Next up in our 2012-2013 position previews are the small forwards. This group consists of one veteran scorer and two sophomores that need to take their games to the next level. First up, preseason All-American Deshaun Thomas.

Deshaun Thomas is 6’7″ Jr. from Fort Wayne, IN. Thomas is the leading scorer returning from last year’s team. He averaged 16 pts/game. Deshaun made a splash in last year’s NCAA tournament. He received accolades from various national networks. He was quoted as saying, “I love to score” which will have a big impact on the buckeyes success this season. One thing that impresses me about Deshaun’s game is his knack for finding open spots in the middle of a zone defense and his talent to hit those mid-range jumpers. Offensively, Thomas will fill the stat sheet as a prototypical small forward, but one key to success this year will be Thomas’ ability to guard other power forwards. Matta’s projected starting line-up will have Thomas in the “four position”. Not really a change from last year, but still an important aspect of the defensive system. This season will likely be Deshaun’s last in a buckeye uniform. I believe he will live up to the hype of his preseason All-American selection.

LaQuinton Ross is a 6’8″ So. from Jackson, MS. Much like Shannon Scott, it remains to be seen if LaQuinton will live up to the expectations placed on him out of high school. Ross has a reputation as a pure shooter. Maybe it is just me, but it seems like teams played a lot of zone defense against the buckeyes over the last couple of years. As a team the buckeyes shot 33% from 3-point range last year. Without a strong low-post scorer this year, I believe it is imperative that the 3-point percentage is closer to 40%. I am looking for Ross to step up and be a zone killer a la John Diebler. His length will create mismatches for opposing defenders which should facilitate his scoring ability.

Sam Thompson is a 6’7″ So. from Chicago, IL. Sam gets the privilege of two introductory photos due to the fact that his head is in danger anytime he jumps around the rim. I don’t care if he is 6’7″; the kid can jump out of the gym. Sam Thompson is definitely the most athletic of the three small forwards. He will provide a spark in whatever role he settles into. I think everyone will agree that the starting line-up will include two of the three players listed in this preview. It will be interesting to see how the minutes are distributed. Reports from practice have noted Thompson developing into a lock down defender. If this carries over to the season, Sam will see plenty of minutes. Sam’s athleticism is unquestioned (just youtube “Sam Thompson Ohio State” for proof), but I believe he needs to continue to develop his fundamentals to reach his full potential.

Please enjoy only one sample of what Sam brings to the table. More please!!

We kick-off the position previews by looking at the point guards. The buckeyes return both point guards from last year’s team. Thad Matta will lean heavily on his two point guards to overcome the loss of Jared Sullinger and William Buford, two of the top three scorers from last year. Consistency at the point guard position should be a stabilizing factor as Thad Matta develops his new rotation. Without further adieu, let’s introduce you to the two stabilizing forces.

Aaron Craft is a 6’2″ Jr. from Findlay, OH. Craft is the unquestioned emotional leader of this team. He embodies what you think of a prototypical point guard. He is a vocal leader, but more impressively his effort on the court speaks for itself. The team will feed off his defensive intensity. Craft was named the Big Ten Conference defensive player of the year last year. The key will be can Craft continue to improve his offensive production and maintain his stellar defensive play. The buckeyes are losing 32 points per game. I look for Craft to fill some of that void. I was (pleasantly) surprised to see that Craft averaged 44% from beyond the arc in conference games last year, but that only translated to 35% for the season. I am looking for Craft to be more consistent shooting from outside which will help his ability to get to the basket for easy buckets or find open shooters on the wing.

Shannon Scott is a 6’1″ So. from Alpharetta, Ga. Shannon comes from NBA blood lines; his father is former North Carolina Tarheel and NBA player, Charlie Scott. Shannon is one player that should see his role significantly increase this year. Scott only averaged 10.5 min/game last season. Similar to Craft I am interested to see if Shannon has improved his outside shot. Granted the sample size is limited, but Scott shot an abysmal 28% from the field, including 6% from 3-point range, last year. If the exhibition game is any indication, Craft and Scott will be on the court simultaneously this year. Scott has to be a threat from the outside in order for that lineup to be effective. The jury is still out on Scott’s ability/potential. This year should answer some questions. He will have to play in Craft’s shadow the entire season. I will be interested to see if he can step out of that shadow and make a name for himself.

We plan to take advantage of the bye week and preview the 2012-2013 men’s basketball team. Tune in every day this week for posistion previews as we get you prepared for the season opener Friday night against Marquette.

We interrupt the regularly scheduled football season to inform you … The pre-season #5 Buckeye Hoops team opens their season tonight at Value City Arena. I realize for most fans, the college hoops season really begins in Jan/Feb, but the non-conference season for this year’s team is important as the team is full of new faces.

