SF Evan Turner (official thread)

[Best Buckeye]

IMO Evan looked pretty good, he has great athleticism and looks like he is catching up to the game. I was impressed with his progress.

[bkochmc]

Turner's thread needs a little more love... he played a very good game against Coppin State... here's hoping that game was the start of something good for him. The Bucks need their freshman to be more consistent in both scoring and effort.

[Buckskin86]

OSU men's basketball: Turner developing into an armed force
Freshman's reach proves menacing in full-court press
Friday, December 21, 2007 3:12 AM
By Bob Baptist

Evan Turner is no little kid. He stands 6 feet 6 and has arms long enough to hug an oak tree.

But even someone of his stature, not to mention skill, had doubts when he started practice with the Ohio State men's basketball team two months ago.

"I was like, 'These guys are monsters,' " he said. "In high school, I drove (to the basket). I was like, 'How am I going to drive now?'

"But we have such good defenders I go up against in practice, it makes it easy in the games. And our big men are beasts, so I get used to it in practice and get some confidence to do it in the games."

And for one moment, at least, it felt like high school again Tuesday night.

Turner helped trap a Cleveland State ball-handler near midcourt and, when the player tried to pass over the top of the trap, Turner jumped with arms extended, intercepted the ball almost as it left the opponent's hands, turned and drove downcourt for an uncontested dunk.

"It was good to get a dunk," Turner said. "I was so excited."

Turner's growing assertiveness on the floor, and signs of a thaw in Jon Diebler's three-point stroke, are solidifying what was the most unsettled position in the lineup as the Buckeyes prepare for another nonconference test, against Florida, on Saturday in Value City Arena.

BuckeyeXtra - OSU men's basketball: Turner developing into an armed force

[GrizzlyBuck]

Can't say that E Turner has been a pleasant suprise as with his HS competition and reputation, I expected him to be a solid contributor this year and he has not disapointed. It took him a couple of games to settle in and now he looks pretty comfortable out there. He brings a nice mixture of tough defense and and versatile offense to the court.

Good job Evan, keep up the good work.

[graveyard.roses]

Evan looked really good against Florida. I have a feeling that he will be a special player at Ohio State. He kind of reminds me of Daequan Cook.

[buckeyes_rock]

Originally Posted by graveyard.roses

Evan looked really good against Florida. I have a feeling that he will be a special player at Ohio State. He kind of reminds me of Daequan Cook.

Yes, but let's hope he only gets better as the year goes on.

Couldn't resist, sorry.

[Bucky Katt]

Some numbers to chew on....

Per game averages through 7 games (through Butler) for Turner:
Minutes: 17.8
Shots: 3.3
FG%: 35%
2-point FG%: 41%
3-point FG%: 16%
FT%:72% on 2 attempts per game
Rebounds: 2.4
Assists: 1.9
Turnovers: 1.0
Steals: .3
Points: 3.9

Per game average last 7 games (starting with Coppin St) for Turner:
Minutes: 25.4
Shots: 5.1
FG%: 64%
2-point FG%: 73%
3-point FG%: 50%
FT%:75% on 3.5 attempts per game
Rebounds: 3.6
Assists: 2.1
Turnovers: 3.9
Steals: 1.6
Points: 10.1

He's really stepped up his intensity and aggression over the last month. If he could cut the turnovers down to around 2 per game, that would be great, but overall, his level of play is way up. Also doing a better job finishing inside the arc. Better around the rim and knocking down some mid-to-short range jumpers.

Great work, Evan!

EDIT - addl information....

In those first 7 games, Turner exceeded 23 minutes only once (Columbia) and hit double-figures just one time (10 points vs. VMI).
In the last 7, Turner has played 23 or more minutes in 6 of the 7 games (Presbyterian being the exception) and hit double-figures 4 times.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by Bucky Katt

Some numbers to chew on.... If he could cut the turnovers down to around 2 per game, that would be great,.

Down to 0 would be even nicer. It looks like he is finally getting adjusted to the college game and not trying to rush everything. It's nice that he has stepped up to the point where Thad can rotate Evan, Lighty, and Diebler or even have all of them on the floor together.

Thanks for posting the stats. Very interesting.

[crazybuckfan40]

Evan continues to get better and better...He is getting the feel for the college game, is not forcing things like he was early in the season, seems to not be so out of control, and is cutting down on the turnovers. His length in the zone to go along with Lighty and Butler out top is really giving teams trouble when they try to pass over the zone and shoot over the zone...

[Best Buckeye]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

Evan continues to get better and better...He is getting the feel for the college game, is not forcing things like he was early in the season, seems to not be so out of control, and is cutting down on the turnovers. His length in the zone to go along with Lighty and Butler out top is really giving teams trouble when they try to pass over the zone and shoot over the zone...

I agree CBF40. His progression has matched the teams as he adapts to the college game

[bucknut11]

Great game by Evan today, probably the best of his young career. Very versatile player and showed great hustle all game.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by bucknut11

Great game by Evan today, probably the best of his young career. Very versatile player and showed great hustle all game.

Agree. Shot the ball well from the perimeter and took it to the basket when he had the chance. Played a solid all-around game. He played the game that I thought D. L. would be bringing to the table this season but props to Turner. I just hope he will continue to progress.

[akronbuck]

Originally Posted by bucknut11

Great game by Evan today, probably the best of his young career. Very versatile player and showed great hustle all game.

agree. Who was the top freshmen yesterday

[Best Buckeye]

Originally Posted by akronbuck

agree. Who was the top freshmen yesterday

Turner was by far

[Yertle]

What a great day for Evan yesterday. Heart-breaking loss, but you gotta love this kid. Sure, he needs to cut back on the turnovers, but his upside is awesome. Granted, I'm trying to keep my enthusiasm in check a bit because as with most freshmen, he's bound to struggle again soon.

If Evan and KK can play like they did in the second half, we can still make some noise this season. That was a very good Tennessee team, playing in front of a loud crowd, and we took them to the wire with a down-day by our best player. I have to say, in this case, I feel good about this loss. Matta just needs to build on their performance and put together a little run in the Big 10 schedule.