After Eric’s article on the look-back to last year and the exciting news of adding “the Dookies” to our schedule for next year, I thought why not take a real early look at next year and have a little fun with the article. Hope you like it!
The biggest recruiting gets of the season were obviously the commitments from “Mr. Party in the USA” Jared “Sully” Sullinger and “Suave Smooth” William Buford to return for another year. We have been hurt by guys leaving early in the past, but for the first time Since Thad’s first real class we don’t have anyone leaving for the league early! Both will be primed and ready for big time seasons next year to follow up on their strong campaigns this past year.
Buford will be hungry after a below par showing in the Sweet 16 game against Kentucky. There were times when I was wondering if DLight should have gone over and just stolen the ball from Will as he was struggling to hit anything. Sully, on the other hand, will try and follow up his dominant Freshman season with a Naismith winning season.
Also returning are freshmen contributors from last season: “Backup singer” Aaron Craft and “Always Ready to Shoot” Deshaun Thomas. Aaron will be the leader of the team. In open gyms over the summer he has taken that role, and really started pushing his teammates to get better – look for it to show on the court next season. Maybe we should call him “Gladiator” because he never stops.
I expect to see a little bit of a different game from Deshaun next year. Hopefully I don’t sit in the stands and hear lil old ladies yelling, “pass the ball Deshaun!”, like I did last year. I see him stepping into the starting spot at the 4 position where he will still look to light it up and score, but will take better shots, look to pass the ball a little more, take it in the post, and have a much improved game on the defensive end.
I was surprised to see Deshaun’s whole arsonel on display in pick-up games during the spring. His ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rack, and his dominance in the post.
The other returning guys are “One big time Highlight” Jordan Sibert, “Trillion Man March # 1234″ Lenzelle Smith, and J.D. Weatherspoon. Sibert had the one big moment last year in the big ten tourney with the steal and score on the break away dunk.
I look for Sibert to step up as the 5th starter. He provides much more of a slasher type game, where he is a transition guy, will hit the three, but wants to put the ball on the floor and get to the rack. He”s been really explosive in the spring in his ability to get to the rim, and score with contact. He has to work on the defensive end though.
Smith and Weatherspoon are still guys that are a wait and see. Do the incoming guys pass them up, or do they stay ahead of them? Both have improved their games, so it will be interesting to see.
Now for the new guys. I look for Shannon Scott and LaQuinton Ross to be the headliners. Scott could fill in nicely as a back up PG to Craft or the ability to move to the two guard some. He has both the ball-handling and penetration skills to facilitate for his teammates or the ability to score. He had a huge year last year, and showed really well in the All Star games.
Ross has all the talent in the world. He is very long at 6’8”and has the ability to shoot the ball from deep. He is going to have to step it up on the defensive end in order to really see any playing time, but he can score and causes all type of mismatches if he puts his effort with his talent. Think of him as a Kevin Durant type player.
After that Amir Williams, and Trey McDonald as incoming frosh provide inside depth, and Evan Ravenel – the transfer from Boston College – as another big body.
Last but not least of the incoming guys is Sam Thompson, another athletic wing, but maybe one that needs to watch and learn for a year.
Now lets talk about the exciting news from two days ago. The announcement of the Dookies coming to the Schott. This will be a big early season test. The Schott will be rocking (not sitting on our hands) and it is always fun to see us play against big time talent instead of North Montana State.
Early Pre-season rankings have both teams in the top 5, and it should be the headliner of the Big Ten / ACC Challenge. Also on the slate are perennial powers @ Kansas and Florida. Throw in a trip to South Carolina and home games against UAB and Wright State and I am liking the way the pre-season schedule is shaping up!
Look for some cupcakes to fill in the rest of the slate. I would still like to see us play in some early season shootouts or get a couple games with home state schools like UC, Dayton, or Xavier, but it’s hard to complain with this set of early season games.
Stay tuned for more to come on the upcoming season of Buckeye Hoops.
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