Greg Oden verbals to Ohio State - The Orange Mane

FADERPROOF · 06-29-2005, 01:33 PM

High school teammates to play for Buckeyes

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2097312

INDIANAPOLIS -- High school standout Greg Oden said Wednesday he will play college basketball at Ohio State.

The 7-foot Oden and Lawrence North teammate Mike Conley announced in unison during a news conference at their high school that they would both play for the Buckeyes, starting with the 2006-07 season.

Oden, the national prep player of the year, was considered a possible No. 1 pick in next year's NBA draft until the league changed its rules last week to require players to be at least one year out of high school before they can be drafted.

The verbal commitments aren't binding until the players sign letters of intent. The earliest they can do so is in November.

Oden, who has led his school to two straight Indiana high school Class 4A championships, said the NBA rule change didn't force his college choice. He chose Ohio State over Indiana, Wake Forest and Michigan State.

"It didn't really affect my decision, because I always knew I wanted to go to college," Oden said.

Oden was named national high school player of the year by USA Today, Gatorade and Parade magazine after averaging 20 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.7 blocked shots as a junior last season.

Conley, a point guard, averaged 10.7 points and five assists.

They cited a comfort level with Ohio State coach Thad Matta in making their decision.
---------------------------------------------

That's 4 recruits in the top 30 that are coming to Ohio State this year, #1 Greg Oden, # 8 Daquan Cook, #20 David Lighty, and #30 Mike Conley.

Finally, I have Ohio State basketball to look forward to, hasn't been since 2000 that we've really made an impression(Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd days), now I can't wait to see this team on the court this year.

Soory UNC, you'll always be a good 2nd for me, but no one takes the Buckeyes spot, and now that the investigation is over(they drilled us, but at least it's over), and we have some talent down in Columbus, this is going to be very fun.

I smell dynasty!

NaptownChief · 06-29-2005, 01:36 PM

Between Sean May(UNC), Josh McRoberts(Duke), and Oden(OSU) the national HS Player of the Year has come from the state of Indiana what will be 3 of 5 years and yet the self proclaimed "great recruiter" Mike Davis wasn't able to bring a single one to Bloomington.

Matta would have killed for the IU job at the end of last season. It is a shame IU wasn't smart enough to offer it to him.

SoCalBronco · 06-29-2005, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaptownChief

Between Sean May(UNC), Josh McRoberts(Duke), and Oden(OSU) the national HS Player of the Year has come from the state of Indiana what will be 3 of 5 years and yet the self proclaimed "great recruiter" Mike Davis wasn't able to bring a single one to Bloomington.

Matta would have killed for the IU job at the end of last season. It is a shame IU wasn't smart enough to offer it to him.

I was glad to see The General have great success in Lubbock to show Myles Brand up.

NaptownChief · 06-29-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

I was glad to see The General have great success in Lubbock to show Myles Brand up.

I'm happy to see RMK do well and always pull for him but it is painful to see how badly Davis has killed a once proud program in such a short period.

Ballhawk · 06-29-2005, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FADERPROOF

That's 4 recruits in the top 30 that are coming to Ohio State this year, #1 Greg Oden, # 8 Daquan Cook, #20 David Lighty, and #30 Mike Conley.

Finally, I have Ohio State basketball to look forward to, hasn't been since 2000 that we've really made an impression(Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd days), now I can't wait to see this team on the court this year.

Soory UNC, you'll always be a good 2nd for me, but no one takes the Buckeyes spot, and now that the investigation is over(they drilled us, but at least it's over), and we have some talent down in Columbus, this is going to be very fun.

I smell dynasty!

Ya it has been quite a drought since Penn, Redd and Johnson led OSU to a great season. Hopefully we can get back to representing in the tournament again.

NaptownChief · 06-29-2005, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballhawk

Ya it has been quite a drought since Penn, Redd and Johnson led OSU to a great season. Hopefully we can get back to representing in the tournament again.

I would certainly expect that to be the case...Matta has exceeded expectations and that talent level he has had to work with at Butler, Xavier and first season at OSU. Now that he is soon to be loaded for bear the sky should be the limit.

