Write On Sports LLC - "Con Man" by Gareth Sleger

Con Man

2007-03-29 04:50:05 | By: Gareth Sleger

It’s been said all season long: he’s the long-time teammate of Greg Oden and the son of a gold medalist Olympian.

While that may have been a satisfying way to define Mike Conley Jr. in early November, one can no longer deny what the 6-foot-1 point guard has become: Ohio State’s most valuable player, let alone freshman.

Coming into an OSU season hyped by Oden’s 7-foot, 280-pound man-child frame and the mid-range game of freshman guard Daequan Cook, Conley’s presence was taken for granted. He’s been considered just a branch on the Oden redwood ever since the two played together in AAU and high school. (Sure, he was second behind Oden in Indiana’s Mr. Basketball voting, but you’d be lying if you said you could name another second place Mr. Basketballer on a whim.)

But when Oden went sidelined for the Buckeyes’ first seven games of the season (where good teams are most prone to being upset), Conley proved that missing the big guy at his side wasn’t going to be a limitation.

In OSU’s very first game of the season, a 107-69 win over VMI, Conley’s game control and court vision was instantly displayed. The point guard set up an explosive offense with ten assists and only two turnovers against a pressing VMI defense (not to mention the five steals he added).

It was a performance that set a consistent pace of assists, points and steals for the rest of his season and instilled confidence in a young player whose talent was virtually being credited to that certain 7-footer.

From then on, the question went from “What would Conley do without Oden?” to “What would Oden do without Conley?” and finally, “What would Ohio State do without Conley?”

His wise-beyond-his-years-brain for the game led the Buckeyes to a 15-1 Big Ten record and the best scoring offense (74.7 points per game) in a conference known for its stringent defense. And in 37 games, his first class dribble penetration has earned him 11 points a game (third on the team) and helped him easily set (and counting) a school record of 226 assists in a season. He also secured a season freshman record with 83 steals.

But it’s been his performance in the tournaments that has certified his underrated MVP status for Ohio State.

In the Big Ten Tournament, Conley scored an above average 14 point per game, including an 18-point, 8-assist (both game highs) performance against Wisconsin in the championship game. And that wasn’t the first time he trounced the Badgers veteran-lead team. He clinched Ohio State’s Big Ten title over the Alando Tucker and company with a poised penetrating floater with four seconds to spare, giving the Buckeyes a 49-48 win.

Then from the second round through the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, Conley went into overdrive, averaging season-high 19 points during a three-game span (only falling behind Ron Lewis’ last-gasp senior surge of 24.6 points a game). And while Lewis’ buzzer-beating game-tying 3-pointer was the saving grace to force No. 9 seed Xavier into over time (in which Oden sat fouled out), it was Conley who won the game for the Buckeyes (78-71). He scored 11 of OSU’s 16 overtime points and his own 21 points.

Conley’s importance to Thad Matta’s Buckeyes came to a head in the Elite Eight against a streaking Memphis team that led Conference USA in fewest points allowed. The understated PG played every minute of the 92-76 OSU win, even taking on less of a providing role. His two assists was a season low, but he kept up with his above average scoring (19 points, going 9-10 from the free throw line), proving yet again he can beat you in so many ways.

Heading into OSU’s Final Four match-up with No. 2 Georgetown, there are many uncertainties. Will Oden or Roy Hibbert win the low post battle? Can Lewis keep up his scoring romp? How will Matta handle the versatile Jeff Green?

The only thing certain for Ohio State at this point is Mike Conley Jr. will continue to define the Buckeyes’ season.

Comments

John Michaels commented,
Im sorry Garth, I didn;t see this article. I'm not a big basketball fan. Maybe write about the Galaxy, Dodgers, or Cubs!!!!!! That would be awesome!!! You Rock Garth!!!!!!!
June 13, 2007 3:50 p.m.

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