The freshmen will get some time in some of these upcoming games against the Jackson States and Miami U's of the world.

As for Ravanel....Dude is Chocolate Koufos. See that 3?

Y-Town Steelhound;974887 wrote:The freshmen will get some time in some of these upcoming games against the Jackson States and Miami U's of the world.

As for Ravanel....Dude is Chocolate Koufos. See that 3?

What 3?

LJ;974888 wrote:What 3?

My bad, apparently it was just a really long 2. Point is that dude has some range.

Scoring balance and bench play are going to be huge for the Buckeyes this year and is one of the reasons I think they have a legit shot.

This team is going to get better as the season goes on, which is scary in itself.

4 starters had 13 or more points, with Buford leading the way at 21. Deshaun Thomas had a solid game, IMO, and continues to get a little better with his framework. 15 points, got to the line 3 times, and also grabbed 6 boards. I'll take that every night from him.

Craft and Lenzelle are a nightmare duo defensively. Each had multiple strips and mad their guy work on offense. Lenzelle is light years better defensively than Deibler, obviously, and he has a little offense as well.

If Evan Ravenel can continue to improve, Sullinger will be able to sit out extended periods, which will only help us out later in the season. I thought Sully started to wear down last season as he played a TON.

Overall, I was very pleased with this game. Got down by 8 early, seized control, tied the game, took lead at half, then dominated the 2nd half.

I had forgotten why I was always so anxious during Buckeye games last year, but after watching the game last night, it all came rushing back--get a big lead, lose a big lead, hang on at the end. If they continue to end up as W's, then I can live with it. Sooner or later, though....


GO BUCKS!!!

thedynasty1998;974816 wrote:Couple quick thoughts:
Really like what Ravenel brings. He's going to be a big time contributor
Crafts shot didn't improve. He's still a stud
Sullinger will have to work to get a deeper post because of the departure of Diebler and Lighty
OSU isn't as deep as people wanted to believe

Don't disagree. But one thing I will say, being at the game, is Young for FLorida is an absolute speciman. Freak athlete, and VERY strong. I thought he played Sully as good as I have seen anyone do so.
Those doubting Craft about being one of the top guards in the country:
"“He physically manhandled our guards,” Donovan said. “He’s as good as any guard out there.” Billy Donovan.

Craft is unbelievable on defense. If there is a loose ball, its his. I have no idea how many strips he had last nite. But at least 3 times the Fla guards were going to the basket and Craft got a hand on the ball. He has the quickest hands defensively I have ever seen.

Matta went 8 deep with the bench. I still think Sam Thompson will get some time as well. And I have no doubt that Scott will play more as well. Much depends on who OSU is playing. This was a top 10 matchup, 2nd game of season. Matta was going to ride experience in this game no matter what. But I believe Matta will use the bench more than he ever has at OSU. Even going 8 deep is more than he typically has.

So far, biggest key to this season is Ravenel. The kid is pretty solid. He can play post or forward. He has a very good game last nite and hit a BIG shot on the baseline.
Lenzelle Smith played solid as well. Rebounds and is a pretty good defender.

Overall, I was very pleased. Tough start to the game, but once OSU adjusted defensively, they shut down the Fla 3pt game until the last few minutes.
Beal kid from Florida is going to be a stud. ONe of the purest shooters in college. Can flat out stroke it when he gets set, with a quick release. Still learning but going to be very, very good.
What Florida lacks is an inside game. Young gave them a little bit. But he got most of his when Florida was down. He is pretty raw. Besides Young, Florida has NO inside presence. As they have the last few years, they are going to live and die by the 3pt shot.

Overall, this was a very good TEAM effort. Sully goes to bench with little over 12 min to go, and OSU actually increased the lead, and Matta kept him on the bench until the 7 min mark. That was huge.

Good point about Sully going to bench. I said that to my buddy, that if they can maintain the same lead when he's on the bench it's a great sign. And they extended it. Very promising.

