Ohio State Basketball

The Big Ten has been a bridesmaid instead of a bride in the college basketball world recently.

It is almost always one of the best conferences in the country during the regular season and regularly sends teams to the Final Four, but the last national championship from the league was Michigan State in 2000.

Ohio State has certainly been a part of this trend, with multiple trips to the Final Four, multiple No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament, a loss in the national championship game and a heartbreaking loss to underdog Wichita State in the Elite Eight over the course of the past 10 years.

The question is, can the Buckeyes help the Big Ten establish itself as the nation’s best conference during the 2014-15 campaign?

Regardless of what too-early preseason polls say, the thought here is that Ohio State is much better than it was last year, even if it did lose Aaron Craft, Lenzelle Smith Jr. and LaQuinton Ross. One reason why is that Thad Matta brought in a loaded recruiting class, which Jerry Meyer of 247Sports commented on, via Kyle Rowland of Eleven Warriors:

It’s funny, some people across the country are quick to doubt Thad and his ability to recruit. Yet, he typically brings in some great classes. 

Ohio State is one of the top programs in the country. The stability and the consistency they have there has been impressive. Going into every year, I assume they could be a Final Four contender. Maybe they need a little bit of a punch here or a spark there as far talent infusion to be a team you think can win a national championship.

With Matta at the helm, the Buckeyes will bring the typically stout defense they always do, even if it falls off a bit without Craft. It is the potential offense that should have fans excited.

D’Angelo Russell will lead the attack from the perimeter with the versatility to play either point guard or shooting guard. He has a lethal three-point shot, an explosive first step off the bounce and the basketball IQ to find open teammates when the defense collapses.

Shannon Scott returns with his speed and gradually improving jumper, and the absence of Craft means he gets to move to his natural point guard position full time.

Sam Thompson and Marc Loving also return, and if Thompson’s improvement over the course of last year is any indication, he will be one of Ohio State’s best offensive weapons. Loving should also take a jump from his freshman to sophomore campaign, and his smooth stroke from distance should open up the floor for some of his teammates to attack off the dribble.

It won’t just be the Amir Williams Show down low either, as Matta landed Temple transfer Anthony Lee. Lee is a legitimate double-double guy who will give the Buckeyes their best low-post presence on both ends of the floor and on the glass since Jared Sullinger left.

Throw in a bench that consists of the sharp-shooting Kameron Williams, the strong Jae’Sean Tate and the explosive and versatile Keita Bates-Diop, and the scarlet and gray will have more depth this year as well.

This isn’t a national championship team, but it will go further than its early March Madness exit we saw last season against Dayton, which will certainly help the Big Ten’s national perception.

As for some of the other squads, Wisconsin is absolutely loaded. The Badgers were an impossibly deep Kentucky three-pointer away from reaching the national championship game last season and return every major contributor except Ben Brust. With Traevon Jackson, Frank Kaminsky, Josh Gasser, Nigel Hayes and Sam Dekker, Wisconsin will not only be the Big Ten favorites but also one of the national title favorites.

Michigan State lost plenty of talent but still has the trio of Travis Trice, Denzel Valentine and Branden Dawson. What’s more, Tom Izzo is still the head coach, and he can work magic with much less than that. Look for Dawson to make a leap and contend for Big Ten Player of the Year this season.

Then there is upstart Nebraska, which made the NCAA tournament last year for what seemed like the first time in 200 years. The Cornhuskers still have Terran Petteway, who is arguably the best pure scorer returning in the Big Ten, and should be even better this season than they were in 2013-14.

Michigan and Iowa will give the league some depth at the high end of the middle class as well.

Ultimately, the Big Ten needs to prove itself on the court.

Winning the Big Ten/ACC Challenge would be a good place to start, especially since the perception of the ACC will improve this year with the addition of Louisville to go along with Syracuse, Duke and North Carolina. The ACC used to dominate this event, but the Big Ten has flexed its muscles recently and hopes to do so again.

Of course, an impressive showing in the NCAA tournament for the Buckeyes and the rest of the teams on this list is a must. We are a championship-dominated sports society—that’s why fans of every single SEC team have been able to claim their college football superiority by riding the coattails of Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Les Miles and Cam Newton. The Big Ten could thus really use a national title. 

Wisconsin is its best chance to do just that. No pressure or anything, Badgers.

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The 2013-14 Ohio State Basketball season was nothing short of a disappointment, no matter which way you slice it.

