Box,
Yes, last year's team was good, Box, but nothing compared to this year. I think even Eddie has said that offensively he has never had a more talented team at OSU. All five starters (Graham, Allen, Lucas, McFarlin, and Bobik) are capable of putting up 20 on any given night. Graham, Allen, and Lucas can all create their own shots and get to the rim. That is really all you need to know, because defense is a given with Sutton at the helm. Chemistry-wise, this is absolutely the best that Eddie has ever gotten to coach at OSU. Sutton-led teams really need great point guard play to be special. Victor Williams was a "me-first" type of point guard. Before Victor, OSU was led by Mo Baker at PG. He was also a "me-first" guy, but also he needed to be because that team lacked offensive punch. In fact, this is the first year since Doug Gottlieb was OSU's PG, that we actually have a distributor, unselfish type. That team went to the Elite Eight and lost to Florida. The difference is that Doug was a woeful shooter from outside as well as the FT line. All he could do is pass, which he did very well. But, teams would absolutely beg him to shoot and wouldn't even guard him, which gave opponents a major advantage. Not since Brooks Thompson was point guard has OSU had an "all- around point guard" (shooter, passer, and ball-handler). Coincidentally, that team went to the Final Four in 1995. Of course, Big Country Reeves was a big part in that success. Regardless, you get my point (no pun intended). Lucas can score with the best of them when needed, but he has the true team concept and is happy getting the ball where it needs to be. Only time will tell how well this team does in the tourney. Every team that goes far needs a certain amount of luck and breaks to go their way, but IMO this team certainly has all the tools needed for a deep run. Also, whether you like him as a person or not, Eddie Sutton and his staff have the ability to out-coach other opponents' coaches, which is also a nice luxury to have during tournament time when games so often go down to the wire.
Good Luck to All,
-JC
