As much as I would love to see ET return next year to lead an extremely talented freshman class (for purely selfish reasons, of course)....he should go to the NBA.

He has nothing left to prove or accomplish individually.

wkfan wrote: He has nothing elft to prove or accomplish individually.

this is true, so the question is whether or not an NCAA championship is that important to him. It doesn't seem to be to most players. He'll most likely go, but don't be surprised if he stays, especially since it would all but guarantee him being the #1 pick in 2011.

I can't wait for the people who have 'talked to Turner' to come on here and say that he's told them that he's coming back. It never fails and they're always wrong (Oden, Conley, Mullens in basketball; Holmes, Gonzo, Beanie, Gibson in football).

How far do you think this year's team can go in the NCAA tourney, past the 1st round...I would like to say make it to the sweet 16. But I think it depends on their seed and which teams come out to play. Hopefully not the one that got beat in the first round last year!

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=oneil_dana&id=4683505

It's stories like this that show what kind of a young man that Turner is. I know that the money is hard to pass up, especially considering his back injury this year, but you have to believe that this kid believes in something bigger than just money and basketball. I truly believe that he enjoys being in Columbus, playing with his great friends, and enjoying the relationships he has made along the way. Considering his girlfriend staying next year, I really wouldn't be too surprised if Turner comes back to make a run for a national championship. I think this year the Buckeyes will bow out in the sweet 16 or earlier and this will motivate Turner to desire a shot at a national championship. Yes, his injury looked pretty bad this year, but two hairline fractures in his spine were really not as significant as everyone thought. He recovered in half the time that was initially expected and is evidently back up to 100%.

big_hits24 wrote: How far do you think this year's team can go in the NCAA tourney, past the 1st round...I would like to say make it to the sweet 16. But I think it depends on their seed and which teams come out to play. Hopefully not the one that got beat in the first round last year!

Anything less than a Sweet 16 is a disappointment, IMO.

It depends on their seed and the matchups.

If they can somehow secure a #1 or #2 seed, a spot in the sweet 16 is almost a sure thing.

Being seeded 3 or below would bring the matchup into the conversation.

Prescott wrote: It depends on their seed and the matchups.

If they can somehow secure a #1 or #2 seed, a spot in the sweet 16 is almost a sure thing.

Being seeded 3 or below would bring the matchup into the conversation.

Is it even realistic for them to get a 1 or 2 seed being that their record is 18-6 currently? Even if they win out, they will only be 24-6. Not so sure there's ever been a 6 loss team to earn a 1 seed. A 2 seed might be a possibility if they win out and then win the big ten tournament. Even at that, I still foresee a 3-5 seed.

charliehustle14 wrote:

big_hits24 wrote: How far do you think this year's team can go in the NCAA tourney, past the 1st round...I would like to say make it to the sweet 16. But I think it depends on their seed and which teams come out to play. Hopefully not the one that got beat in the first round last year!

Anything less than a Sweet 16 is a disappointment, IMO.

This

I highly doubt they will receive a 1 or 2 seed...I was thinking maybe a 3 at highest. Also depends what region they are in and who else is in their region. I think we have a legit shot at winning the Big Ten tourney and take that momentum in the first round or two of the NCAA's...after that we'll have to see how good this team really is.

^ If they win out and run the table in the B10 confrence, neither of which are likely I think they could be a 2 seed. I think the 1 seeds are locked down by Kentucky,Kansas,Syracuse and Nova.

I don't know. Matta is in to his 5-6 player only mode and that doesn't sit well for a long run in eithier the Big Ten Tourney or the NCAA'S. You can see the frustration growing with each player sitting over there on the bench as you watch the "Iron 5" start to wilt at the end of games. Turner, Buford and Dieblers shots are starting to show the effects of to many minutes already. See another total melt down coming at the end of this year.
He ( Matta) is making it so easy for his opposition to compile scouting reports on tendency's and weakness of each player. The longer they are on the floor the more they play without breaks the more their habits ( Good and Bad are exposed.) The more pressure ( Big Games) The more fatigued they get the bigger the mistakes.
Go back and look at last years NCAA game.
Who would want to play for Matta unless you were going to start. Buford might not be here if Lighty Doesn't get hurt last year.

TCSoup wrote: I don't know. Matta is in to his 5-6 player only mode and that doesn't sit well for a long run in eithier the Big Ten Tourney or the NCAA'S. You can see the frustration growing with each player sitting over there on the bench as you watch the "Iron 5" start to wilt at the end of games. Turner, Buford and Dieblers shots are starting to show the effects of to many minutes already. See another total melt down coming at the end of this year.
He ( Matta) is making it so easy for his opposition to compile scouting reports on tendency's and weakness of each player. The longer they are on the floor the more they play without breaks the more their habits ( Good and Bad are exposed.) The more pressure ( Big Games) The more fatigued they get the bigger the mistakes.
Go back and look at last years NCAA game.
Who would want to play for Matta unless you were going to start. Buford might not be here if Lighty Doesn't get hurt last year.

I'd like to see percentages and some empiracle proof.

As the "team wilts" the WINS grow and the chemistry strengthens.

Tired Turner > Crack Head PJ
Good Chemistry > Ball Hog Simmons

They have been playing the Bottom feeders of the Big Ten the last 3 games and have looked less than impressive. I guess only time will tell, but the schedule is cranked up a whole lot more the next 3-4 games so we will see. Plus the Tourney is just around the corner.