It was the first game I've been to with the students next to the court. What a huge difference maker that is.

Laley23;974794 wrote:Missed the game for work. But good win for OSU. Figured Florida would be able to score and hit some outside shots with their shooters. But OSU is simply too tough at home this year. Good win early in the year, may not play a set of guards better all season.

Craft and Smith pretty much shut down the FLA guards, but that allowed Murphy and Young to have good games. Boynton hit some late 3's, but for the most part Boynton and Walker were non-factors.

Prescott;974802 wrote:Exactly!!! Dumb move by ESPN and extremely irritating.

Ravenel is more of a contributor than I thought he would be. Buford took some really bad shots, including the late 3 with 24 seconds left on the shot clock. Why did Matta take Buford and Sullinger out late in the game??

Buford was cramping & Ravenel was in for Sully to play defense and keep Sully out of bigger foul problems.

Craft is unbelievable. What a stud! If he developed/develops more of an outside offensive game, he'd be the best guard in the country. As it is I'll take him on my team ahead of anybody else. Motor just does not stop.
Gotta get the ball to Sully a little more, but Fla was doubling and tripling him a ton making it tough. If our other guys can step up and make them pay when they do that we'll be very tough to stop.
As mentioned, Buford can hit any shot from anyplace--just needs to take good shots.
Overall--liked what I saw--need to keep the defensive pressure turned up through the whole game though--a few too many lapses.
And---seriously ESPN!!---break in to ESPN2 to show an interview that's going on on ESPN??? I don't care if Coach K was elected president on the spot, keep the fliiping game on! There is no home in the country that gets espn2 and not espn; if we want to watch the interview, we can hit the remote up/down button! jeesh! And please, give me those womens basketball "highlights" all through the game as well! THAT'S why I'm watching MEN'S college basketball!!

It was a tough start to the game but they made adjustments and were able to hang on. Craft is a beast defensively.

DeShaun Thomas should never be allowed to shoot the ball ever again. I've seen guys in Intramurals here shoot it with more consistency and not throw up line drive bricks from deep.

This team is built for a Championship. Bufford might be the best player in the country, and we already know Sully is a monster in the post.

#1 seed, book it.

darbypitcher22;975007 wrote:DeShaun Thomas should never be allowed to shoot the ball ever again. I've seen guys in Intramurals here shoot it with more consistency and not throw up line drive bricks from deep.

Seriously? Your ripping on Thomas? The dude played the best game overall since he has been at OSU. Scored 15pts, very active defensively and in the paint. Bottom line, you have to live and die with Thomas. He is what he is, a scorer. He is going to take the occasional bad shot. But like last nite, I believe the positives will far outweigh the negatives. He was huge last nite. If he does what he did last nite, OSU will be tough to beat.

darbypitcher22;975007 wrote: DeShaun Thomas should never be allowed to shoot the ball ever again. I've seen guys in Intramurals here shoot it with more consistency and not throw up line drive bricks from deep.

I'd rather see Aaron Craft stop chucking up 3's

Matta has said Thomas needs to keep shooting. This kid can become the "other guy" teams need to concentrate on to take some pressure off Sully and allow him to really dominate games. Some rough spots last night but overall an impressive win and many analysts are agreeing with that all over media this morning.

thedynasty1998;974872 wrote:They aren't deep because Matta won't use his bench. Not criticism, just reality. Sully, Craft and Buford are all going to play 37-40 minutes a night (when needed). That leaves 80 minutes for everyone else. Ravenel, Sibert, Smith and Thomas will be the 4 to get those minutes. That's 7 guys, and that's what Matta seems to be comfortable with.

And it could change is Ross becomes eligible.

But nice try trying to make my comment something it's not.