The Buckeyes failed to live up to their early top-five ranking, failed to win or contend for a Big Ten title and were upset by Dayton—one of the supposed "little brother" programs in the state of Ohio—in their first game of the NCAA tournament.

If nothing else, Aaron Craft deserved better on the way out.

However, it is a testament to Thad Matta's program that we can even realistically discuss Ohio State's conference title hopes for the 2014-15 campaign after such a lackluster year and the departures of Craft, LaQuinton Ross and Lenzelle Smith Jr.

Matta reloaded with a sterling recruiting class and landed Temple transfer Anthony Lee to man the middle. Even with Lee scoring and grabbing rebounds down low, Ohio State is going to need incumbent center Amir Williams to play better, as Matta told Daniel Rogers of The Lantern:

We need Amir to play well. We need Amir to play consistently on both ends. We gotta get him back to tracking the ball, we gotta get him back to blocking shots more actively around the rim in terms of challenging shots … When he's played well, we've played well. I know that.

Hypothetically, let's say Williams does play better, Lee posts a few double-doubles along the way and the recruiting class plays up to expectations. Who would pose the biggest threats in the Big Ten for the Buckeyes?

Wisconsin

At this point, the most prominent threat and the clear favorite to win the conference is Wisconsin.

The Badgers reached the Final Four last year and would have been in the national title game were it not for a heartbreaking loss to Kentucky in the final seconds on yet another Aaron Harrison heroic three-pointer. The only serious contributor Bo Ryan lost from that squad was Ben Brust, and the returnees have plenty of confidence and big-game experience from their recent run.

Traevon Jackson is still around to control the flow of the game at the point; Josh Gasser will still light it up from three-point range; Frank Kaminsky and Nigel Hayes will patrol the paint (and beyond, especially in the case of Kaminsky) and Sam Dekker will compete for Big Ten Player of the Year.

That sounds like a championship formula, and we haven't even discussed Ryan's suffocating defense, which stifles opponents every season.

The Big Ten title—for the Buckeyes and everyone else—runs through Madison in the 2014-15 campaign.

Michigan State

Ohio State is far from alone in the departed-talent category when it comes to the Big Ten.

Michigan State lost the trio of Keith Appling, Gary Harris and Adreian Payne, of which the latter two will certainly be first-round picks in the NBA draft. However, Tom Izzo's squads are always championship-caliber ones, and this year's version will be no different, even without those playmakers.

Travis Trice, Denzel Valentine, Branden Dawson, Matt Costello and Kenny Kaminski all return to East Lansing, and more than one of those names should ring familiar with Buckeyes fans that have lost both hair and fingernails watching their team battle it out with the Spartans.

There is shooting ability, rebounding prowess and natural poise that only comes with experience in that foursome. 

The ultra-athletic Dawson is also primed to make a leap as the presumed Michigan State leader, which should scare the rest of the conference.

Nebraska

The Buckeyes broke Nebraska's collective heart in last season's Big Ten tournament quarterfinals with a dramatic comeback victory in the final minutes, but that doesn't change the fact that the Cornhuskers are suddenly a basketball team to be reckoned with.

Just making the NCAA tournament represented an important culture change in this football-dominated athletic program, and Nebraska fans should be confident knowing their team is one of the best in the Big Ten heading into next year.

The core of last season's squad is back with more experience and an understanding of what it takes to win in March. Terran Petteway is a threat to score 20 or more points every time he steps on the floor, and he could very well win the Big Ten Player of the Year award.

Throw in the likes of Tai Webster, Shavon Shields, David Rivers and Walter Pitchford, and Nebraska is ready to at least compete for a Big Ten crown. 

They may not quite be ready to make that ultimate championship step just yet, but the fact that the Cornhuskers are even being discussed as a Big Ten contender should generate plenty of excitement in Lincoln.

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The 2014-15 Ohio State basketball season will be one of redemption after the team failed to live up to expectations last year. 

Thad Matta lost Aaron Craft, LaQuinton Ross and Lenzelle Smith Jr. from last season’s roster, but he hit the recruiting trail hard and brought in one of the best classes in the country. D’Angelo Russell, Keita Bates-Diop and Jae’Sean Tate highlight that group, but the only way Matta’s recruiting efforts will pay off is with wins on the court.

With that in mind, let’s take an early look at some of the most intriguing games on Ohio State’s 2014-15 schedule.

