SF William Buford (Big Ten Frosh of the Year)

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Shoot first, defend later: OSU freshman Buford's score-first mentality helps shorthanded Bucks
by Doug Lesmerises/Plain Dealer Reporter
Friday January 16, 2009, 8:43 PM

COLUMBUS -- If there are impressionable young basketball minds looking at this, always remember that defense wins games, and nothing is more rewarding than hustling to prevent your opponent from scoring.
And stay in school.

Now let's talk about 6-foot-5 freshman William Buford filling up the basket for Ohio State, because when his high school coach brought up Buford's defense, he couldn't stop laughing.

"He knows, he knows. He was a one-man zone," former Toledo Libby coach LeRoy Bates, who retired after last season, said Friday. "When you've got a kid scoring at the level he could score at in high school, you give some and you take some. I'm not crazy."

Bates sent Buford off to Ohio State with the proper warnings, that he'd have to defend to get on the court for Thad Matta. But discussing Buford's defensive, ahem, abilities still causes OSU teammate Evan Turner to pucker his lips and shake his head.

"I told him the other day, you'd better start playing defense or we're going to lose. But I said it in a different way," Turner said this week. "He's starting to learn it. He never really had to play defense, and now he's learning."

Continued

[DZ83CK]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I really don't see that much of a difference between Buford and Cook and Buford is getting more minutes. Maybe Cook was a little bigger but I think Buford's shot is almost sweeter. Cook also probably played against tougher competition (AAU) then Buford did so maybe he is a little tougher but I am not sure about that.

I agree. I think the main difference between Cook and Buford is Cook had better opportunities to impress scouts through AAU ball than what Buford had. Buford probably didn't have the same stages to impress scouts in AAU ball, but he compares pretty favorably to Cook.

[billmac91]

Buford's court awareness has improved 150% from the beginning of the season.

[crazybuckfan40]

I think there is quite a bit of a difference between Buford and Cook...

If Cook was on this team, he would be the top player as Frosh...He had Lewis, Butler, Conley at th wing/pg positions, and the opportunities were not there to really be a huge option, especially with Oden down low...

Cook is more explosive player off the bounce, getting to the rim, and especially exploding off his feet...Buford might shoot the ball better, but I think overall talent, I would go with Cook...

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

I think there is quite a bit of a difference between Buford and Cook...

I just can't let this one go without no response at all

If Cook was on this team, he would be the top player as Frosh...He had Lewis, Butler, Conley at th wing/pg positions, and the opportunities were not there to really be a huge option, especially with Oden down low...

I will agree with this because you specified as a frosh but let's see what happens as the season progresses and Mullens starts to see more minutes. However, I also think that Buford's game is not up to the same standards as Cook is because of the competition they faced before coming to college.

Cook is more explosive player off the bounce, getting to the rim, and especially exploding off his feet...Buford might shoot the ball better, but I think overall talent, I would go with Cook...

I will agree with the bolded part of your statement. However, I think the only reason his overall game is better is because, once again, he played against stiffer competition before coming to Ohio State.

[buckeyes_rock]

MBK: William Buford Named Big Ten Player of the Week - The Ohio State Buckeyes Official Athletics Site - OhioStateBuckeyes.com

Congrats to William on being named Big Ten POW!!

[LitlBuck]

Congratulations to William. He is becoming my favorite player and that is hard to do with my admiration for J. D.

[DaytonBuck]

Congrats to WB. I think Cook has the better pure athletic ability than Buford. Cook's athleticism doesn't come around very often. Buford I think is a much better free throw shooter and they're probably about even at this point on their outside shooting. Buford I think does a much better job of taking care of the basketball and getting his teammates involved as a freshman.

[BB73]

Buford talks about getting more comfortable on the floor, reacts to his first Big Ten POW award, and talks about the need to play defense in order to win.

bucknuts.free

[LitlBuck]

Buford was interviewed on Matta's Sunday show and he is a very very quiet kid. However, he did say that he would win a dunk contest amongst the entire team but that Simmons was the best leaper on the team.

[LitlBuck]

I have to give some props to WB (his nickname) on his own thread for the way he has been playing this season especially in the last 4-5 games. I have seen a lot of basketball players in my lifetime and I am having a hard time trying to recall a player who has such a sweet shot with the arc that WB puts on his. He is oh so smooth. He might become my favorite Buckeye basketball player if he sticks around for one more year.

[Tlangs]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I have to give some props to WB (his nickname) on his own thread for the way he has been playing this season especially in the last 4-5 games. I have seen a lot of basketball players in my lifetime and I am having a hard time trying to recall a player who has such a sweet shot with the arc that WB puts on his. He is oh so smooth. He might become my favorite Buckeye basketball player if he sticks around for one more year.

His shot is effortless. It looks the same every time. whether he is in traffic, catch and shoot, off the dribble, or wide open. He just has a sweet lookin shot.

[Buckskin86]

Buford, a 6-5 shooting guard, has raised his profile in the past month with his scoring ability. He is the only freshman among the Big Ten's top-10 scorers.

Ford lists him as a possible second-round pick, but that could change with another strong month. Conley made himself the No. 4 pick in 2006 with three good weeks in March.

Buford did not rule out weighing his options after the season. But his father, William Sr., said he doesn't see his son being done after one.

"We don't even discuss it," the elder Buford said. "I'm almost sure he's coming back."

Dispatch sports reporter Bill Rabinowitz contributed to this story.

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : NBA might beckon for young Buckeyes

[LitlBuck]

The only positive statement out of that story was the one from his father at the end. I sure hope WB comes back because I enjoy his play so much and I just love his stroke.

[buckeyes_rock]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I have to give some props to WB (his nickname) on his own thread for the way he has been playing this season especially in the last 4-5 games. I have seen a lot of basketball players in my lifetime and I am having a hard time trying to recall a player who has such a sweet shot with the arc that WB puts on his. He is oh so smooth. He might become my favorite Buckeye basketball player if he sticks around for one more year.

Can't agree more. I've seen a lot of scorers in my day, but his shot is just so smooth and natural...it's so much fun to watch him shoot.

I sure hope he stays on more year, especially if ET bolts...WB would clearly be the man next year.