C Greg Oden (Portland Trailblazers)

[Thump]

Originally Posted by buckalum01

There is an interesting thread over on the Wake Forest board related to this player. Seems they have a fear of Matta. I wouldn't call it a hatred or a dislike-- seems to reverential for that. Mostly talk about how he is their arch-nemesis.

http://mb9.scout.com/fwakeforestfrm1...ID=54590.topic

Looks top me basically like it's 2 guys talking back and forth to each other.

[buckalum01]

It is two guys, but I just thought it was funny how Matta is being perceived by some people- after only one year at tOSU and one surprisingly exciting recruiting weekend. I know he's had success at other schools, but it is nice to have a coach with a great reputation for winning, recruiting etc. Do you think any conversations like this occured on the Wake board about O'Brien? Not likely.

It is just gratifying, as A FAN, to see our BBall program talked about with almost a "better-watch-out" attitude by others. Especially after coming off of a season when the Buckeye's were dealing with off-the-court issues, a post-season ban, a new coach, a new offense, no true stars (Dials will be, IMHO), and ongoing perception problems as a school out of control in its athletics practices.

For the first time, in a long time, there is an excitment about tOSU BBall. I love it!!!

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Lets get back on topic fellas...thx in advance....

BN will be posting an interview with Oden later on today (4/20/05)

[Thump]

Originally Posted by bucknuts44820

Lets get back on topic fellas...thx in advance....

BN will be posting an interview with Oden later on today (4/20/05)

How was that off topic?

The thread posted was about Matta's recruitment of Oden.

[bucknut11]

How was that off topic?

Aww, he just wants to flex his moderator muscle


So if they do enforce the age rule in the NBA, would these guys have to stay until an age or would it be 3 years like the NFL?

[EPBucks]

There is an interview up on Bucknuts. In it Greg states that OSU is his leader but he isn't even sure he wants to name a leader right now. He also says that he and Mike will make their visit to Wake this weekend.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

scout.com$

4/20/05

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Greg Oden

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top> Nation's Top Junior Discusses Choices
By Kyle Lamb
Date: Apr 20, 2005

Center Greg Oden of Indianapolis Lawrence North has never spoken much with the media, but Bucknuts had the good fortune of being able to speak with this blue-chip prospect last night. Oden is currently ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the country as a junior, and many believe he is the top NBA prospect in high school as well. Right now, Ohio State is one of the schools Oden is keeping a close eye on, and Kyle Lamb caught up with Oden to find out the latest in this exclusive interview.
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Really good interview by Kyle Lamb......talked about their recent loss at the "Real Deal" event...Oden called it frustrating. Greg feels he needs to work on all aspects of his game this summer. Oden lists Ohio State, Indiana, Wake Forest, Michigan State, and North Carolina as his top schools.

When asked about saying OSU was probably his leader, he said he did in fact say that but his options are open. He is in the process of setting up a visit to OSU.

Matta reportedly spent two hours during his school visit with Oden and Conley and made an impression.

[wadc45]

Huh...why have your first and only interview thus far with a correspondent from a Ohio State recruiting website? Makes you wonder...

[SCBuck]

When asked about saying OSU was probably his leader, he said he did in fact say that but his options are open

you omitted the rest of that quote

"I don’t know if I want to say that I have one yet.”

Maybe i'm seeing this thru scarlet colored glasses, but maybe it sounds like he doesn't want to reveal his leader. And he comfirms tOSU is his leader in the same quote.

It's starting to feel alot like Christmas.

[hoopsfan]

I posted a reply about Greg last week indicating his preferences were Michigan St. and Wake. A family member of mine is very close to Greg and talks to him regularly. As of just the other day, Greg has changed his tune somewhat. Matta did have a TREMENDOUS impact, and Greg now has OSU right up there with Wake. Michigan State is a close third. But that is also how 17 year old minds think - Wake is a beautiful place and it probably will have a great impact this week as well.

I think he will make a verbal commitment late this summer, but I still think the chances are 75/25 he will go NBA. I simply do not see how he could pass up the opportunity (by the way - I personally don't see an age limit coming to the NBA).

