Ohio State Random Thoughts: Hoops Success, Recruiting Tidbits and Iowa Madness

Dave Thurman (9:06 pm)

20-0 and improving

About a week and half ago the OSU hoops team looked headed for its first loss, as it was barely pulling out close conference games and off to Illinois, followed by a big game at home against Purdue.

Not only did they not lose, but the basketball Bucks seemed to regain their early season swagger and then some, playing possibly their best two games of the season (and the beatdown of Iowa before that wasn't too shabby either).

So what gives? Were they merely going through the motions when they narrowly escaped against Minnesota, Michigan and Penn State? Or are they actually getting better?

Well, first off, teams like Minnesota and Penn State may be better than we are giving them credit for, and winning at Michigan is never to be taken for granted. In addition, this team is relying greatly on three freshmen, and it isn't surprising when young guys hit a bit of a wall about the middle of January, especially in a grueling conference like the Big Ten.

But, yes, I do believe the team is improving, and most of that is due to a baby-faced assassin named Aaron Craft.

Make no doubt about it: Jared Sullinger is the bell cow for this team, and that has nothing to do with his girth. Simply put, he is a franchise player. But college basketball success is predicated on point guard play, and as Craft has grown and developed, so has the team.

His dribble penetration was exceptional against Purdue, and it literally broke down the Boilermaker defense. With the arsenal of shooters at his disposal, all Thad Matta needed was a good point guard, and he has it in the scrappy freshman from Findlay.

In the home stretch

National Signing Day is less than a week away, and if you are like me it is hard to concentrate on work during the first Wednesday in February. I feel kind of like a kid on Christmas Eve, waiting to open all the new presents under the tree—and this year it looks like there will be some really nice gifts.

The question is how many more players will the Buckeyes wind up with, and who will they be? With 21 players in the barn, the Bucks could take three more for sure, but everything points to two players: 1) Curtis Grant, the superstar linebacker from Richmond, Virginia, and 2) Aundrey Walker, the mammoth offensive lineman from Cleveland Glenville.

Obviously neither is a done deal, and the competition will remain hot and heavy down to the last minute. Grant would be a real coup for the OSU coaching staff because he is not only one of the highest-rated players in the nation but hails from down South as well. His other three finalists are Virginia, Florida and North Carolina.

Most of the buzz the last day or two is that the Buckeyes are the team to beat for his services, but that could change.

Walker, who is reported to be 6'6" and anywhere from 330 to 350 pounds, is from the "pipeline" but has made it clear that he is his own man. Aundrey will announce his decision on National Signing Day and says it is between the Buckeyes, Florida State, Michigan State and USC. Most people assume it will be Ohio State in the end, and let's hope that is the case.

I would be very surprised if any of the other "national" prospects choose OSU, but there is always the chance Jim Tressel will offer someone late like a Shane Wynn or Cordale Jones (did someone say grayshirt?), though I would be shocked if that happens this year. So let's bag Grant and Walker and walk away with 23 good ones!

Iowa Blues

What in the world is happening in usually quiet, bucolic Iowa City? First there was the arrest of wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos on drug possession in early December, followed by the arrest of star running back Adam Robinson for marijuana possession just after Christmas.

Now there is the embarrassment of 13 players being hospitalized due to a condition known as rhabdomyolysis, an acute muscle fiber breakdown or deterioration. It is commonly caused by a body becoming over-exhausted and dehydrated and apparently was due to extremely demanding workouts.

It remains to be seen who was in charge and exactly what transpired, but it is another black eye for Kirk Ferentz and his program, which was the Big Ten media darling for a long time. At least they won their bowl game against Missouri!

Once again, in this edition of "As the Football World Turns," we are reminded that is a good time to be a Buckeye...Tatgate notwithstanding.