When it comes to the number one team in the nation, the Ohio State Buckeyes, people usually start by talking about their stud freshman Jared Sullinger, who might just be the best player in the nation. Seniors David Lighty and William Buford should end up on NBA rosters next year, even though Will has taken a big step back this year.
Then there’s that phenomenal freshmen class. After Sullinger, Aaron Craft is making some headlines. But don’t forget about big ten freshman player of the week 11-29-10 Deshaun Thomas, who went off for 15.5 ppg, 68% fg that week.
By Paul M. Banks
“He’s struggling a little bit shooting, but he’s definitely a confident player and that’s what he does, he comes in and knocks down shots. Just him getting after it, not getting down on himself,” Craft said about Thomas.
Thomas only played three scoreless minutes in the first when OSU visited the Illini, but he came of the bench to his some really big shots in the second half that turned around the flow of the game.
“You gotta be ready to hit big shots coming off the bench, you got to treat it like it’s a game winning shot,” Thomas said about the two big threes he hit down the stretch.
Thomas is a versatile and physically gifted 6-6, who can play the three or the four, maybe even the two if really needed. I asked him about being undefeated.
‘It feels great, especially me as a freshman being 21-0 my first year. We know we can’t take stuff lightly, we need to keep moving on to the next one because we know its a long season,” he responded.
Thomas rated the #3 forward by many recruiting services and a consensus top 20 recruit. The Ft. Wayne hails from one of the most basketball rich states in the union, but instead decided to do his college basketball next door in Ohio. Why did he choose OSU?
“Coach Matta, give all pub to him. They treat me like family here, they have some very great coaches that can make me into a great player,” he said.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to the Tribune’s Chicago Now network, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports.com
He does a weekly radio segment on Chicagoland Sports Radio.com and Cleveland.com
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