Day One
The first day of practice seemed to be more about building continuity than it was about actually playing competitive basketball. Players from both teams went through fundamental workouts, with the guards focusing on shooting drills and the big men honing their post skills. An East vs. West scrimmage then followed, and the results were not pretty. The West team, which was led by the four recruits headed to Ohio State next season (Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., Daequan Cook, and David Lighty), absolutely dominated the East squad. The future Buckeyes led the way to their teams astonishing 43-10 victory. What makes this more impressive was that the scrimmage was only 20 minutes long and with a running clock, and the players did not shoot free throws on shooting fouls, instead just taking the ball out of bounds as if it were a non-shooting foul.
Greg Oden- 70, 240 lbs; C; Signed with Ohio State
Oden made it clear that he was going to make up for his mediocre performance at the McDonalds game, coming out seemingly with a chip off his shoulder and looking to destroy any opposing player that he went up against. He was totally dominant on both ends of the floor, blocking or altering every shot taken in the lane on the defensive end, while showing an improved offensive game on the other end of the floor. Oden brought out his full array of post moves Friday, including a remarkably quick spin move to the baseline and even a left handed hook shot out of the post. He established himself in the first day of practices as a man amongst boys, a trend that would continue throughout the entire weekend.