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Ohio State Men’s basketball…………..
The Ohio State Men’s basketball team has won 9 out of 10 games so far and are ranked in the top 25 in the nation, but why does it feel like there is a black cloud hanging over the program in general? The loss of David Lighty is an issue and the recent departure of highly regarded point guard Anthony Crater from the program leaves a young team with just 9 scholarship players available. We could be looking at a rotation of just 7 players for most of the season (Madsen and Hill are role players). The loss of Lighty is huge going into the Big Ten portion of the schedule, your captain, most experienced player and most versatile in addition to arguably being Ohio State’s best defender.
Ohio State opens with Iowa at home followed by 4 out of 6 games on the road which include Minnesota, Michigan State, Michigan and Illinois. Not exactly the type of schedule you would like if you are Matta and are dealing with a 28 point loss at home and playing short handed. The question for this team is if they have enough leadership to compete at the top of the Big Ten. Talent is not the question but leadership and toughness will be tested starting 1/3/09 at Minnesota.
On a positive note Nikola Kecman will be eligible to play against Michigan State but it remains to be seen what his role will be. Another question will be the rotation at the point guard position and if Offutt/Hill get additional minutes.
Basketball recruiting………………..
The departure of Crater puts renewed emphasis on the point guard position. Currently there is no one targeted in the 2009 class. Matta could decide to go the junior college route once again to fill the void or wait until the 2010 class to find a pure point guard. We currently have five verbal commitments for the 2010 class but no target at point guard. Lenzelle Smith is listed as a combo guard and is not a pure point guard but could fill in if needed.
The decision by Trae Golden to back out of his verbal to Ohio State is being felt here……..do not expect Ohio State to get back into contact with Golden. Marquis Teague is a name to remember in the 2011 class at point guard, he is a highly regarded prospect out of Indiana. Switching positions, the staff has an official offer extended to Adreian Payne (power forward) out of Cincinnati for the 2010 class and would love to land this raw prospect. Payne recently indicated he will be focusing on his season and not recruiting.
Look for movement in the summer on this intriguing prospect. Currently the 2010 class is viewed as the #1 class nationally by Scout.com. Adding Payne or a highly regarded point guard will only solidify the class.
Upcoming High-School Football All-Star games…………..
This upcoming weekend, the U.S. Army All-American Game (Jan. 3, 2009, 1 p.m. ET, NBC) and the Under Armour All-American Game (Jan. 4, 2009, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN). Players of interest in both games are listed below:
Army All-American game:
Dorian Bell (OSU verbal)
Tajh Boyd (may possibly announce at game)
Corey Brown (OSU verbal)
Justin Green (OSU verbal)
Marcus Hall
Morgan Moses
John Simon (OSU verbal)
Jamie Wood (OSU verbal)
Under Armour All-American game:
Jamal Berry (OSU verbal)
Marlon Brown
Duron Carter (OSU verbal)
John Martinez
Jack Mewhort (OSU verbal)
Corey Adams
Melvin Fellows (OSU verbal)
C.J. Barnett (OSU verbal)
Football Recruiting……………………
With National Signing Day near, Coach Tressel and staff are concentrating on completing the 2009 class with OL Maurice Hall, QB Tajh Boyd, WR Marlon Brown and DT Corey Adams as the primary targets. Each prospect is a top 100 player nationally. In addition to those prospects, keep an eye on TE Dion Sims, OL Morgan Moses, who may visit officially during the month of January and OL John Martinez.
The 2010 class is off to a great start with the recent verbal commitment of DE Jamal Turner, considered the top prospect in Ohio and a top 100 player nationally in the 2010 class. Turner joins top 100 prospect, DE J.T. Moore who verbally committed this past fall. 2010 prospects who currently hold offers from Ohio State……DE Darryl Baldwin, LB Jordan Hicks, RB Corey Brown, LB Scott McVey, OL Andrew Norwell, ATH Spencer Ware.
Final Thoughts…………………………
Anxious to watch the Fiesta Bowl……….time to get the monkey off our back………..Who is the best team in the NBA……….Cavs, Celtics, Lakers……..take your pick…………NFL playoffs…………I like Indy and the New York football Giants to meet in the Super Bowl………….who wins?.......who cares, I am a Browns fan…….
