My buddies and I were discussing this during the OSU-Illinois game Saturday. Assuming Turner leaves, who plays the point for OSU next year? Do they give Diebler a shot? You know Lighty, Buford, Diebler, and Lauderdale are starting. That leaves either a spot at PG or PF(Sullinger). I would think Sullinger will be starting. I think it's quite a dilemma for Matta. So what's going to happen w/ the lineup?

Craft will run point. Isnt lighty a redshirt senior? hes gone

So many things wrong with you post. First off, there is no way Diebler plays the point. He NEVER puts the ball on the ground, so what makes you think he would be able to play PG. Lighty and Buford are both better options.

I think Craft will get playing time, but it's worrisome that he might end up playing 30 minutes a game at the point.

To say LIghty, Buford, Diebler and Lauderdale all start is just dumb to say. They all might start, but don't think they automatically start because they are returning starters. There's going to be some serious competition for those starting spots. Sullinger is a starter without question. Thomas is a big time recruit who will also likely start.

Then the others are questions on how much playing time they will get and the contributions they will make, but there will be another freshman that will surprise. Smith is a combo guard who could see some time and Weatherspoon is so athletic I don't see how he doesn't get at least 5 minutes a game.

When I watched thomas play on an ESPN showcase earlier this year...I wasnt impressed really. Granted it was one game. He just looked kinda slow to play wing and is only 6'7 but i guess he did use his body pretty well.

Hb31187 wrote: Craft will run point. Isnt lighty a redshirt senior? hes gone

Lighty is a redshirt junior.

thedynasty1998 wrote: So many things wrong with you post. First off, there is no way Diebler plays the point. He NEVER puts the ball on the ground, so what makes you think he would be able to play PG. Lighty and Buford are both better options.

I think Craft will get playing time, but it's worrisome that he might end up playing 30 minutes a game at the point.

To say LIghty, Buford, Diebler and Lauderdale all start is just dumb to say. They all might start, but don't think they automatically start because they are returning starters. There's going to be some serious competition for those starting spots. Sullinger is a starter without question. Thomas is a big time recruit who will also likely start.

Then the others are questions on how much playing time they will get and the contributions they will make, but there will be another freshman that will surprise. Smith is a combo guard who could see some time and Weatherspoon is so athletic I don't see how he doesn't get at least 5 minutes a game.

A) Diebler has brought the ball up the court some lately, which is why I asked the question. I never said he would play the point.

B) I will go ahead and guarantee that Diebler, Lighty, Buford, and Lauderdale will start. They definitely will see less minutes(prolly a good thing), but they will start.

C) Thomas won't start.

D) Not saying Weatherspoon won't see some PT, but we have recently seen a supremely athletic player in Eric Wallace, that couldn't get on the court. It takes more than athleticism.

Eric Wallace didn't play with half of his incoming freshman class and win National Championship after National Championship. Wallace was like a deer in headlights when he got to college, Weatherspoon will be ready.

After 2nd thought, those 4 might start. But I don't know who runs the point? Maybe Sully starts and Lauderdale comes off the bench and Craft gets the 5th starter position.

Diebler bringing the ball up when Turner is double teamed is completely different than facing pressure while bringing it up the court. I have nightmares of Diebler running the point.

Weatherspoon will be ready.

He is ready athletically, but he needs a lot of work in other areas of his game especially shooting the basketball. He is the one guy in this class who I think will get very little time his freshman year.

But I don't know who runs the point?

Craft will be the only true point guard. Does he start? Who knows. Matta does have a problem next year . Does he have scholarships available?

se-alum wrote:

Hb31187 wrote: Craft will run point. Isnt lighty a redshirt senior? hes gone

Lighty is a redshirt junior.

thedynasty1998 wrote: So many things wrong with you post. First off, there is no way Diebler plays the point. He NEVER puts the ball on the ground, so what makes you think he would be able to play PG. Lighty and Buford are both better options.

I think Craft will get playing time, but it's worrisome that he might end up playing 30 minutes a game at the point.

To say LIghty, Buford, Diebler and Lauderdale all start is just dumb to say. They all might start, but don't think they automatically start because they are returning starters. There's going to be some serious competition for those starting spots. Sullinger is a starter without question. Thomas is a big time recruit who will also likely start.

Then the others are questions on how much playing time they will get and the contributions they will make, but there will be another freshman that will surprise. Smith is a combo guard who could see some time and Weatherspoon is so athletic I don't see how he doesn't get at least 5 minutes a game.

A) Diebler has brought the ball up the court some lately, which is why I asked the question. I never said he would play the point.

B) I will go ahead and guarantee that Diebler, Lighty, Buford, and Lauderdale will start. They definitely will see less minutes(prolly a good thing), but they will start.

C) Thomas won't start.

D) Not saying Weatherspoon won't see some PT, but we have recently seen a supremely athletic player in Eric Wallace, that couldn't get on the court. It takes more than athleticism.

Don't be so sure about that.

I think Turner should just come back, so we don't have to worry about it!!

I'm far from liking the idea of Diebler playing point. I'm equally as uncomfortable w/ Buford playing the point, as he isn't the greatest decision maker. Fact of the matter is, if Craft is at least serviceable, that gives us exactly one PG option on the entire roster. Do we have a scholly for a Jr. College player?

Jeesh Lighty seems like hes been there entirely too long

OneBuckeye wrote:

se-alum wrote:

Hb31187 wrote: Craft will run point. Isnt lighty a redshirt senior? hes gone

Lighty is a redshirt junior.

thedynasty1998 wrote: So many things wrong with you post. First off, there is no way Diebler plays the point. He NEVER puts the ball on the ground, so what makes you think he would be able to play PG. Lighty and Buford are both better options.

