Ohio State Basketball: Statistical Predictions for Thad Matta's Rotation

Thad Matta's Ohio State Buckeyes survived the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, maintaining their No. 2 overall ranking in the AP Top 25.

OSU usually plays a seven-man rotation (with some rare exceptions), with each member possessing a lot of talent and the potential to make some noise at the next level.

This is one of the better teams in the nation, as we saw the Bucks dominate the Duke Blue Devils and Florida Gators earlier in the season.

Each of these players will be recognized for their contributions, but for now, let's have some fun and predict where they'll be sitting at the end of the year.

Here are individual statistic predictions for those who receive significant playing time.

Jordan Sibert

Jordan Sibert is a 6'4" guard from Cincinnati that doesn't see a whole lot of playing time due to the outstanding play of DeShaun Thomas and William Buford.

Sibert has struggled in his early career with the Buckeyes, but he will continue to improve with coaching and growth in the system. He may not do a whole lot in 2011-12, but be on the lookout for his name in the near future.


Stat Prediction

14.9 minutes per game (MIN)

4.0 points per game (PPG) off 37.1 percent field goal percentage (FG)

1.8 rebounds per game (RPG)

1.4 assists per game (APG)

.5 steals per game (SPG)

32.4 percent 3-point percentage (3P%)

57.7 percent free throw percentage (FT%)

Evan Ravenel

Evan Ravenel is a 6'8", 250-pound forward and is a fourth-year junior. He transferred from Boston College to Ohio State in 2010 and sat out the following season.

Ravenel now comes off the bench for the Buckeyes and could potentially see an increase in playing time with Sullinger's most recent foot injury.


Stat Prediction

15.5 MIN

7.3 PPG (53.8 percent FG)

5.0 RPG

.7 APG

.5 SPG

66.5 percent FT

Lenzelle Smith Jr.

Lenzelle Smith Jr. is a guard with size who has a tendency to distribute the ball rather than shoot himself. However, the lefty has the ability to shoot the three-pointer and to post up small defenders due to his length advantage.

Smith Jr. is currently averaging a little more than two quarters of action per game. This could continue to increase if he stays consistent with his solid play.


Stat Prediction

22.4 MIN

5.2 PPG (47.7 percent FG)

4.7 RPG

2.3 APG

1.7 SPG

38.1 percent 3P

70.3 percent FT

Aaron Craft

Aaron Craft is what most opponents would call a pesky player.

He thrives on defense with his incredible foot and hand speed, forcing the ball handler to make quick decisions. This usually turns out in Craft's favor, as opponents are shooting less than 25 percent against him via the catch-and-shoot.

The swift point guard is also a focal point of the offense, as he averages more than five assists per game.


Stat Prediction

31.7 MIN

8.7 PPG (45.0 percent FG)

3.1 RPG

5.9 APG

3.3 SPG

35.9 percent 3P

69.8 percent FT

DeShaun Thomas

This year, sophomore forward DeShaun Thomas has more than doubled his points per game (15.9) compared to his freshman season (7.5).

He has worked his way into a huge role with the Buckeyes offense and will need to keep producing these numbers for OSU to keep being successful down the stretch.


Stat Prediction

28.7 MIN

15.1 PPG (53.4 percent FG)

4.4 RPG

1.0 APG

.5 SPG

33.9 percent 3P

79.5 percent FT

William Buford

William Buford is in his fourth season with Ohio State, and he's improved every year.

The Toledo native has put forth similar numbers throughout his collegiate career, but his contributions have never been more meaningful than they've been this season. His versatile presence on the perimeter combined with his uncanny ability to shoot off the dribble is pivotal to the team.


Stat Prediction

32.8 MIN

17.4 PPG (45.8 percent FG)

4.3 RPG

3.4 APG

.7 SPG

43.1 percent 3P

83.2 percent FT

Jared Sullinger

Reports say that Sullinger's injury suffered on Saturday versus South Carolina is merely a mild foot contusion. Assuming that this stands true, we can expect him to miss about a week or two at the most.

This means he'll most likely be absent for Tuesday's matchup against Lamar and Thursday's battle with Miami (OH). He may or may not be ready for the Big Ten opener versus Northwestern, but he should definitely be available by Dec. 31 to take on the surprising Indiana Hoosiers.

It goes without saying that Sully is one of the best players in the conference, if not the best. He's in the running for the Player of the Year award, but he needs to stay healthy.

Sullinger is one of the most efficient back-to-the-basket players in the NCAA, making him Ohio State's obvious go-to-guy. Projected to be drafted fifth by the Sacramento Kings in NBADraft.net's 2012 Mock Draft, Sullinger is the key to whether or not Ohio State makes a deep run in the postseason.


Stat Prediction

30.2 MIN

17.0 PPG (57.9 percent FG)

10.1 RPG

1.3 APG

1.1 SPG

26.7 percent 3P

80.1 percent FT