PG P.J. Hill (official thread)

[BuckeyeMafia]

I didn't see the game, but it appeared everytime I looked the gamecast he had his hand in an assist, 3, or defensive hustle play. He's really improved with his upped play time. He could be a high impact guy in the future.

[DZ83CK]

PJ is starting to look like a really good get for Matta considering the circumstances. He's doing a great job in his supporting role ... hopefully he keeps improving. He seems to have a pretty high BB IQ.

[generaladm]

I remember watching PJ in a relief role last year, and thinking he would be really good if he could play in control. He's made a great deal of improvement over the course of the year, especially on D. He could still stand to calm down a notch when running the point. IMO, patience is one of the main attributes for a good PG, and PJ won't get a look a SG as long as Diebler is on the team. A few weeks ago, I thought he was about even with Simmons, with Simmons having a slight edge on the offensive side, but PJ has stepped up, and Simmons has shown some inconsistency. I love PJ's intensity. There's a definite improvement in that area when he is on the floor. From what poeple have said about his work ethic, he could be a big part of next year's team.

[crazybuckfan40]

PJ has actually been getting into the lane lately as well and creating for the rest of the guys...I would almost be up for starting PJ and letting him be the guy creating for the rest of the team, and then bring Simmons in off the bench for some offense from the point guard situation, but right now Simmons is really struggling...

[bucknut11]

With how PJ has been coming on lately, I wonder how Crater's feeling about his rash decision...

[BrutusBobcat]

I really loved PJ's hustle on the free throw rebound and putback near the end of the game. It'd be nice to see that kind of effort on the boards from a few other guys.

[DZ83CK]

PJ had another very productive game in the win over PSU ... he's taking advantage of teams leaving him open.

PJ is shooting over 43% on 3-pointers this season. For some reason, though, a couple times I've seen TV announcers question PJ shooting a 3 somewhat early in the shot clock, once against Purdue and once against Illinois. I don't consider PJ taking a 3-pointer to be a bad shot at all, yet some announcers apparently do if it's early in the shot clock. I guess you can't please everybody ... I've seen a lot of awful bricks tossed up by ACC players (with plenty of time to get a better shot) - I guess that's OK in the ACC but a 43% 3-point shooter taking a relatively open shot with plenty of time on the shotclock in the Big Ten is a bad shot?? Hard to reconcile the opinions of the media sometimes ... many ACC players (especially some reserves) have bad shot selection, but PJ has shown very good shot selection this season.

I love the boost PJ has been giving the team in Big Ten play.

[schwab]

Originally Posted by DZ83CK

PJ had another very productive game in the win over PSU ... he's taking advantage of teams leaving him open.

PJ is shooting over 43% on 3-pointers this season. For some reason, though, a couple times I've seen TV announcers question PJ shooting a 3 somewhat early in the shot clock, once against Purdue and once against Illinois. I don't consider PJ taking a 3-pointer to be a bad shot at all, yet some announcers apparently do if it's early in the shot clock. I guess you can't please everybody ... I've seen a lot of awful bricks tossed up by ACC players (with plenty of time to get a better shot) - I guess that's OK in the ACC but a 43% 3-point shooter taking a relatively open shot with plenty of time on the shotclock in the Big Ten is a bad shot?? Hard to reconcile the opinions of the media sometimes ... many ACC players (especially some reserves) have bad shot selection, but PJ has shown very good shot selection this season.

I love the boost PJ has been giving the team in Big Ten play.

And 1

[osugrad21]

CPD

Ohio State Men's Basketball: Short-handed with a fresh starter

by Doug Lesmerises/Plain Dealer Reporter Friday March 13, 2009, 3:48 AM


Andy Manis/Associated PressIn his past nine games, Ohio State's P.J. Hill has averaged 22.9 minutes and had a total of 45 points and 22 assists.
COLUMBUS -- For the team with the shortest bench in the Big Ten, Ohio State's P.J. Hill feels like his season just started. It's amazing how fresh a starting point guard can be when he played 15 total minutes in the first 10 games of the season. "I'm the jump-start guy. I didn't play that much at the beginning of the season, so when I get my chance to go out there, I'm going to bring the energy, because I'm fresher," Hill said. "This is the halfway point for me, but it's the full point for everybody else. So that's an advantage for me."
Except when his energy gets out of control.
"He's always going to compete, he's always going to play," OSU coach Thad Matta said. "He's not going to play perfect. We're still working on some of the mistakes he's making. He's costing us some points on defense. It's never out of lack of effort. Honestly, he's trying to do too much on defense sometimes rather than sticking with the principles."
As the fifth-seeded Buckeyes open the Big Ten Tournament today, playing No. 4 seed Wisconsin, they'll need the extra bounce from Hill. Eyeing three games in three days if they want to reach the championship game, Ohio State is the only Big Ten team remaining that plays only seven players at least 10 minutes per game.
The Buckeyes' two most consistent players -- Jon Diebler and Evan Turner -- averaged 38.5 and 38.2 minutes per game in Big Ten play, ranking first and tied for second in the conference. Admitting to any fatigue is heresy in the Kingdom of Matta, but Diebler said if there are heavy legs, they come in practice. And then Hill is there, bouncing around like the court is a trampoline.

Cont..

[LitlBuck]

He has certainly brought his game to another level since last season with his offense. I never have questioned his defense because he is all go all the time and truly a team player. Just bided is time and kept on playing hard. Props to P.J.

[bucknutz]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

He has certainly brought his game to another level since last season with his offense. I never have questioned his defense because he is all go all the time and truly a team player. Just bided is time and kept on playing hard. Props to P.J.

Can't agree more, PJ has stepped it up big time and I like watching his style of play.

[Buckskin86]

OSU men's basketball: Hill's game undergoes offseason makeover
Guard scores 18, plays turnover-free in Canada opener
Saturday, August 29, 2009
By Bob Baptist
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

WINDSOR, Ontario -- After Ohio State's first-round NCAA loss to Siena in March, feeling his mental gaffe had cost his team the game, P.J. Hill vowed to return a different player.

"Next year I'm going to come back with a better game," he said. "Teams are not going to be able to just help off me. I'm going to make teams pay."

Last night, the University of Windsor became the first team to pay.

Beginning a series of three exhibition games in four days across the border from Detroit, the Ohio State men's basketball team outclassed the Lancers 90-39 in the St. Denis Centre in large part due to not only Hill's ever-present energy but also his production.

The senior guard had 18 points, four assists, four rebounds and two steals. He took charges and tied up possessions defensively. He made 7 of 9 shots from the field, including all four from behind the three-point arc, and didn't commit a turnover.

"I made a commitment (last spring) that I wouldn't come back the same as I was," Hill said. "I've been working with (assistant) coach Brandon Miller, every day at 8 a.m., no matter what. We made a commitment that I was going to step it up this year. I'm just trying to hold true to my end."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU men's basketball: Hill's game undergoes offseason makeover

[buckeyes_rock]

Originally Posted by Buckskin86

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU men's basketball: Hill's game undergoes offseason makeover

Good for PJ! I love the guy's energy, but if he can just hit some outside shots he could be a nice asset to this team. 4 for 4 from behind the arc yesterday is a nice way to start.