Lighty: 10 pts, season high 8 boards (AP: LaPrete) Coming in with huge back to back wins over ranked foes in their pocket, Ohio State looked sluggish throughout but had just enough to edge Butler 54-51 today in the Schott.
Maybe it was a combination of not playing for a week while taking final exams, a noon tip, and the high of being ranked for the first time this season.
Either way, it wasn't pretty but the Buckeyes still improved to 6-0 making plays when it mattered most including a strong defensive stand over the last 3:55 that saw OSU hold Butler scoreless after they had tied the game at 51 on Gordon Heyward's seventh three-pointer of the day. In fact, after Heyward's game tying triple, OSU forced him to miss his final three shots as Butler went 0/6 from the floor to finish the game.
Though the Buckeyes struggled at times to locate Heyward leading to his 25 point outburst on 8/15 from the floor (7/11 triples) they held his teammates to a paltry 7/32 (22%) and forced 19 turnovers.
Offensively, there were few bright spots especially in a second half that saw the refs slow the game to a crawl with continuous whistles. Those whistles allowed the Buckeyes to showcase their weakness at the stripe going just 16/28 (57%) including 1/5 from David Lighty.
Another downer offensively was the lack of player and ball movement leading to just 6 assists on 15 field goals (Butler assisted on 13 of their 15 FG's). Amazingly, the Buckeyes had just 3 assists over the final 35 minutes after Evan Turner assisted on 3 of OSU's first 4 buckets.
Jeremie Simmons continued his cold shooting (1/6, 1/5 threes) adding only two assists against a season high 3 turnovers. His backup, Anthony Crater, saw only 6 minutes of action - just enough time to launch another three - meaning he's still yet to attempt a two point shot in his college career. Seriously.
There were some positives, however, as Lighty shed his invisible cloak to score 10 points (4/7 FG) and grab 8 boards while Turner added 14 points, 5 boards, 4 steals and 3 assists to go along with his customary 3 turnovers. Diebler also hit a couple nice threes coming off screens to finish with 8 points (3/4 FG, 2/3 triples) though I still think he needs to look inside more. His season FGA tally now shows 75% of his shots are threes (36/48).
Down low, Swatterdale turned in another solid effort with 9 points, 8 boards and 4 blocks. One of those was his second blocked three pointer this season drawing a standing ovation from the Buckeye faithful. His counterpart on block, B.J. Mullens, added 6 points and a pair of rejections. I thought he showed some great footwork on the last possession of the first half flashing a nice spin move to his left giving OSU a 29-23 lead at intermission.
As J.B. noted in the open thread, a sloppy, sluggish win could be just what the doctor ordered for this team. It gives the coaches plenty of coaching opportunities and keeps this team grounded after the wins over Miami and Notre Dame.
Hopefully, Matta has the elixir for an offense that really struggles with Turner on the bench though I'm not sure what the fix might be unless he can get Simmons/Crater to create more easy looks via the drive and dish. A little more from Wil Buford would help, as well. The freshman got 13 minutes today with Turner in foul trouble but failed to score (0/3).
Registering exactly one field goal in the final 12 minutes isn't going to get it done on most nights though the silver lining is defense is usually a constant and this team flat out plays a mean matchup zone.
Next up: the Jacksonville Dolphins next Wednesday at 9pm EST.
Comments
YOU'RE GOING DOWN, JACKSONVILLE DOLPHINS
RRRGGGHHH I HATE THEM SO MUCH
did anyone see the game? #2 is the worst pt guard on the team he must go. pj hill should get a shot.
Crater looked lost and lazy today.
You cant be serious, Tampa. PJ Hill isn't playing for a reason. At least Simmons and Crater have some potential. I'm seriously not trying to be rude but you are the only person I've ever come across either on the site, in person, or read in any media format wanting to see Hill on the floor. No way he's the answer. If he was, Thad would give him a shot unless there's some conspiracy against him I don't know about.
Simmons is still adjusting to big time hoops, no doubt about it. But he's not going to get better on the bench. Though he's struggling with his shot, at least teams are forced to defend him which you can't say about Hill. He never tries to score because he has no confidence in his shot and he's too slow to drive around anybody consistently so I don't see what he would add. It's not like he's a great passer. Even though I'm not happy with the PG play, I think Thad needs to stay the course.
As for Crater, he's struggling and I hate that he only looks for threes but he does play some stifling D at the top of the zone plus he's a true freshman. He needs playing time to develop and considering he's going to be here for 4 years, you can bet Thad isn't going to give him any DNP's in favor of a guy like Hill.
Just my $.02. I respect your opinion, just vehemently disagree with it.
The point guards job is to get open shots for his team. #2 doesn't set anyone up for starters. Second he takes the worst 3's ive seen since jamar butler was around. The only difference is J would make some of his. He sucks on d and crater and pj hill should get his mins.
Don't even get me started on BJ and Buford. Its time to live up to the hype. If we can get anything from the point guard we will be a top five team by years end. #2 is not the answer at point bottom line. Now we know why he couldn't make it a Iowa State. Weak d/ No outside shot/no dribble drive/no playmaking ability.
Having said that. Dallas is a 1st rounder if he keeps getting better on offense. I'm excited about this teams Future. Go Bucks
If the point guard's sole job is to get open shots for his team then why do you think Hill is the answer considering his 15 assists in 162 minutes last year? That is .09 assists per minute. Thus far, Simmons is performing at about the same clip (13 asst in 163 min or .08 assists per minute) which you are already saying is unacceptable. Throw in the fact Hill had 14 turnovers in his 162 minutes versus Simmons' only 5 turnovers in 163 minutes and the fact Simmons is actually averaging 7.2 points per game compared to Hill's 1.1 points per game and 2.8 boards per game compared to Hill's .8 and I fail to see why Hill should ever play. I can understand the argument that Crater maybe should get a few more of Simmons average of 27 minutes per game but not Hill.
Point gaurd isnt the main problem in my book.
Many time down the stretch they didn't seem to have reliable scoring option when they needed it. Turner had to create too many shots.
Leave Buford on the floor!!. He has the same points per minute and rebounds per game as Diebler. Plus just as many assists in half the minutes.
Diebler is in his 6th game of his second year and looks just as uncomfortable as the new guys. I say let the better athlete get his bumps and bruises and maybe he can turn into the much needed second scorer.
Diebler may come around but he still wont be better than Buford.
Swatterdale is averaging 4.5 blocks a game, he may be the real MVP so far.
A win is a win. They could have lost it at the end but held on with the three point lead.
woohoo! tim tebow lost!
errrrr.... i mean yay, sam bradford won...
I like the precedent of two back to back soph QBs winning the heisman. anyone know of a high profile highly talented QB at a big name university that will be a sophomore next year? bueller?