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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
rivals.com (free)
7/2/05
Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>July 2, 2005
Who's next on the hoops radar? <HR width="100%" noShade SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD>Jeff Rapp
BuckeyeSports.com Staff Writer </TD><TD noWrap align=right>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Gordon Gekko once surmised that "greed is good." While that is a debatable point at best, it may not hurt Ohio State men's basketball coach Thad Matta as he now looks to add to what already is being hailed as the best recruiting class in the country.
<!--Start Matta Image--><SCRIPT language=Javascript>document.write(insertImage('http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/917/163623.jpg', '163623.jpg', 1, 322, 276, 1, 'Ohio State coach Thad Matta\'s tireless work ethic is enticing many of the nation\'s top players.', '', 1120253844000, 'Matta', 917, 'Align=Left'));</SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=284 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=278>
</TD><TD width=6 rowSpan=4>
</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right>Associated Press</TD></TR><TR><TD height=3>
</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Ohio State coach Thad Matta's tireless work ethic is enticing many of the nation's top players.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Matta Image-->Matta was able to land verbal commitments from consensus No. 1 schoolboy Greg Oden and his prep teammate Mike Conley (No. 40 among seniors-to-be according to Rivals.com) with their landmark announcement Wednesday at Indianapolis Lawrence North High School.
They doubled a recruiting class that already included the top seniors-to-be in Ohio -- 6-4 Daequan Cook of Dayton Dunbar (No. 8) and 6-5 David Lighty of Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph (No. 20).
Matta has as many as three more scholarships at his disposal for the class and is all but certain to spend at least one of them on a power forward or combo forward, meaning the class could one day share the court like the storied "Fab Five."
Not coincidentally, OSU is right in the mix for as many as six such players, and that doesn't even count 6-8 Josh Chichester of West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West (No. 136), a two-sport star who committed to the Ohio State football program July 1 but admitted he is entertaining the idea of joining the men's basketball team.
Chichester has promise as a collegiate four-man but would not be able to join the Buckeyes on the hardwood until January 2007 at the earliest, and that would be as a walk-on. He told BuckeyeSports.com earlier this summer that Matta had given his blessing for such a scenario but he wasn't sure if he would indeed try to play both sports.
That then begs the question, who is going to complete the Thad Five?
The most prominent candidates at the moment appear to be 6-8 Thaddeus Young of Memphis (Tenn.) Mitchell (No. 3 on the recently updated Rivals Top 150), 6-8 Lance Thomas of Fanwood (N.J.) St. Benedict's (No. 22), 6-9 Jamil Tucker of Gary (Ind.) West (No. 45), 6-7 Luke Harangody of Shereville (Ind.) Andrean (No. 80) and 6-7 Raymar Morgan of Canton (Ohio) McKinley (No. 85).
Another possibility is 6-9 Bryce Webster of Mendota Heights (Minn.) St. Thomas Academy (No. 113), but his interest in OSU has apparently wavered.
Cook said he chatted up Young while the two played together in the USA Basketball Youth Developmental Festival in San Diego in early June.
"We talked a lot," he said. "We talked about what it's going to be like in college ball. It wasn't about what school he was going to go to, we just talked about how fun it would be to play together."
Cook and Conley also popped the idea on Thomas, who like Young is a premier athlete and scorer but not a classic power forward.
Conley and Oden got their first look at Harangody recently when the three played together in a state all-star series. Harangody reportedly is favoring Notre Dame but could get a full-court press from Matta soon since Conley offered him a glowing report.
"He was very good," Conley said. "I like the way he played. He's physical and tough and would do all the dirty work, and I feel that we need somebody like that. We don't need all superstars who can jump out of the gym. We need big men who can do the little things as well."
Tucker has listed OSU as a favorite along with Purdue and Indiana. Somewhat soft inside but well-skilled, Tucker has not yet received a firm offer but one could be on the way.
