The player: BJ Mullens, a 7′0″ 275 lb. freshman center.

The game: Ohio State Buckeyes (14-5) @ Indiana Hoosiers (5-14.)

The result: Ohio State 93-81.

Mullens, the top-ranked big-man prospect in the 2008-09 freshman class at the beginning of the year and a consensus lottery pick if he declares, came into the game averaging 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks a game.

What he did well:

  • Move. He’s not a stiff. He has good speed, quickness and agility for a 7 footer.
  • Weak-side defense. He showed good anticipation off the ball and was a capable team defender.

What he didn’t do well:

  • Everything else. He didn’t impact the game at all, and if he wasn’t such a highly-touted prospect, his name would never have been mentioned. He floated. He didn’t rebound, he didn’t work hard to establish position before he got the ball on offense or do anything when he did get get it.

The Verdict: Rotation big man. Most teams can use one of those, but any team expecting to get a star (which is what he was supposed to be) will be disappointed.