Buckeye Hoops Newbies: Prepare to be entertained
You know who the freshmen are at media day. They’re the dudes cutting up, throwing stuff at each other, generally clowning. They’re also the dudes who you know can flat out play.
So we’re standing around after doing interviews at media day, and the group of 5 freshmen and 1 juco transfer grab a couple loose basketballs. The show began.
Kosta Koufos is the freshman you’ve heard the most about… not only is he 7-feet tall and a tremendous shooter, Koufos has great feet and moves like a much smaller player. He threw down a few dunks that showed some real talent.
Dallas Lauderdale—somebody should’ve told him football started in August! What a powerful specimen he is… he’s the physical-type presence OSU has lacked the past couple seasons.
Evan Turner—some guys just look like they can play. Turner looks like he belongs in the uniform—didn’t goof around much… just kind of cheered the guys on.
PJ Hill—he’s the juco transfer point guard who may figure heavily into Matta’s plans… better shooter than I thought, and a fun personality.
Jon Diebler--he can shoot. Enough said… although he’s taller than I remember.
And then there’s Eric Wallace—he wears #2… he’s from Hargrave Military Academy---a 6’5’’ swing player who may become the star of this class. Seriously. This guy can go out today and win most dunk contests… He took off from the free throw line with ease and threw it down---double clutched---reversed---between the legs---and this is goofing off with his teammates at a media day! In terms of raw athleticism, he stands alone in this class and on this team. The moves you saw from Daequan Cook last year is what you’ll see from Wallace.
I’m not prepared to say they’ll become savvy enough to make a return march to the Final Four… but Thad Matta has once again lassoed in a class that looks the part of a winner and national contender.
Practice starts Friday.