At Louisville

The Big Ten/ACC Challenge is one of the highlights of the college basketball season every year, and the 2014-15 edition will be no different. Among the marquee contests is a showdown between Duke and Wisconsin, but Ohio State’s Dec. 2 trip to Louisville will certainly make headlines as well.

The two conferences split the past two Challenges, and the Big Ten won the three before that. Of course, the ACC won the first 10.

This will be the Cardinals first-ever Big Ten/ACC Challenge, while the Buckeyes have won five of their past six games in the event. Ohio State is 4-3 all time against Louisville, but the Cardinals won the last matchup between the two in a 2003 overtime thriller on the Buckeyes’ home floor. 

Much like Ohio State, Louisville lost a ton of talent with Russ Smith, Luke Hancock and Kevin Ware all departing. However, between Chris Jones, Terry Rozier, Wayne Blackshear and Montrezl Harrell, Rick Pitino still has a loaded roster that could compete for a Final Four. This will be a serious challenge for the young Buckeyes, especially given the fact that it will take place in the intimidating KFC Yum! Center.

North Carolina

Another one of Ohio State’s most interesting games will take place against Louisville’s future ACC foe North Carolina.

The battle with the Tar Heels will take place on Dec. 20 in Chicago as part of an incredible doubleheader in the CBS Sports Classic. The other game pits all-time great programs Kentucky and UCLA against each other, and the four teams will rotate matchups over the course of the next three years.

Matta discussed his excitement to take part in the event in a statement, via Adam Zagoria of SNY TV and Zags Blog:

We are excited to be part of the CBS Sports Classic the next three seasons. The four teams competing have a tremendous history of success in college basketball. We have partnered with terrific cities and venues to make this a great experience for our program, our student-athletes and our fans.

The Buckeyes would certainly like to have Craft back for this game to guard Marcus Paige. Paige may be the best point guard in the entire country next year, and his penetration ability, smooth stroke from behind the three-point line and tendency to find open teammates will be a real challenge for the Buckeyes’ young defense. 

The Tar Heels will also bring in a loaded recruiting class that includes Justin Jackson, Joel Berry and Theo Pinson, which provides some serious depth around Paige, Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks.

Wisconsin

While the first two nonconference games will give Ohio State fans a look at some new faces, Wisconsin is the opponent from the Big Ten that should be circled on every team’s calendar.

Bo Ryan and the Badgers have always been something of a thorn in Matta’s side throughout his entire tenure at Ohio State, especially when Ohio State has to travel to the Kohl Center. The Buckeyes and Badgers typically duel it out in classic contests on the court, and the 2014-15 season should be no different.

Wisconsin made it all the way to the Final Four and lost a heartbreaker to Kentucky in March, but that experience and gained confidence should provide a boost for them this season. Josh Gasser, Traevon Jackson, Sam Dekker, Nigel Hayes and Frank Kaminsky all return and should have the Badgers as Big Ten favorites heading into conference play. 

Considering the personnel losses from Michigan State and Michigan, this battle could go a long way toward deciding the Big Ten title or at least some of the more favorable seeds in the conference tournament.

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Only five programs in the history of college basketball have been to more Final Fours than Ohio State, so losing to Dayton in the round of 64 was simply not supposed to happen (even if that Dayton team did make an impressive March Madness run).

The Buckeyes' middling offense was to blame for both the postseason loss and the rather mediocre regular season in Columbus. It ranked 128th in Ken Pomeroy’s pace-adjusted offensive efficiency ratings, 208th in points per game, 227th in assists per game and 138th in field-goal percentage.

Not a single player on the roster shot even 36 percent from behind the three-point line, and the team finished with a 32.4 percent mark from downtown overall. Ohio State also only shot 68.9 percent from the free-throw stripe, so it couldn’t even take advantage of its easy opportunities.

Thad Matta discussed some of his offensive frustrations after a particularly difficult loss to Penn State during the regular season, via Bob Baptist of The Columbus Dispatch:

Converting free throws in a timely fashion, when we need them. Being where we need to be, on the same page, offensively. Spacing. Timing up the cuts with when the pass is supposed to be delivered. Penetrating at the angle we want to penetrate as opposed to 4 feet the other way. Screening the top foot (of the defender) as opposed to the bottom foot. … I could go on forever.

Considering the Buckeyes finished third in Pomeroy’s defensive rankings, the offensive struggles were even more frustrating.

