Butler's 22 paced OSU
Let me start my praising Time Warner for not yet striking a deal with the Big Ten Network. If not for both of those bloodsuckers, I would've been forced to watch tonight's painful 70-68 upset loss to Findlay in a sober state.
Thad Matta's squad simply didn't match Findlay's intensity, especially at the defensive end of the floor losing the rebounding battle 34-27 (13 offensive) while surrendering 10 threes. The lack of passion combined with another poor night at the stripe (11/17 64%) was more than enough to hand OSU their most embarassing defeat in the Thad Matta Era.
Just as concerning was the disappearance of Othello Hunter who finished with 0 points and 1 board in just 13 minutes due to foul trouble. Hunter's absence forced freshman Kosta Koufos to try and do it all inside. Up to the task, Koufos notched 16 points in the 2nd half (20 total) to keep the Buckeyes in it.
With Koufos scoring down low, Jamar Butler showed some leadership from the perimeter scoring a game high 22 points including 5 triples but it wasn't enough as the Buckeyes failed to produce a third double digit scorer. Freshman Jon Diebler finished with 9 points (3/6 3's) and my man Matt Terwilliger scored 8 points on 3-3 shooting but the Buckeyes got just five from a cold shooting (2/9) David Lighty.No-show's from Hunter and Lighty got the Buckeyes in an early hole as Findlay led by 13 (30-17) with just over 6 minutes in the first half before Butler keyed a 16-5 run to close the gap to 35-33 at the break.
The second half featured Koufos as the Buckeyes continuously pounded the ball down low but they simply didn't turn up the pressure enough to keep Findlay from knocking down timely treys.
Looking at the bigger picture, this loss could become a positive serving as Exhibit A for the necessity of playing 40 minutes of hard nosed defense. I'm sure Matta can tolerate scoring only 68 points but allowing 70 points to a Findlay sqaud is not acceptable. Something tells me you'll see a more committed defensive effort when the Buckeyes start the regular season next Monday night against Wisconsin - Green Bay.
On a positive note, I thought PG P.J. Hill looked a little more under control registering 6 assists and 2 steals against 2 turnovers in 20 minutes and Terwilliger was key in the first half run. That said, this team has very little chance to make some noise if Othello Hunter can't be counted on to help out down low at both ends of the floor.
In the meantime, let's not make too much of what is hopefully a crucial learning experience for a team counting on a handful of true freshmen amongst just a few seasoned contributors to last season's magical run.
Comments
Wow. Not in a million years would I have thought the Bucks would lose tonight. Good thing it's only an exhibition and you're right about Matta getting something to teach (kill the team on suicides) on.
That is a surprise, but Michigan State did the same thing this past weekend. Anytime a team hits some 3's they have a chance. Thank goodness it was an exhibition and on the BTN (so no one saw it). It will be a benefit to the coaches heading into the season.
I have a DirectTV install on Friday and I'm glad I didn't get to see it either.
[...] He was right. From the OSU side of things, the few that are paying attention to hoops this time of year are stressing that this was from a lack of effort, not a lack of talent. From the Ohio St. blog Eleven Warriors: [...]
I had a feeling this was going to happen. "Yeah right" you say... Well yesterday RadThad made a comment to the media about this. I can't recall the exact words but the gist was this: He said that he had prepared them for what Findlay was going to do and that Findlay would probably make some minor changes right from the start. He then went on to say that after he sees what Findlay is doing he is going to call ONE timeout and tell his players exactly what they need to do to combat the changes. If they don't do what he says he is NOT going to call another timeout to explain it again and that his players will have to deal with what happens from there on out. I think he RadThad knew something was just not right. Did anybody else hear his comments on 1460 to clarify what I am babbling about?
I have BTN and I saw the game. We were doing well at the beginning of the game but then Coach Matta removed four of the starters at one time. A few minutes later, he took out the last of the starters, so that we had all reserves in the game. It was at that point that the game started to unravel quickly, so I give the coach partial blame. Most people have already commented on the lack of effort in defense and rebounding, and I saw the same thing. I also saw a lack of discipline on offense in the first half as there were many opportunities to get the ball inside to Koufas or Lauderdale and they just didn't do it. They did a better job of this in the second half, but some key misses at the stripe by Koufas foiled that strategy late in the game. Still, I saw some flashes of what could be a killer offense if Koufas, Butler, and Diebler are in the game at the same time. The big man is unstoppable one-on-one, and the other two will kill you with threes if you double-team. If implemented, this will be the foundation of our success on offense this year I believe. One other thing Chris mentioned that was dead on: Othello Hunter was a non-factor. That might have been the most disappointing thing of all, considering how well he played down the stretch last year. Last night he looked like he was back to square one.
Best thing that could have happened to this team. Now they might realize that talent alone is not going to win at this level and that the coaches might actually know something. It may be Christmas before they really come together as a team.
I heard the same thing from Matta, Harold. He didn't do any special preparation for Findlay, because he wanted to see how this team adapts to adversity and coaching during time outs. It will take some time for this team to develop the defensive intensity needed to win, but I think this loss helps Matta. He can point to this game the rest of the season and preach the little things that are needed to win. This is also why I love college hoops, the 3 pointer is the great equalizer and these veteran smaller schools can beat Goliath any night. The Bucks will be fine, because Matta is their coach and the talent is there.
Don't disappear on me Hunter, I have you with an all conference like season.
Hunter not showing up was the difference. Findlay is a good D2 team, but..
[...] Tuesday night [...]