"He really likes Ohio State a lot," Conley said. "He wants to be with us and go to the same college with us. I think he's really sold on Ohio State. If the scholarship's open for him, I think he would take it."
Morgan also has not been offered yet as he is trying to attain a qualifying test score. He has had two clear favorites for months: Michigan State and Ohio State. Like the four commitments, Morgan is a winner, having led McKinley to the 2005 state title.
He is considered a 3-4 but can rebound in the trees when the situation calls and has the athleticism and passing ability to mesh in with the likes of Conley, Cook, Lighty and Oden.
"We need somebody that can rebound and play defense, score some," Cook said. "That's about it."
Matta may agree and go after Harangody, a classic banger who could take a lot of physical toll away from Oden. Or he could play it safe and tab Tucker or Morgan, who apparently wouldn't take long to jump on board.
However, the inside word is that Matta will go the way of Gekko and hold out for Young or Thomas -- whose recruiting likely will stretch into the late fall if not next spring -- with dreamy thoughts of employing four players flanking Oden who all can shoot outside, score, handle, pass and drive.
As it is he'll have Conley, Cook, Lighty, Sylvester Mayes, Ron Lewis and Jamar Butler in 2006-07.
Maybe greed is good.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
7/2/05
Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>July 2, 2005
Who's next on the hoops radar? <HR width="100%" noShade SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD>Jeff Rapp
BuckeyeSports.com Staff Writer </TD><TD noWrap align=right>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Gordon Gekko once surmised that "greed is good." While that is a debatable point at best, it may not hurt Ohio State men's basketball coach Thad Matta as he now looks to add to what already is being hailed as the best recruiting class in the country.
<!--Start Matta Image--><SCRIPT language=Javascript>document.write(insertImage('http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/917/163623.jpg', '163623.jpg', 1, 322, 276, 1, 'Ohio State coach Thad Matta\'s tireless work ethic is enticing many of the nation\'s top players.', '', 1120253844000, 'Matta', 917, 'Align=Left'));</SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=284 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=278>
They doubled a recruiting class that already included the top seniors-to-be in Ohio -- 6-4 Daequan Cook of Dayton Dunbar (No. 8) and 6-5 David Lighty of Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph (No. 20).
Matta has as many as three more scholarships at his disposal for the class and is all but certain to spend at least one of them on a power forward or combo forward, meaning the class could one day share the court like the storied "Fab Five."
Not coincidentally, OSU is right in the mix for as many as six such players, and that doesn't even count 6-8 Josh Chichester of West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West (No. 136), a two-sport star who committed to the Ohio State football program July 1 but admitted he is entertaining the idea of joining the men's basketball team.
Chichester has promise as a collegiate four-man but would not be able to join the Buckeyes on the hardwood until January 2007 at the earliest, and that would be as a walk-on. He told BuckeyeSports.com earlier this summer that Matta had given his blessing for such a scenario but he wasn't sure if he would indeed try to play both sports.
That then begs the question, who is going to complete the Thad Five?
The most prominent candidates at the moment appear to be 6-8 Thaddeus Young of Memphis (Tenn.) Mitchell (No. 3 on the recently updated Rivals Top 150), 6-8 Lance Thomas of Fanwood (N.J.) St. Benedict's (No. 22), 6-9 Jamil Tucker of Gary (Ind.) West (No. 45), 6-7 Luke Harangody of Shereville (Ind.) Andrean (No. 80) and 6-7 Raymar Morgan of Canton (Ohio) McKinley (No. 85).
Another possibility is 6-9 Bryce Webster of Mendota Heights (Minn.) St. Thomas Academy (No. 113), but his interest in OSU has apparently wavered.
Cook said he chatted up Young while the two played together in the USA Basketball Youth Developmental Festival in San Diego in early June.
"We talked a lot," he said. "We talked about what it's going to be like in college ball. It wasn't about what school he was going to go to, we just talked about how fun it would be to play together."