Buckeye Nation will be longing for more points in 2014-15, and the only question now is whether it will receive them or not.

The most notable change in the roster is the departure of Aaron Craft. He was arguably the best defender to ever come to the program and will certainly go down in Buckeye lore, but the offense will not suffer because of his absence.

Craft struggled to convert on any open shots, which allowed opposing defenders to play off him and crowd the lane. That cut off penetration for both Craft and his teammates, which further stifled an offense that was mediocre at best from long range.

Defenses won’t have the luxury of sagging off this year with D’Angelo Russell handling the ball.

He can do a little bit of everything from the guard spot (either point or shooting guard) with a three-point stroke and an explosive first step that allows him to attack the rim. Russell finishes through contact and can find open teammates if and when the defense collapses.

Furthermore, it is only natural to wonder if Craft’s absence will open things up a bit for Shannon Scott. He is more of a natural point guard but had to play off the ball a lot with Craft. Scott is extremely quick in transition and when getting to the rim, but he needs to improve on his jumper.

While Craft’s departure may be a blessing in disguise for the perimeter offense, losing LaQuinton Ross certainly hurts at forward. Yes, Ross had the tendency to frustrate at times, but he was a pure scorer who was capable of carrying the offensive load on his back for the Buckeyes.

There will still be some familiar faces in the rotation for Buckeye fans, as Sam Thompson and Marc Loving will need to pick up the slack with no Ross.

At this point, we know what we are getting with Thompson. He is an incredible dunker and acrobat in the air and is a solid three-point shooter who came on stronger at the end of the year. He was also arguably the only Ohio State player who actually played well on the offensive end against Dayton.

As for Marc Loving, he needs to play at a more consistent level now that he will be a sophomore. He showed flashes of it as a freshman, and the fact that he has a year of experience under his belt will help. If Loving can make a jump with his perimeter shot, he will be the most improved player on the roster.

Down low, Ohio State is still stuck with Amir Williams, although he did play some of his best basketball as a junior. However, the presence of Anthony Lee will give Matta more depth and a double-double threat every time he steps on the floor. Lee can score from mid-range and on the blocks, and he will clean up on putbacks on the offensive glass.

The Buckeyes will also have a more explosive bench offensively this season.

Kameron Williams missed last season, but he can drill it from behind the three-point line and attack the rim with a ferocity that Buckeye fans are only accustomed to seeing from Thompson.

Elsewhere, Keita Bates-Diop and Jae’Sean Tate are both versatile freshmen who can play a number of different roles. Bates-Diop has a smooth stroke from the outside, while Tate is comfortable working in the lane. They will be solid complements to each other. 

Ohio State’s offense will certainly improve this year, although the defense will likely take a step back without Craft. Still, more points this year will lead to a deeper postseason run.

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As the 2014-15 season approaches, the Ohio State basketball program is turning over a new leaf with the departures of program mainstays Aaron Craft, Lenzelle Smith Jr. and LaQuinton Ross.

However, both Craft and Ross have NBA aspirations, as was evidenced by their presence at the NBA combine in Chicago. The real question now is whether either former Buckeye has the ability necessary to stick in the professional ranks.

When it comes to Craft, we know his forte is defense from his college days. After all, he became one of the most popular players to ever set foot on the floor in Columbus among Ohio State supporters because of his ability to draw charges, harass opposing ball-handlers, force turnovers and just physically and mentally wear out the other team’s best guard.

The fact that he was more than willing to dive a few rows into the stands in the process only made him all the more admired in Buckeye Nation.

No perimeter player in the country impacted the game more directly on the defensive end than Craft, and that would clearly be valuable to NBA teams. However, the athleticism at the next level presents a sizable jump forward, so Craft is going to have to find a way to score as well if he wants to be a professional guard.

Scott Phillips of College Basketball Talk didn’t paint a rosy picture at the NBA combine:

It’s safe to say Craft didn’t make the type of impression he was hoping for in the shooting drills, but there were some positive takeaways. His lane-agility score of 10.78 seconds was third among the 14 point guards and fourth among the 52 overall players, and his shuttle run of 2.9 seconds was fifth among point guards and eighth among all players.

Of course, the agility and shuttle run are a testament to his lateral quickness, which is a major reason why he was so effective as a defender.

Still, the biggest red flag in his game is his shooting and ability to score the ball. Since he didn’t answer those questions, Draft Express has Craft as undrafted in its latest mock draft.

