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2007 College Basketball Predictions
2007 Ohio State Buckeyes Basketball Predictions &
Season Preview
If Greg Oden and
Mike Conley Jr. were still around,
we’d be mentioning Ohio State in the
same breath with national
championship. How will the Bucks
fair without last season’s two
stars? Find out in our 2007 Ohio
State Buckeyes predictions and
season preview.
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If Ohio State wants to get back
to the Big Dance, head coach Thad
Matta will have to develop a new
nucleus of players. Jamar Butler,
who seems like he’s been at Ohio
State since 1999, is the only
returning starter from last season’s
35-4 team. He will be asked to take
over the point guard duties. While
Ohio State seems to be left in a
hole, remember that this is the same
situation the Buckeyes were in a
year ago with freshman needing to
produce.
The frontcourt undoubtedly takes a
hit without Oden patrolling the
middle, blocking shots, gobbling up
rebounds, and throwing down dunks.
Othello Hunter will be asked to step
up and fill Oden’s shoes. Matt
Terwilliger will share time with
Hunter and much anticipated
transfer, Kyle Madsen, and talented
freshman, Kosta Koufos and Dallas
Lauderdale, will add depth. Koufos
is 7’1’’ with the ability to bring
the ball up the court and launch
threes. He may be the biggest
matchup nightmare in the Big Ten
already as a frosh.
Jamar Butler takes back over the
point guard duties, which he held as
a sophomore when the Buckeyes
charged to win a Big Ten title.
David Lighty and Evan Turner along
with talented frosh Jon Diebler will
bring solid play to the backcourt.
Matta will be hoping that Diebler
can bring his scoring touch, which
led the nation in high school last
year, to Columbus. Look for this
scorer to play the two-guard spot.
Turner will be a spark plug which
Matta likely brings off the bench.
Lighty showed glimpses of greatness
last season. He will be a go-to guy
on this year’s team.
Not too many teams can lose two top
first round NBA draft picks and live
to tell about it. The Buckeyes will
float it better than many because of
a wealth of young talent. Not having
Oden’s presence inside and Conley’s
ability to take over a game will
hurt, but the Buckeyes still have
enough talent to be a top 25 team. I
expect the Buckeyes to make the NCAA
Tournament this season, but a one
and done is likely. Look out for the
Bucks next year after this young
talent matures.
Jimmy Boyd will help you beat the
college basketball odds all
season long with his
college basketball picks. Expect
the Buckeyes to sneak up on some
teams this season and the books in
the process. They’ll be better than
expected even after losing two big
time players.
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