thedynasty1998 wrote:There's no doubt in my mind OSU should be better next year.

Laley23 wrote: For APR nothing really matters. Kids leaving early will always hurt the program unless by chance they are able to have a grade constituting "good standing".

Kids not enrolling hurts the APR because they "drop-out". Kids enrolling now and dropping out before April 12 will still be "drop-outs". If he doesnt drop out but stops going to classes and misses the final etc, than more than likely he will have a poor grade(s) and in the end will still hurt the APR.

Laley23 wrote: ^^Im pretty sure it would still hurt. The voice of the Bucks was just on the radio in Toledo (I forget his name) and he was saying that Turner enrolled so it wouldnt hurt the Bucks like Oden and Koufous did by not enrolling.

I could be wrong. The whole thing is so retarded that I tried to read the stipulations and got pissed and bored so I stopped after the first paragraph.

centralbucksfan wrote:

Laley23 wrote: ^^Im pretty sure it would still hurt. The voice of the Bucks was just on the radio in Toledo (I forget his name) and he was saying that Turner enrolled so it wouldnt hurt the Bucks like Oden and Koufous did by not enrolling.

I could be wrong. The whole thing is so retarded that I tried to read the stipulations and got pissed and bored so I stopped after the first paragraph.

It is confusing. But having gone thru this with OSU the past few years...I do know for a fact that athletes enrolling, and not withdrawing in time from schools withdraw date, hurts the APR.

mallymal614 wrote: I guess we can now discuss the possibilities for next year’s buckeyes. Of course a lot of it depends on whether or not Evan Turner returns. If he does decide to return (which is a slim possibility) the Buckeyes are preseason #1 or #2 in the national polls in my opinion. If not, they probably ranked in the top 15 because they still will have four starters back and a top recruiting class coming in. Like others have mention, my main concern will be the point guard position assuming Turner doesn’t come back. I heard ideas about possibly Lighty or Diebler running it, but I don’t think they are nearly the ball handler Turner is. It’s one thing to bring the ball up the court with no pressure but against a pressing team, could they really handle it? Hopefully one of the incoming freshmen Craft, Smith, or Sibert can fill the void. To sum everything up, I think this team is capable of at least another sweet 16 appearance. It will come down to the point guard position whether or not they are final four ball club.

sportchampps wrote: Sullinger better get more minutes then Dallas.

centralbucksfan wrote:

mallymal614 wrote: Playing without Evan Turner this season is a lot different than it will be next. We must realize that players across the country progress each year, so players like Buford, Lighty, and Diebler should be improved. With the freshmen class coming in, it can provide depth that the team lacked, especially when Turner was out. There is no doubt OSU will be much better if Turner decides to come back, but I don’t think they will have the same struggles without him next season as they did this one.

I don't disagree with this statement at all. My point was how special Turner is. His presence on the floor alone, makes everyone else so much better. Sure they will improve...no question. Just as they did from last year to this. But for them to be THAT much better without Turner...is a stretch IMO. I see NO way next years team will be better without Turner. OSU is a better team next year, WITH Turner.
I think the confusion is...are they better then this years team? Certain area's, yes. But again, Turner is the guy who does so much, breaks down a defense, rebounds, assists, and a player who is able to make something...out of nothing as the shot clock runs down.
I think this OSU team this year, was pretty special to be honest. The exceeded everyone expectations. I thought they would be good...but not this good. They clicked, they played very well together, they accepted their roles, very coachable, etc, etc. Yes, they lacked depth, and a post presence. Which makes it even more impressive with what they did.
I am pumped for the future. But I am not expecting a better team next year without Turner on the floor. Hopefully I am wrong and pleasantly surprised. I just can't yet count on true frosh who have yet to step foot on a college campus. Experience goes a LONG way. All you have to do is look at the final four this year to see that.

Wooball wrote:

I agree PG is a very important position, but WVU, even with Truck Bryant did not have great PG play. MSU won yesterday despite Korrie Lucious trying to blow the game for them. They basically used their center/power forward to run offense the last 5 minutes of the game. So while it makes it easier to have a high quality point, I still think that next years team could have more post season success than this years.