As a major college star at one of the top programs in the country, Craft will almost assuredly get a look as an undrafted free agent, though. He will have to answer the bell on the offensive end when those opportunities present themselves.  

As for Ross, he is almost the exact opposite of Craft.

Ross is seen more as a pure scorer who brings a solid shooting stroke to the table and the ability to hit from well behind the three-point line. Ross can also help teams in the rebounding department; he gradually improved his post-up game and his willingness to attack the rim off the bounce down the stretch last season.

However, he struggled on defense at times in his college career and didn’t always look fully engaged in what was happening on the floor.

To make matters worse, Bob Baptist of the Columbus Dispatch noted that Ross certainly didn’t seem to take his conditioning seriously before the combine:

Ross, on the other hand, had the highest body-fat percentage of 51 players tested by more than three percent and was the heaviest of the small forwards. His lack of conditioning showed. He finished at or near the bottom of the speed, agility and jumping tests.

Despite the unfortunate measurable scores, Ross still had a positive outlook, via Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer: “I’ve heard anywhere from late first [round] to early second. But people say you only have to get one team to like you.”

Ross isn’t wrong about that last sentiment, but Draft Express feels like zero teams will like him enough to actually use a draft pick in its latest mock draft.

While the performance at the combine certainly hurt the perception of Ross among the league’s front offices, we are still talking about a prototypical stretch forward with size and the ability to put the ball in the basket. The NBA loves its versatile stretch forwards with upside, and that is exactly what Ross can be at the next level. 

Ross is much more likely to hear his name on draft day than Craft, but we could see both find their way to professional rosters via free agency if nothing else.

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Ohio State may have lost its first game in the 2014 NCAA tournament, but Thad Matta has been on an absolute roll off the court.

Matta landed one of the best 2014 recruiting classes in the country, brought in multiple impact transfers (Anthony Lee and Trevor Thompson) to help with the lack of big men and is off to a blazing start in the 2015 recruiting cycle.

Here are a few of the top early storylines from the Buckeyes’ recruiting trail.

Race for the Top Spot 

As of Tuesday, Ohio State is sitting pretty with the No. 2 overall class in the country. Only Syracuse currently stands in the Buckeyes' way of the top spot, although there will clearly be plenty of movement between now and national signing day.

Matta already has three 4-star prospects in tow, and he is ideally far from done with this group.

Carlton Bragg is the big name to keep an eye on as an elite power forward from the Cleveland area—especially since the three recruits Matta has consist of a point guard, shooting guard and small/power forward hybrid.

The Buckeyes need future depth at the center and power forward positions, but Kentucky, Kansas and others also have their eyes on Bragg.

If Matta can land Bragg and perhaps another game-changing prospect or two, Ohio State could end up with the top class in the country. It is a lot to ask for, but it would be a surprise at this point if the Buckeyes don’t at least end up in the top 10.

Backcourt Already in Place

Matta already has a potential starting backcourt in his 2015 class in A.J. Harris and Austin Grandstaff.

Grandstaff is a scoring machine who can hit from behind the three-point line with ease from the shooting guard spot, which will be a breath of fresh air in Columbus after a season filled with bricks.

Grandstaff’s father, Wes, commented on his son’s fit at Ohio State in an interview with Mike Young of Eleven Warriors:

We really like Coach Matta's style of play, his players seem to play with quite a bit of freedom. Austin can push it and make plays off the dribble or he can come off screens. He has a high basketball IQ, knows how to read defenses really well and good with the pick and roll.

Harris, on the other hand, is a point guard who is perfectly suited to replace the tenacious defense of Aaron Craft and Shannon Scott. His speed stands out immediately when watching him play, and his athleticism and overall quickness allow him to harass opposing ball-handlers and create turnovers.

Harris also brings an explosive first step to the offensive side of the ball, which helps him get to the rim and either finish for himself or kick out to open shooters.

He also has shown gradual improvement in his perimeter shooting.

A Family Affair

There was a time when Ohio State football fans were thrilled about the prospects of linebacker Mike Mitchell. He was an Urban Meyer recruit who was supposed to come in and challenge for playing time right away, but he transferred out of the program to be closer to his family.

However, Mike’s younger brother, Mickey Mitchell, appears to be Columbus-bound as a basketball recruit.