Cook and Conley also popped the idea on Thomas, who like Young is a premier athlete and scorer but not a classic power forward.
Conley and Oden got their first look at Harangody recently when the three played together in a state all-star series. Harangody reportedly is favoring Notre Dame but could get a full-court press from Matta soon since Conley offered him a glowing report.
"He was very good," Conley said. "I like the way he played. He's physical and tough and would do all the dirty work, and I feel that we need somebody like that. We don't need all superstars who can jump out of the gym. We need big men who can do the little things as well."
Tucker has listed OSU as a favorite along with Purdue and Indiana. Somewhat soft inside but well-skilled, Tucker has not yet received a firm offer but one could be on the way.
"He really likes Ohio State a lot," Conley said. "He wants to be with us and go to the same college with us. I think he's really sold on Ohio State. If the scholarship's open for him, I think he would take it."
Morgan also has not been offered yet as he is trying to attain a qualifying test score. He has had two clear favorites for months: Michigan State and Ohio State. Like the four commitments, Morgan is a winner, having led McKinley to the 2005 state title.
He is considered a 3-4 but can rebound in the trees when the situation calls and has the athleticism and passing ability to mesh in with the likes of Conley, Cook, Lighty and Oden.
"We need somebody that can rebound and play defense, score some," Cook said. "That's about it."
Matta may agree and go after Harangody, a classic banger who could take a lot of physical toll away from Oden. Or he could play it safe and tab Tucker or Morgan, who apparently wouldn't take long to jump on board.
However, the inside word is that Matta will go the way of Gekko and hold out for Young or Thomas -- whose recruiting likely will stretch into the late fall if not next spring -- with dreamy thoughts of employing four players flanking Oden who all can shoot outside, score, handle, pass and drive.
As it is he'll have Conley, Cook, Lighty, Sylvester Mayes, Ron Lewis and Jamar Butler in 2006-07.
Maybe greed is good.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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knightlife
Sophmore
The question is what will happen if Matta holds out for Thomas and Young and doesn't get either of them.Will the others wait ...it's unlikey.
Another scenerio that wasn't mentioned is that Matta might go after Harangody (since he is really the only pure 4 of the bunch) now and then go hard after Young or Thomas.
I wouldn't count out Matta for anybody,but just like in the movie Gekko's greed caused him to lose everything.I just hope Matta's greed doesn't cost him a PF.
Another scenerio that wasn't mentioned is that Matta might go after Harangody (since he is really the only pure 4 of the bunch) now and then go hard after Young or Thomas.
I wouldn't count out Matta for anybody,but just like in the movie Gekko's greed caused him to lose everything.I just hope Matta's greed doesn't cost him a PF.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
In my opinion, I don't think the staff waits that long for Young and Thomas. If we can get an official visit from Young prior to the November signing period, I think Matta waits on him, if not I think he targets Tucker or Morgan. Harangody, who I love is not showing us the love so to speak, I think he is leaning towards Purdue at this point. Tucker is the darkhorse, some say he plays soft inside and is more of a outside threat at 6-9, but he has been turning some heads this summer with his physical play. He has the frame to add some weight also.
Morgan's situation is that he needs a qualifying score, I believe if he gets it, the Buckeyes will make an "official offer", the word around the camp fire is that he has been told he has a spot if he becomes eligible.
So, with all that said, its not any clearer who will be the fifth addition and technically we have three scholies available so don't count out Matta landing 1 or 2 more players if he gets the right prospects.
Morgan's situation is that he needs a qualifying score, I believe if he gets it, the Buckeyes will make an "official offer", the word around the camp fire is that he has been told he has a spot if he becomes eligible.
So, with all that said, its not any clearer who will be the fifth addition and technically we have three scholies available so don't count out Matta landing 1 or 2 more players if he gets the right prospects.
