Pathetic.
In a season filled with countless second half collapses, today’s edition was easily the most painful as the Buckeyes managed just 10 points over the final 15 minutes turning a 43-39 lead into a crushing 58-53 home loss to Wisconsin.
The loss dropped Ohio State to 17-10 overall and 8-6 in conference play. The Buckeyes have now dropped 4 of 6 and with the remaining schedule it’s probably time to get those NIT travel plans set. Oh wait, nevermind. Judging from the numerous empty seats on display today, nobody plans on going anyway.
While the Buckeyes again hung close, the game was essentially over after Wisconsin answered a John Diebler three that gave OSU a 49-47 lead with a 7-0 run capped by an uncontested Brian Butch jumper from the left elbow. The bucket put Wisky in front 54-49 with 6:33 left and OSU managed just one made field goal (Turner) and two free throws the rest of the way.
Butler’s free throws cut the deficit to 56-53 with 3:15 left and OSU had a chance to tie it on three consecutive possessions but spastic, unorganized offense led to 0 points on 0/4 shooting including a Butler airball that Wisconsin converted into a dunk putting an exclamation point on the end of Ohio State’s NCAA hopes.
I had a feeling another collapse was coming after the Buckeyes failed to take advantage of Wisconsin’s sloppy play (12 TO) and Brian Butch’s foul trouble allowing the Badgers to tie the game at 32-32 at intermission. Butch scored 6 points in the first 4 minutes before picking up his 2nd foul with 14:53 left and Wisky out in front by a 8-4 margin.
With Butch on the pine, five different Buckeyes scored fueling a 13-2 run giving the Buckeyes a 17-10 lead just before the 8 minute TV timeout but constant failures to identify the shooter in the zone allowed the Badgers to hit three straight triples before a Koufos dunk provided the 32-32 halftime score.
It was all uphill from there as the Badgers committed just 2 second half turnovers while turning up the defensive intensity. The increased pressure combined with the Buckeyes’ propensity to settle for threes caused Ohio State to shoot just 27% (7/26) over the final 20 minutes including 3/11 from downtown. Ohio State attempted only 6 threes in the first half and scored 32 points. Go figure.
Held out of the starting lineup for an undisclosed reason, Butler led Ohio State with 14 points but he was hardly effective. His continued trend of poor shot selection led to a 5/14 afternoon and his 4 turnovers against 5 assists simply wasn’t good enough. As in the Michigan game, Butler continuously picked up his dribble 35 feet from the basket nearly causing a few five second calls or turnovers. I love the kid but I’m wondering if he’s given up on this team and this season.
Another senior, Othello Hunter, continued his inconsistent season coming out strong with 9 points and 4 rebounds in the first half before registering 0 points and 2 rebounds in the second. In his defense, Hunter didn’t see much action in the second stanza but at this stage of the season I’d just as soon see Thad give the bulk of Hunter’s minutes to Dallas Lauderdale in preparation for 2008.
Lauderdale logged his most minutes since January 9th (8) and responded with 3 points, 5 boards, a block and 0 turnovers. I know he’s not the second coming of Moses Malone but he’s got a Big Ten frame and youth on his side.
Fellow freshman Kosta Koufos managed another double double with 10 points and 10 boards to go along with 2 blocks and 0 turnovers. As expected, he got bullied at times but his 5 offensive rebounds show he is getting a little tougher. I still say the kid is developing at a good pace for a big man and he’ll be a force if he comes back – at the 4 spot next to BJ Mullens.
Koufos’ classmates Evan Turner and Jon Diebler both struggled today combining for 7 points on 3/10 shooting while grabbing just 2 rebounds against 3 turnovers in 54 collective minutes. Turner was especially clueless, losing Jason Bohannon in the zone on a few trips.
David Light wasn’t much better missing 6 of 8 shots with 3 boards and 2 turnovers in 30 minutes while Wiggler helped out with 3 points and 5 boards in 22 minutes.
I’m interested in what Matta can do with the one day he has before the Buckeyes travel to Indiana to face the Hoosiers Tuesday night on ESPN. It could get ugly as IU will be on an emotional high in their first home game since Sampson was shown the door for letting his fingers do the walking.
Whatever. The important thing…was Pryor there? Did he look like he was having a good time?
Not sure I understand your comment but yes, Pryor was there.
Were Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell there?
I know man. It seems every loss follows the exact same formula. I’m not sure which is worse – the fact I expected us to lose another close one at home or the fact that I expected the amazingly high amount of empty seats for a nationally televised home game on a sunday afternoon.