Mickey is arguably the most important recruit in this class thus far because of his versatility and pure scoring ability. He can play power forward or small forward and score from inside the paint, with a mid-range jumper, off the dribble or even from the outside.

The Buckeyes need more scoring, and Mitchell provides just that.

He is also a solid rebounder and defender. Matta would be well-served to ensure that Mickey remains a part of this class.

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.com.

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Austin Grandstaff, a class of 2015 shooting guard from Rockwall, Texas, must really like the school initials OSU.

Grandstaff originally committed to Oklahoma State early in his recruiting process, but he reopened his recruitment and received offers from the likes of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Virginia and Iowa State, among others. However, his eventual school of choice is sure to make those in Buckeye Nation pleased: 

Ohio State, which clearly made an impression during Grandstaff’s official visit, received the verbal pledge from the sharpshooting prospect. He is a 4-star recruit, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, the No. 36-ranked player nationally and the No. 5 shooting guard. Grandstaff is listed at 6’5” and 190 pounds and could compete for significant playing time right away.

His father Wes Grandstaff commented on the perceived fit, via Mike Young of Eleven Warriors:

We really like Coach Matta's style of play, his players seem to play with quite a bit of freedom. Austin can push it and make plays off the dribble or he can come off screens. He has a high basketball IQ, knows how to read defenses really well and good with the pick and roll.

The Texas native is an offensive and scoring machine. The first thing that jumps out about Grandstaff’s game is the fact that he is lethal from behind the three-point line. That will certainly be a breath of fresh air in Columbus after the past season of shooting woes for the Buckeyes.

What’s more, Grandstaff can put the ball on the floor to keep defenders honest and get to the rim if opponents press up too tightly to take away his shot.

If there is one area of his game that could use some improvement, it is on the defensive side. Fortunately, he still has another year of high school basketball before he arrives on campus, and if there is one thing that Thad Matta can teach a young player, it is defense. The Buckeyes are almost always one of the best defensive teams in the nation, and that likely won’t change when Grandstaff is seeing major minutes.

He is also a formidable passer who can find open teammates when the defense collapses on his perimeter shooting or slashing. That will certainly come in handy because Grandstaff promises to have plenty of talented teammates surrounding him in Columbus.

Matta currently has the No. 2 rated class in the country for the 2015 recruiting cycle, per 247Sports’ composite rankings. Throw that on top of the fact that he landed a top-10 class for 2014, and the future is certainly bright at Ohio State.

Joining Grandstaff as part of that 2015 class thus far is point guard A.J. Harris from Dayton, Ohio and small forward Mickey Mitchell from Plano, Texas.

Harris is a tremendous facilitator who uses his quickness to get into the lane or stifle opposing ball-handlers, while Mitchell is another impressive potential scorer who has the versatility to play either small forward or power forward. Grandstaff fits in perfectly alongside those two as a three-point threat, and there is a significant chance all three could be in the starting lineup together at some point in their careers. 

Matta will have a handful of scholarships available in the 2015 class outside of these three, so it is worth keeping an eye on how things develop in the near future. For now though, Buckeye Nation should be excited with the addition of Grandstaff and his impressive perimeter shooting.

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It was painfully obvious to anyone who followed the Ohio State basketball team in the 2013-14 season the days of Greg Oden, Jared Sullinger and even Kosta Koufos down low were in the rearview mirror.

The Buckeyes finished 216th in the country in total rebounds per game and struggled to defend or score against opponents with strong and physical frontcourts. Ultimately, the scarlet and gray went home after one game in the NCAA tournament.

If Thad Matta has plans on making it further into the postseason this year, he is going to need more production from his big men. Ohio State lost a ton of talent in the backcourt but returns the majority of its centers and power forwards. Whether that is necessarily a good thing or not remains to be seen.

Amir Williams has been the mainstay for years down low and averaged 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season. However, those numbers are inflated because of his performances during the soft nonconference portion of the schedule. Williams only scored in double figures four times in the entire Big Ten season and failed to score a single point in the tournament loss to Dayton.

Williams was a bit better as a junior than a sophomore, so there is some reason for optimism heading into his last year.

He blocked nearly two shots per game in 2013-14 and is a solid defender. Williams is never going to be an offensive force, but if he can continue to improve on the defensive side and at least finish with consistency around the basket, it can be a productive season.

