The disappointment emanating from Dayton is palpable. Before a partisan crowd, Ohio State played without purpose and without assertiveness. They built a quiet 11 point lead but couldn’t hang onto it. They were pummeled on the boards as a rail thin player from Staten Island named Ryan Rossiter outplayed BJ Mullens. With a three point lead and seconds left in the first OT, for some reason, they let Siena take a three pointer to tie it rather than fouling. A first round NCAA exit for a fifth place Big Ten team leaves a bitter taste for many, including Ohio State beat writer Bob Baptist. Save another strong game from Evan Turner, the Buckeyes offered a listless team performance.
Mullens is Done, Maybe Turner’s Not
With consideration given to his upbringing in Columbus’ rough and tumble Bottoms, it’s tough for Ohio State fans to deride a decision by BJ Mullens to continue his basketball life and its attendant financial security in the NBA starting this June. According to the Columbus Dispatch, all signs and inferences suggest Mullens played his last game for Thad Matta last night in Dayton. Like his two predecessors in the post, he’s one and done.
Leaving the door slightly cracked, Evan Turner says he has unfinished business in Columbus. We’ll know more if Turner decides to test the NBA waters. For Ohio State fans, hopefully he comes back because without him, the Buckeyes would no doubt find themselves adrift in dire straits.
As of today, according to ESPN Insider and Scouts.com, Ohio State has zero recruits signed for 2009 with only Bill Edwards, a 6′5″ small forward from Middletown, Ohio considering the Buckeyes. With the void at point guard, it’s also likely Ohio State is searching for another reliable player to run the team. Still, it’s clear Ohio State is again banking its short-term future on another Oden-style five member class starting in 2010, led by JJ Sullinger’s big little brother Jared and DeShaun Thomas, both more potential one and dones. Until the next class of high flying Frosh arrive, a loss of Turner in addition to Mullens would be a major setback for Ohio State.
It’s More Than Talent
Much is made of the necessity of recruiting top tier talent. To compete for National Championships, maybe. However, in Tournament games like last night’s against Siena, it’s about much more than talent. It’s about team basketball. It’s about pride in process.
At the end of a season that saw Ohio State lose its highly touted point guard recruit (Anthony Crater) and its best defender (David Lighty), Ohio State was simply the Evan Turner show. For whatever reason, whether coaching or personnel issues, the players surrounding him never fully found a rhythm during the season. Throughout the year, the offense offered flashes of purpose and patience but too often it quickly reverted to quick, bad shots and possessions marked by malaise.
As Evan Turner said after the loss, the Buckeyes never should have needed him to make last second shot to win the game.
Original Story:
http://hoopraker.com/2009/03/21/bucke...
