Bottom line, IMO, is the lack of player leadership. Period.

Rotinaj;1097338 wrote:NO WAY does Sully turn out to be as good as Love. He may be that "type" of player, but not a chance he ends up as good.

Not saying he will or won't. But how many thought Love would be as good as he is now? I'd say about zero people on this board. Luv has developed his game in the NBA to where it is now. Sullinger had similar stats as Love in college. Love developed his game in the NBA. He avg. 11pts as a rookie. Sullinger has the ability to be a face up guy. He has a nice looking shot. He could easily develop a very, very good 10-15ft game in the NBA as well as being able to post up.

The funny thing here is, if OSU makes some FT's, none of this jibber jabber is going on. Obviously a very disappointing loss, to say the least. This team is not playing well as a team, obviously. Sullinger played perhaps his worst game of his OSU career. Of course now that he has a couple off games, he is aweful and out of the lottery. lol Comical to read some of this.
Bottom line, this team is just not very tough mentally. They get rattled easily. They dont' handle adversity well. Matta is obviously frustrated as well as he kicked them out of practice Sat. The old saying you play how you practice holds true most of the time. Who knows, maybe without the big expectations going into the NCAA, we might pleasantly be surprised. Two tough games to finish regular season. Then Big10 tourney. Still time to turn things around. We'll see.

Of course now that he has a couple off games, he is aweful and out of the lottery. lol Comical to read some of this.

How do you project him in the NBA?? What current or past successful NBA player would you compare him to? My NBA opinion of Sullinger has very little to do with his "Bad Games". I think he will have defensive problems in the NBA because his lateral movement is below average, he is not an explosive athlete, and he has heavy feet.I think he will have offensive problems in the NBA unless he has or develops a consistent face up game. His power game will not work at the next level.

Prescott;1097379 wrote:How do you project him in the NBA?? What current or past successful NBA player would you compare him to? My NBA opinion of Sullinger has very little to do with his "Bad Games". I think he will have defensive problems in the NBA because his lateral movement is below average, he is not an explosive athlete, and he has heavy feet.I think he will have offensive problems in the NBA unless he has or develops a consistent face up game. His power game will not work at the next level.

I honestly don't know. THere are some serious questions about him. But except for a few guys, isn't that the norm? Its all going to be on him to improve those area's. Having watched and doubted him since middle school, I am not sure I would doubt but him being successful at the next level. How successful? Again, I think thats on him. No, he doesn't always pass the "look" test. But except for a few games in his OSU career, the guy has been about as consistant as anyone. The NBA game is so different than college. He isn't going to have 2,3 guys hanging on him. He is a LEGIT 6'9", that I know. And he is 260+lbs. Maybe someone might be quicker, but chances are, if they are quicker, they are smaller and he can definately power them. He also has good knowledge of the game.
So I disagree. His power game will work IMO. And I personally think he has the ability to develop a very good 10-15ft game. Again, how good is going to be depend on how much work he puts in to develop himself.
And BTW, I could really care less about NBA this or that. I'd just like to see this team get their heads out of their ass.

And BTW, I could really care less about NBA this or that. I'd just like to see this team get their heads out of their ass.

Why comment on his draft status??

he is aweful and out of the lottery. lol Comical to read some of this.

I honestly don't know. THere are some serious questions about him. But except for a few guys, isn't that the norm?

That is the norm because the NBA drafts based largely on potential. How much better can Sullinger get?? He is very skilled and knows how to play the game. How can he get better? He can improve his face up game and get stronger.He can improve his lateral quickness.He can't become a more explosive athlete.He is an undersized(for the 5) power player.

I was disappointed with the loss to Wisky , but not as disappointed as I was with the losses to MSU and UM. As you wrote,The funny thing here is, if OSU makes some FT's, none of this jibber jabber is going on. Wisky does an unbelievable job of controlling tempo and yesterday they made two 3's(that I remember) that could be considered answered prayers.Wisky held UNC to 60 points in the Dean Dome. If they hits shots they are dangerous. Yesterday, they hit some shots.

Prescott;1097434 wrote:Why comment on his draft status??

That is the norm because the NBA drafts based largely on potential. How much better can Sullinger get?? He is very skilled and knows how to play the game. How can he get better? He can improve his face up game and get stronger.He can improve his lateral quickness .He can't become a more explosive athlete.He is an undersized(for the 5) power player.

I was disappointed with the loss to Wisky , but not as disappointed as I was with the losses to MSU and UM. As you wrote,The funny thing here is, if OSU makes some FT's, none of this jibber jabber is going on. Wisky does an unbelievable job of controlling tempo and yesterday they made two 3's(that I remember) that could be considered answered prayers.Wisky held UNC to 60 points in the Dean Dome. If they hits shots they are dangerous. Yesterday, they hit some shots.

