Bucknutin' But Net

I just don't see where he fits in. He is a true point but we obviously already have a point guard that will be playing 35 minutes a game. I feel for him to get any significant playing time he or craft need to be a better 2 guard than Smith or Thompson and I do not think that is the case.

Question is: who plays in a close Big 10 game in late February? In the NCAA tourney in March?

There are 200 total minutes available. Assuming no foul trouble for anyone, I predict something like the following: Craft and Thomas come out for short breathers only; I see them playing a combined 75 minutes (of 80 possible). Lenzelle is a known commodity. Thad trusts him. He will improve. Give him 30 minutes. Williams and Ravenal are the only true post players who will see PT. So, they take all 40 minutes at the 5. But, I see Williams playing 25 of those and Ravanel playing another 5 minutes at the 4. That's 150 minutes (Craft + Thomas (75); Smith (30); Williams (25); Ravenal (20)). 50 minutes left for Ross, Thompson and Scott. I see Ross and Thompson each playing 20, with Scott playing 10.

There you have it. 8-man rotation of Craft + Thomas (75); Smith (30); Williams (25); Ravenal (20); Ross (20); Thompson (20); Scott (10).

I like this analysis but we know late in the season the starters will play the majority of the minutes even if the back-up has close to the same talent. I think early on Thompson and Ross will both get about 20-25 minutes each until one emerges. Once one does the other will have reduced time. In this case I think they are both really good so I think time will be taken from other players also. in late February I see the minutes as followed.

Craft-38
Smith-32
Ross-32
Thomas-36
Williams-30

Thompson-15
Ravenal-10
Scott-7

I see Williams getting tired and doesn't seem to show a lot of energy after a while so I see him getting 30 minutes just for rest sake. And although I like Smith, he lost time last year for thompson so I see Smith at 32 minutes

This next season depends on the player development to determine who gets how many minutes for most of these guys. Craft and Thomas are locks at their starting positions but the other positions are up for grabs. Smith showed some promise during the NCAA Tournament. Williams is better suited to play center than Ravenel. I think MacDonald will get some playing time next season. Ross playing is going to be determined by how much he can pick up during the offseason. Matta preaches defense. Sam Thompson is just too good athletically to sit on the bench and he is a decent defender. There is going to be a ten man rotation with Della Valle who can shoot the three ball which will go down to eight by the end of the season. The front line is the only part of the Buckeye game that bothers me this next season. Need to play Williams and MacDonald at the same time, Ravenel is too slow versus athletic big men. The Big Ten doesn't have many athletes at the center position so Ravenel will be safe.

But I say he has a lot of room to improve because he is a good athlete and last year was his first year playing. His shot is a little weird but it works. And, he is a very good dribbler and passer and can get to the rim a little and I think he will improve on this as he gets more assertive. I see him as having a lot of overall skills that can all get a little better

Scott gets time to run the point so Craft can play shooting guard.

Scott and Craft along with Thompson will get BIG minutes,because Matta is a defensive coach and they are all beast on defense!
They all 3 must develop an offensive game before next season,none are true shooters or scorers.