Columbus Dispatch:

When he got the news last week, William Buford couldn't stop smiling.

The Ohio State junior found out he was among 20 college players invited to the USA Men's Select team to practice against the USA Men's National team. He leaves Sunday for Las Vegas.

"I had the biggest smile on my face, ever," Buford said yesterday. "When Coach (David) Egelhoff told me, I was so excited. I told my parents, and I wanted to tell everyone."

Even though the six-day competition will consist solely of drills and scrimmages, Buford believes it'll be invaluable for his development. Although most national-team members are unlikely to participate, young NBA stars such as Kevin Durant, O.J. Mayo and Derrick Rose are expected to play.

"It's a test for me to see where my game is at - going against some of the best players in the world," Buford said. "I'm just going to soak up as much as I can from them to try to be the best I can at this level and the next level."

Buford is coming off a season in which he averaged 14.4 points and made significant improvement on defense. With national player of the year Evan Turner having gone to the NBA, Buford could become the Buckeyes' top offensive player.

As an underclassman, Buford mostly deferred to his older teammates, particularly off the court. With a large and talented recruiting class already enrolled and participating in open gyms, Buford is embracing a new role.

"Will's done a great job helping (the freshmen) out," senior Jon Diebler said. "Last year, it wasn't really his role. Last year, he was a lot quieter. But this year, he's really taken on that leadership role."

The open-gym workouts have been intense; current Buckeyes are scrimmaging against alumni such as Mike Conley Jr., Brent Darby and Ron Lewis.

Asked what his priority has been this offseason, Buford replied: "Still defense. I guard the best players on the court in the open gym, and I'm trying to get better at that. I'm working on my ball-handling, working on my shooting, everything really."

After open-gym games, Buford said, he'll shoot by himself at night.

"I'm getting better day by day," he said.

His confidence has grown along with that. He said he wasn't apprehensive about the challenge of guarding NBA stars next week.

"Not at all, because I feel they've got to defend me, too," Buford said with a smile. "I don't really think about that too much. I've been playing the game for so long, since I was little, that I'll just go out and try to do my best.

"I'm really excited. I don't think I've ever been as happy to be a part of something. It's a real honor to be invited down there."
Freshmen impressive

Diebler said the heralded freshman class has been impressive in workouts. He is particularly pleased by their attitude.

"They're all open to listening to us," Diebler said. "Sometimes, that can be the hardest thing coming in as a freshman. You think you know it all. You think you already know what to do. But they all ask us questions and are doing a great job of listening to us."

With guard Lenzelle Smith out because of an injured wrist, Aaron Craft is making a strong impression, especially with his defense.
Lighty hopeful

Senior David Lighty remains in a walking cast after suffering a broken bone in his left foot May 11. He said he expects it to be fully healed next month.

It's the same injury he had two years ago, but Lighty said doctors have told him that the re-injury was not indicative of a chronic issue with the foot.

Lighty was hurt when he stepped on Diebler's foot in a workout.

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thedynasty1998;425085 wrote:Probably doesn't need it's own thread, but this was in the Dispatch yesterday:



Good news for Buford and that can only help his confidence.

BTW, I hope Dielber is the last guy those freshmen are listening to.

Writerbuckeye;425633 wrote:Diebler will be a captain and rightfully so.

Anyone who doesn't appreciate what he brings to OSU by now simply doesn't have a clue about basketball. That's the only reason I can find, aside from mindless bias.

CinciX12;426874 wrote:Diebler sucks. Which one am I?

No really though, you are right. Solely because he does seem to have leadership capabilities that others don't.

Writerbuckeye;429026 wrote:Since you're from CinciTucky, I'll go with just plain stupid.

centralbucksfan;429742 wrote:OSU playing Miami, Ohio this year the nite before the OSU/UM game. Also have a home and home scheduled with Kansas starting in 2011.

CinciX12;431039 wrote:I know a team they won't ever play

Writerbuckeye;431926 wrote:I'm betting you're wrong and a series with Cincinnati happens.

CinciX12;432927 wrote:The hell would I care about UC? I'm saying Xavier. Why would you play a team worse than Xavier to prove you were the best team in Ohio?

CinciX12;433457 wrote:Congrats on that..you should have won by 30.

Also, if Craft has to handle all the PG responsibilities from the start I don't think he will be able to handle that. But I'd have to look at the schedule to be sure, there is a good chance its not all that difficult.

thedynasty1998;433459 wrote:I was thinking about that the other day. If OSU didn't win that game, would Matta be considered a tournament underachiever?