Just because I comment doesn't mean I care that much. I mean I hope he goes on to be successful in the NBA. How much better? I think he can get much better. I don't think the sky is the limit with him. But he certainly can improve, no question about that.

And I agree about Wisky. At times, you have to give the other team credit. I am not sure how many times they ran the shock close down to under 10 and hit a shot. A few Taylor hit, Craft couldn't have played better defense. They still went in. Wisky made plays when they needed to. OSU didn't. Wisky offense is VERY tough to defend. They run A LOT of screens. And they have a post player who can pick and pop for shots...and make them. But there were VERY disappointing possessions or OSU. And being up 8pts late, OSU could have put them away as well. And didn't. Oh well....time to move on to NW.

This loss was pretty much the nail in the coffin for me. I don't see OSU doing anything more than a sweet 16 bid....if that. This team is beyond frustrating and I'm over getting excited for games.

They have the talent to made a deep run, but will they put it all together to make one? Doubtful.

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2012/02/ohio_state_upset_in_home_final.html

But while shot selection and defensive lapses aren't new issues, Sullinger's recent lack of production must leave the Buckeyes stymied. They must do more to feed him the ball, but the sophomore All-American also must do more to get himself open. Following his nine points and six rebounds against Illinois, he had eight points and six rebounds against the Badgers.
Those were his first two healthy games this season in which he scored less than 10 points.
Matta said he didn't know what the issue was with Sullinger, but said, "I know this, when Jared is playing his best basketball, he's engaged and into it."

vball10set;1097474 wrote:http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2012/02/ohio_state_upset_in_home_final.html

Obvious comments. Its not all on Sullinger. He took ONLY 10 shots. He was open and working hard to post at times, and I know at least a handful of times, he didn't get the ball. This team is NOT good at feeding the post. Thomas wants his shots, Buford shot selection is questionable, obviously. Smith is very limited offensively. I don't know if SUllinger is getting frustrated or not. My guess is he is. Not an excuse. He has to overcome that. It was obviously much easier last year as OSU could spread the defense out with their perimeter game. This year, teams are sagging, leaving guys. Last year, they couldn't do that. But again, they need to do a better job of getting him the ball.

The big problem is that the team has three players who opposing teams have to respect on offense and when any of them aren't firing on at least a good number of cylinders, they're in trouble against high-level opposition. Craft had a good offensive game last night (particularly on the mid/long range 2), which is a rarity for him this season. Smith has had two great offensive games and a ton where he's probably averaged 3 a game. The bench...well, last night finished with a total of 1 point and, in close games, no one looks like a threat. Last night, Scott was the only bench player who looked particularly aggressive and that didn't lead to anything positive.

The team just seems stagnant right now against good teams. Put them against a chump opponent and I'd bet they'd be passing the ball all around with virtually everyone scoring and contributing. Right now, while playing good teams, they're all waiting for one of their main guys to carry them leading to a bunch of guys essentially being worthless on offense.

Missing FT's, sloppy TO's, leaving 3's open, and not being physical enough! I hope they tighten things up and quick!

centralbucksfan;1097476 wrote:Obvious comments. Its not all on Sullinger. He took ONLY 10 shots. He was open and working hard to post at times, and I know at least a handful of times, he didn't get the ball. This team is NOT good at feeding the post. Thomas wants his shots, Buford shot selection is questionable, obviously. Smith is very limited offensively. I don't know if SUllinger is getting frustrated or not. My guess is he is. Not an excuse. He has to overcome that. It was obviously much easier last year as OSU could spread the defense out with their perimeter game. This year, teams are sagging, leaving guys. Last year, they couldn't do that. But again, they need to do a better job of getting him the ball.

This, to me, is a problem. Also, when he does get the ball, he's often out of position and has to put the ball on the floor to get himself into position to get a shot off--and this only makes it easier for a guard to get his hands in there and disrupt the play. Yes, it sucks that he's getting the brunt of the blame, but he also gets the bulk of the credit when things are going good---and you can bet nobody misses Diebler and Lighty more than he.

vball10set;1097671 wrote:This, to me, is a problem. Also, when he does get the ball, he's often out of position and has to put the ball on the floor to get himself into position to get a shot off--and this only makes it easier for a guard to get his hands in there and disrupt the play. Yes, it sucks that he's getting the brunt of the blame, but he also gets the bulk of the credit when things are going good---and you can bet nobody misses Diebler and Lighty more than he.