Ballhawk · 06-29-2005, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaptownChief

I would certainly expect that to be the case...Matta has exceeded expectations and that talent level he has had to work with at Butler, Xavier and first season at OSU. Now that he is soon to be loaded for bear the sky should be the limit.

I will be living in College hoops heaven in a couple months, Raliegh NC. Will be fun catching some games, at NCST, NC, Wake, and Duke. Tickets will be very hard to come by tho.

NaptownChief · 06-29-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballhawk

I will be living in College hoops heaven in a couple months, Raliegh NC. Will be fun catching some games, at NCST, NC, Wake, and Duke. Tickets will be very hard to come by tho.

That is a great area for hoops. Raliegh is a great town to live.

FADERPROOF · 06-29-2005, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballhawk

Ya it has been quite a drought since Penn, Redd and Johnson led OSU to a great season. Hopefully we can get back to representing in the tournament again.

I'm sure we'll be in the dance this year with Sullinger and Dials leading the way, mid seeded somehwere around a 5-8 spot, but not much expectations to go deep into it.

But next year, it'll be on big time with this incoming freshmen class.

And not to get too far ahead of myself, but after next year( in2007), OSU could have the #1 overall picks in the NFL, NBA, and WNBA draft. Ted Ginn may declare after his Junior year(top 5 pick), Greg Oden may come out after just 1 season(he would be the #1 pick next year if it weren't for the new CBA), and Jessica Davenport to the WNBA.

SoCalBronco · 06-29-2005, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FADERPROOF

I'm sure we'll be in the dance this year with Sullinger and Dials leading the way, mid seeded somehwere around a 5-8 spot, but not much expectations to go deep into it.

But next year, it'll be on big time with this incoming freshmen class.

And not to get too far ahead of myself, but after next year( in2007), OSU could have the #1 overall picks in the NFL, NBA, and WNBA draft. Ted Ginn may declare after his Junior year(top 5 pick), Greg Oden may come out after just 1 season(he would be the #1 pick next year if it weren't for the new CBA), and Jessica Davenport to the WNBA.

I think Ginn could be the no. 1 overall selection two years from now.

FADERPROOF · 06-29-2005, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaptownChief

Between Sean May(UNC), Josh McRoberts(Duke), and Oden(OSU) the national HS Player of the Year has come from the state of Indiana what will be 3 of 5 years and yet the self proclaimed "great recruiter" Mike Davis wasn't able to bring a single one to Bloomington.

Matta would have killed for the IU job at the end of last season. It is a shame IU wasn't smart enough to offer it to him.

I'm really surprised we jumped ahead of Wake Forest, WF is a big basketball school and has a program that has been in much beter shape over the past years, just shocked that they overlooked that and bought into what Thad Matta was saying to them.

Never would I've guessed that a top recruit verbals to Ohio State over Wake Forest.

FADERPROOF · 06-29-2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

I think Ginn could be the no. 1 overall selection two years from now.

I can see it, him or Adrian Peterson.

Giin, Oden, and Davenport in one year all going #1 overall in each of their sports, that would be insane.

Ballhawk · 06-29-2005, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FADERPROOF

I'm sure we'll be in the dance this year with Sullinger and Dials leading the way, mid seeded somehwere around a 5-8 spot, but not much expectations to go deep into it.

But next year, it'll be on big time with this incoming freshmen class.

And not to get too far ahead of myself, but after next year( in2007), OSU could have the #1 overall picks in the NFL, NBA, and WNBA draft. Ted Ginn may declare after his Junior year(top 5 pick), Greg Oden may come out after just 1 season(he would be the #1 pick next year if it weren't for the new CBA), and Jessica Davenport to the WNBA.

How Sweet would it be to bring in two Championships in 2006!!

Not sure how old you are, but do you remember back to the days of Jimmy Jackson? Some great games against the Fab Five of Michigan. I remember watching Jimmy go 5th in the NBA draft that year. Shame he screwed up his ankle so bad. Highlight of career was leading all guards in scoring the year MJ played baseball.

NaptownChief · 06-29-2005, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FADERPROOF

I'm really surprised we jumped ahead of Wake Forest, WF is a big basketball school and has a program that has been in much beter shape over the past years, just shocked that they overlooked that and bought into what Thad Matta was saying to them.