The Ohio State Men’s basketball team has won 9 out of 10 games so far and are ranked in the top 25 in the nation, but why does it feel like there is a black cloud hanging over the program in general? The loss of David Lighty is an issue and the recent departure of highly regarded point guard Anthony Crater from the program leaves a young team with just 9 scholarship players available. We could be looking at a rotation of just 7 players for most of the season (Madsen and Hill are role players). The loss of Lighty is huge going into the Big Ten portion of the schedule, your captain, most experienced player and most versatile in addition to arguably being Ohio State’s best defender.
Ohio State opens with Iowa at home followed by 4 out of 6 games on the road which include Minnesota, Michigan State, Michigan and Illinois. Not exactly the type of schedule you would like if you are Matta and are dealing with a 28 point loss at home and playing short handed. The question for this team is if they have enough leadership to compete at the top of the Big Ten. Talent is not the question but leadership and toughness will be tested starting 1/3/09 at Minnesota.
On a positive note Nikola Kecman will be eligible to play against Michigan State but it remains to be seen what his role will be. Another question will be the rotation at the point guard position and if Offutt/Hill get additional minutes.
Basketball recruiting………………..
The departure of Crater puts renewed emphasis on the point guard position. Currently there is no one targeted in the 2009 class. Matta could decide to go the junior college route once again to fill the void or wait until the 2010 class to find a pure point guard. We currently have five verbal commitments for the 2010 class but no target at point guard. Lenzelle Smith is listed as a combo guard and is not a pure point guard but could fill in if needed.
The decision by Trae Golden to back out of his verbal to Ohio State is being felt here……..do not expect Ohio State to get back into contact with Golden. Marquis Teague is a name to remember in the 2011 class at point guard, he is a highly regarded prospect out of Indiana. Switching positions, the staff has an official offer extended to Adreian Payne (power forward) out of Cincinnati for the 2010 class and would love to land this raw prospect. Payne recently indicated he will be focusing on his season and not recruiting.
Look for movement in the summer on this intriguing prospect. Currently the 2010 class is viewed as the #1 class nationally by Scout.com. Adding Payne or a highly regarded point guard will only solidify the class.
Upcoming High-School Football All-Star games…………..
This upcoming weekend, the U.S. Army All-American Game (Jan. 3, 2009, 1 p.m. ET, NBC) and the Under Armour All-American Game (Jan. 4, 2009, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN). Players of interest in both games are listed below:
Army All-American game:
Dorian Bell (OSU verbal)
Tajh Boyd (may possibly announce at game)
Corey Brown (OSU verbal)
Justin Green (OSU verbal)
Marcus Hall
Morgan Moses
John Simon (OSU verbal)
Jamie Wood (OSU verbal)
Under Armour All-American game:
Jamal Berry (OSU verbal)
Marlon Brown
Duron Carter (OSU verbal)
John Martinez
Jack Mewhort (OSU verbal)
Corey Adams
Melvin Fellows (OSU verbal)
C.J. Barnett (OSU verbal)
Football Recruiting……………………
With National Signing Day near, Coach Tressel and staff are concentrating on completing the 2009 class with OL Maurice Hall, QB Tajh Boyd, WR Marlon Brown and DT Corey Adams as the primary targets. Each prospect is a top 100 player nationally. In addition to those prospects, keep an eye on TE Dion Sims, OL Morgan Moses, who may visit officially during the month of January and OL John Martinez.
The 2010 class is off to a great start with the recent verbal commitment of DE Jamal Turner, considered the top prospect in Ohio and a top 100 player nationally in the 2010 class. Turner joins top 100 prospect, DE J.T. Moore who verbally committed this past fall. 2010 prospects who currently hold offers from Ohio State……DE Darryl Baldwin, LB Jordan Hicks, RB Corey Brown, LB Scott McVey, OL Andrew Norwell, ATH Spencer Ware.
Final Thoughts…………………………
Anxious to watch the Fiesta Bowl……….time to get the monkey off our back………..Who is the best team in the NBA……….Cavs, Celtics, Lakers……..take your pick…………NFL playoffs…………I like Indy and the New York football Giants to meet in the Super Bowl………….who wins?.......who cares, I am a Browns fan…….
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