Ohio State PF #6 - DeShaun Thomas (*****) - Page 18 - ScarletBuckeye

OSUBasketballJunkie · 12-24-2011, 12:17 PM

Scout.com$

Thomas Post Miami (Oh).................

OSUBasketballJunkie · 12-28-2011, 09:37 PM

Rivals.com$

Thomas quietly stays hot as Buford goes off.........William Buford stole the show against Northwestern, but Deshaun Thomas continued a six-game stretch of success. It's evident the smooth-shooting Thomas has found his groove.

PHATBUCK13 · 12-29-2011, 03:09 PM

Through 14 games (13-1) ~

2011-12 Season
PPG RPG FG%
15.9 4.1 53.7

PHATBUCK13 · 01-12-2012, 04:13 PM

Deshaun doin work in HS (2 mins)...

PHATBUCK13 · 01-12-2012, 04:23 PM

Through 18 games (15-3) ~

2011-12 Season
PPG RPG FG%
15.3 4.2 55.3

PHATBUCK13 · 01-17-2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Thomas seeks to stay humble, play hard
Former Luers standout thrives at Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Deshaun Thomas didn't hesitate. Why should he? He's a high-scoring sophomore forward on a championship-caliber Ohio State team and all things remain possible.

Yes, that means not losing another basketball game.

“Oh, yeah,” he said when asked whether the No. 6 Buckeyes could win out. “If we come out and play hard and do what we're supposed to do, we can win another Big Ten championship.”

Such titles have become the norm in Columbus. They've won three championships in the last five years, including the last two.

Thomas, a former Bishop Luers standout, was a freshman role player on last year's title team. Now he's a starter and emerging star. He averages 15.1 points and 4.1 rebounds, and shoots 55.3 percent from the field, including 63.0 percent inside the three-point line. He's learned to play defense to coach Thad Matta's liking.

He understands his strong start, and that of Ohio State (16-3 overall, 4-2 in the Big Ten), is not guaranteed to last all season. It's about perspective as much as effort, focus as much as skill.

“For me, the keys are keep my head in, stay humble and play hard,” he said. “For the team, it's coming together and staying as a family. Once we're together, good things happen.”

Good things happened Sunday against Indiana. The Buckeyes jumped on the Hoosiers early en route to an 80-63 win. That was payback for Ohio State's 74-70 loss in Assembly Hall on Dec. 31.

“It was great revenge,” Thomas said. “We came out with fire and intensity. We had that intensity because we've been practicing real hard. We had three good practices before the game. You practice as you play and it showed (Sunday).”

IU entered the game as one of the nation's best shooting teams, but was dismantled by the Buckeyes' defensive ferocity. The Hoosiers shot 27.3 percent in the first half while scoring a season-low 14 points.

“We got after it,” Thomas said. “That's what it's all about. When we play great defense, we're a helluva team.”

Added teammate Jared Sullinger: “It was like Coach Matta said. We wanted to get up in their jockstraps and blow up their (offensive) sets.”

Foul trouble limited Thomas to 21 minutes at Indiana on Dec. 31. He scored a season-low five points, one of only two games this season he's failed to reach double figures. He bounced back on Sunday to total 11 points (on 5-for-9 shooting) three rebounds and three assists.

“It was about staying focused,” he said. “In Assembly Hall I had two quick fouls and Coach sat me. This time I came out with more intensity. I got a couple of offensive rebounds, a couple of layups, some jump shots. Just being more active out there. It's about whatever the team needs me to do to win games.”
Winning is the top priority.

“We have to keep on the train, keep moving on, stay focused and try not to lose another one,” Thomas said.

Thomas seeks to stay humble, play hard - News-Sentinel.com

PHATBUCK13 · 01-17-2012, 07:40 PM

Deshaun Thomas, Indiana Postgame

OSUBasketballJunkie · 01-21-2012, 11:25 PM

OSUBasketballJunkie · 01-26-2012, 11:47 AM

PHATBUCK13 · 02-08-2012, 10:45 AM