To have a good time SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s faculty 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 following 30 days—Monday by means of Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full record right here. We’ve additionally obtained 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 recreation icons, stealing the nation’s hearts with their mix of youth, expertise and tenacity.
Below the steering of Coach Thad Matta, the Buckeyes performed basketball prefer it was an artwork type. They zapped the ball round effortlessly seeking an open man, giving up beauty for higher seems to be. The ball moved seamlessly from one set of fingers to a different till it will definitely discovered its approach down the online.
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 Cook dinner made up the core of this Buckeyes squad. Freshman phenoms with the composure of seasoned vets, these Buckeyes had been able to make a reputation for themselves from the very first recreation.
Oden was a towering drive hailing from Lawrence North Excessive College, the place he developed shut on-court chemistry with fellow freshman guard Mike Conley. Oden’s sheer drive within the paint was unmatched, whereas his tender contact across the rim solidified him as a sure-fire top-two decide within the NBA Draft. In the meantime, Conley’s crossovers would go away defenders frozen, whereas his acrobatic finishes surprised hundreds of followers.
Their dominance and chemistry could 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 an announcement win towards Iowa within the common season, Oden exploded for 29 factors and 10 rebounds, with Conley working the present with 10 dimes.
The scariest factor about this Ohio State workforce was that the offense didn’t simply finish with Oden and Conley. Senior guard Ron Lewis might catch fireplace shortly, whereas Daequan Cook dinner would put the workforce on his again along with his momentum-swinging pictures. And there was Jamar Butler, a rim-punishing presence within the paint.
The Buckeyes workforce was dynamite with sufficient firepower to blow up at any immediate and ignite the gang with their exhilarating play.
And explode they did within the Huge Ten, cruising previous groups on the best way to a league-best 15 wins, solely dropping one alongside the best way. The Huge Ten wasn’t simply their playground; it was their empire, and so they dominated it with an iron fist.
Nevertheless it was within the insanity of March that the Buckeyes actually shined. With the eyes of the nation upon them, Ohio State launched into a postseason journey that might showcase the expertise and grit of the workforce. Victories over powerhouses like Georgetown and Memphis showcased their expertise and resilience, exhibiting the world that this workforce had what it took to hoist the nationwide championship trophy.
For all Buckeyes followers, these had 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 celebs it produced, the historic comebacks and dominance—will stay on.
Photographs through Getty Photos.