2005 Ohio State Buckeyes Basketball Preview

2005 Ohio State Buckeyes Team Preview

Ohio State is out from a self-imposed NCAA Tournament sanction and that means that they have a good chance of making it to the big post-season soiree this year. Quality guard Tony Stockman, who hit for an average of 12.0 points per game, is gone as is guard B. Fuss-Cheatham. The good news for this team is that three of their quality starters have returned.

Senior center Terence Dials is the foundation of this hard-working team. His offensive game is stellar, hitting for 15.9 points per game in 2004-05. Off the boards he grabbed an average of 7.9 rebounds each contest. In the post he can be unstoppable, combining power and grace in his 6’-9”, 250-pound frame. The Buckeyes will live and die with him.

Senior J.J. Sullinger is an athletic and versatile swingman who can hit inside and outside. In 2004-05 he knocked down 53% of his shots and 44.6% of his 3’s. Those figures led the team, while his average of 5.4 rebounds each game was second to all Buckeye players.

Ohio State also has depth with guard Je’Kel Foster and power forward Matt Sylvester viable scoring threats off the bench. When the Bucks need three-pointers Foster can throw them in 42.8% of the time and Sylvester, who may become the SEC’s best sixth man, is capable of scoring ten or more points per game.

Junior Ron Lewis will be at guard after sitting out a year at Bowling Green and transferring to Ohio State. In his first college season he averaged 17.0 points a contest. Junior forward Ivan Harris brings a new tool to add to his already sound perimeter shot—rebounding. The Buckeyes’ need someone who can be more physical inside and the 6’ 8”, 210-pounder has been designated as the guy to step in and jump up.

Sure handed Jamar Butler will see a lot of minutes this season. In his first year he committed only one turnover every 19.6 minutes. Ohio State, which finished third in their conference and eighth in the nation in turnovers, shares the ball a lot and prides itself on control. Butler will only enhance that part of the playbook.

The Bucks will certainly be a contender in the Big Ten Conference. They’ve got a sound starting five and depth off the bench. Is it enough to get to the big dance? Last season Ohio State was 20-12 overall but finished 8-8 in their conference. A better conference record will assure them of a NCAA post-season spot.

For more info on the 2005 Buckeyes check out the official Ohio State athletic site.