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We will only have 6 scholarship players left after next season. A class of 5 gives you 11 for 2006 - which ain't many - and that assumes no losses, and there always seem to be losses. Chichester wont be much help as a true Frosh joining the team in January.
With the potential for one-and-done's I think a class of only 5 is cutting it thin.
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Ousmagic
Newbie
ya i agree with all these talented players interested why not get 2 out of tucker, morgan, or harangody. Then try and land another 5 star player in either young or thomas. If we have 3 more schlorships available and there are top 100 players that will commit to osu if they get a scholorship why not sign themOh8ch said:
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I have thought Harangody was leaning towards ND for some time. I think he is a sollid prospect but I would much rather have Raymar Morgan to be the scrappy 4 in the Matta offense. I think Luke will be a solid player wherever he ends up, but he is about 4th or 5th on my wishlist at this point...
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
wadc...I know your pulling for Morgan and I hope he qualifys, but Harangody is one of those throw back players who does all the little, dirty things. Obviously he is not a great athlete but he is a banger and that is something a great team always has.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
In the updated Scout.com rankings for the class of 2006, Luke is considered the #52 prospect.
scout.com$
7/5/05
Harangody will be participating in the NIKE All-American camp this week in Indianapolis, IN.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
scout.com$
7/5/05
Harangody will be participating in the NIKE All-American camp this week in Indianapolis, IN.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
rivals.com$
7/6/05
Good Article about Matta and Company hitting the three major summer camps going on during July. The staff can evaluate from July 6-15 and July 22-31, with July 16-21 considered a "dark" period. Article touches on who could be the next addition to the 2006 class.
The following prospects of interest to Buckeye fans will be in action...
Greg Oden
Mike Conley
Daequan Cook
Jamil Tucker (could be the next verbal to the 2006 class)
Luke Harangody
Thaddeus Young
Josh Chichester
Raymar Morgan
Kosta Koufus
O.J. Mayo
Bill Walker
Keenan Ellis
Lance Thomas
Dallas Lauderdale
DeJuan Pursley
Aaron Pogue
Eric Gordon
Yancey Gates
B.J. Mullens
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
7/6/05
Good Article about Matta and Company hitting the three major summer camps going on during July. The staff can evaluate from July 6-15 and July 22-31, with July 16-21 considered a "dark" period. Article touches on who could be the next addition to the 2006 class.
The following prospects of interest to Buckeye fans will be in action...
Greg Oden
Mike Conley
Daequan Cook
Jamil Tucker (could be the next verbal to the 2006 class)
Luke Harangody
Thaddeus Young
Josh Chichester
Raymar Morgan
Kosta Koufus
O.J. Mayo
Bill Walker
Keenan Ellis
Lance Thomas
Dallas Lauderdale
DeJuan Pursley
Aaron Pogue
Eric Gordon
Yancey Gates
B.J. Mullens
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
scout.com$
7/6/05
Harangody decided to take the rest of the summer off and concentrate on his college choice. Ohio State, Notre Dame and Purdue are his final three schools. He likes Matta and staff but does say that the recent verbals will not sway him to OSU.
7/6/05
Harangody decided to take the rest of the summer off and concentrate on his college choice. Ohio State, Notre Dame and Purdue are his final three schools. He likes Matta and staff but does say that the recent verbals will not sway him to OSU.
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jenkinswoody
I heart Wendy Peffercorn
I thought that he was going to be a domer. I wonder if Mattas made a push and he's taking more time to make a decision.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
rivals.com$
7/8/05
Harangody decided to skip the camp to get some rest and concentrate on making a decision on college. Ohio State, Purdue and Notre Dame are his finalists. Luke says he will decide in July.
On another note, reports that Harangody is leaning towards Notre Dame are apparently false.
7/8/05
Harangody decided to skip the camp to get some rest and concentrate on making a decision on college. Ohio State, Purdue and Notre Dame are his finalists. Luke says he will decide in July.
