Rocked You Like a Hurricane
Before I get going, I think I heard Miami’s best player got tossed in the first half. Not quite sure though, Dave O’Brien didn’t cover it after the incident.
This game was simply a tale of two halves, as Ohio State erased a 36-22 halftime deficit en route to a 73-68 victory over #22 Miami. Thad was fired up on the sidelines during the first and that no doubt carried over into the locker room, because it was a completely different team in the second. I would have loved to be in that locker room, I’m sure Thad told security to hide the children.
The young Bucks came out flat and relied on the 3-point shot early, allowing UM to build a 16-4 lead 8 minutes into the game. During that span, Miami’s Jack McClinton nailed 3 threes and Evan Turner committed 2 offensive fouls, forcing him to the bench. However, after one more three pointer made by McClinton, he decided to throw an open handed swing at Anthony Crater and was rightfully tossed from the game.
The ejection seemed to benefit the U, as they played with more fire and passion the rest of the half and OSU was lucky to only be down 14 at the break. At half, Ohio State had 9 TO’s and took 16 of their 29 shots from behind the arc, making only 3 of them. By my estimation, there was 1 post entry pass from the wing.
Ohio State used a 15-2 run in the first 5 minutes of the second to pull within 1 point. The run was fueled by the fresh legs of Evan Turner, who finally started taking it to the rim and scored 6 of his 19 during that stretch.
The two teams would exchange mini-runs for the next 9 minutes, until Jeremie Simmons nailed his only bomb of the game, to put OSU up for good at 57-54. Ohio State then held Miami to just 10 points over the last 5 minutes of the game, to capture their first road win of the season.
Thad definitely shortened his bench against such a veteran opponent, going with Diebler and Lighty for the entire 40 minutes. Diebler took full advantage, going for a game high 20 points, including 6-12 from downtown and continued to show a better feel for the speed D1 hoops.
Turner once again showed why he is going to be all-conference, totaling (in one half) 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks, to go along with his 19 points. His steal and 360 dunk with five to go was a reward for his consistent driving to the rim in the second.
Lighty caught the fever and started imitating Turner, finishing with 11 points and 6 boards. Hopefully he realizes soon that he is not a 3ball specialist, going 0-6 last night, while making 5-6 inside the paint. I have always thought Lighty could drive with the best of them, I just never understood why he doesn’t hit that 8-10 foot jumper instead of making a twisting pass out of traffic.
As could be his achilles heel all year, Dallas Swatterdale was in early foul trouble and finished with 6 points on 3-3 shooting, to go along with his 3 caroms. However, Dallas captured a Sportscenter Top 10 plays spot with his facial on a Hurricane defender.
B.J. Mullens had his best night off the glass with 9, but simply is not getting enough touches inside and finished with only 5 points. The two combined for only 1-6 from the charity stripe and did a much better job of shutting down the offensive boards for Miami as the game evolved.
The numbers from the PG spot were respectable, as Simmons and Crater combined for 12 points, 5 assists and 1 TO. As a team, Ohio State committed only 1 turnover in the second, while creating 10 for Miami. Due to the shortened bench, William Buford missed his only 2 shots in 6 minutes and I don’t recall seeing Offut on the floor.
This team showed resilience and that’s attributed to Thad and his coaching staff. I hope people really appreciate him as a coach, he is one of the best out there and he will get a chance to prove it again this Saturday when OSU takes on #7 Notre Dame in Indianapolis.
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Matta really is one of the best in the game. Thank God he chose to come here, because I believe any traditional power would be lucky to have him on the bench. He should already have one national championship under his belt (if it wasn’t for a completely loaded Florida team) and with any luck, he’ll get one sooner rather than later. A better recruiter and emotional leader, there is none.
You can tell that Miami was fired up by the ejection of Jack McGirlslap, since they played with such fire. Ohio State looked not just flat coming out, but like a deer in headlights. But I told my bud (who was being quite pessimistic, and perhaps rightfully so) to remember the Tennessee game. Thad has got to have one of the best halftime speeches in the country, because as is becoming a hallmark of his teams, we came out in the second half like a whole new team.
And it seems The Bricklayer, Jon Diebler may have outgrown his nickname. Kid was not only dynamite, but actually clutch. Quite a few times, Miami nailed a big three to give them a jump towards taking the lead, only to have Diebler drop a bomb of his own.
But what I think the actual game came down to was MIAMI MISSED MCCLINTON. They came out after halftime, Ohio State made that run to get back in it, and Miami came unglued. They looked like we did last year when teams would punch and we would just cave. They needed a leader on the court. We had two in Lighty and Turner. That was the whole ballgame right there.
Only 1 TO in the 2nd half was huge…and I was really impressed with our composure. Turner’s play doesn’t surprise me but I loved what I saw from Diebs. I might finally be on his bandwagon. I also thought Mullens made huge strides. I don’t care about him only getting 5 pts because you can’t score if you don’t get to touch the ball but he showed a toughness that we’ll need in conf play (and saturday)…thad is a machine.
*Attacking the basket in the 2nd half was the difference for the Bucks. Watching the first half was like watching the Mike Davis coached Indiana teams.
*Diebler’s confidence is much higher this year and I like what I’m seeing. He can be the deadly kick-out option everytime Turner or Lighty goes to the hole.
*We’ve got to run more offense through the low block, whether that’s dumping it in to Mullens or Lauderdale for a shot or a pass, the ball needs to go down low more. That being said, Mullens has to learn to deal with the double team much better.
