To have fun SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s school groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, data and chips aren’t the primary issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural material.
For the subsequent 30 days—Monday by way of Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full record right here. We’ve additionally bought an unique retro collegiate assortment, out now, that pays homage to every squad’s threads. Store right here.
Within the heartland of basketball, the place scarlet and grey reign supreme, the ‘06-’07 Ohio State Buckeyes emerged as sport icons, stealing the nation’s hearts with their mix of youth, expertise and tenacity.
Beneath the steering of Coach Thad Matta, the Buckeyes performed basketball prefer it was an artwork type. They zapped the ball round effortlessly searching for an open man, giving up attractiveness for higher appears. The ball moved seamlessly from one set of fingers to a different till it will definitely discovered its approach down the web.
That isn’t to say that the Buckeyes didn’t let the person prowess of their gamers shine. Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Prepare dinner made up the core of this Buckeyes squad. Freshman phenoms with the composure of seasoned vets, these Buckeyes have been able to make a reputation for themselves from the very first sport.
Oden was a towering power hailing from Lawrence North Excessive Faculty, the place he developed shut on-court chemistry with fellow freshman guard Mike Conley. Oden’s sheer power within the paint was unmatched, whereas his gentle contact across the rim solidified him as a sure-fire top-two choose within the NBA Draft. In the meantime, Conley’s crossovers would depart defenders frozen, whereas his acrobatic finishes surprised 1000’s of followers.
Their dominance and chemistry can be the motor on which the Buckeyes operated. Conley would blow by defenders and discover Oden within the paint, who mercilessly punished anybody who dared to leap with him. In a press release win towards Iowa within the common season, Oden exploded for 29 factors and 10 rebounds, with Conley operating the present with 10 dimes.
The scariest factor about this Ohio State group was that the offense didn’t simply finish with Oden and Conley. Senior guard Ron Lewis might catch fireplace shortly, whereas Daequan Prepare dinner would put the group on his again along with his momentum-swinging pictures. And there was Jamar Butler, a rim-punishing presence within the paint.
The Buckeyes group was dynamite with sufficient firepower to blow up at any instantaneous and ignite the gang with their exhilarating play.
And explode they did within the Large Ten, cruising previous groups on the best way to a league-best 15 wins, solely dropping one alongside the best way. The Large Ten wasn’t simply their playground; it was their empire, they usually dominated it with an iron fist.
But it surely was within the insanity of March that the Buckeyes really shined. With the eyes of the nation upon them, Ohio State launched into a postseason journey that may showcase the expertise and grit of the group. Victories over powerhouses like Georgetown and Memphis showcased their expertise and resilience, exhibiting the world that this group had what it took to hoist the nationwide championship trophy.
For all Buckeyes followers, these have been heart-crushing moments that also hang-out them to today. However so long as the scarlet and grey flies excessive, the legend of the ’07 Buckeyes—for the celebrities it produced, the historic comebacks and dominance—will stay on.
Images through Getty Photographs.
