Scarlet and Game
Fansided

Ohio State Basketball: Chris Holtmann Must Recruit These States Hard

By Charlie Lockhart

Former Ohio State point guard Aaron Craft will be retiring from basketball after he plays in The Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Former Ohio State point guard Aaron Craft will be retiring from basketball after he plays in The Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Thad Matta of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on November 30, 2016 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Cavaliers defeated the Buckeyes 63-61. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Thad Matta of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on November 30, 2016 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Cavaliers defeated the Buckeyes 63-61. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

2011 

  • Shannon Scott  Norcross, Georgia
  • Amir Williams  Franklin, Michigan
  • Trey McDonald  Battle Creek Michigan
  • LaQuinton Ross  Burlington, New Jersey
  • Sam Thompson  Chicago, Illinois

This recruiting class was oozing with potential but never lived up to the billing of their No, 7 ranking. There were always issues with the class. Whether it was lack of chemistry or lack of effort, something always held them back.

Yes, they were a part of many wins over four years, but that’s because they were led by the 2010 recruiting class. Just take a look.

When there were at least three starters or key contributors from the 2010 class.

  • 2011-12   31 wins   NCAA Final Four
  • 2012-13   29 wins   NCAA Elite Eight

Now when Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith were the last remaining players from the 2010 class

  • 2013-14   25 wins   NCAA Round of 64

When they were seniors and the leaders of the team.

  • 2014-15   24 wins   NCAA Round of 32

There were fine performances by individual players that should be acknowledged though. Once LaQuinton Ross got his act together, he average 15.2 ppg his junior year before heading for the pros, but not the NBA.

Shannon Scott was a fine player for the Buckeyes but often had to play out of position. With Aaron Craft running the show, he didn’t get to play his natural point guard position as often as he would have liked to.

Sam Thompson, the one player from the big three states, certainly excited Buckeye fans with his thunderous dunks for four years. He was also an effort guy on the defensive end.

Now, what can you even say about this next class?

Home/Ohio State Basketball