Indiana vs. Ohio State
Thad Matta might not be the best coach in the Big Ten, but he is an amazing recruiter. Rivals.com ranked this season's recruiting class as the fifth-best in the country, and in Matta's last three classes, he brought in highly ranked big men, including Mr. Greg Oden.
The last two seasons Matta also brought in guards Jon Diebler and William Buford, both of whom came to Ohio State and unfortunately were overshadowed.
Diebler averaged 40 points and 13 rebounds a game his senior year of high school to became Ohio's all-time leading scorer. He also won Ohio's Mr. Basketball. Last season he was recruited by Thad Matta and was quickly overlooked for seven-footer Kosta Koufos.
Buford averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds a game his senior year of high school. He also won Ohio's Mr. Basketball. This season he was recruited by Matta and was quickly overlooked for seven-footer B.J. Mullens.
In last night's 77-53 win against Indiana, Diebler started strong, shooting 3-for-3 from distance, and then finished the game with 17 points, five assists, three rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.
Buford led the Buckeyes in scoring with 19 points and added seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Between the two starting guards, they shot 9-for-16 from behind the arc and only committed one turnover. For this team to be successful, Diebler and Buford have to continue to play at this recent level of production.
The Buckeyes will also need Mullens to live up to the hype, even coming off the bench. His play has improved as of late, and he contributed 14 points and eight rebounds in the win against Indiana. Mullens has scored in double figures four out of the last seven games, but most of his points have come once the game was decided. He has yet to have a double-digit rebound game.
The game was never close. It looked Ohio State had tipped-off against a JV squad, as Ohio State was able to get easy shots and the Hoosiers had to work for everything. While Indiana continues to improve, they will have to be content with moral victories, and this season there will be plenty.
But the rest of the Big Ten better get their shots in now, because Tom Crean has the third-best recruiting class coming next season, according to Rivals.com.
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