I think Craft will get playing time, but it's worrisome that he might end up playing 30 minutes a game at the point.

To say LIghty, Buford, Diebler and Lauderdale all start is just dumb to say. They all might start, but don't think they automatically start because they are returning starters. There's going to be some serious competition for those starting spots. Sullinger is a starter without question. Thomas is a big time recruit who will also likely start.

Then the others are questions on how much playing time they will get and the contributions they will make, but there will be another freshman that will surprise. Smith is a combo guard who could see some time and Weatherspoon is so athletic I don't see how he doesn't get at least 5 minutes a game.

A) Diebler has brought the ball up the court some lately, which is why I asked the question. I never said he would play the point.

B) I will go ahead and guarantee that Diebler, Lighty, Buford, and Lauderdale will start. They definitely will see less minutes(prolly a good thing), but they will start.

C) Thomas won't start.

D) Not saying Weatherspoon won't see some PT, but we have recently seen a supremely athletic player in Eric Wallace, that couldn't get on the court. It takes more than athleticism.

Don't be so sure about that.

99.9% sure about that. No need to start him. It would be nice to have some firepower off the bench.

Prescott wrote:

Weatherspoon will be ready.

He is ready athletically, but he needs a lot of work in other areas of his game especially shooting the basketball. He is the one guy in this class who I think will get very little time his freshman year.

But I don't know who runs the point?

Craft will be the only true point guard. Does he start? Who knows. Matta does have a problem next year . Does he have scholarships available?

I don't think he's a star next year, but I think he's so athletic and used to the high level of competition, that he plays a minimum of 5 minutes per game. He's just one of those bench guys that can bring instant energy.

Folks, if Willie has a good tournament, he's gone.

se-alum wrote:99.9% sure about that. No need to start him. It would be nice to have some firepower off the bench.

Top 20 guys coming out of HS rarely start on the bench. I'm not saying he for sure is a starter, but the guy is a player and a potential one and done guy.

He could potentially be OSU's 2nd best player next year behind Sullinger.

Turner was never a PG before this year. Is why I think Lighty can handle the PG from the beginning of the season, as they work Croft in for some minutes. By midseason, if he is progressing, Croft might get 25 mins a night. I agree with Lauderdale at C, Buford and Sullinger at F, Lighty and Diebler at G. Also, agree with a great tourney run Buford could elevate to 1st round pick. Buford has been far more efficient and productive than Cook ever was, and Cook went in the 1st round.

Thomas 1 and done? Hell no.

Id be willing to bet that hes a 3 year player

september63 wrote: Turner was never a PG before this year. Is why I think Lighty can handle the PG from the beginning of the season, as they work Croft in for some minutes. By midseason, if he is progressing, Croft might get 25 mins a night. I agree with Lauderdale at C, Buford and Sullinger at F, Lighty and Diebler at G. Also, agree with a great tourney run Buford could elevate to 1st round pick. Buford has been far more efficient and productive than Cook ever was, and Cook went in the 1st round.

Its Aaron Craft first off not Croft lol.

Craft will be brought in slowly but he'll end up starting at the end of the year. His best attribute may be his defense along with his PG's skills. He is going to have some very good players to work with unlike this season at LB. He did everything for those guys and I bet he'll love working with Diebler, Lighty, Buford, and Sullinger. Craft can score but he'll be more of a distributor, very smart and won't make stupid decisions.

Mid season lineup
PG-Craft
SG-Diebler
SG-Buford
SF-Lighty
C-Lauderdale/Sullinger

My prediction.

Turner and Buford are both back, and OSU wins the National Championship.

I don't know if he is or not, but he has an NBA body right now. He's versatile at 6'6" although not overly athletic. And he's a top 10-20 HS player coming out, so it's not completely unrealistic.

There will be at least an 7 man rotation... not sure who will start but Burford Lighty and Deibler will be getting heavy minutes and the others will split time.

Craft
Diebler
Buford
Lighty
Laderdale
Sully
Thomas

Here's another thought, without Turner, how much does Diebler's effectiveness diminish? Is it worth having a spot up shooter out there if you don't have a PG to set him up. I think whoever the PG is next year, their responsibility will be to setup the offense and not necessarily as a playmaker the way Turner is.

I think Sullinger will demand double teams, which could get Diebler some shots, but other than him, who does OSU have that can create space for Diebler? I think that makes him highly ineffective and might mean less playing time.

thedynasty1998 wrote: Diebler bringing the ball up when Turner is double teamed is completely different than facing pressure while bringing it up the court. I have nightmares of Diebler running the point.

thedynasty1998 wrote: Here's another thought, without Turner, how much does Diebler's effectiveness diminish? Is it worth having a spot up shooter out there if you don't have a PG to set him up. I think whoever the PG is next year, their responsibility will be to setup the offense and not necessarily as a playmaker the way Turner is.

I think Sullinger will demand double teams, which could get Diebler some shots, but other than him, who does OSU have that can create space for Diebler? I think that makes him highly ineffective and might mean less playing time.

Lol, you just can't stand Diebler, can you? I agree that he shouldn't be bringing the ball up the court (but then again, I didn't think Turner would be that great at it either) but Dieb's been starting for three years. I'll be amazed if he gets beat out as a senior.

Did you watch lighty sunday?? I think he is more than capable of creating space for the outside shooters.

I stated this earier, Lighty will be more than capable as they slowly bring Craft along.

I've never seen sullinger play, how good is this kid? Anyone have any convincing youtube videos?