With Thomas, Craft, and Smith back, that's a pretty solid core. Amir Williams is going to have to hit the weights hard this off-season, and get ready to play. I don't think Ravenel has the talent to really be the starter, and if Williams can't beat him out by next fall, I'd be concerned.
This has become all the more urgent, because it looks like the Bucks aren't going to get Tony Parker, although Ohio State probably needs him the most.
The writing on the wall does not look good for Ohio State coach Thad Matta in his pursuit of a freshman big man to replace Jared Sullinger next season.
The low-post load the Buckeyes have been chasing — 6-foot-8, 270-pound Tony Parker of Lithonia, Ga. — has listed the Buckeyes among his favorites from the start, and at one point they were perceived to being leading the pack.
Lately, though, Parker’s pecking order seems to have changed. He received a visit last week from Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, said to be the favorite of Parker’s father. This week, before leaving for the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore., Parker texted The Dispatch that he had not heard from Matta about setting up a visit before the spring signing period begins Wednesday.
But an Ohio State source said Parker has stopped returning calls from Buckeyes coaches, a sign that OSU is out of the picture. Matta might go without a recruit in the class of 2012 or look for a spring transfer from another Division I school, such as Evan Ravenel two years ago.
If Ravenel ends up being the starter at the 5, I'd say you couldn't expect a whole lot more than maybe making the Sweet Sixteen next year.
I won't be too concerned about Williams if he doesn't start as long as he plays significant minutes. If he isn't the first or second guy off the bench, at the very least, then there's a real reason to worry. However, as long as he begins the season as one of the first off the bench then I won't worry too much.
Aaron Craft
Shannon Scott
Lenzell Smith Jr
Deshaun Thomas
Amir Williams
I believe that will be the starting 5, or he may do what he did in the past with Lauderdale and start the upperclassman Ravenel and bring Williams in shortly after. Look for LaQuinton Ross to get a lot of PT next year, as he has the most upside of all the young fellas. If Jordan Sibert stays on the team, he will need to hit 3's off the bench and needs to step his game up. I think its a sweet 16 team at best next year.
I think he will, you have to have another primary ball handler with the loss of Buford. If Scott doesnt start then you would have to put Smith at the 2 and Thomas at the 3 and start Ravenel. Unless they get Parker, which would then start,but I do believe Scott will start.
I'd even prefer Thompson over Scott. Smith is just fine as the other guard.
Thompson IS NOT A GUARD, he can't shoot or dribble, Scott can dribble, can't shoot.
If they use Craft Smith and Scott all together, that's a DIII size team.
Thompson IS NOT A GUARD, he can't shoot or dribble, Scott can dribble, can't shoot.
If they use Craft Smith and Scott all together, that's a DIII size team.
Which is is why I said "Smith is fine as the other guard".
That lineup should be able to win a lot of games if Ross is able to live up to the hype he had out of high school. I believe he could really be the wildcard in how far this team could go next season.
Perhaps the Buckeyes aren't totally out of the picture?
Quote:
Over the weekend, there were rumors that Parker had eliminated Ohio State. Parker “has stopped returning calls from Buckeyes coaches, a sign that OSU is out of the picture,” according to a report in The Columbus Dispatch.
Parker’s coach responded to the report: “I’d say no comment about that. Well, I don’t think that’s correct. I don’t know. I’m not sure about that. They [Ohio State] are calling me so I know there’s some kind of contact.”
Doug Lesmerises @PDBuckeyes
Ohio State, Duke among schools interested in Mississippi State 6-8 transfer Rodney Hood, avg 10 and 5 as a FR, according to @GoodmanCBS
Hood would be a real nice pickup for the Bucks. Any chance he could play this next season? Not sure what his circumstances are surrounding his transfer.
If you think thats funny you must not have watched the 2010 season when he started every single game at pg before bringing Craft in off the bench. So if starting at PG and bringing the ball up to start every single game isnt a primary ball handler I dont know what is.
You considered Buford a primary ball handler?
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