Thad Matta and the Buckeyes have had it’s up and downs this season, but one thing has remained consistent is the play of D’Angelo Russell. To quote the late great Stuart Scott, D’Angelo Russell is as cool as the other side of the pillow. The freshman combo guard for The Ohio State Buckeyes has arguably been the best player in the Big Ten as well as one of the top players in the country. The talented freshman has a calmness to his game that is rare for a player his age, and he can create and score with the best of them.
Russell is having one of the best season’s in Ohio State history as a freshman. Russell is averaging 19.6 ppg, 5.0 rbs, and 5apg per game. No freshman since Michael Redd has had the scoring impact that Russell has had in his first year. Jared Sullinger could have easily scored 20 or more points a game his freshman season, but he was surrounded by a heavy dose of talent and it wasn’t necessary for him to go out and score 25 to keep Ohio State in games. The same can’t be said for Russell’s Buckeyes as he is required to do a lot of heavy lifting for the team. The Buckeyes have failed to get consistent play from Amir Williams, and a few others, but without Russell the Buckeyes would be at the bottom of the Big Ten. The Buckeyes have plenty of time to give Russell a little more help as the season progresses.
Having Russell blossom in his freshman season is a great recruiting tool for Thad Matta. Guards coming out of high school can look at Ohio State to see that Matta runs a guard friendly offense, and if you are good enough, you will be on the floor no matter what. When Russell committed to Ohio State Buckeye fans knew they were getting a talented player, but it’s safe to say that he has met and exceeded all expectations.
Recruiting McDonald All-American’s have been hit or miss for Matta. Jared Sullinger and DeShaun Thomas were All-Americans during their time at OSU, and guys like Shannon Scott and Amir Williams are far off in terms of what was expected of them coming to OSU. With Russell, many people figured he could be a Jeremy Lamb (UCONN) type of player on the collegiate level, but he has even surpassed that. Russell and his fellow freshmen teammates have been a real treat for Buckeye fans. At the NBA level Russell may be better suited for the point guard position, because of his excellent basketball IQ and passing ability. It’s hard to display that ability on a consistent basis when running the pick and roll with Amir Williams, but the NBA scouts are aware of what he can do.
The more I watch Russell the more I believe he is one of the five best players in the country. That may be a stretch to some, but if Ohio State didn’t have No.0 they would definitely have a hard time scoring points and being competitive with the teams in the Big Ten. When you have a player of Russell’s caliber it always gives you a chance to win no matter the circumstances Russell has been a great addition to Ohio State, and Buckeye fans need to cherish while he’s there, because after this season, the D’Angelo Russell show will carry on into the NBA.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him playing for my Lakers soon