ThumperAC wrote: I cannot wait for next year!

I predict this starting lineup (Turner is going to cash his lottery check)

1-Jordan Sibert
2-William Buford
3-David Lighty
4-Deshaun Thomas
5-Jared Sullinger

I have watched Sibert and Sullinger each a few times in person the last two years and I am confident they will start. Also, watching Thomas go against Northland this year, the kid was very impressive, he can handle the ball and has a great jumper. I am very interested to see how Diebler and Lauderdale fit in, but I really do not see either of them starting next year. We also have Craft, Smith, and Weatherspoon coming in too. I have not seen Craft or Smith in person so I really cannot comment on them.

Hb31187 wrote: Craft will start at the point, at least from what ive seen from him playing. Hes one of the best on ball defenders of the freshman class next year, is very smart, and doesnt turn the ball over. He doesnt look to score much and distributes...which is damn good when you're surrounded by 4 scorers next year whenever you're on the court. He'll be kinda like Travis Walton from MSU, sets up the offense and plays lock up D

BigAppleBuckeye wrote: Whoever does start, I just want to see a big man PLAY like a BIG man ... besides Oden, only a handful of Buckeyes over the past 15 years or so come to mind as someone you can trust in the paint to hit a high-percentage shot, block shots, grab boards, etc. Ken Johnson and George Reese are others that fit that mold, but it seems like we are ALWAYS on the wrong end of the rebounding battles.

devil1197 wrote:

mallymal614 wrote: Plus no one expected Mike Conely to be the type of player he was as a freshman. Hopefully Craft can surprise us as well.

Exactly, Conley was a great bonus from getting Oden a bonus that many OSU fans overlooked early on.

Craft could be that bonus coming to OSU with this great class around him and the solid talent already playing for OSU.

Big Gain wrote:

Hb31187 wrote: Craft will start at the point, at least from what ive seen from him playing. Hes one of the best on ball defenders of the freshman class next year, is very smart, and doesnt turn the ball over. He doesnt look to score much and distributes...which is damn good when you're surrounded by 4 scorers next year whenever you're on the court. He'll be kinda like Travis Walton from MSU, sets up the offense and plays lock up D

Craft doesn't look to score? He averaged 25/game this year. Some think Matta didn't get the best PG in Ohio's class. Lima CC played against Craft for 4 years, as well as Lima Senior and Lima CC's head coach of 32 years said the kid going to Robert Morris is better.

Big Gain wrote: Conley was a 5 Star, Craft is a 3 Star.

Hb31187 wrote: And Matta isnt exactly cleaning up on Ohio point guards.

Devon Moore, Andrew Lavender, Trey Burke, and those are just off the top of my head. He missed out on those 3 from right under his nose in Columbus

Trey Burke, and those are just off the top of my head. He missed out on those 3 from right under his nose in Columbus

Hb31187 wrote: And Matta isnt exactly cleaning up on Ohio point guards.

Devon Moore, Andrew Lavender, Trey Burke, and those are just off the top of my head. He missed out on those 3 from right under his nose in Columbus

Prescott wrote:

Trey Burke, and those are just off the top of my head. He missed out on those 3 from right under his nose in Columbus

I don't think Trey Burke is rated that highly by the recruiting sites.

Big Gain wrote:

Wooball wrote:

I agree PG is a very important position, but WVU, even with Truck Bryant did not have great PG play. MSU won yesterday despite Korrie Lucious trying to blow the game for them. They basically used their center/power forward to run offense the last 5 minutes of the game. So while it makes it easier to have a high quality point, I still think that next years team could have more post season success than this years.

WHAT??? You didn't watch WVU against Kentucky? Backup PG Joe Mazulla was the single biggest factor in WVU winning that game.

centralbucksfan wrote:

Hb31187 wrote: And Matta isnt exactly cleaning up on Ohio point guards.

Devon Moore, Andrew Lavender, Trey Burke, and those are just off the top of my head. He missed out on those 3 from right under his nose in Columbus

Please...before you make comments as above...do your research and know what your talking about. Lavender? lol