[jwinslow]

Nevadabuck and most NBA analysts say the NBA age limit is close to being a done deal... the NBA is falling way behind the other leagues and needs to do something to recover. Regardless of whether or not it is fair, it will help the league to have an age limit. Having the Jermaine O'Neal's of the world develop in college first and be hyped up big time by the NCAA talking heads only improves their marketability.

This kid has said he is very interested in college anyway. I agree he would probably go pro, but it doesn't sound like that option is going to be there.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

you omitted the rest of that quote

You are correct...in my opinion, saying that his options were open made the point he was still unsure.

I think he will make a verbal commitment late this summer, but I still think the chances are 75/25 he will go NBA. I simply do not see how he could pass up the opportunity (by the way - I personally don't see an age limit coming to the NBA).

I also think his verbal will come this summer but I honestly believe he wants to go to college and is comfortable with it. Also, the NBA players union has informed Stern that an age limit can be negotiated in the next CBA, that means they support it and honestly it would be good for the league. Now, who knows what form of a age limit will be initiated but it may effect the 2006 class.

This kid has said he is very interested in college anyway. I agree he would probably go pro, but it doesn't sound like that option is going to be there.

BuckeyeFROMscUM.....I agree that he wants to go to college. In an article about Conley.....Mike thinks Oden will go to college because he consistently tells him he will and Conley thinks they will go to the same school.

[hoopsfan]

Greg definitely does want to go to college, but he has also told people very close to him that if he were the top pick he would have to make the jump to the NBA.

Selfishly, I hope the age limit is passed as that would take that option away for a kid that wants to go to college. On the other hand, I don't think it is fair as people in most other professional sports can be pros whenever they are ready.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

scout.com$

4/21/05
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Thad Matta

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>A Schott In The Arm: Special Recruiting Edition
By Kyle Lamb
Date: Apr 21, 2005

Does Ohio State really have a chance at bringing in one of the best basketball recruiting classes in college basketball history? We're still a long way off from finding out, but it seems like all the news coming Ohio State's way recently has been good news. What are OSU's chances of landing a legendary class, and what's Thad Matta doing to make all this happen? Kyle Lamb comes back today with a special edition of "A Schott In The Arm" to talk about that and more.
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Buckeye fans are not used to so much chatter surrounding basketball at this time of year, but so much is going on with recruiting that Kyle Lamb is coming right back this week with a special recruiting edition of his subscribers-only "A Schott In The Arm" column.

It's AAU season for high school basketball players, and there's been plenty of recruiting news to go with it. One of the schools that is right in the middle of so much of the recruiting chatter is Ohio State as head coach Thad Matta is going all-out to recruit this year's top talent. We've discussed OSU's chances of landing five-star Cleveland guard David Lighty and blue-chip tandem Mike Conley and Greg Oden of Indianapolis Lawrence North quite a few times here in the past, but recently, yet another blue-chipper has emerged in the OSU recruiting derby -- 6-8 Memphis (Tenn.) WF Thaddeus Young.

Can OSU really get all of these players to form a "superclass" along with current commitment Daequan Cook? What is Thad Matta doing to get the attention of all these blue-chippers? Kyle discusses that today, along with a detailed look at each remaining recruiting possibility for both 2006 and 2007 and whether or not those players figure into OSU's plans at this point. Click below for the article:

A Schott In The Arm -- April 21

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The article talks about Matta and his recruiting ability...Matta blew Oden and Conley away during his presentation at their school a few weeks ago. Oden and Conley will be possibly be visiting unofficially or officially (situation depends on a variety of factors) when they visit Columbus for Jerry Watson’s Great Eight AAU tournament May 7-9. If they decide this visit is unofficial they will set up an official visit the following week 14-16 May. NCAA rules are a factor here.

This could mean they will be on campus two consecutive weekends.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

rivals.com$

4/21/05

Oden will be visiting Wake this weekend along with Mike Conley. Conley admits it would be nice to keep playing with Oden in college after their highly successfully run in high school and AAU basketball. Oden's basketball future will certainly be impacted by what happens with a possible age restriction for the NBA draft.