Sullinger - "I'm going to be a Buckeye next year"

[Moranis]

"This isn't why I came here, to come in here and see my seniors in here crying. I came here to win a national championship."

"I'm a man of my word. I don't change my word and no one changes it for me. This is what I want."

Thad Matta

"Oh he's been telling me that all along. And I believe it. He told me, draw me up a contract, whatever you need to do. I believe him when he says it."

Well as a Buckeye fan I hope he stays.  Add him to Craft, Thomas, Buford, and the four 4* recruits Matta has coming in next year and the Buckeyes would have to be one of the favorites next year.

[CeltsAcumen]

Yeah, that might all be emotions.  Kid just lost a tough game.  I would bet his decision will change when he sees how much the #2 player will get prior to the NBA changing the rookie pay scale v. after they re-negotiate the CBA.

I am a UNC Alum, and I really hope Barnes and Henson stay, however if the CBA gets changed or even rumored to change, I expect both to head to the NBA.

Sullinger is going to the NBA.

[MBz]

It would be great for college basketball that is for sure. Any time the top notch guys stay its good for college basketball.  Though, the way things have gone in the past, I don't know if it'll happen or not.  Greg Monroe said the same thing last year after he lost and he left.  I do think this is the year a lot of guys will stick around though with the lock out on its way.

[celticinorlando]

I am an OSU alum that lives here in Columbus. Sully has said he is returning pretty much all season. I fully expect him back at OSU next season..BTW I hope UNC thrashes UK.

[CeltsAcumen]

I am an OSU alum that lives here in Columbus. Sully has said he is returning pretty much all season. I fully expect him back at OSU next season..BTW I hope UNC thrashes UK.

I hope he does come back as well.  I hope all the underclassmen come back.  College basketball is better with stars.

[Finkelskyhook]

Hopefully Matta is slightly more ethical than Tressel or Sullinger might not have any choice than come out. 

Hopefully Sullinger keeps his word.  He's sacrificing a lot by staying in school with the weak draft. 

Good post, CeltsAcumen

[MBz]

Hopefully Matta is slightly more ethical than Tressel or Sullinger might not have any choice than come out. 

Hopefully Sullinger keeps his word.  He's sacrificing a lot by staying in school with the weak draft. 

Good post, CeltsAcumen

He sacrifices more if he comes out and theres a lock out. Then he has a year with out being paid.

[Moranis]

His brother did graduate from OSU (another one went to OU I believe).  His family is fairly well off so he doesn't need the money in that regard.  He also has been saying all along he will be back and given the uncertainty in the NBA labor talks, it seems to make sense.  Though it could just be the emotion of the loss.  Time will tell, but I hope he comes back. 

[CeltsAcumen]

Hopefully Matta is slightly more ethical than Tressel or Sullinger might not have any choice than come out. 

Hopefully Sullinger keeps his word.  He's sacrificing a lot by staying in school with the weak draft. 

Good post, CeltsAcumen

He sacrifices more if he comes out and theres a lock out. Then he has a year with out being paid.

Yeah, as a Tarheel alum and fan, I am hoping this happens with Barnes, Henson and Zeller. 

Keep em in one more year so we can make another run at the title.

[MBz]

Hopefully Matta is slightly more ethical than Tressel or Sullinger might not have any choice than come out. 

Hopefully Sullinger keeps his word.  He's sacrificing a lot by staying in school with the weak draft. 

Good post, CeltsAcumen

He sacrifices more if he comes out and theres a lock out. Then he has a year with out being paid.

Yeah, as a Tarheel alum and fan, I am hoping this happens with Barnes, Henson and Zeller. 

Keep em in one more year so we can make another run at the title.

I'm a Heels fan too and I do agree. I think Barnes and Zeller definitely stay.  I am not sure on Henson yet.  Barnes just seems like an honest, humble kid.  He talked about how he picked UNC because they had a good business school.  Doesn't sound like someone who had the intentions of leaving right away.  If they win it all this could all change though.

[erisred]

All IMO, of course, but...

Sullinger is a very good (but undersized) college center right now. However, right now he would be just a fairly good NBA power forward. He needs to stay in college another year, maybe two. 

Sullinger needs to develop a good, consistent, 18 to 20 foot, jump shot to go with his low post power game. Ohio State is a better place place to do that than on an NBA lottery team. 

Sullinger with an 18-20' jump shot is another Karl Malone...a potential HOF player. Without it he's Paul Milsap plus 2", a shorter Al Jefferson with some defense...good, but never really great.

[Chris]

I think what Sullinger needs to become an All Star NBA player is to work with an NBA training staff.  Beyond that, I don't think college is going to do much more for him from a basketball perspective.

Of course, I don't blame him from pulling out from the draft though.  With the risk of a lockout, he could have no place to play (at least in the US) next year.  So, instead he gets to the king of campus for another year, and make another run at a championship, rather than risking sitting around a year, racking up debt, because he is not being paid, and no longer gets room and board for free at school, and missing out on an experience which may help him to continue to mature as a person.