seen before. He doesn't 7 feet mean anything. I mean the guy doesn't even start to play competitively until next season so let's at least give the guy a chance.

I would not be surprised then if we do not get Payne that Matta might surprise us again with a junior college player or possibly even another high school big guy. Some of the things that he does surprises the heck out of me.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Kansas just won the title and I believe they signed 2-3 JUCOs due to departures......it happens at almost every program......Matta needed to build a foundation for the program (ie bringing Z, Simmons, Madsen, Hill etc).......now the foundation is there and when we lose some players, we can hopefully maintain some consistency and chemistry......Early departures have changed recruiting and opened up doors for JUCO players.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by buckeydoptimist

I'm not "so down" on him. I just think the timing and all on his coming here are very reminiscent of past reaches. Hopefully he'll be the first that COMES THRU, but I am hoping that is the last time they have to take such a risk.

I also hope that with the '08 class we've seen the last JUCO for a long time. I'm not a fan of continued use of JUCOs to plug gaps and provide upperclassman either. It is also a desparation move but definitely more successful than summer pick-ups ( JUCO or xfers ). I understand and support it during coaching changes - or if you have a mass exodus like our '06 class. But I think the '10 class is a good start at signing extra h.s. kids when some of them are likely early pros.

Why is Wright a reach? Because he is not ranked in the top 100 Scout/Rivals etc...

We have first hand reports of his game on this site about what he brings to the table, and they sound pretty promising to me...

On video he looks good...Matta and staff deemed him worthy of an offer very early in the game, and he wants to be a buckeye...

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I don't like seeing that even the media feels there is some doubt about Wright - that would seem a bad road to go down IMO and I hope it is baseless speculation only!

I don't believe anyone who has actually seen Cameron Wright play is doubting his talent and potential.......because that is what it is when you offer a kid that early.......if their are some doubters out there, go see the kid play and do not base the doubt on the fact he is not listed in the top 100 players in the nation.........

The staff is projecting his potential........their track record is pretty good up to this point when recruiting high school players......we are batting about 50% when it comes to JUCOs or transfers......thank god we had a Lewis and Foster for every Mayes.....

[buckeydoptimist]

I was referring strictly to Zisis, not Wright. I have no qualms or skepticism with Cam and was not referring to him in any way. If you read my posts you'll see I was unhappy with those speculating Cam may be nudged out of the class - even.

The timing and comments and background, with regard to Z, is reminiscent of Hill, Madsen, Jernigan and a few others who were signed in desparation mode over the years. I'm just skeptical about that practice - in principle. Hopefully it will pay off this time!

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

Why is Wright a reach? Because he is not ranked in the top 100 Scout/Rivals etc...

We have first hand reports of his game on this site about what he brings to the table, and they sound pretty promising to me...

On video he looks good...Matta and staff deemed him worthy of an offer very early in the game, and he wants to be a buckeye...

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by buckeydoptimist

I was referring strictly to Zisis, not Wright. I have no qualms or skepticism with Cam and was not referring to him in any way. If you read my posts you'll see I was unhappy with those speculating Cam may be nudged out of the class - even.

The timing and comments and background, with regard to Z, is reminiscent of Hill, Madsen, Jernigan and a few others who were signed in desparation mode over the years. I'm just skeptical about that practice - in principle. Hopefully it will pay off this time!

Z is not a desperation signing...I think that you will be surprised with that signing...He didn't play much at UAB, but he has lots of potential, and the staff does not think it will be a Madsen like situation...