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The Ohio State Buckeyes are a #2 seed in the Midwest Region where Kansas is the #1. The Buckeyes shared the 2010 Big Ten regular season title and won the conference tournament over Minnesota to finish the season 27-7 and 14-4. Noteable wins for Ohio State this season include wins over California, at Purdue, and over Wisconsin. The Buckeyes did lose to North Carolina (when they were good before X-Mas) and on the road at Michigan and Minnesota. Coach Thad matta is 12-7 overall in 7 NCAA Tournament appearances as a head coach.

The Buckeyes are led by star Evan Turner who is one of the leading candidates for the 2010 Naismith player of the year award scoring 20.3 ppg while grabbing 9.3 rpg and dishing out 6.0 apg. Guard William Buford is the next highest scorer knocking back 14.3 ppg, 3.3 apg, and 5.6 rpg. Jone Diebler and David Lighty are also significant contributors averaging 12.8 and 12.7 ppg respectively.

Although Ohio State is tall, they have not been dominating on the glass this season. The Buckeyes have also not been effective defending against the 3 if a team is knocking down the 3 ball consistently. When Evan Turner was out earlier in the season with a back injury, the Buckeyes sufferred three of their seven losses during that stretch. When Turner is in the game, the play of the other starters also improves due to his unselfish nature as evidenced by his 6.o apg average.

Ohio State scores 73.5 ppg and gives up 60.4 ppg. The team also shoots just under 50% from the field while holding opponents to 41% shooting. The Buckeyes hit approximately 7 3 point shots a game for a team average of 38% from beyond the arc. The team assist-to-turnover ration is approximately 1.3 per game over the course of the season.

2009 Ohio State Buckeyes Basketball Schedule

Wed, Nov 04         Walsh (Exh.)        Columbus, Ohio           8:00 p.m.
2K Sports Classic (Coaches vs. Cancer)
Mon, Nov 09      Alcorn State     Columbus, Ohio       7:00 p.m.
Thu, Nov 12      James Madison     Columbus, Ohio       7:00 p.m.
Thu, Nov 19      North Carolina at New York, NY       9:30 p.m.
Fri, Nov 20        California/Syracuse     at New York, NY       TBA
Tue, Nov 24      Lipscomb     Columbus, Ohio       7:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 28      St. Francis (PA)     Columbus, Ohio       5:30 p.m.

Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Wed, Dec 02      Florida State     Columbus, Ohio       9:30 p.m.
Sat, Dec 05       Eastern Michigan     Columbus, Ohio       12:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 12       Butler     at Indianapolis, Ind.       12:00 p.m.
Wed, Dec 16      Presbyterian     Columbus, Ohio       7:00 p.m.
Sat, Dec 19       Delaware State     Columbus, Ohio       4:00 p.m.
Tue, Dec 22      Cleveland State     Columbus, Ohio       8:30 p.m.
Thu, Dec 31      Wisconsin *     at Madison, Wisc.       2:00 p.m.

2010 Ohio State Buckeyes Basketball Schedule
Sun, Jan 03      Michigan *     at Ann Arbor, Mich.       4:30 p.m.
Wed, Jan 06     Indiana *     Columbus, Ohio       8:30 p.m.
Sat, Jan 09      Minnesota *     at Minneapolis, Minn.       3:30 p.m.
Tue, Jan 12      Purdue*     at West Lafayette, Ind.       7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 16      Wisconsin *     Columbus, Ohio       8:00 p.m.
Tue, Jan 19      Northwestern *     Columbus, Ohio       7:00 p.m.
Sat, Jan 23      West Virginia at Morgantown, WV       2:00 p.m.
Wed, Jan 27     Iowa *     at Iowa City, Iowa       8:30 p.m.
Sun, Jan 31      Minnesota *     Columbus, Ohio       1:00 p.m.
Wed, Feb 03     Penn State *     Columbus, Ohio       6:30 p.m.
Sun, Feb 07      Iowa *     Columbus, Ohio       12:00 p.m.
Wed, Feb 10     Indiana *     at Bloomington, Ind.       6:30 p.m.
Sun, Feb 14      Illinois *     at Champaign, Ill.       1:00 p.m.
Wed, Feb 17     Purdue *     Columbus, Ohio       6:30 p.m.
Sat, Feb 20      Michigan State *     at East Lansing, Mich.       TBA     OR Feb. 21
Wed, Feb 24     Penn State *     at University Park, Penn.       6:30 p.m.
Sat, Feb 27      Michigan *     Columbus, Ohio       TBA     OR Feb. 28 (Noon or 2 PM)
Wed, Mar 03     Illinois *     Columbus, Ohio       TBA

