Is Greg Oden really that good?
After 4 games Ohio State Center Greg Oden is averaging 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4 blocks per game, and he is shooting 73.5% from the field. Not a bad start to a college career; a career that will likely only last about 30 games. But is Oden really that good? Well if you consider the fact that he’s basically playing with just one good hand after having his right wrist operated just a few months ago. So yeah, I’d say that this guy is pretty good.Â
But what kind of competition has Oden faced in his brief career? That is where this argument can be made. Sure, the guy is talented. Very talented. Game #1 vs. Valparaiso, Game #2 vs. Cleveland State, Game #3 @ Cincinnati and Game #4 vs. Iowa State. Two teams that aren’t looked at as top-level schools, and the other two are having down seasons under first-year head coaches. Saturday’s game @ Florida will show us a lot. Oden & Company will face the Florida Gators, the defending National Champions. Will Oden have yet another big game? Or will he finally be overmatched and contained?
December 24th, 2006 at 12:15 am
I agree. Although I don’t doubt any of his abilities or unlimited potential, he hasn’t by any means shown anything that would put him under the superstar spotlight that the media has pigeonholed him in. I believe that any athletic 7 footer should be grabbing 10 boards a game and scoring without much contest against teams like Valpo, CSU, etc.
As we saw against Florida, he is going to have to work to defend his league elite status that has been bestowed upon him by just about every talking head in the nation.
If they should be crowning anyone for freshman of the year, take a good look at his teammate Mike Con. He is leading the Big Ten in steals and assists.
As a college basketball fan, you gotta love the no declaring rules…makes the game 10x more interesting to watch