Latest on Ross:

http://www.buckeyextra.com/content/blogs/hoops-and-scoops/2011/11/latest-on-laquinton-ross.html

Tiernan;975122 wrote:Matta has said Thomas needs to keep shooting. This kid can become the "other guy" teams need to concentrate on to take some pressure off Sully and allow him to really dominate games. Some rough spots last night but overall an impressive win and many analysts are agreeing with that all over media this morning.

Thomas was actually able to work himself into the game in the 2nd half, but he has to realize he's a much better asset down low. His post game is better than his outside game, by far.

centralbucksfan;975077 wrote:Seriously? Your ripping on Thomas?

It's Darby we're talking about here...

Buford was cramping & Ravenel was in for Sully to play defense and keep Sully out of bigger foul problems.

BS. Matta thought the game was over until Thompson fouled a 3 point shooter....There was under a minute left and Sullinger had 3 fouls and there was nothing to indicate that Buford was cramping.

Prescott;975195 wrote:BS. Matta thought the game was over until Thompson fouled a 3 point shooter....There was under a minute left and Sullinger had 3 fouls and there was nothing to indicate that Buford was cramping.

The only indication that Buford was cramping, was the fact that he stated he was cramping in the postgame. You're right though, I bet that's just a conspiracy theory.

centralbucksfan;975077 wrote:Seriously? Your ripping on Thomas? The dude played the best game overall since he has been at OSU. Scored 15pts, very active defensively and in the paint. Bottom line, you have to live and die with Thomas. He is what he is, a scorer. He is going to take the occasional bad shot. But like last nite, I believe the positives will far outweigh the negatives. He was huge last nite. If he does what he did last nite, OSU will be tough to beat.

Exactly. And the kid isnt retarded. If the coaches didnt want him to look to score, he wouldnt just ignore them and keep shooting. His role on the team is obviously to look for his shot and to score points. Matta wouldnt keep playing him if he was pissed about the shots he keeps taking.

I don't really think Thomas took any bad shots last night, he just bricked a few open shots badly early in the game and quick in the shot clock, so it looked bad.

But he put up 15 and had some nice rebounds as well. Could work on defending the pick and pop though

sleeper;975026 wrote: Bufford might be the best player in the country,

I'm very upset with you Sleeper. You can't even spell a players name right that plays for your Buckeyes. It is Buford.

What I liked from last night(besides Sullinger and Buford)
Lenzelle Smith Jr. - Looks like he can provide some of what we lost w/ David Lighty's departure. Played well on defense and crashed the boards hard for a guard. I don't think he will be as versatile a defender as Lighty, but should be able to handle most guards. Offensively I don't expect him to provide much

Evan Ravenel - Gave more on the offensive end that expected. Will be interested to see if he can provide that on a consistent basis, or if that was an exception last night. Should provide defense and rebounding in the post when in the ball game.

Aaron Craft - picked up where he left off from last year. Great defender and runs the offense well. Deceptively quick with the ball in his hands. His J was ugly last night, hopefully that improves some as the season rolls on.


What I think needs to improve before we play another top 15 opponent
Depth - Shannon Scott needs to be able to give Aaron Craft 5+ minutes a half to sit down, or at least move off the ball. I believe Scott has the ability to make this happen.

Sam Thompson or JD Weatherspoon need to crack the rotation. Right now there is no one from last nights rotation that can protect the rim. I know Thompson and Weatherspoon are ideal shot blockers, but I think they could add to the interior defense. Watching Kentucky and North Carolina, at least 1 of those 2 guys are going to be needed later in the season.

Interior Defense - This is going to be a problem all year I would imagine. Sullinger is not a great post defender, plus he can't afford to be overly aggressive and get into foul trouble. Thomas will get worked over by bigger 4's in the post, and Ravenel will play hard, but doesn't have the size to handle some of the bigger posts in the NCAA. Amir Williams doesn't appear to be ready to play at a high level yet.

Tiger2003;975337 wrote:I'm very upset with you Sleeper. You can't even spell a players name right that plays for your Buckeyes. It is Buford.

Its called a typo. QQ