2010 Big Ten Tournament
Thu, Mar 11 -
Sun, Mar 14      Big Ten Tournament *     at Big Ten Tournament       TBA

Greg Oden Leading Ohio State to the NCAA Finals

Even though the Buckeyes finished the 2008-09 basketball schedule with a respectable 22-11 overall record, no one will forget the heartbreaking double overtime loss to the Siena Saints in the NCAA Tournament. Thad Matta put all that behind him and headed to the off-season to assemble what many have called a “stacked” 2009 recruiting class. It seems as if Coach Matta has addressed each of the teams glaring needs with some of the top baskeball recruits in the country. Not too many fans will lament the loss of freshman center B.J Mullens turning pro, especially when Matta landed Jared Sullinger, a power forward who was rated #4 overall by ESPN.

 Fans once again should expect another trip to the NCAA Tourney just due to the fact that their leading score, Evan Turner, bypassed the NBA draft to return for another season. Couple this with returning veterans, the stellar recruits that Madda landed, and once again, hope springs anew for the Buckeye loyalists. 

2009 Ohio State Buckeye Recruits 

#1 Buckeye Recruit – PF – Jared Sullinger 
Ht: 6’8”

Wt: 250lbs

ESPN Ranking: 4 

There is nothing like securing home grown talent and Coach Thad Matta did just that in his 2009 Ohio State recruiting class by securing Jared Sullinger who many feel was the second best power forward available in the country. Voted Mr. Basketball in Ohio in 2009, Sullinger brings a physical style of play to the Buckeyes that many fans thought was lacking in the past season. Possessing good inside moves from the low post along with the ability to move out and play face up, Sullinger should be making an impact from day one. 

#2 Buckeye Recruit – SF – DeShaun Thomas 
Ht: 6’7”

Wt: 225lbs

ESPN Ranking: 7 

The Buckeyes instantly became more athletic when they recruited this long and extremely athletic small forward from Ft. Wayne, Indiana. DeShaun Thomas will instantly bring even more offense to the Buckeye attack. Not only does he have the ability to post smaller defenders inside, but he possesses the range to hit the jumper from any spot on the floor including the 3 pointer. Although long and lean, he can rebound with authority on both ends of the floor.  With even more improvement in his overall game, DeShaun Thomas is another recruit that should be able to contribute immediately. 

#3 Buckeye Recruit – SG – Jordan Sibert

Ht: 6’4”

Wt: 185lbs

ESPN Ranking: 49 

A slashing, athletic player who loves to attack the rim is what you get with Jordan Sibert. For his size he also has no fear of rebounding with the big boys. Sadly, Sibert broke his leg in the Boo Williams Invitational and may not be ready for the annual July evaluation period, although there is no doubt of the tremendous upside that this young man possesses. 

#4 Buckeye Recruit – SG – Lenzelle Smith, Jr.

Ht: 6’5”

Wt: 210lbs

ESPN Ranking: 66 

Although Lenzelle Smith, Jr. holds the title shooting guard, he also displays excellent ball handling skills and court awareness. His passing is precise both in the transition game and in the half court offense. With his size and quickness, he can also guard the smaller forwards if need be. Smith is also fearless when attacking the rim, a trait that should make him a match-up nightmare for opposing coaches. 

 #5 Buckeye Recruit – PG – Aaron Craft

Ht: 6”2”

Wt: 190lbs

ESPN Ranking: N/A 

Another home grown product, Craft is one of those tough, gritty type of players that will do what it takes to win although everything may not show up in the box score. He shows good ball handling skills and is quicker than what most people believe. Has the strength and passion to be a tenacious defender and keep the opposing guards out of the lane. His attitude and work ethic will ensure that he sees floor time come the start of the season.  
 

Refs:
http://bucknuts.com/basketball/recruiting/index.php?year=2010&filter=commits, http://bucknuts.com/basketball/recruiting/recruit-detail.php?recruit_id=391, http://bucknuts.com/basketball/recruiting/recruit-detail.php?recruit_id=247, http://ohiostate.scout.com/a.z?s=145&p=8&c=1&nid=3501174, http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=44091&season=2010,