COLUMBUS -- When the seniors on this year's Ohio State basketball team get together for a group shot, William Buford looks to his left, then to his right. The photo then tells the story of what Buford has known for some time.
He is a class of one for the Buckeyes.
Through a series of quirks in recruiting, early departures, and extended stays, the Libbey graduate is the lone senior on a team with just one junior, six sophomores, and four freshmen.
The Ohio State junior is Boston College transfer Evan Ravenel, who sat out last season, so Buford is the resident old man, no matter how you slice it.
"We're such a unique team with one senior and a junior that's never played for us," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said yesterday at the Schottenstein Center as the Buckeyes prepared to formally open practice for the 2011-12 season.
Matta said he is not concerned about the preponderance of youth, and the corresponding fact much of the leadership role lands on Buford's shoulders.
"I think he's ready for what's coming at him," Matta said.
Buford (6-foot-6, 220) played a critical supplemental part in Ohio State's run last season to Big Ten regular season and tournament championships, and a second straight Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. With Jon Diebler, David Lighty, and Dallas Lauderdale providing the senior leadership, Buford and freshman All-American Jared Sullinger made a big impact on the floor.
"It's definitely different this year, but I'm really comfortable with my role and what I'll need to do for this team to be successful," Buford said. "I look at it as a big responsibility, but one I'm ready for, and a real honor, too."
The former three-time City League player of the year for Libbey moves into his senior season at OSU with a glittery resume as a Buckeye.
Buford was the Big Ten's freshman of the year three seasons ago, then a third-team all-Big Ten choice as a sophomore when he started all 37 games and averaged 14.4 points per game, second on the team behind national player of the year Evan Turner.
Buford duplicated that scoring production last season as the Buckeyes went 34-3. The former Ohio Mr. Basketball and Division II high school Co-Player of the Year from 2008 was named second team all-Big Ten last season.
"Will has accomplished a lot since he's been here, so guys just naturally look up to him," sophomore guard Jordan Sibert said. "He's earned our respect.
"The coaches can teach and tell us what to do, but it's great to have someone like Will out there to show us. He tries to be vocal at times, but his best leadership really comes out when he is leading by example."
Buford's high school coach with the Cowboys, Leroy Bates, said he thinks his former standout can move seamlessly into the senior leader role with the Buckeyes.
"Will is basically a quiet guy, but he'll talk when he needs to, and he'll back it up, too," Bates said.
"People might see him as a little more reserved, but everybody around him understands his focus. He wants to win."
Bates said he does not expect Ohio State to see an animated and amplified Buford this season, but instead a more subtle style of leadership.
"With Will it's more a case of 'I'll lead if you're willing to follow' and in a lot of cases that works much better than having a guy who is just being vocal all of the time," Bates said.
"Ohio State has a fine senior leader in William Buford, and I think everyone down there already knows that."
Buford and the Buckeyes play an exhibition game against Walsh on Nov. 6 in Value City Arena before opening the season at home against Wright State on Nov. 11.
Contact Matt Markey at: mmarkey@theblade.com, 419-724-6510 or on Twitter @MattMarkey.
First Published October 14, 2011, 4:15 a.m.