Never would I've guessed that a top recruit verbals to Ohio State over Wake Forest.

Matta was certainly the reason and well deserved. Matta would travel to nearly every Lawrence North game that didn't conflict with his OSU game schedule. He worked his tail off letting Conley and Oden know he wanted them and was willing to pay the price. They couldn't but help respect a guy like that.

FADERPROOF · 06-29-2005, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballhawk

How Sweet would it be to bring in two Championships in 2006!!

Not sure how old you are, but do you remember back to the days of Jimmy Jackson? Some great games against the Fab Five of Michigan. I remember watching Jimmy go 5th in the NBA draft that year. Shame he screwed up his ankle so bad. Highlight of career was leading all guards in scoring the year MJ played baseball.

Jackson and Funderburke were quite the duo back then, I remember skipping out of an important event to watch that team in the final 4(1993? maybe.)

I should've gotten in trouble for skipping out, but my dad was the one that skipped with me so my mom just yelled at him instead

FADERPROOF · 06-29-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaptownChief

Matta was certainly the reason and well deserved. Matta would travel to nearly every Lawrence North game that didn't conflict with his OSU game schedule. He worked his tail off letting Conley and Oden know he wanted them and was willing to pay the price. They couldn't but help respect a guy like that.

I was actually upset that OSU didn't go after RMK from Texas Tech and bring him back the alma mater when the Buckeyes started looking at who would be the new coach.

They got Thas Matta, which I was happy with but still I wanted Knight, now after last season(the win over Illinois) and this recruiting class, I can honestly say that I was wrong in wanting Knight over Matta. As great as a coach that Knight is, I really dont think we would be bringing in this recruiting class if Matta weren't here.

Ballhawk · 06-29-2005, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FADERPROOF

Jackson and Funderburke were quite the duo back then, I remember skipping out of an important event to watch that team in the final 4(1993? maybe.)

I should've gotten in trouble for skipping out, but my dad was the one that skipped with me so my mom just yelled at him instead

Funderburke had hops and could reall throw it down, good times

FADERPROOF · 06-29-2005, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballhawk

Funderburke had hops and could reall throw it down, good times

Lawrence Funderburke is probably my favorite Buckeyes basketball player, Ken Johnson is a good second though.

Jimmy Jackson was the leader on that team, but Funderburke playing his wingman was just great offset of each other. That team was fun to watch, just sucks that the school up north bought all those recruits and screwed us out of some possible NC's and certainly some Big 10 championships.

I couldn't have asked for a better way for Michigan to lose that NC, Chris Webber making a fool out of himself as he gives the title to North Carolina. Still to this day, C-Web is the only Michigan player that I root for in the NBA, I'll always be a fan of his after that timeout

Ballhawk · 06-29-2005, 02:49 PM

CWebbs timeout turnover is infamous, I can still see him pressed against the sideline calling TO...a true classic moment rofl

Ballhawk · 06-29-2005, 02:51 PM

Speaking of bought teams, who would win Fab Five vs Grandma's Running Rebs (Anthony, Augmon aka Plastic Man)?

Sidenote: still think they threw the NC game against Duke.

FADERPROOF · 06-29-2005, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballhawk

CWebbs timeout turnover is infamous, I can still see him pressed against the sideline calling TO...a true classic moment rofl

And that was after the refs let him get away with a travel to start his drive down the court!

I'm sure glad Michigan got to see what 40,000 dollars and a new house for Chris' mom got them!

FADERPROOF · 06-29-2005, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballhawk

Speaking of bought teams, who would win Fab Five vs Grandma's Running Rebs (Anthony, Augmon aka Plastic Man)?

Sidenote: still think they threw the NC game against Duke.

I would have to go with UNLV, but that is a tough call, couldn't go wrong with either of the two.

Billy Clyde Puckett · 06-29-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FADERPROOF

And that was after the refs let him get away with a travel to start his drive down the court!

I'm sure glad Michigan got to see what 40,000 dollars and a new house for Chris' mom got them!

