by Bob Baptist, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH , The Columbus Dispatch

The Big Ten, according to Buckeyes coach Thad Matta, has reversed a policy that prevented programs from taking commitments from, or signing, more players than they had room for in a given class. The change was made in reaction to holes left on rosters by players leaving early to play pro ball.

So while the Buckeyes roster is full now, it might not be next spring if junior Evan Turner and/or sophomore William Buford enter the NBA draft, or another player leaves for more playing time elsewhere.

"I wish you could have sat in this recruiting meeting we had today," Matta said recently. "This is really, really hard from the standpoint of not knowing (who will leave early) ... and trying to piece together a team. What do we need to recruit? It's mind-boggling."

The 10-day recruiting periods this month, when coaches can be on the road for camps and AAU tournaments, are July 6-15 and 22-31.

Matta said he would take only one more commitment to the 2010 class before spring, when the intentions of the current players are known. The five recruits already committed -- Sullinger, Aaron Craft of Findlay Liberty-Benton, Jordan Sibert of Cincinnati Princeton, Lenzelle Smith of Zion, Ill., and DeShaun Thomas of Fort Wayne, Ind. -- are expected to sign in November.

Identifying and evaluating younger prospects will be a higher priority this summer because, for the first time in years, the NCAA eliminated the head start coaches got in the evaluation process during the AAU season in April.

Seeing a lot of prospects beyond those in the 2010 class will be important for Matta because, depending on attrition over the next several years, he could have four or more scholarships to offer the classes of 2011 and beyond. Next season's team will include three seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and no freshmen.

bbaptist@dispatch.com

Box Story: Worth watching

Prospects in upcoming recruiting classes that Ohio State men's basketball coaches are expected to evaluate closely this month: \

PG: Point guard PF: Power forward W: Wing C: Center

Ohio prospects (central Ohio players in ***bold***)

\ 2010

PG Cory Joseph, 6 feet 3, Ajax, Ontario

PG Joe Jackson, 5-11, White Station, Tenn.

PF James Johnson, 6-8, San Diego

PF Adreian Payne, 6-9, Dayton Jefferson

W *** J.D. Weatherspoon, 6-6, Northland ***

\ 2011

PG Quinn Cook, 6-0, Hyattsville, Md.

W Jeremiah Davis, 6-2, Muncie, Ind.

W Markus Crider, 6-5, Huber Heights Wayne

PF Percy Gibson, 6-7, Detroit

W Brandon Kearney, 6-3, Detroit

C Zach Price, 6-10, Lakewood St. Edward

PG Chasson Randle, 6-1, Rock Island, Ill.

W Jakarr Sampson, 6-8, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary

PG Marquis Teague, 6-2, Indianapolis

PF Amir Williams, 6-10, Detroit

\ 2012

C A.J. Hammons, 6-10, Carmel, Ind.

W Kenny Kaminski, 6-6, Medina

PF *** Malik London, 6-8, Chillicothe ***

PF *** Elijah Macon, 6-8, Marion-Franklin ***

W DeJuan Marrero, 6-4, Gary, Ind.

PG *** Kyle Molock, 6-1, Dublin Coffman ***

W Ron Patterson, 6-3, Indianapolis

PF *** Jalen Robinson, 6-6, Northland ***

W DeVauntes Smith-Rivera, 6-3, Indianapolis

\ 2013

PF Demonte Flannigan, 6-6, Richmond Heights

W Mark Loving, 6-4, Toledo St. John's

W Mark Williams, 6-7, Cleveland Benedictine

W Dontonio Wingfield Jr., 6-4, Cincinnati Walnut Hills

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