Ohio State Men’s Basketball Win a Share of the Big Ten Title

Ohio State defeated Illinois last night to win a share of the Big Ten title this year in addition to getting the number one seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. Evan Turner and Jon Diebler led the way for the Buckeyes as foul trouble limited Demetri McCamey and Mike Tisdale for the Fighting Illini.

By Steve Patterson

Ohio State entered Tuesday nights Columbus game ranked 6th in the country in the AP poll and looking to secure a share of the Big Ten Title. It was senior night for the Buckeyes who will lose PJ Hill, Kyle Madsen, Danny Peters, Jeremie Simmons, and Mark Titus when the season ends. They defeated the Illini 73-57 in a tight match and will begin the 2010 Big Ten Tournament March 11th as the #1 seed.

Illinois guard Demetri McCamey grew up playing against Ohio State’s Evan Turner and they greeted each other pre-game as they often do. This could be the last game the 2 play against each other on the college level as Turner is likely to enter the NBA this spring. Illinois went up by 6 points early, half way through the first period. But a 15-2 run by Ohio State sparked by McCamey’s foul trouble, resulted in a Buckeye 4 point lead at half-time.

Jon Diebler was hot from behind the ark all game long with 7 triples total on 50% shooting from distance. Turner had good night as usual leading OSU in rebounds and putting up 16 points. The game continued to be tight half way through the 2nd half with OSU leading by 3 to 5. Illinois center Mike Tisdale fouled out with 7 minutes to go which gave the Buckeyes breathing room. And Ohio State pulled away to win 73-57.

Turner 16 points, 12 rebs and 5 assists
Diebler 21 points, 50% from 3 Point land
Buford 17 points, 7 rebs, 6 assists, and 4 steals

McCamey 18 points, 4 rebs, 7 assists
Paul 11 points, 2 rebs, 2 assists
Tisdale 10 points, 3 rebs, 3 assists

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Ohio State 2010 Basketball Recruiting Finished

Thad Matta and the Ohio State Buckeyes have put together one of the best 2010 recruiting classes in the country. What started with the #1 recruit in the country committing, finished this week with his teammate JD Weatherspoon completing a class of 6 that should rival the Oden, Cook, and Conley class.

By Steve Patterson

At the top of the class are two five star recruits in Jared Sullinger and power forward DeShaun Thomas. Two shooting guards rated the 13th and the 17th best in the country at their position in Jordan Sibert and Lenzelle Smith. Aaron Craft out of Finlay Ohio plays AAU ball with Sullinger, Sibert, and Weatherspoon on All-Ohio Red and will be the next great point guard for the Buckeyes. Weatherspoon is a 6’7” power forward from Columbus who was once committed to Xavier but will now play along side his AAU teammates.

For more coverage on the members of the class take a look at these eScoutRoom articles:

Buckeye Basketball 2010 Recruiting Class Updates

Film: 2010 Guard Josh Selby at the Hoophall Classic

Summer Full of Events for #1 Center in the Country, Jared Sullinger

Northland’s J.D. Weatherspoon Commits to Coach Matta and Ohio State

Film:JD Weatherspoon 2009 Highlight Film

Will Greg Oden ever realize his potential?

For years in Cleveland, the Cavs fans believed the name Ilgauskas in Greek must mean “man with bad feet.” Now the fans in Portland are wondering if Oden will ever realize his potential or will he be a first choice bust due to injury.

By Bill Smith

There is no question that big men are at a premium in both college basketball and the NBA. Look at this year's draft. There were only 2 7 foot players in the top 50 as ranked by most experts. One of those, our own BJ Mullens was rated the 16^th best prospect and he was not a regular starter for the Bucks in 08-09. He got picked 24^th overall in the first round.

But Oden was not just 7 feet. He has more talent on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor than all but a couple starting C in the league. He also has an NBA body. He has spent the hours in the weight room necessary to build up his body to withstand the banging of the NBA lane. Even so, in 2 seasons, he has yet to be able to stay even close to 100 percent healthy.

The human body was not designed by a structural engineer. When a body is as large, muscular and heavy as Oden, the hips down to the feet are subject to stresses well beyond those of the average body type. Yau Ming was hurt in what seemed like an insignificant injury will keep the Rocket C out of the game next year and may end up being a career threatening problem.

Oden worked out for more than 3 hours in Columbus for the Trail Blazer staff this week. According to most reports, he looked good. More importantly, he looked healthy. The question is will his health carry him through an entire season and playoffs?

Portland hopes so. If he is healthy, Portland will be very dangerous. He can be a difference maker and has a young and very talented team around him. But history is not in Oden's favor.

Having watched the NBA game for 5 decades, I have seen many more players that suffered injuries in college and early in their pro career never reach their potential. That is Oden's history as well and that is too bad. He is so talented and dedicated to his game that should his body let him down it would be a loss to the game.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

B.J. Mullens Couldn't Have Gone to a Better Situation

B.J. Mullens looked like he was a little disappointed when he fell to the 24^th pick. But he is in a perfect situation to develop and start in the near future. Oklahoma City (the team formerly known as the Sonics) has a hole in the middle of their lineup the size of the Grand Canyon. Mullens will get minutes right off the bat and may well be starting in a year or two. Not bad for a guy that couldn't start for the Buckeyes in the Big Ten.

By Bill Smith

There are three primary contenders for the C spot including Mullens. Johan Petro (DV) was the starter in Seattle/Oklahoma City in 05 but didn't get the job done. He has been moved to Denver. They have tried Nick Collison there but he is better at PF and that isn't saying much. Nenad Krstic started 29 games last season but scored 9.7 points and grabbed 5.5 rebounds in an average of 25 minutes a game. Not good.