Oh, believe me, I think Sully deserves the heat for yesterday. I have not seen him so easily pushed away from the basket as he was. Except for a couple of calls, the officiating wasn't too bad. BUT, they do allow players to absolutely drape and push the livin crap out of him. And it does seem when he tries to be that aggressive, they call him. Again, he deserves the criticism. But other OSU players need to get him the ball IN position. A good post player can only hold that position for a certain amount of time. If the ball is not delivered quick enough, that window is gone. Its a combination of things. THus, team criticism. Your best offensive player should be taking the most shots, period.

centralbucksfan;1097722 wrote:Oh, believe me, I think Sully deserves the heat for yesterday. I have not seen him so easily pushed away from the basket as he was. Except for a couple of calls, the officiating wasn't too bad. BUT, they do allow players to absolutely drape and push the livin crap out of him. And it does seem when he tries to be that aggressive, they call him. Again, he deserves the criticism. But other OSU players need to get him the ball IN position. A good post player can only hold that position for a certain amount of time. If the ball is not delivered quick enough, that window is gone. Its a combination of things. THus, team criticism. Your best offensive player should be taking the most shots, period.

Without a doubt, cbf, even Craft has been having trouble enetring the ball into the post. I don't know if this problem is a result of good scouting of our tendencies by opposing teams, or if we just aren't getting the proper angles due because of the offense we run. Regardless, we don't get the ball into Sully anywhere near enough.

ccrunner609;1098039 wrote:There is no way Sully is a lottery pick. Partly cause Matta isnt running the offense through him but he gets so lazy sometimes.

*isn't

He is not 6'9". That much I'm positive of.

Sullingers offensive game gets called into question, but his most glaring deficiency is his defense. He was been horrible defensively this year (and before anyone says he is trying to stay out of foul trouble, he's not). The biggest question at the next level is who does he guard?

ccrunner609;1098039 wrote:There is no way Sully is a lottery pick. Partly cause Matta isnt running the offense through him but he gets so lazy sometimes.

So when he is a lottery pick, will you leave for good?

ccrunner609;1098039 wrote:There is no way Sully is a lottery pick. Partly cause Matta isnt running the offense through him but he gets so lazy sometimes.

link?

SportsAndLady;1097274 wrote:Do you still think Bill Self isn't a top 3 coach in the Big Ten?

I was not thinking when I made that stupid comment (4:00am), Bill self is a top 5 coach in the country. yes he would be a top 3 coach in the Big Ten.

Sullinger will be a lottery pick because you're right they draft on potential and you can't teach 6'9" 270#, he is also fundamentally pretty sound but to succeed at any level (including the one is is on) you have to have more effort especially when things aren't going your way. I don't think that he has improved at all this season maybe even regressed a little. I don't like Dan Dakitch but he may be correct when he said Ohio State plays like they are entitled to win just by being Ohio State. I also think that maybe these players were a little over rated and we expected too much.

Wow you mean this team isnt gonna win a championship this year? What a difference 3 months makes. You all thought after beating Duke that this team was the best in the country but again let me remind you, CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE NOT WON IN NOVEMBER OR IN COLUMBUS! You have a mediocre program with a mediocre coach and a player that you all thought was player of the year and looks more like a BUST like Greg Oden! Meanwhile my overrated Duke blue Devils are 25-4 and positioning themselves to make a deep run in the tourney. Hey better luck next year Buckeye fans after all isnt that what most Ohio sports fans say year after year?

Red Rider Nation;1098813 wrote:Wow you mean this team isnt gonna win a championship this year? What a difference 3 months makes. You all thought after beating Duke that this team was the best in the country but again let me remind you, CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE NOT WON IN NOVEMBER OR IN COLUMBUS! You have a mediocre program with a mediocre coach and a player that you all thought was player of the year and looks more like a BUST like Greg Oden! Meanwhile my overrated Duke blue Devils are 25-4 and positioning themselves to make a deep run in the tourney. Hey better luck next year Buckeye fans after all isnt that what most Ohio sports fans say year after year?

*isn't

wildcats20;1098292 wrote:So when he is a lottery pick, will you leave for good?

reps :thumbup:

Red Rider Nation;1098813 wrote:Wow you mean this team isnt gonna win a championship this year? What a difference 3 months makes. You all thought after beating Duke that this team was the best in the country but again let me remind you, CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE NOT WON IN NOVEMBER OR IN COLUMBUS! You have a mediocre program with a mediocre coach and a player that you all thought was player of the year and looks more like a BUST like Greg Oden! Meanwhile my overrated Duke blue Devils are 25-4 and positioning themselves to make a deep run in the tourney. Hey better luck next year Buckeye fans after all isnt that what most Ohio sports fans say year after year?

So let me get this straight. Your Blue Devils, who less than two weeks ago, were BEAT at HOME by Miami (who??), and who needed overtime to beat VaTech(they have a bball team?) at home, are primed for a deep run? Ya, ok, I got it now. lmao.