Monday, September 27, 2010

Don't be afraid of competition

By Ray Glier

Ohio State has to replace its point guard, who also happened to be the team’s leading scorer. Evan Turner did a lot of things for the Buckeyes and he will be missed.

When I talked to Thad Matta, the Ohio State coach, he was not ready to immediately turn the point guard duties over to veteran guards David Lighty, William Buford or Jon Diebler.

Instead, he said he wanted to get a look at freshmen guards Lenzelle Smith and Jordan Craft.

Sounds silly, right? Matta has four returning starters, Lighty, Buford, Diebler, and 6-foot-8 Dallas Lauderdale. Ohio State also has incoming freshman Jared Sullinger, a forward who some regarded as No. 1 or No. 2 high school player in the country.

How could there be room in the starting lineup for a freshman?

There might not be when the games start, but Matta is intent on creating an atmosphere of competition. He is not going to let the four upperclassmen waltz into a starting spot. They are not safe.

One of the things Matta emphasized is that he is not sure which of the freshmen might be able to handle the rigors of the Big Ten, which is going to be loaded this season. What if Craft or Smith are just what the Buckeyes need: Guards who knows where to go with the ball and value ball security?

The Ohio State coach wants competition. The heck with seniority.

Just look at the University of South Carolina’s football team. The Gamecocks’ veteran quarterback Stephen Garcia is thriving and Steve Spurrier told me he has no doubt that it is because of freshman Connor Shaw. Shaw enrolled early in January and learned the playbook and has become a quarterback who can be trusted. He is breathing down Garcia’s neck and competing for the starting job.

Here is what has happened. Last season, Garcia was prone to take off running and not carry out a play because he didn’t think it would work. If he does that now, Spurrier will yank him out of the game (and did so during the Gamecocks’ recent game against Auburn.

The lesson for kids is don’t be afraid of competition. The goal is to improve. Have fun, but get better.

The good coach is going to create competitive situations.