How about this scenario for Ohio State?

If Evan Turner and William Buford both return to Columbus after this year, the Buckeyes will be the favorite to win the national title in 2010-11.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself – especially since I think it's a bit far-fetched that Turner will return for another year – but after watching big man Jared Sullinger dominate game after game in July, it's hard not to think about the lineup that Thad Matta could put out there down the road.

SF – David Lighty
PF – DeShaun Thomas
C – Jared Sullinger
PG – Evan Turner
SG – William Buford

That's a scary starting five that can match up with anyone, and the bench would include shooter Jon Diebler, Greek big man Zisis Sarikopoulos, Dallas Lauderdale and freshmen guards Jordan Sibert, Lenzelle Smith and Aaron Craft.

Ohio State coach Thad Matta told me earlier this month that Turner will see plenty of time at point guard this season in an effort to get his best five players on the floor as often as possible.

FONTAN RETURNING TO FORDHAM

After the administration and Fordham coach Derek Whittenburg refused to release star guard Jio Fontan, the sophomore floor leader will remain at the school for this season.

"He didn't want to go to junior college and felt like this was the best decision for him," said Fontan’s father, Jorge. "We’re going to go back to Fordham."

Fontan played well for Puerto Rico's U19 team in the World Championships and according to sources, didn't want to take the entire year off from playing – which is what he would have done in junior college so he didn't lose a year of eligibility.

Fontan averaged 15.3 points last season, but it's hard to imagine this working out for a team that finished 3-25 last season – and one that has a lame duck coach in Whittenburg.

EASTERN ILLINOIS IN GOOD SPOT

Eastern Illinois coach Mike Miller finally has a roster with all of "his" guys.

Let's face it. That's what every coach wants.

"We think we've got a chance," Miller said. "We've got basically our whole team back from last year."

Two players from Miller's first recruiting class – seniors Romain Martin and Ousmane Cisse – will be the leaders of the team. Martin has led the team in scoring each of his three seasons while Cisse has led the team in rebounding all three of his years on campus.

Guards T.J. Marion and Tyler Laser also return for the Panthers.

Miller is looking for redshirt freshman James Hollowell, who suffered a stress fracture in his foot last season, to come in and make an immediate impact along with 6-foot-8 freshman Shaun Pratl out of Illinois.

Miller also said that the Ohio Valley Conference took a hit with a few of the top players graduating – Mike Rose, Lester Hudson and Drake Reed – and that will open it up for the rest of the league a bit.

"We've finally got balance, experience and the personnel," Miller said. "I think we'll be as competitive of a team as they've had here since 2001."

That's the last time Eastern Illinois won an Ohio Valley title.

RANDOM NOTES: One of the best shooters and kids I've ever come across doing this job, Rhode Island's Jimmy Baron, signed with Mersin Turkey. ... Wake Forest Director of Basketball Operations/Player Development Mike Muse has resigned to pursue other opportunities. ... Centenary, best known for producing former NBA big man Robert Parish, will make the transition from Division I to Division III after the school's board of trustees voted on the move. Centenary will compete in the Summit League for two more years.