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Preview: #13 Ohio State vs. West Virginia

Ohio State Buckeyes #13 Ohio State 9-0, 0-0 Big Ten Roster | Schedule 4:00 PM ET - CBS —— The Schott Columbus, OH West Virginia Mountaineers West Virginia 9-2, 0-0 Big East Roster | Schedule

Ohio State and West Virginia meet for the first time since 1995, starting a home and home series that will conclude next year in Morgantown. The Buckeyes won that '95 meeting 77-68 and hold a 9-5 series advantage, but have lost 5 of the last 6 between these two teams.

Of course, this also marks the return of Bob Huggins to the Buckeye state, who in is two years at WVU has guided the Mountaineers to a 35-13 record.

Huggy Bear was born in Morgantown, but played his high school ball in Ohio, which was followed up by a playing career at WVU, along with coaching stints at Ohio State, Akron and Cincinnati.

This game could be rough of the eyes for a while, so don't be surprised to see this one in the 50's. Huggins teams are always tough nosed, with great defense and outstanding rebounding abilities, while OSU is still figuring out new roles for everyone since Lighty's injury.

#NamePTSREBASSTPOS#NamePTSREBASST
2 Jeremie Simmons 7.1 2.8 2.7 G 25 Darryl Bryant 11.3 2.2 2.8
33 Jon Diebler 10.4 2.9 2.0 G 22 Alex Ruoff 17.0 3.6 2.8
44 William Buford 7.4 3.1 0.7 F 1 Da'Shean Butler 15.5 6.2 1.5
21 Evan Turner 16.9 6.8 3.1 F 35 Wellington Smith 6.5 4.1 1.1
52 Dallas Lauderdale 8.0 4.9 0.2 C 3 Devin Ebanks 7.5 6.7 1.4

Opponent

West Virginia got an early Christmas present when Alex Ruoff returned from injury last Saturday. He went for a school record 9 three's and scored 38 points in their victory over Radford on Tuesday. The lone senior on this team, Ruoff has averaged double figures in each of the past two seasons and attempts over 8 three pointers a game. Ruoff and Butler provide a dynamic 1-2 scoring punch, combining for 92 points over their last two games.

As a team, WVU is scoring 74.6 points a game, on 43.6 percent shooting overall and 33.3 percent from downtown. The stat that scares me the most is their 43.2 rebounds per game, with a little bit less than half of those coming on the offensive end.

On defense, they are allowing just 56.1 points a game, ranking them 13th in the country and are outrebounding their opponents by almost 10 per contest. They give up just 10.5 assists and teams are shooting 40.2 percent against them.

Huggins will primarily use 7 players, unless Joe Mazzulla returns from his injury. Kevin Jones and John Flowers will lead the way off the bench, scoring 5.9 and 6.5 points respectively. WVU has beaten Iowa (by 19) and Ole Miss, but has lost to Davidson and Kentucky.

Buckeye Breakdown:

The Buckeyes will have another chance to dominate in the paint, after outscoring UNC-Asheville 40-20 from there on Monday. The Mountaineers have four starters between 6'6" - 6'9", but Dallas and BJ combined for 30 points and 15 rebounds Monday. Neither one started and I expect Dallas to be back in the lineup Saturday, but as Chris said earlier this week, perhaps Matta will start Madsen again in order to steal early minutes and keep the twin towers out of foul trouble.

There are a couple of keys to Saturday's game that the Buckeyes will have to do in order to keep the nation's longest winning streak alive. First, the team rebounding effort must continue, especially on the defensive side. Ohio State has given up 31 offensive boards in the last two games and have outrebounded only three opponents thus far.

Secondly, the balanced scoring has to be there Saturday. OSU put four players in double figures Monday, Mullins (19), Turner (17), Buford (16) and Swatterdale (11), while Diebler and Simmons struggled to a combined 2-9. There are 6 players that could go for 15 any night and as long as at least 3 are reaching that mark each game, their season will continue to be a success. They simply must continue to drive the ball and put pressure on the defense.

One other thing to look for tonight is Evan Turner controlling his game from the elbow. Against most defenses, that space is constantly open and Turner started utilizing his abilities from there this week. If WVU allows him to catch the ball there he could put up another monster game, but the funny thing is, that is what we have come to expect from this rising star anyhow.

Etc

  • This is the fifth 9-0 start in OSU history (Thad has two of them) and the Bucks have reached the tourney the previous four, including two titles games in '61 and '62.
  • The Buckeye have not lost as a ranked team versus an unranked team at home since Dec. 16. 1980, a span of 41 games.
  • Verne Lundquist and Clark Kellogg will call the game for CBS.
  • This is a huge sports day for WVU, taking on North Carolina in their bowl game at 1pm.

Comments

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Ohio State Basketball on 26 Dec 2008 - 5:37pm #

Loving the outfit.

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Chris on 26 Dec 2008 - 5:47pm #

Yeah. It looks like something Rita Rod would wear had she not had that operation years ago.

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State Titles on 26 Dec 2008 - 10:34pm #

[...] Preview: #13 Ohio State vs. West VirginiaThis is the fifth 9-0 start in OSU history (Thad has two of them) and the Bucks have reached the tourney the previous four, including two titles games in ‘?1 and ‘?2. The Buckeye have not lost as a ranked team versus an unranked team at . [...]

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JoeScarlet on 27 Dec 2008 - 12:22am #

That suit's only job is to hide vomit stains.

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Ernie on 27 Dec 2008 - 12:45am #

Mountaineers by 30. By the way, Lauderback is a bum.

