Ohio State 47, Coppin State 39 (Final)

[BrutusBobcat]

Great post, B&B. What stands out in reading it is that we have a bunch of guys who all have half a game. In other words, young guys who haven't developed as college players. As an example -- do you play DL more, knowing that his offensive game just isn't there? If so, who do you sit? Hunter? KK? The same problem exists when considering Hill as the PG and moving Butler to 2. Hill is going to have more turnovers than Butler and isn't an effective scorer. The Turner/Diebler discussion is another such point. Diebler plays good D and has sound court awareness, but his shot isn't falling. Turner gives the team a player who can penetrate, but as you mentioned, isn't seeing passing opportunities.

Ultimately, this team won't get better until individual players start to address the weaknesses in their game. Part of the issue may be confidence -- playing four top 25 teams in under two weeks is tough. Three sound beatings by teams which could all very well wind up in the Sweet Sixteen may have done more harm than good.

We like to talk around here about Matta being as good a coach as he is a recruiter. This season is going to test that theory. No one doubts or denies that all of these guys have a world of potential to become great players, but right now they don't form a team.

Last year's squad benefited tremendously from the fact that Oden and Conley had been playing together since grade school. Team chemistry formed around a PG and C who had already developed their games together. This team still lacks the on-court understanding of each other that comes from playing time. You can see this in the simple/non-existent offensive sets and the fact that Matta has yet to have this team in man-to-man for meaningful minutes.

I've been hoping and expecting that chemistry issue to improve game-by-game. The fact that it hasn't is becoming a concern. We may be seeing a team that only wins big games when one or two guys gets hot from the three-point arc, and the rest of the time tries to hang on with tough defense and by forcing turnovers.

The rebounding issue is a complete mystery. I have never seen a college basketball team consistently rebound this poorly. No blocking out, no following shots -- the only boards we get seem to be the accidental ones which happen to take a freak angle coming off of the hoop and which land in someone's hands. Maybe it is worth it to play Lauderdale for more minutes just to get some attitude in there. I like his size, strength and positioning. He's going to be a good one.

Really, we can say that about a lot of these young guys. Hill, Diebler, Lauderdale and Turner have all shown flashes of what the next couple of years could be like.

This may not be the place for this, but is everyone still sold on the idea that KK is one and done? I know that the mock drafts are still showing him as a top 10 player, but I'm starting to wonder if he's slipping in the minds of the guys who actually make the picks. His lack of physical play was already known, but he's proving to be even less physical than projected. Is there a place in the NBA for a 7-footer who hasn't shown much in terms of rebounding or defending against players his own size?

Anyway, I think we all are sharing the disappointment of this game. After the win over Syracuse and a surprisingly strong showing at times against UNC, I think we'd all hoped that the team would look a lot better after some time off. If they can't find some motivation level for Florida, then I am very concerned about how the rest of the season will go. I'm not ready to throw in the towel on an NCAA bid just yet, but we need to see something.

[Jaxbuck]

No one can say for sure but imo Matta has a long enough track record of success that I'm leaning toward the theory he has a group of kids that just aren't listening. Compounding that issue it appears he has no leadership from the players to get everyone doing what they need to do.

The way Matta basically let them lose that exhibition game struck me as very similar to what Phil Jackson has done to teams of that nature in the past. They'll be getting the [censored] beat out of them and looking for a TO and he'll just sit there smiling at them and never call it. "You guys think you know what your doing then fine, get yourself out of this mess, you don't need me" seems to be the message.

Who knows what may finally make it click for these guys, or if it even will at all. I will say that if it does not improve A LOT in a very short period of time I would wager all my vcash on the NIT at best for this team.

[BuckeyeMike80]

Originally Posted by BrutusBobcat

This may not be the place for this, but is everyone still sold on the idea that KK is one and done? I know that the mock drafts are still showing him as a top 10 player, but I'm starting to wonder if he's slipping in the minds of the guys who actually make the picks. His lack of physical play was already known, but he's proving to be even less physical than projected. Is there a place in the NBA for a 7-footer who hasn't shown much in terms of rebounding or defending against players his own size?

And



Dirk doesn't play a ton of defense in the first place and NEVER plays Center.

Yao tries to play defense but always ends up matching up with whatever player isn't the main center for whoever they are playing. (i.e. If they are playing the Heat, he won't guard Shaq at first, he'll guard Haslem, etc)....

So yes, to answer your question, a soft Euro-style 7 footer who has a big offensive skill set will have a ton of opportunities in the NBA today.

I should point out that I am still sold on KK going after this season unless something totally dumb happens. Being that the NBA can be a much different league than the NCAA is and the fact that most NBA teams will have sufficient size so taht KK isn't on the post in every set, he'll be set up for success.

Had Oden come back this year, KK would not be having near the issues he is right now. IF Mullens was at Ohio State right now, KK could be playing PF or even SF and Mullens and Hunter would man the middle.

KK's style just doesn't mesh with the college game quite as much at this time. Maybe it'll change, but his game translates really well with the run and gun of the NBA as it is right now....

[MaxBuck]

Originally Posted by BengalsAndBucks

Turner- he is the only person who can create for us on offense. Glad to see him come out and hit those 2 threes really early, I think it really helped his confidence for the rest of the game (and hopefully that will continue). He also finished on at least one of his drives, and got fouled on a couple more, which are both good things. I really wish he drove with his head up though, so he could see open perimeter shooters as he draws in the defense. Its like once he puts his head down and decides to drive, he is going to force up a shot no matter what, even if he is getting smothered. He could really be the catalyst to the drive-and-kick game that we need to develop, but first he has to realize that he can pass after he gets into the lane. His defense was also very good (3 steals), but on the down side he had 5 turnovers and is VERY prone to traveling. Hope we can get this worked out.

Several thoughts on Turner, whom I have been mightily impressed with:

- Many of "his" TOs should really have been assigned to others. He dished on a penetration a couple of times, only to have the recipient muff the pass. Koufos at least once, and Hunter another. This kind of thing can also affect your willingness/eagerness to pass off.

- I agree he needs to learn how to keep his feet still so as to avoid traveling calls; this is more easily learned with more minutes IMO.

[BengalsAndBucks]

Originally Posted by MaxBuck

Several thoughts on Turner, whom I have been mightily impressed with:

As have I. I guess I should just make a general disclaimer that while I am critiquing players, I try very hard not to bash them as PennBuckFan has accused me of here. I think that Turner is playing well above expectations and am very glad that he is a Buckeye.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by BengalsAndBucks

As have I. I guess I should just make a general disclaimer that while I am critiquing players, I try very hard not to bash them as PennBuckFan has accused me of here. I think that Turner is playing well above expectations and am very glad that he is a Buckeye.

I think that is one of the great things about most of the posters on the Planet. They do not "bash" Ohio State players in any sport while "critiquing" their play. Of course, there always will be a couple exceptions to the rule because sometimes people forget that this site is at no charge to those who want to post here.