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#19 Ohio State
Buckeyes
Big Ten
2004-05: 20-12,
8-8, 6th
2004-05 postseason:
none
By
Joel Welser
Forget Greg Oden,
Daequan Cook, Mike Conley and David Lightly. All the hype about
the class of 2006 has overshadowed what will be a great
Ohio State squad in 2005.
There is already a ton of talent in Columbus that will battle
for a Big Ten title.
Who’s Out:
Guards Brandon Fuss-Cheatham and Tony Stockman started 20 games
apiece last year, but everybody who started the last 12 games of
the season returns. Fuss-Cheatham averaged 5.1 points and a
team high 3.1 assists during his senior campaign but lost his
starting job to returning sophomore Jamar Butler by the end of
the year. Stockman added 12.0 points per game and was one of
the Buckeyes most prolific threats from behind the arc. Matt
Marinchick saw action in 26 games averaging 1.1 points and 1.0
rebounds. Jermyl Jackson-Wilson didn’t see much playing time as
a freshman and has decided to transfer.
Who’s In:
Brayden Bell will be asked to help out with Ohio States major
weakness, rebounding. The 6-9, 240 pound center is more
polished on the offensive end with his jump hook and mid-range
jumper than most his age. Bell needs to work on his defense and
rebounding, which is exactly what Coach Thad Matta will
concentrate on leading up to the season. Shooting guard
Sylvester Mayes is an amazing scorer. The 6-3 Fort Wayne,
Indiana product averaged 20.3 points last year at Redlands (OK)
Community College and will be given the opportunity to compete
for minutes. Adding to the backcourt depth is Bowling Green
transfer Ron Lewis. The Columbus native will head back home
after averaging 17.0 points two years ago for the Falcons.
Lewis has a knack for getting to the charity stripe and will
battle for quality minutes off the bench.
Who to Watch:
Terence Dials will score and grab his share of rebounds, J.J.
Sullinger will continue to do a little bit of everything, Je’Kel
Foster will be the biggest threat on the perimeter and you will
be able to count Jamar Butler’s turnovers per game on one
finger. The key is Ivan Harris. Despite starting all 32 games
a year ago, the 6-8 junior hasn’t seemed to reach his full
potential. Last year he averaged 7.3 points and a mere 3.2
rebounds. Harris has a great long range shot for a forward and
hit on nearly 43% of his 3.2 attempts per game, but he needs to
do more. OSU had a problem with rebounding last year and much
of that falls on Harris. He’ll have to concentrate on crashing
the boards this year if the Buckeyes expect to do great things.
Projected
Conference Rank: Even Matt Sylvester returns to come off the
bench and once again provide a spark, just like his 25 point
magic in the upset of the undefeated Illini. Consistency was a
problem last year, but with all the players returning who
started most of the conference schedule, the Buckeyes should be
able to put an end to that problem. If the rebounding can
improve, there is no reason for Ohio State not to be able to
finish 3rd in the Big Ten.
Projected
Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting
Five:
Jamar Butler,
Sophomore, Guard, 3.6 points per game
Je’Kel Foster, Senior,
Guard, 7.7 points per game
J.J. Sullinger,
Senior, Guard, 9.7 points per game
Ivan Harris, Junior,
Forward, 7.3 points per game
Terence Dials, Senior,
Forward, 15.9 points per game
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