OSU Basketball (the year after)

I got a chance to catch my first OSU basketball action last night (second half against Columbia).

Here are my initial impressions.

Kosta Koufus (C, Fr): He's tall and moves very well for his size. Koufus does a great job getting position on the block and finds ways to get his shots off (even most of the ugly ones went in). He has more offensive moves right now than Oden had at the end of last year.

Jon Diebler (SF, Fr): Looks a lot more physically ready for the college game than I would have thought. Still needs to put on some more muscle but has done a good job since the high school games I saw him play. Also he holds the record for most points scored in Ohio history, that does not happen by accident, he can play.

Jamar Butler (PG, Sr.): Can knock down the three ball with the best of them. I thought he would be better suited off the ball last year but he seems more comfortable running the offense and taking his shot when it comes. It looks like he will have to carry this team while the freshman learn how to play.

Othello Hunter (PF-C, Sr): Had a calf issue so did not see much, but had 7 boards when he left the game.

Matt Terwilliger (PF-C, Sr): Fills in when needed, is not going to get you a lot of points.

Dallas Lauderdale (PF, Fr.): Filled in for Hunter for awhile, but Thad seemed content with keeping the starters on the floor for most of the half. Not many minutes to judge Dallas on.

David Lighty (G-F, So.): I feel he is going to be the glue guy for this team. He is going to get done what needs to get done, not excelling in any one category but not lacking in any either.

Evan Turner (G, Fr.): Ran the floor well and knocked down a nice kick out three, but not much to go on here either.

Transition defense was very poor early in the second half.

Transition offense looked very good in the middle part of the half.

Late in the game Thad had Butler, Lighty, Diebler, Turner and Koufus on the floor. I think this is a lineup to look out for as the year goes on, two lights out shooters, two slashers, with the big man in the middle and you don't give up some much size that you are going to get killed on the boards.

The problem with evaluating a game against Columbia is the good things are probably not quite as good as they seem and the bad are probably worse.

Columbia lived and died by the three (mostly cause they could not buy a non dunk two for their lives). I will be scary this year against more talented teams. Hopefully the freshman grow up fast, and thankfully this is not football so losing a few games early in the season while your team in learning will not kill you.

Final words about this season: I am going to be watching a lot of the games in the bar to the %$#&% Big Ten Network.