Trey McDonald will also be back in Columbus, but at this point in his career, he is simply an extra body to play minutes in case there is foul trouble. Yes, McDonald occasionally grabs a couple of rebounds or scores on a putback on the offensive end, but Buckeye fans will likely be disappointed if they hope for more than that.

There is reason for optimism, though, when it comes to Marc Loving as a returning stretch forward.

Loving averaged just more than four points per game as a freshman, but he showed flashes of his potential at times, including when he scored eight critical points in crunch time in an otherwise ugly victory at Illinois. He has a smooth jump shot, is a solid rebounder and is capable of attacking the rim off the dribble.

Loving arrived on campus as a highly regarded recruit but didn’t produce like it in his first season. Part of that is because LaQuinton Ross was the team’s leading scorer and played the majority of the minutes every game in Loving’s position. With Ross heading to the NBA, Loving will have every opportunity to succeed as a sophomore.

While much is expected from Loving this year, what about the newcomers in the frontcourt?

Transfer Trevor Thompson has to sit out a year, so he is not an option in 2014-15. We are also considering incoming freshmen Keita Bates-Diop and Jae’Sean Tate small forwards for the purposes of this article, although Matta will likely go small at times with one or both of those recruits.

David Bell is the resident big man in Ohio State’s 2014 recruiting class, but he is seen as more of a long-term project than an immediate contributor. Even Bell himself thinks that, via Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com:

“Because I know I am a project. All I do all day I work so I can get better and hopefully turn into something great at Ohio State. But I know I have a lot to learn and a lot to get better at before I am on that level.”

Bell could be redshirted this season, but the hope is he one day turns into the rebounding and defensive machine Dallas Lauderdale was at one point. That would be a project well done.

One reason Bell may redshirt is because of the presence of Temple transfer Anthony Lee. 

LostLettermen.com was particularly impressed with the addition of Lee, especially considering the void left over by Ross’ departure:

Lee has double-double potential every time he steps on the floor and averaged 13.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last year. He is capable of starting alongside Williams as a power forward or serving as the center in a smaller lineup (Lee is listed at 6’9”).

Lee will be Ohio State’s best big-man scoring option since Sullinger and plays the type of defense that will endear him to Matta’s system. 

Of course, if Myles Turner surprises everyone and chooses to become a Buckeye, the entire outlook of the frontcourt would change.

Even if that doesn’t happen, Lee’s presence makes Ohio State one of the top teams in the Big Ten given the litany of talented guards heading to campus as part of the 2014 recruiting class.

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The backcourt the Ohio State basketball team trots on the floor in the 2014-15 season will look drastically different than it has the past four years.

The frontcourt has seen the likes of Jared Sullinger, Deshaun Thomas, LaQuinton Ross and David Lighty shuffle in and out over that time span, but the one constant was always Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith Jr. at the guard spots. Of course, Jon Diebler was also a major part of the guard rotation early in Craft’s tenure.

Clearly, losing Craft leaves a formidable hole on the roster.

He was the best defensive player in the nation and often controlled games from that end of the floor, created opportunities for himself and others with his penetration and was an extension of Thad Matta on the floor.

As for Smith, the lefty was certainly inconsistent at times during his career, but he provided solid defense, three-point touch and underrated rebounding. In fact, Smith’s ability to crash the glass will be the part of his game that is missed most in Columbus, especially when Amir Williams is on the floor at center.

So, what will the backcourt look like in 2014-15 for the scarlet and gray?

The primary holdover is Shannon Scott, who has played his way into Matta’s rotation with Craft-like defense, quickness in the open floor and the ability to get to the rim off the bounce.

He will have a much bigger responsibility on both ends of the floor without Craft and will probably be more comfortable in a defined point guard role in his senior season. Scott often played both point and shooting guard in a single game and struggled to find a rhythm at times.

Sam Thompson is primarily a forward, but he can also fill in as a shooting guard with his athleticism if needed.

Buckeye Nation is probably most excited about the addition of incoming recruit D’Angelo Russell, though.

He is lightning fast with the ball in his hands, can hit open teammates and fit passes through incredibly narrow lanes and has the versatility to play either guard position effectively.

As most Matta recruits are, Russell is also capable of excelling on defense thanks to his lateral quickness and ability to create turnovers and havoc.

The part of Russell’s game that will appeal most to Buckeyes fans is his ability to shoot from behind the three-point line, especially after the 2013-14 season that was built brick-by-brick from the start of the schedule.