What was up with Koufos not shooting that 3 when the shot clock was winding down at the end of the game? He seemed to have enough room but passed to Butler who was forced to shoot that ridiculously long 3. Too many times this year I’ve seen the team passing on open shots. Yes, Diebler has struggled this year, but in order to get out of a slump you just have to keep shooting. Past Matta teams just jacked em up which is why this year has me somewhat puzzled.
I agree koufos passed up a better look than what butler got. It looked they actually had a set play called but it broke down then everbody freaked out a little bit resulting in an airball on the biggest possession of the game. Not pretty.
Out of curiousity, can anyone who attended the game offer up an opinion/observation of how Turner fared running the point in Butler’s absence in the first 4 minutes since CBS was showing the neverending battle between ND/SYR?
If Crater can’t handle the point next season, it will likely be left to Turner.
Is it really that hard to catch a basketball?
It’s round. It has grips.
Buckeyeplanet (a site that I am being to hate more and more by the day, freakin’ Gestapo run the place) posted a story that said TP wouldn’t comment on recruiting but was surrounded by Tressel, Daniels, and some of the 08 recruits. Speculation ::cough cough:: that he would visit Penn State next weekend and make a decision.
Still, you have to like our chances against Penn State.
I love what Matta has done for the program, but his refusal to make any in-game changes boggles the mind.
This was the third OSU game I’ve watched this year, along with the IU and @ Michigan games. I have to say I’m very disappointed in Jamar Butler this season. He constantly impressed me over the past two years, and I expected to see big things from him on a young team. It’s one thing for Turner and Lighty to make bonehead plays, but Butler should be above that by now. He made bad decisions throughout the loss today. Without Butler performing at a high level, OSU is doing nothing this season.
Thanks for stopping by IU Fan. We’ve all pretty much come to the realization that OSU is doing nothing this season, but there’s always next season!
Butler was very good until about the midway point of the season (especially on the road when we needed him most) then he started to fatigue and now he’s fatigued and frustrated. Not a great way to wind down a stellar Buckeye career. I still wouldn’t be surprised if he regrouped and won us a couple games. It’s hard for me to watch his recent games considering all his contributions the last 4 years.
David Lighty better get his act together.
or what? matta has already reduced his minutes because of the turnovers. who else can they play? it’s obvious that the coaches have absolutely no faith in p.j. hill to spell butler for even a minute. butler is clearly worn down and i’m sure that contributes to some of his frustration. this was a very winnable game – not only was it at home, but wisconsin is not that good of a team. inconsistent play and erratic effort at both ends of the floor. definitely an uphill climb now.
Hey Chris, I was being a bit facetious. I included a /sarcasm line at the end, but put it in carrots, so it was lopped off as illegal html. :)
The 2nd half was pretty painful to watch, horrific offense. If I were a bull, I wouldn’t worry too much about the Buckeyes hitting me in the ass with a bass fiddle..
I can’t comment too much…I fell asleep during this snoozer.
I feel badly for Jamar. I think his frustration is bleeding into his play, and perhaps his behavior in the locker room. His shot selection in the 2nd half was from desperation, not being a ball hog. At least he has that going for him.
I thought the crowd was pretty reasonable, at times, though the empty student seats ticks me off. There was a Dispatch article about it earlier last week, and the ticket director is absolutely right. The students have no right to complain about not getting enough tickets, or not sitting in good seats, if they can’t fill the seats they do have. It makes us look terrible.
I guess the ticket office is exploring the possibility of allowing upper-deck students to fill in seats in the lower area once the game gets started. Sounds smart.
Purely speculation, but I heard Butler wanted to quit the team. After that performance I can’t blame him. I’m sure quitting the team your senior year would help your draft status. He missed 9 shots while Turner/Diebs took 10?! Turner had some issues yesterday, but the more he is involved in the game the better he plays. Yet Butler (or the coaches) makes no effort to get him or Diebler involved offensively. Those two are the only chance this team has at success. Butler looked like a brick layin’ ball hog in the 2nd half. I can’t believe I’m saying that so please someone speak up if that is way off base.
I dont think its off base but I think its shameful if any rumors of Butler quitting are true. I know he didn’t want to be the defacto leader but he knew he was going to be heading into the season. I am personally grateful for all he’s done in his 4 years but to let his frustration with the team’s play lead to possibly quitting is inexcusable. He’s been through adversity before so I’m thinking there has to be other factors involved. Regardless, it definitely looked like he quit on the team with his play and body language.
Gotcha, Dan…as it turned out, pryor’s visit was the most positive thing about the day anyway…