TCSoup....I tried telling people that OSU will tire as the season progresses and it's too hard to make a run when you have 5 guys playing 35+ minutes for 30 games in the regular season and conference tournament. No one wants to hear any of it and they will have to learn the hard way when they see how fatigued this team becomes down the stretch. I hear the "they are college athletes and train for this year round therefore they shouldn't get tired" claim all the time, but I guess people fail to realize that these guys aren't machines and will, without a doubt, run into a team that cycles 7-10 players and runs OSU until they have nothing left in their legs. It doesn't take a rocket scientist on the other bench to figure out that to beat a team that only plays 5 guys is to keep the pace of the game up and run every chance you get. I've yet to see the Buckeyes look really tired in the second half aside from the WVU game. I actually looked at some numbers and saw that OSU is actually scoring more in the second half on average than the first half so I don't think it's fair to say that their shots are melting away. I do agree with you though that the Buckeyes will be in for a rude awakening come big 10 and ncaa tournaments. Regardless of how great of athletes they are or how they have 3-4 days rest in between games, fatigue is inevitable.

I don't care how well conditioned an athlete is, they will hit a wall eventually. Although supreme athletes, they are still human beings. That is one things that scares me so much about this team...Turner, Diebler, Buford, and Lighty are all logging some serious minutes and I'm afraid they will hit that wall when the tourneys roll around. I'm not very high on PJ Hill or Simmons, but give the kids just a few minutes to give someone a breather.

charliehustle14 wrote: I don't care how well conditioned an athlete is, they will hit a wall eventually. Although supreme athletes, they are still human beings. That is one things that scares me so much about this team...Turner, Diebler, Buford, and Lighty are all logging some serious minutes and I'm afraid they will hit that wall when the tourneys roll around. I'm not very high on PJ Hill or Simmons, but give the kids just a few minutes to give someone a breather.

Don't mention this to Big Gain or he will come on here and belittle you, tell you that you know nothing about basketball, and that Matta is doing what's best for the team by playing these guys until their legs fall off.

I didn't agree with Matta only using one sub the last game. I like him as a coach but hes far from perfect.

It also scares me because with only playing 5 or 6 a game, what's going to happen if one of them gets into foul trouble. Can't really count on Hill or Simmons to come in and do much seeing as how they've rode the pine for a majority of the year.

Automatik wrote: I didn't agree with Matta only using one sub the last game. I like him as a coach but hes far from perfect.

I'm thinking since the bench guys are seniors, Matta is building more chemistry for the next season with the starting 5. Who knows though.

Have you been belittled bulldog??? Poor baby, have you tattled to your mommy?

bulldog LIES again. Show us where I have told someone they "know nothing about basketball". I DARE YOU. Show us where I have sad, "Matta is doing what is best for the team by playing these guys until their legs fall off." I DARE YOU. What I have said is, "Matta knows more about basketball and his players than the sum total of all of the internet chat room nobodies on here, like you and ME. I'm sure Matta plays his player the minutes he does for a very good reason. That reason IS NOT to "have their legs fall off".

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

How many minutes should Hill and Simmons each play in a close game?
Should Hill and Simmons be on the floor at the same time in close games?
Is a 10 point or less differential in score considered a close game?
Should Matta play Hill and Simmons more minutes if he thinks it would jeopardize a win?
If the Big Four players played 35 minutes, instead of 40 minutes per game, would that make a significant difference in "their legs falling off"?
Would playing 30 minutes instead of 40 minutes make a significant difference in "their legs falling off"?
What IS the number of minutes required to sit out so as not to have a player's "legs fall off"?

Ponder these facts:

If you want the Big Four to each play only 35 minutes in a game, Hill and Simmons must each play 10 minutes.
If you want the Big Four to each play 30 minutes, Hill and Simmons must both play HALF of the game.
Ohio State has played 24 games, 10 of which were "close" games.
The Big Four individually have played 35 or fewer minutes respectively in: 7 games, 9 games, 13 games and 14 games.
The Big Four individually have sat out the following percentage of all minutes played thus far this season: 10%, 12%, 19% and 35%. Shouldn't that be enough to keep their "legs from falling off?

If you want to know which of the Big Four played 35 minutes or less in how many games and which has sat our what percentage of minutes, you do the research.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. The more fact based an opinion, the higher it is held in esteem.

And the shit continues to spew from your mouth.

I just don't understand how they see significant time last year and parts of this year and now the major dropoff? Has Matta given up on them? Or does he not care to give others a rest? Its confusing to me.

charliehustle14 wrote: It also scares me because with only playing 5 or 6 a game, what's going to happen if one of them gets into foul trouble. Can't really count on Hill or Simmons to come in and do much seeing as how they've rode the pine for a majority of the year.

What scares me is if Hill and Simmons would have played more minutes in Ohio States close wins, Ohio State would have a couple more losses. Could that be why Matta has played his players the minutes he has?

bulldog8 wrote: And the shit continues to spew from your mouth.

NO.....the unintelligent word "shit" came from your ugly mouth.

Is that all you have to counter the facts presented?
You have nothing to support the opinion you are entitled to have?

You failed to answer any of the questions posed.