The Top Five Ohio State Centers of the Decade

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CORAL GABLES, FL - DECEMBER 02: B.J. Mullens #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass over the top of Brian Asbury #32 of the Miami Hurricanes at BankUnited Center on December 2, 2008 in Coral Gables, Florida. Ohio State defeated Miami 73-68. (Photo

Ohio State head coach Thad Matta has been a recruiting machine for the Buckeyes. His specialty is usually the big guys in the middle; over the years, he tends to bring out a lot of production in whoever plays that position.

From Terence Dials and Greg Oden to B. J. Mullens, the center position on the Buckeyes basketball teams can be counted on to be solid. The question is, who is the best big man of the decade?

5. B.J. Mullens

INDIANAPOLIS - DECEMBER 06: B.J. Mullens #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Hartford Hall of Fame Showcase on December 6, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio St. won 67-62. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Im

Mullens is young, but he just isn't as strong as the other guys that have been here at the same age. While he has the capability to be good, the fact that he doesn't start and his flagging numbers position him at the bottom of the list.

4. Dallas Lauderdale

CORAL GABLES, FL - DECEMBER 02: Dallas Lauderdale #52 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pauses during a free throw late in the game against the Miami Hurricanes at BankUnited Center on December 2, 2008 in Coral Gables, Florida. Ohio State defeated Miami 73-68.

Dallas Lauderdale has long arms and a great ability to block shots. He can get some good putbacks, but he's not an offensive threat. He starts in front of Mullens, despite being about three inches shorter. He's a good defender, though.

3. Kosta Koufos

Kosta Koufos was a great player for the Buckeyes. He was agile and could shoot the ball really well. He was a star player of the NIT tournament and really helped enliven the Buckeyes season when they were in that tournament. He shouldn't have left school so early, but rather stayed to establish himself further, because the talent was there.

2. Terence Dials

INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 10: Terence Dials #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes lays the ball up over Travis Parker #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during Day 2 of the Big 10 Tournament on March 10, 2006 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo

Terence Dials was one of the best centers in Ohio State history. He is the all-time leader in rebounds for the Buckeyes. He didn't get a lot of hype, because he wasn't the tallest center to go here, but he was an all-around great player. The former Big Ten Player of the Year was part of the rebuilding process, which is likely why he didn't get the press he deserved.

1. Greg Oden

DALLAS - FEBRUARY 04: Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers during play against the Dallas Mavericks on February 4, 2009 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or

Greg Oden is the best center Ohio State has had this century. The Buckeyes only lost three games whenever he was on the court. He was such a presence and dominant force and is the only player on this list who left early for the NBA—and actually could have.

Oden was the No. 1 pick of the draft, but what he did in his short time at Ohio State is reason enough to make him earn the top spot on this list.

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