Careful - remember Archie Griffith's mother who was a motel maid moved into a $250,000 house shortly after he enrolled at OSU andd that was 70's dollars.

SoCalBronco · 06-29-2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Guy

Careful - remember Archie Griffith's mother who was a motel maid moved into a $250,000 house shortly after he enrolled at OSU andd that was 70's dollars.

What a surprise.

FADERPROOF · 06-29-2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Guy

Careful - remember Archie Griffith's mother who was a motel maid moved into a $250,000 house shortly after he enrolled at OSU andd that was 70's dollars.

Yes but I dont recall OSU ever being drilled for probation for that or anything, while Michigan basketball has. Webber even lied to a grand jury about it and had to backtrack and admit to it in order to avoid jailtime for the violation. The Wolverines got hammered for that bought team.

And wow, you should see the **** people are spewing at Wake Forest's website! Talk about a bunch of a lowlife scum fans over there, there's a poll up that asks "Which ill do you wish Ohio State upon?" with answers such as Torn ACL, high ankle sprain, probation with no postseason for 2 years etc.

There's a few more threads about how much they hate Ohio State, how Conley will be a bsut, how Oden will never live up to his potential, and how Dukes and Williams(the 2 WF targets now) will be better than Oden and Conley. They're so spoiled rotten that they've jsut shut down the site to members only, you must register and be accepted in order to view their website.

All this over 2 lost recruits...

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06-29-2005, 01:33 PM	#1
FADERPROOF Bucknuts Colossus Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Eastlake OH Posts: 17,338	Greg Oden verbals to Ohio State High school teammates to play for Buckeyes http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2097312 INDIANAPOLIS -- High school standout Greg Oden said Wednesday he will play college basketball at Ohio State. The 7-foot Oden and Lawrence North teammate Mike Conley announced in unison during a news conference at their high school that they would both play for the Buckeyes, starting with the 2006-07 season. Oden, the national prep player of the year, was considered a possible No. 1 pick in next year's NBA draft until the league changed its rules last week to require players to be at least one year out of high school before they can be drafted. The verbal commitments aren't binding until the players sign letters of intent. The earliest they can do so is in November. Oden, who has led his school to two straight Indiana high school Class 4A championships, said the NBA rule change didn't force his college choice. He chose Ohio State over Indiana, Wake Forest and Michigan State. "It didn't really affect my decision, because I always knew I wanted to go to college," Oden said. Oden was named national high school player of the year by USA Today, Gatorade and Parade magazine after averaging 20 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.7 blocked shots as a junior last season. Conley, a point guard, averaged 10.7 points and five assists. They cited a comfort level with Ohio State coach Thad Matta in making their decision. --------------------------------------------- That's 4 recruits in the top 30 that are coming to Ohio State this year, #1 Greg Oden, # 8 Daquan Cook, #20 David Lighty, and #30 Mike Conley. Finally, I have Ohio State basketball to look forward to, hasn't been since 2000 that we've really made an impression(Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd days), now I can't wait to see this team on the court this year. Soory UNC, you'll always be a good 2nd for me, but no one takes the Buckeyes spot, and now that the investigation is over(they drilled us, but at least it's over), and we have some talent down in Columbus, this is going to be very fun. I smell dynasty!

06-29-2005, 01:36 PM	#2
NaptownChief Donkeys Nightmare Football Pimp Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 7,490	Between Sean May(UNC), Josh McRoberts(Duke), and Oden(OSU) the national HS Player of the Year has come from the state of Indiana what will be 3 of 5 years and yet the self proclaimed "great recruiter" Mike Davis wasn't able to bring a single one to Bloomington. Matta would have killed for the IU job at the end of last season. It is a shame IU wasn't smart enough to offer it to him.

06-29-2005, 02:49 PM	#19
Ballhawk Ring of Famer Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,132	CWebbs timeout turnover is infamous, I can still see him pressed against the sideline calling TO...a true classic moment rofl

06-29-2005, 02:51 PM	#20
Ballhawk Ring of Famer Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,132	Speaking of bought teams, who would win Fab Five vs Grandma's Running Rebs (Anthony, Augmon aka Plastic Man)? Sidenote: still think they threw the NC game against Duke.