At the very least, B.J. should get some minutes early on rotating with Krstic. Mullens may not be ready to go up against the big guys of the NBA but neither are either of the others.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Ex Buckeye B.J. Mullens is the 2nd rated C in the 2009 NBA Draft?

By Bill Smith

A few months ago, I wrote “Where have all the Big men gone” in my own site. College basketball has become totally bereft of quality NBA size centers. The league is desperate for anyone that can dribble a basketball and is 7 feet or more tall.

This year, B.J. Mullens is ranked as the 2^nd best C in the draft and 16^th overall. This for a guy that wasn't even a starter for the Buckeyes much of the year. He averaged 18 minutes a game for the Bucks and scored 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. Even at 275 he is not that physical but moves fairly well. At this point in his development, he really has not become strong at any aspect of the game. He is a nearly blank chalk board upon which a lot or a little could be written depending on his willingness to work on his game.

One thing that does speak well of him is that he only averages 2.1 fouls per game in that 18 minutes. He has a very long way to go to develop into a potential starter. He will likely be a rotational player that eats up minutes but both his offensive and defensive games leave a lot of room for improvement.

This draft has been said to be a weak draft. That is not totally true. It lacks the “can't miss” depth at the top. But even a lot of the so called can't miss guys miss terribly. I can't remember a draft in the NBA that had as many players with as many questions about their game as we have this year. This is the kind of draft that will make some GMs look very smart and make others unemployed.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Lady Buckeyes Find it Sweat Late Against Stanford

After losing early in the past two NCAA tournaments, Coach Jim Foster's Lady Buckeyes are ready for a Sweet 16 match against Stanford late Saturday night in Berkeley California. The 3 seed Ohio State Buckeyes hope to upset the 2 seed Stanford Cardinals in the late night game for East Coast Fans.

Film: Ohio State Women's Basketball Team Make the Sweet 16

Three Ohio State Basketball Players Leaving?

After an early first round NCAA loss to Siena on Friday night, questions turn to who will stay and who will be leaving the basketball program for the NBA this summer. The three players that are within reach of an NBA contract are freshman center BJ Mullens, freshman guard William Buford and sophomore small forward Evan Turner. And with a revolving door of great talent coming through Ohio State will Coach Matta be able to return to the highest pinnacle of college coaching?

Ohio State upsets Top Seeded Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament

Ohio State moved on to the Big Ten Tournament final today against Purdue by beating the #1 seeded Michigan State in Indianapolis 82-70. The Buckeyes got help from every person on the team with great performances by Evan Turner, Jon Diebler, William Buford, and BJ Mullens. After the game Evan Turner discussed how they made adjustments after losing two regular season games to the Spartans and how he came back from not scoring in the first half to scoring 18 points in the second.

Ohio State Basketball, Ugly Wins Count

Ohio State won an ugly match-up against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday night with a great performance by Evan Turner and decent shooting from William Buford and Jon Diebler. Add in a late minute block by Dallas Lauderdale and a miss at the last second by the Hawkeyes and you have an ugly Buckeye win.

Ohio State Close But Unable to Pull Even, Illinois 68-70

Ohio State had near 6 opportunities to pull even with Illinois in Columbus, Ohio today after falling behind early and each time they got within 2 points, the Fighting Illini would increase the gap. Evan Turner played well down the stretch with Jon Diebler getting a good start following his inspired play against Northwestern on Wednesday. But the Buckeyes could not get ahead as they fought to the end and took one last shot with 0.6 seconds remaining.

Evan Turner Unable to Do It All

Another road game and another good game for Evan Turner but he was unable to get the help he needed from his Ohio State teammates to beat Wisconsin Saturday night in Madison. Turner had 23 points on the night and played the entire game but 15 offensive rebounds by the Badgers and 19 turnovers by the Buckeyes allowed Wisconsin to finish in the win column.

Ohio State Beats Ranked Minnesota 64-58

In a competitive match-up between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Minnesota Golden Golphers, Ohio State came out on top with great play by Evan Turner and true Freshman William Buford. Minnesota made several runs to take an early lead and to pull within 3 at the half, but Ohio State was able to stifle the Golphers with their defense and make enough shots from mid-range and beyond the 3 point line to pull out the victory.

Ohio State Allows the Spartans to Finish Strong

Durrell Simmons scored often and early on the Buckeyes keeping Michigan State in the game in the first half when Ohio State outperformed his team in almost every statistic. But the 2nd half was all about Michigan State starting point guard Kalin Lucas who was kept out of the starting line-up but came off the bench and scored 20 points all after half time.

Illinois Solidly beats Ohio State 67-49 – Stats of the Game

From Assembly Hall, The Fighting Illini controlled Ohio State for 40 minutes with a game that was statistically finished with 2.47 remaining in the game. Ohio State shot 41.3% from the field which is better than teams have averaged against Illinois but they lagged the entire game and were solidly behind the majority of the time. Ohio State turned the ball over 20 times and gave away the ball to steals 13 times. Many of the other stats of the game were in line for both squads.

Ohio State upsets Michigan with Points in the Paint

In what is the third away-from-home victory against a ranked team this season, the Ohio State Buckeyes were able to score in the paint consistently against the Michigan Wolverines in a 65-58 road victory. The Buckeyes came out strong and finished well in a ruckus Crisler Arena Saturday night.