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Anonymous Internet Person on 27 Dec 2008 - 2:23am #

Thanks for stopping by. By the way, your blog is an insightful mess of quoted articles with absolutely no commentary. You should trade in one of your three remaining teeth for some writing lessons.

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BuckeyeChief07 on 27 Dec 2008 - 12:00pm #

Ernie, pretty stupid of you. Mountaineers by 5, by 10, whatever. But 30? Get real.

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Olentangy on 27 Dec 2008 - 1:05pm #

Where do you buy yellow shoes? Maybe Ringo Starr has an extra pair that he can sell.

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sean on 27 Dec 2008 - 1:44pm #

Please, this is possibly the finest, most updated OSU blog out there, visiting fans, don't foul it up with stupid taunts, keep it real.

That being said, the key in my mind is to get the threes working today, both teams are fairly young, with some good bench players. Height also matches up well with us having the advantage of a seven foot back up center who's only getting better each game. Getting Diebs back on track will be really important.

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Poe McKnoe on 27 Dec 2008 - 3:26pm #

I <3 Chris Spielman. West Virginia is easier to like now that Rich Rod is gone. They aren't half as good as they were, but easier to like.

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Poe McKnoe on 27 Dec 2008 - 3:27pm #

I think those are his Lugz.

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iball on 27 Dec 2008 - 3:49pm #

Reacting to comments by WVU fans is the same as KSU fans, pointless.

You'll never be us. Stop hatin'.

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Chris on 27 Dec 2008 - 6:01pm #

"ern" was just playin'...game time, fellas...I am very eager to see how OSU handles WVU's ability to hit the o-boards. Could be the story of the game unless Huggy dumps vodka in the team gatorade and gets ejected in the second half for trying to dry hump matta's wife...

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BuckeyeChief07 on 27 Dec 2008 - 6:23pm #

This just in off of ESPN's year in review...

Jan. 7: LSU wins the BCS Championship Game when the Ohio State Buckeyes decide to leave after the first quarter to beat traffic.

Sad, but funny and true.

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poguemahone on 27 Dec 2008 - 6:30pm #

Starting out slow, a proud Thad Matta tradition.

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poguemahone on 27 Dec 2008 - 6:32pm #

Not complaining about it, just amusing in its consistency. Team is still playing well.

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Poe McKnoe on 27 Dec 2008 - 6:33pm #

Deibler looks confused-ler.

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Sgt. Elias on 27 Dec 2008 - 6:47pm #

Diebler has the shooting funk again, 0 for 5

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buckeyebrowny919 on 27 Dec 2008 - 6:56pm #

finally hit one....this game is pissing me off...looks like street ball out there

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poguemahone on 27 Dec 2008 - 7:02pm #

As rotten as our shooting seemed/was in the first half, we're only down seven. Threes are getting frustrating, on both sides. I'd prefer a few more high percentage shots, but I'm not a coach for a reason.

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poguemahone on 27 Dec 2008 - 7:04pm #

Of course, that's always been my criticism of Matta: we seem to chuck it up at the first vaguely open look every time we get down the court, but that strategy wins so many games, it's hard to criticize too much

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poguemahone on 27 Dec 2008 - 7:25pm #

Well, this is looking like our first loss of the year. Good to see Matta getting in everyone's face.

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Sgt. Elias on 27 Dec 2008 - 7:26pm #

Terrible free throw shooting

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poguemahone on 27 Dec 2008 - 7:35pm #

Yeesh, it's a blowout now. Huggins'd.

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Tom Blogical on 27 Dec 2008 - 7:47pm #

Is it me, or are the guys just mailing it in right now?

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poguemahone on 27 Dec 2008 - 7:48pm #

Sadly, Ernie is looking rather correct. We simply don't look like the same team from the ND and Miami games. Oh well. Fortunately, this sport has a playoff, and this team can simply shrug off this loss and move on.

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buckeyebrowny919 on 27 Dec 2008 - 7:50pm #

yeah it's just a loss..but it's also a statement to everyone who has seen this game...we didn't just lose..we're down by 25 to an unranked foe...this is rough..ugh

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poguemahone on 27 Dec 2008 - 7:52pm #

I love Kellogg giving it to us. He's in pain, it's obvious.

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poguemahone on 27 Dec 2008 - 7:55pm #

'eers by 30. Ernie is no less of a pompous ass by the way.

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GoBucks89 on 27 Dec 2008 - 8:00pm #

We should never wear those ugly gray uni's again. This game should be enough reason to put 'em away for good.

BTW, Brett Bielema has to be the dumbest head coach in all of college football. Not only did he not challenge FSU's questionable first TD, but he decided to try to pass his way out of bad field position with 1:38 to go in the half despite having Dustin Scherer at QB. Not a smart move.

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Poe McKnoe on 27 Dec 2008 - 8:27pm #

Fail.

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Aaron on 27 Dec 2008 - 8:44pm #

EPIC....fail

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GoBucks89 on 27 Dec 2008 - 8:58pm #

Another opportunity for Bielema to challenge. He probably won't win, but you just have to at least try to get a reversal.

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Poe McKnoe on 27 Dec 2008 - 9:00pm #

Argh. Wisconsin is a comedian.

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GoBucks89 on 27 Dec 2008 - 9:02pm #

Another horrendous call goes against Wisky. I guess Brett has just decided it's not their day because he didn't argue that one either.

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Ernie on 27 Dec 2008 - 11:54pm #

Sorry...I was wrong. Only 28 today.

Obviously nobody here knows me, but I was mainly joking anyway. I work with Chris and just wanted to rouse him.

Good victory for the 'eers. The Buckeyes are much better then what they showed today.

Good luck the rest of the way.

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