The Front Row

this is great news

Not to discount Smith's contribution to this year's team, which was invaluable, but count me in as a fan who hopes Thompson and Ross forces Thad to bring Lenzelle as the 1st guy off the bench.

And is that really a bad thing for Lenzelle? To me, he would be the team's perfect 6th man. One thing he brings constantly is defense. Offensively, he can score 25 one night, 4 the next. Coming off the bench instead of wondering night in and night out if your going to get scoring production out of your starting shooting guard, Lenzelles responsibility is to bring energy and a spark off the bench and you already know your going to get it defensively.

Is that not what describes his game perfectly already? If he brings offense too, great, ride him. If it's one of his inconsistent off nights offensively, your not married to having to giving starting minutes St a position on teams That should provide consistent scoring, something Lenzelle is more streaky at than consistent.

This also allows you to develop and give confidence to a potential star in Ross, who gives you length, scoring and most importantly a 3 point shooter, something this team sorely needs. Now I'm Not advocating just giving the job to Ross, he must earn it especially to be adequate on the defensive end, but if these two are close you have to go with Ross IMO. You will do more harm than good bringing an unhappy Ross off the bench. Most importantly, you may be keeping Smith out of a role he may flourish in the most.

Thoughts on this?

Excellent, mature decision by Thomas. You can absolutely improve your athleticism. There all kinds of revenue generating enterprises such as SPARQ, training academies, etc. that prove it. Vertical height is only one measure. If he physically improves (which he should) and leads a top tier, highly visible team (which he will), he's a for sure 1st rounder.

I'm anxious to see what the assistant coaches are made of this off season. Player development is going to be key. Thompson, Williams and Scott have to quadruple their scoring output.

I just can't envision Thad and his affinity for defensive effort, not making mistakes, and doing the little things, would sit Smith jr after a whole season starting for a 2 seed, 30 win, Final 4 team. He improved by leaps and bounds this last off season and I see no reason why he can't come back in November as an even better defender, shooter, and offensive threat. Even moderate improvement in the aforementioned categories would make it extremely difficult not to start him. Clearly though, he and Amir Williams (lord willing) will see the least overall mins among starters.

Big news baby!
DeShaun can score, we need him to work on his defense and on his right hand.
I hope everyone returns, and most need offensive improvement, but most are athletes.
Most these kids make the normal off season improvements, we are fine.
Envisioning Thomas and Ross on the floor as wings with Williams make me smile.

I don't believe Ross will want to earn time behind anyone. And why isn't Smith's position being discussed? My starters would be Craft, Thompson, Ross, Thomas, and Williams, with Ross taking Smith's spot at the 2. After all, Ross is a guard. An added bonus would be his height in guarding a 3 or 4 - then Thompson could guard the 2.
A good comparison of Ross and Thompson would be Deibler and Lighty, only taller versions. Ross can shoot and Thompson can slash and jump. Smith could come off the bench. IMO, Scott is gone. He and his dad can see no path to significant PT for the next two years. In close games Matta goes with his starters til the end. If you were a MacDonalds All-American sitting on Matta's bench would you trust him for more PT? Shannon didn't start to get any time until Charlie complained.

good for him and osu. a win, win.

regarding scott, unless he can start shooting at just a respectable level, not sure why he plays.

I understand your point, and I think it would be a certainty if the same team came in tact. Problem is Thad has to fill the void of 2 of his go to guys and top scorers gone. Lenzelle was an excellent compliment to this year's team, but he absolutely will never be this team's go to guy for this team. OSU has to fill the offensive void the departures of Sully and Buford creates, and do you see Lenzelle being that guy? I don't. OSU's success was not because of Smith's offensive production, I think we can all say that with certainty. So to me the point of Smith deserving the spot because he had it this year isn't relative because we're talking about 2 different types of teams. It's Cross's time to shine. Do you think Kentucky wouldn't have started one of their 1st round 1 and done freshman's over a guy a year older because that guy started on the year befores final four team and because he doesn't make mistakes?? Of course they wouldn't. You have to put your best talent on the floor no matter what happened the year before. If OSU is looking for Smith to fill the offensive void Buford and Sully has created... they are in trouble. Smith's skillset is best used 2 ways... a 5th starter as a compliment to this year's other 4.... or the spark plug on next year's team. Not trying to be something he's not. All of course respectively IMO.

Could not be happier. DT will average 20 next year You guys are wrong about Smith jr. He is a solid player. He will only get better and better. Just like Lighty, he took so much heat his first 2 years it was rediculous.

I believe this youngman is making a wise decision. Sure he could chase...and make the big bucks, but in the interest of making himself a more well-rounded player in it for the long haul I believe he is making the right deciosn for himself.

Good on DT!!!

great news