Oden’s gone

I have to admit, I was one of the final Buckeye fans holding out hope for another season, but alas, I was wrong.

Greg Oden is turning pro next season.

The news came from Oden’s father, who told the Indianapolis Star yesterday. The Star posted the news on their website, and the word is scattering around the internets as we speak.

Best of luck, big guy. We’ll always love you in Buckeye Nation!

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I do have one additional thought on this.

Greg Oden’s final game as a Buckeye was a phenomenal one. He dominated the Gators inside, scoring 25 points and ripping down 12 rebounds. He shot 67% from the floor and he made Joakim Noah his personal bitch for the entire game. Even Al Horford had trouble with Oden on the floor, forcing him to shoot only 40%. Without free throws, Noah and Horford were held to 7 points each.

But before that performance from Oden, he had trouble staying on the court in the NCAA tournament due to persistent foul trouble.

Had Oden found himself on the bench against Florida as much as he did the rest of the NCAA tourney, he would not have played so incredibly. If that had been the case, would we be having this discussion now?

Would a rough tournament for the big guy been enough reason to stay and improve for another season?

We’ll never know. But it’s fun to think about.