Richard Mackson-US Presswire
As much talk as there is about the Indiana Hoosiers being the team to beat in the Big Ten and perhaps the nation this year, you can’t rule out the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Thad Matta has built an incredible program in Columbus, arguably one of the best in the nation, and they nearly played for a championship a year ago until the Kansas Jayhawks derailed their dreams in the Final Four.
Ohio State had its season end in a 64-62 national semifinal loss despite leading the majority of the night in New Orleans. Jared Sullinger is gone and so is William Buford, but to think the Buckeyes won’t contend for a title is crazy.
Two players, in particular, will play a key role in keeping Ohio State among the elite. I’m talking about point guard Aaron Craft and forward Deshaun Thomas.
I saw Craft play in high school a couple of times and while I knew he had the potential to be a star at the next level, I had no idea he was going to be mentioned in the same breath as other college hoops stars.
Craft was the defensive player of the year in the Big Ten last season, racking up 98 steals and defending the perimeter as if there was no tomorrow. There is a pretty good chance he will win the honor again this season.
Not only can Craft defend as well as anyone in the nation, he is a solid offensive player, especially when it comes to getting his teammates involved. Last season, Craft dished out 181 assists and as long as he is just as efficient this season, the Buckeyes should have no problem putting points up.
And then there is Thomas, a preseason All-American in several publications, and the key to the Buckeyes’ success in the paint.
Thomas averaged 15.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per outing and really took off in the NCAA tourney, pouring in 19.2 points per game. Thomas is a threat from the outside as well after nailing 50 3-pointers last season.
As long as Craft and Thomas do their job, the players around them will be fine as well. Obviously, in the game of basketball, there are no sure things.
Anything can happen, especially in the madness of March. But considering the Buckeyes’ history of success under Matta, they might just be as close as you can get to a sure thing in college basketball.
Follow Rant Sports Big Ten columnist Brian Lester on Twitter @BLester1993 or drop me a line at [email protected].