Matta alluded to that shooting prowess and Russell’s overall game after he committed to Ohio State, via Ben Axelrod of Scout.com:

The first time I ever saw him play, he had six 3s in the first half. The second half, he didn’t take one, and probably had 10 assists. He’s got something about him. He takes and makes big shots. He wants the ball in his hands at crucial points in the game. He is very very complete.

Jae’Sean Tate and Keita Bates-Diop are two recruits coming to Columbus alongside Russell, but they are both classified as small forwards. However, they are capable shooters as well, and Bates-Diop is probably more suited to play in the backcourt than Tate even though Bates-Diop is taller.

Lost in the hype surrounding Matta’s excellent recruiting class is Kameron Williams.

He was supposed to contribute as a freshman during the 2013-14 campaign, but he battled mononucleosis early in the year and never got a chance to get his legs underneath him before Big Ten play. Williams was redshirted instead.

He could develop into the best three-point shooter on the team and brings many of the same traits to the table that Russell does. Williams is quick in the open floor and can slash to the lane with the ball in his hands.

He will even challenge Thompson for the title of best dunker on the team, although the returning senior gets the nod here until proven otherwise. 

The Ohio State backcourt will be unfamiliar to fans in the early season, but it will be turning heads by the time Big Ten play arrives.

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The Ohio State basketball team lost Aaron Craft, Lenzelle Smith Jr. and LaQuinton Ross to either graduation or the NBA this offseason, but Thad Matta has nearly 14’ of reinforcements on the way.

While much of the excitement surrounding the program has understandably come from the No. 6-ranked recruiting class in the country, per 247Sports, Matta addressed a serious area of need through the transfer market. Big men Anthony Lee and Trevor Thompson both recently elected to take their talents to Columbus.

Lee comes via Temple, where he averaged 13.6 points and 8.6 rebounds a game in 2013-14. He was a double-double threat every time he stepped on the floor and gave the Owls a formidable rim protector on the defensive side of the ball.

Lee is such an important addition for the Buckeyes because Amir Williams has failed to live up to his McDonald’s All-American potential in his three years on campus.

While Williams has flashed moments of brilliance, Ohio State needs a consistent big man in the physically grueling Big Ten. It was actually the departing Ross who led the team in rebounds per game last year, and the graduating Smith was a close third. The team as a whole was 216th in the country in total rebounds a night with Ross and Smith, so Lee’s prowess on the boards will be absolutely critical.

Lee also fits in nicely with the group of incoming 2014 recruits.

D’Angelo Russell, Jae’Sean Tate and Keita Bates-Diop are the expected impact players, but Russell is a guard and the other two are small forwards. Lee will open up the floor for the three shooters and slashers by drawing defenders down low, and his presence will also allow the perimeter defenders (including Shannon Scott) opportunities to gamble for steals because he can slide in as a help defender on the block.

Lee will help the Buckeyes in 2014-15, but Thompson is a long-term answer down low for Matta.

Much like Lee, he will complement Russell and company for years to come with his 7’ frame on both ends of the floor.

Thompson’s story is more about potential than production thus far. He only averaged five points and 4.7 rebounds a game as a freshman at Virginia Tech, but he showed what he is capable of with a stat line at Duke of 15 points, six rebounds, three steals and a block. He has three years of eligibility remaining, so we should see plenty of improvement during his time in Columbus.

Thompson certainly seemed thrilled to be joining Ohio State in comments that come via Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com:

I felt like my initial plan wasn't to commit after the first visit because I wanted to see everything and give everyone a fair a chance, but when I got there, it was just amazing. I really can’t put it into words, but it was just everything Ohio State had to offer – the academic plans, the school, the coaching staff. ... And the main reason, which is having a chance to win a national championship.

As of now, Thompson is not eligible to play in 2014-15, but he does plan on filing a family hardship waiver with the NCAA because he wanted to be closer to home and his father, who is scheduled to undergo neck surgery.

Regardless of whether Thompson can play next year or not, he will be an important piece of the program going forward. Big men Williams, Lee and Trey McDonald each only have one season of eligibility remaining, so it will just be Thompson and 2014 recruit David Bell (who could redshirt this year) down low after that. 

What’s more, Jordan Wagner of Eleven Warriors points out that Matta still has an available scholarship even with the additions of Thompson and Lee:

That means Buckeye Nation can still hold onto those slim hopes that super-recruit Myles Turner will eventually decide to join the recent influx of big men at Ohio State.

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