Ohio State Basketball: What to Expect from Transfer Anthony Lee

The Ohio State basketball program may actually have some interior depth during the 2014-15 season, thanks largely to the addition of Anthony Lee.

The 6'9" Lee decided to transfer to the Buckeyes from Temple after considering the likes of Indiana, Louisville and Notre Dame along the way. This was one of the most important developments for Thad Matta and his coaching staff in what can only be described as an offseason of transition.

Aaron Craft, Lenzelle Smith Jr. and LaQuinton Ross all left the program via graduation or early declaration for the NBA draft, which put plenty of pressure on the Buckeyes’ loaded 2014 recruiting class. Adding a tested veteran like Lee to the mix provides stability and a critical piece in an area of need.

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Lee scored 13.6 points and grabbed 8.6 rebounds a game last season for the Owls, which are numbers that would have made him the leading rebounder and second-highest scorer for the 2013-14 Buckeyes. He also tallied 11 double-doubles and had three more games where he was just a single point or rebound away from adding to that total.

Considering the departed Ross was the leading rebounder on a team (5.9 boards per game) that finished a lowly 216th in the country in total rebounds a game, Lee's presence on the boards is probably the best part of this addition for Matta and company.

Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com certainly suggested as much:

How Lee will fit in alongside the rest of the Buckeyes is ultimately more important going forward than the numbers he put up at Temple, though.

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Matta has a team built on speed and athleticism with Shannon Scott, D'Angelo Russell, Sam Thompson, Kam Williams, Keita Bates-Diop, Jae'Sean Tate and Marc Loving. With so many quick guards and explosive forwards, it will be important for Ohio State to get out in transition and apply pressure defense all year.

Lee is more than capable of running the floor from the low block, and his ability to rebound and kick it out on the outlet pass could start some of those fast breaks as well. He will also open up some of the perimeter shooters if he draws some extra defensive help down low.

That is not to suggest that Lee will be a back-to-the-basket center who simply patrols the paint and scores around the rim.

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Center Amir Williams has been the target of criticism from Buckeye Nation, often fairly, throughout his career. However, we have to give credit where it's due, and Williams has shown improvement since he arrived in Columbus. In fact, Williams' per-game points, rebounds, free-throw percentage, blocks and field-goal percentage have all increased every single season since he arrived on campus.

Matta is not just going to relegate the senior to the bench just because he has Lee in the fold now.

That works just fine for Lee, who suggested he would rather be on the floor at the same time as Williams as a power forward, via Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com: “I prefer the 4, that's what I came here for, but I can play the 5 if I need to because I've been doing it the last three years. If I had to play the 5 and the 5 has to guard me, I'd just be a mismatch."

That type of positional versatility is absolutely critical on a team that could go nine or 10 deep this season.

Matta can mix-and-match Lee and Williams depending on the opponent or who has the hot hand. When they are on the floor together, Ohio State should theoretically rack up plenty of blocks and control the glass. What’s more, when the Buckeyes need some type of spark, Matta can put Lee in as a center in a small, athletic rotation that looks to get out in transition.

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In terms of playing time, Lee's presence ultimately means more for Trey McDonald than Williams.

McDonald saw action last year largely because Ohio State didn't really have another big man behind Williams. Now that the Buckeyes have both Lee and Williams, McDonald will likely only see significant minutes when foul trouble or a dreaded injury becomes an issue.

Ohio State also has freshman David Bell at the center position, but he is a redshirt possibility and a long-term project more than an immediate contributor.

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Lee's overall athleticism is appealing with so many fast-break-oriented players on the roster, and his ability to control the glass better than any Ohio State big man since Jared Sullinger will be a relief and welcome change for fans tired of watching opponents rack up the offensive rebounds. 

Lee is on the shortlist of reasons why the Buckeyes should improve on last season's disappointing finish.

Follow me on Twitter: @ScottPolacek.