On another note, reports that Harangody is leaning towards Notre Dame are apparently false.
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JohnnyCockfight
Beer is God's proof that he loves us.
Harangody has Eliminated OSU from His List
nwitimes.com/articles/200...015640.txt<!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END-->
Harangody's final two: ND, Purdue
Andrean senior skips Nike camp due to tendinitis
BY JEFF CARROLL
[email protected]
219.933.3373
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Saturday, July 9, 2005 12:56 AM CDT
It's not over yet, but it's getting easier.
Andrean's Luke Harangody, who will be a 6-foot-7 senior this upcoming season, informed Ohio State coach Thad Matta on Friday that he has eliminated the Buckeyes from his college search.
That leaves two finalists for Harangody: Purdue and Notre Dame. He previously dropped Indiana and Northwestern from the list of schools he is considering.
"You can narrow things down a little bit more, look at the schools more closely," Harangody said.
Harangody said that the decision to drop Ohio State was geographical -- he wants to stay in-state. That's good news for basketball fans in the state who watched Lawrence North blue chippers Greg Oden and Michael Conley commit to Ohio State a few days ago, and Carmel's Josh McRoberts choose Duke, where he will be a freshman in the fall.
But it's not all silver lining -- Harangody's decision to spurn the Hoosiers will probably be especially tough on Indiana fans who have watched the program miss out on big names this spring and summer.
"I just didn't think it was a good fit for me," said Harangody, whose brother Ty will play for Indiana's football team in the fall.
Luke Harangody was supposed to be at the Nike All-America Camp this week, but decided just two days before not to attend. Harangody is taking the rest of the summer off after being diagnosed with tendinitis in his knees. Rest, he said, is the best cure.
He also said that he's planning to use the time off to spend time with his college-bound brother.
"From a recruiting standpoint, I don't want any new colleges," Harangody said. "It's not like I needed to go down and get a scholarship.
"Being as competitive as I am, I'm kind of missing being at Nike right now. (But) it's nice to get a rest and be a kid again."
nwitimes.com/articles/200...015640.txt<!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END-->
Harangody's final two: ND, Purdue
Andrean senior skips Nike camp due to tendinitis
BY JEFF CARROLL
[email protected]
219.933.3373
This story ran on nwitimes.com on Saturday, July 9, 2005 12:56 AM CDT
It's not over yet, but it's getting easier.
Andrean's Luke Harangody, who will be a 6-foot-7 senior this upcoming season, informed Ohio State coach Thad Matta on Friday that he has eliminated the Buckeyes from his college search.
That leaves two finalists for Harangody: Purdue and Notre Dame. He previously dropped Indiana and Northwestern from the list of schools he is considering.
"You can narrow things down a little bit more, look at the schools more closely," Harangody said.
Harangody said that the decision to drop Ohio State was geographical -- he wants to stay in-state. That's good news for basketball fans in the state who watched Lawrence North blue chippers Greg Oden and Michael Conley commit to Ohio State a few days ago, and Carmel's Josh McRoberts choose Duke, where he will be a freshman in the fall.
But it's not all silver lining -- Harangody's decision to spurn the Hoosiers will probably be especially tough on Indiana fans who have watched the program miss out on big names this spring and summer.
"I just didn't think it was a good fit for me," said Harangody, whose brother Ty will play for Indiana's football team in the fall.
Luke Harangody was supposed to be at the Nike All-America Camp this week, but decided just two days before not to attend. Harangody is taking the rest of the summer off after being diagnosed with tendinitis in his knees. Rest, he said, is the best cure.
He also said that he's planning to use the time off to spend time with his college-bound brother.
"From a recruiting standpoint, I don't want any new colleges," Harangody said. "It's not like I needed to go down and get a scholarship.
"Being as competitive as I am, I'm kind of missing being at Nike right now. (But) it's nice to get a rest and be a kid again."
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