Thad Matta brings another heralded recruiting class to Columbus, rated top #3 in the country by most experts. I expect it is going to take time for the incoming class to mesh with Buford, Lighty, Diebler, and Lauderdale. The team will be tested early when it travels to Gainsville for the second game of the season to face the top #15 ranked Gators. The good news is the four returning starters have plenty of experience and talent to overcome the departure of Evan Turner.

Expectations are high with the pre-season #5 ranking. What are your expectations for this season or should I check back in January?

Here are a couple of season previews by our fellow bloggers: Eleven Warriors and The Buckeye Battle Cry.

… Now back to your regularly scheduled football programming

The atmosphere for Sunday’s match-up between the Buckeyes and Badgers should be reminiscent of the ’05 game when unbeaten Illinois visited the Schott. Illinois left Columbus that day stunned when Matt Sylvester’s 3-pointer at the buzzer sent shockwaves around Columbus. I am endlessly baffled why it takes an undefeated opponent or a 1 vs. 2 match-up for Buckeye Basketball fans to wake up and cheer. It is embarrassing when TV announcers comment over and over about the lack of fan noise in Value City Arena.

What makes me ever more frustrated is the fact that Buckeye fans have something to cheer about. The fans of pretty much every other team in the Big Ten put Buckeye fans to shame in the cheering department. I realize the Buckeyes don’t have their students behind the benches like most schools which contributes negatively to the atmosphere (whole different subject). I’ll give you that one, but it can’t be used as an excuse to pout and sit on your hands.

I’ve heard all the excuses before. “It’s going to be different this year…we’ve got Oden, Conley, Cook etc.,” result – silence. The season starts, “wait till Oden gets in the line up the Schott will be rockin” result – silence. “Wait until the Big Ten season” result – silence. The season is almost over and I’m still waiting.

I have no doubt that I won’t be disappointed on Sunday. Why does it take a 1 vs. 2 match-up for fans to cheer? Why do fans have to be reminded by a stupid bell to get out of their seats and make some noise?

Stand up and make some noise!

Today we finish the three part series.

Part One: Mike Conley Jr., Jamar Butler, and Ron Lewis
Part Two: Ivan Harris, Daequan Cook, and David Lighty
Part Three: Greg Oden, Othello Hunter, and Matt Terwilliger

Feel free to add your grades and evaluation in the comments section.

Greg Oden: A-
My first thought about Oden is there is a good chance the Buckeyes will get to see him at 100% healthy. Oden’s offensive abilities have been limited by his injured wrist, but he has been a beast on defense. Last night while watching the game I heard one of the announcers say. “There should be a stat for shots altered.” Oden’s impact on the defensive end goes way beyond his shot blocking ability. The team struggles getting Oden involved when opponents are in a 2-3 zone defense (which I was reminded of last night). I think more and more teams will notice that and if the Buckeyes don’t figure out more ways of attacking the zone, it could be trouble especially come tournament time.

Othello Hunter: B
For me Hunter has been a pleasant surprise. As a junior college transfer he was the most unknown of the Thad5. I like the rotation when Hunter and Oden are on the floor at the same time. It gives an additional option for guards to drive and dish. Also, the two are a dynamic combination on the defensive end. Hunter is still developing offensively. He has not shown a mid-range game yet.

Matt Terwilliger: B-
Terwilliger has seen his minutes dwindle since the insertion of Greg Oden into the line-up. Most of his minutes come when Oden needs a rest or is in foul trouble. Terwilliger understands and accepts his role, as explained in a recent Columbus Dispatch story.
Terwilliger provides much needed depth to the nine man rotation. A third big man is an integral part of any team.

As promised here is part two of three of the basketball team analysis.

Part One: Mike Conley Jr., Jamar Butler, and Ron Lewis
Part Two: Ivan Harris, Daequan Cook, and David Lighty
Part Three: Greg Oden, Othello Hunter,and Matt Terwilliger

Feel free to add your grades and evaluation in the comments section.

Ivan Harris: B
Harris has been a pleasant surprise this season. His game is pretty one dimensional, but when he gets hot he can light it up from 3 point range. You would think he would not be very difficult to guard, but to his credit he always seems to be open for the 3. He is a prime example of a complimentary role player. Ivan has really raised his game from last year. He has been nicknamed the microwave by ESPN’s Steve Lavin.

Daequan Cook: B+
Instant Offense! Daequan looks to create his own shot. On more than one occasion he has throw up a runner or a fade away jumper that just makes you shake you head and wonder how the ball went in the basket. He has had his fair share of amazing dunks as well *see picture*. I have really been impressed with Cook’s game. Daequan has also shown the ability to post up on the block when he draws a height mismatch. He has a good all-around game and will become even a more complete player as he develops on the defensive end.

David Lighty: B-
There is not a whole lot to say about Lighty. The best compliment he can be given at this point is that he has been considered the defensive stopper from day one. At the risk of being redundant, that is a lot of responsibility for Matta to place on a freshman. Lighty, when on the floor, will draw the assignment of guarding the opponent’s best guard. David’s offense needs to be improved, but as long as continues to play great D he will get the minutes.