Balanced Buckeyes Blow By Bulldogs
KK: double figures in 16 of last 17 gamesIs it just me or did that feel more like a summer league game as opposed to a tournament game?
Regardless, Ohio State took advantage of the Bulldogs’ sloppy play and their own hot shooting advancing to the 2nd round of the NIT with a 84-66 romp over UNC-Asheville.
The victory moved OSU to 20-13 giving Thad his 8th straight 20+ win season.
The Buckeyes shot a blistering 56% from the floor and 47% from distance hitting 10 triples in 21 tries. Jamar Butler did most of the damage beyond the arc hitting 5/10 en route to a 21 point, 10 assist night with Othello Hunter adding 16 points on 8/10 shooting.
Kosta Koufos also had the hot hand netting 15 points on 7/12 shooting while David Lighty added 13 points.
Butler, Koufos, Hunter and Lighty combined to shoot 28/47 (60%).
All of Lighty’s 13 points came in the first 10 minutes of the game with his last 5 capping a 10-0 run giving OSU a 27-15 lead with 10:06 to play. Although the Bulldogs were an inferior opponent it was nice to see Lighty actually look comfortable and in control.
To their credit, UNC responded with a 12-2 run of their own cutting the lead to 29-27 with 6:40 remaining before the Buckeyes closed with a 14-5 spurt to take a 45-35 lead into the locker room.
The opening half saw OSU score 22 points off 16 NC-Asheville turnovers but the Bulldogs shot 61% including 5/10 from deep to stay in the game.
The Bulldogs cut the lead to 53-46 at the 14:36 mark on a dunk by handsome Kenny George but would get no closer as Butler led a 12-4 run with 7 straight points boosting the lead to 65-50 with 10:36 left.
Vaudeville Kenny showed off his flat footed dunk skills scoring 12 points (6/7 FG) to go along with 11 boards and Reid Augst added 20 points and 8 rebounds in a losing effort.
The Buckeyes await the winner of the Cal / New Mexico tilt scheduled for Wednesday at 11pm. Ohio State will play the winner in St. John Arena on Monday.
OSU played more relaxed tonight, obviously with the pressure off.
Attendance wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be with students on break. I think there was between 7 and 8 thousand in there and they closed off the top.
Hopefully the younger players can continue to get better for next year while sending the seniors off with an NIT championship. Hopefully KK doesn’t get as hot as Conley did down the stretch and the tournament run last year. He needs to come back next year and I hope putting up impressive stats against this lesser competition won’t cloud the reality that he needs to come back. Im sure alot of agents are going to be whispering in his ear telling him to go, especially if he dominates these next few games.
The OSU Radio Network said they are going to play Monday night at St. John Arena vs. the winner of Cal/NM.
BRUTUS – 1
GODZILLA – 0
The Bucks looks OSU was ULTRA relaxed today and that was HUGE. Great job by coach Matta to get them ready to play with the pressure off. This also is looks good for next year as the baby Bucks are learning to deal with the daily pressure and they will get it all figured out for next year. Thad won 19 regular season games with and inexperienced bunch this year and he just missed the NCAA tourney–next year we will contend for the Big – 10 title!!!
Let’s win the NIT and get another Banner to hang in the Arena and boost the confidence of the team!!!
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I didn’t think tOSU would come out with much fire b/c they were left out of the big dance. I’m glad I was wrong hopefully it can carry over to the next few games. I was impressed by how Lauderdale played and was not afraid of the big guy he will be very important next year if Koufus leaves, Lauderdale not George.
Anybody know when tix for the next game go on sale?
I’ve got a new poll question.
Would OSU have made it to the big dance with Nick Dials on the roster?
I was watching highlights and saw him leading his team, bombing 3’s. It got me thinking because all year it seemed like the Bucks needed one more experienced guard. He would have taken a ton of pressure off JB and they really only needed another win or two in the regular season.