Kamd50
03-12-2007, 01:53 AM
Ohio State big man hits the right emote at Purdue's expense
(http://www.post-trib.com/sports/mutka/292436,oden.article)
March 11, 2007
By john mutka Post-Tribune senior correspondent
CHICAGO
Up close and personal from his fuzzy beard down to his gunboat shoes, Greg Oden looks more like a gentle giant than Ohio State's menacing ringleader.
So his primeval scream, coming after a frightening dunk which finished off Purdue with 2:47 left, inspired a gasp from 20,000-plus suitably impressed fans.
Normally as expressive as a cigar-store Indian on the court, the fabled freshman surprised everybody, including himself, with the outburst.
"You might not see emotion for another couple of weeks," he said, smiling faintly. "No, it was just in the heat of the game."
So were his 19 rebounds in the semifinals, which represent a Big Ten tournament record. Not bad for a 7-foot phenom whose debut was delayed for seven games because of wrist surgery.
His expansive frame slouched over a tiny stool in Ohio State's locker room, he conceded the wrist is operating at 80 percent efficiency.
Afterward, Oden felt no particular urge to thump his chest over flogging Purdue for the third time. Even though he grew up just 75 miles away from West Lafayette, it's obvious he feels no connection between Purdue and Lawrence North High School.
"When I was a freshman," he said, "I went to a football game there. That was it."
Some wonder if he chose Ohio State because of a prior relationship with Thad Matta, who used Butler as a springboard to Xavier and Ohio State. Not so.
"I didn't know him when he was at Butler," said Oden.
His matriculation to Ohio State incurred the wrath of in-state loyalists, who seem unfamiliar with the concept of freedom of choice.
"I got it (hate mail) earlier," he admitted. "It quieted down."
Thankfully, the idiots eventually relented.
When Purdue coach Matt Painter was asked who he might compare Oden with, he reminded media with short-term memories of Gary's Glenn Robinson, who dominated the Mackey Arena landscape for two years.
"As a player I would probably want Glenn Robinson ... ," he said. "As a coach I'd take Greg Oden because he dominates the game."
It was obvious Saturday. He contributed nine offensive rebounds to OSU's 16th consecutive win. That matched Purdue's team total. Oden also blocked three shots deep in the second half, which kept Purdue at bay.
"Even if he doesn't block a shot," said rival Carl Landry, "he's going to alter it because he's very athletic and long."
Using his speed and movement, the 6-7 senior evaded Oden for 24 points, but managed just two rebounds.
Purdue David Teague talked about Oden with reverence.
"You still, during the course of the game," he said, "you catch yourself in awe ...
"I mean he's so gifted. You try not to get caught up in watching him while you're playing the game."
Today, Oden & Co. face a different challenge. Wisconsin features Alando Tucker, the Big Ten player of the year.
Against Illinois, Tucker overhauled Michael Finley to become UW's all-time scorer. Twenty-one points give him a career total of 2,166.
(http://www.post-trib.com/sports/mutka/292436,oden.article)
March 11, 2007
By john mutka Post-Tribune senior correspondent
CHICAGO
Up close and personal from his fuzzy beard down to his gunboat shoes, Greg Oden looks more like a gentle giant than Ohio State's menacing ringleader.
So his primeval scream, coming after a frightening dunk which finished off Purdue with 2:47 left, inspired a gasp from 20,000-plus suitably impressed fans.
Normally as expressive as a cigar-store Indian on the court, the fabled freshman surprised everybody, including himself, with the outburst.
"You might not see emotion for another couple of weeks," he said, smiling faintly. "No, it was just in the heat of the game."
So were his 19 rebounds in the semifinals, which represent a Big Ten tournament record. Not bad for a 7-foot phenom whose debut was delayed for seven games because of wrist surgery.
His expansive frame slouched over a tiny stool in Ohio State's locker room, he conceded the wrist is operating at 80 percent efficiency.
Afterward, Oden felt no particular urge to thump his chest over flogging Purdue for the third time. Even though he grew up just 75 miles away from West Lafayette, it's obvious he feels no connection between Purdue and Lawrence North High School.
"When I was a freshman," he said, "I went to a football game there. That was it."
Some wonder if he chose Ohio State because of a prior relationship with Thad Matta, who used Butler as a springboard to Xavier and Ohio State. Not so.
"I didn't know him when he was at Butler," said Oden.
His matriculation to Ohio State incurred the wrath of in-state loyalists, who seem unfamiliar with the concept of freedom of choice.
"I got it (hate mail) earlier," he admitted. "It quieted down."
Thankfully, the idiots eventually relented.
When Purdue coach Matt Painter was asked who he might compare Oden with, he reminded media with short-term memories of Gary's Glenn Robinson, who dominated the Mackey Arena landscape for two years.
"As a player I would probably want Glenn Robinson ... ," he said. "As a coach I'd take Greg Oden because he dominates the game."
It was obvious Saturday. He contributed nine offensive rebounds to OSU's 16th consecutive win. That matched Purdue's team total. Oden also blocked three shots deep in the second half, which kept Purdue at bay.
"Even if he doesn't block a shot," said rival Carl Landry, "he's going to alter it because he's very athletic and long."
Using his speed and movement, the 6-7 senior evaded Oden for 24 points, but managed just two rebounds.
Purdue David Teague talked about Oden with reverence.
"You still, during the course of the game," he said, "you catch yourself in awe ...
"I mean he's so gifted. You try not to get caught up in watching him while you're playing the game."
Today, Oden & Co. face a different challenge. Wisconsin features Alando Tucker, the Big Ten player of the year.
Against Illinois, Tucker overhauled Michael Finley to become UW's all-time scorer. Twenty-one points give him a career total of 2,166.