*It was a great illustration of DL’s wingspan standing next to Mullens with their arms extended. That’s just amazing. His dunk was downright nasty too.
*Our defense looks very good. We play hard and don’t give up. We’ve got to get better on the boards. Too many 2nd chances last night. There were many poor efforts to get in to good rebounding position.
*Thad is the man.
*This game will end up being a big feather in the cap come tournament time.
*Go Bucks!! Let’s beat ND!
I live in south Florida and my phone was ringing off the hook during the first half from Miami fans wanting to gloat and taunt me. Got a little quieter in the second half and then dead silent from 5 left in the game until now… 30 minutes after the game. I have some phone calls to return!!!!!!!!!!!! I am loving tonite…. how the hell did we win??? Either best coaching in the 2nd half or best choke job of 2008 (so far)….. nice personal foul to seal the loss douche bag McClinton. Crater reached in and should have had a foul called… McClinton reacted like a girl in a slap fight and got tossed….. dick!!!! We own the Canes and they know it. Can’t wait for the football home and home in 2010 and 2011—
Canes fans are all over the radio call in shows this AM….. bad call to kick Mcclinton out of the game… another bad referree call cost us a game against OSU. Boo Hoo assholes!D
Two quick notes:
1) According to the announcers last night, it is official, the ACC is now faster than the Big Ten. I do not think we are as slow as C-USA or WAC, but who knows…
2) Jack McGirlslap (LOL-good one)& Crater’s pre-slap contact was not a slum and I question whether or not Crater touched him. McGirlslap did not like someone getting up in his face. I hope he realizes that it is now open season on him getting played more physical.
Correction: scrum (as ESPN noted) not slum… Freudian slip in regards to Jack McGirlslap. Still like that line.
I normally really like Steve Lavin’s commentary, but he and O’Brien were really starting to piss me off last night. If McClinton can’t handle some incidental contact while he has the ball, maybe he should switch to a sport like croquet. What a douche. Great second half Buckeyes, make us even more proud Saturday vs. Notre Lame!
Diebler is finally looking like the player that everyone thought he was. I agree with the comments about entering the ball into the post. This has been a problem for a few years, going back to Oden. I thought even when Oden was playing we didn’t enter it enough. I don’t know if it’s the guards not wanting or able to make that pass or part of Thad’s coaching philosophy…but enough with the negativity. That was a great win for the young Buckeyes. I can’t wait to watch this team gel over the course of this year.
I have a few thoughts from last night.
I’ve never seen a guy slap another one in a basketball game. He deserved to get the gate, but shouldn’t get suspended anymore.
Crater is by far the best on the ball defender man is that guy quick.
Mullens did okay b/c for the first time he had a guy that could defend him on him all night. He made a nice little jumper and looked good on some moves, but if you have a tap in just tap it in don’t blow a dunk. Follow-up on Mullens please work on the FT’s
They should throw it in the paint more Mullens will learn how to pass out of the double team. They should toss it in and let Simmons and Deibler stay out to pop, and cut Lighty and Turner in.
I thought Madsen came in well under pressure when both of the other bigs had foul trouble he played their center okay and had a rebound or two. It’s nice to have a solid if somewhat slow 3rd option underneath.
Shows what I know. I noted that we needed Buford to get us about 14 off the bench in order to pull out the W. Guess that is why I am on here typing rather than on the bench.
Huge win for this team, to go on the road and knock off a ranked opponent. Should do wonders for the collective confidence. That being said, we better be ready to ball from the opening tip or the Weiss’ N Sneakers will drop 100 on us…
Mullens almost cost us the game by bricking those free throws with 2:30 left…..
Honestly, I’m not a big b-ball fan, as football consumes me, but last night was a great game to watch, def. gonna watch any games that are broadcasted nationally, Turner is NASTY but needs to learn the art of the pass….he drives the rock WAAAAAAAY too much
And Lighty has a really nice release, his shots just float and then drop perfectly
Unless he is standing behind the 3 point arc. Then they drop just perfectly on the rim.
Ski – Turner going to the hole changed the game for us and he had 4 assists in the 2nd half alone. I know it seemed like he was ‘hoggin’” the ball a bit, but his drives were creating a lot of offense.
Way better than just chuckin’ three’s like the first half.
I’m just grateful to see Ohio State pull its weight in inter-conference matchups – if not in football, I’ll certainly take them in basketball.
Purdue was a joke last night, but I thought the Big T(elev)en represented itself well yesterday. Way to go, Thad.
(I’m with Scott, though – if you’d told me Buford would have no points last night, I’d have thought we’d lost.)
Yea I guess your right Brother, but it did seem like he was just driving to the hoop incessantly, but the kickout was def. always there
One play in particular, when they used him as a diversion at the top of the key to pick the defender, and then dropped off to Lighty for the bomb, that was game changing
I was one of the main people criticizing Matta last night about our offensive game plan. He made some amazing half time adjustments and I am glad we pulled out the wing. I do how ever feel like the standing around on the perimeter is something that is all too familiar with Thad’s team and it is basic basketball to collapse the zone towards the middle. If we can get that team that showed up in the second half for 75% of the season we will be dangerous….Anyone else a little nervous with the ND’s 3 point shot against our zone?
How many subs played in the 2nd? Seemed that the starters played all 20 minutes which was good for the team’s outcome. They might need to do that often for the more difficult games of the schedule.
Swatterdale kicks ass, but could someone teach him how to make a free throw. It is painful to watch, even Ben Wallace has a better free throw shot and that is saying something.
It is amazing to me that a guy like Lauderdale has made it to this level without being able to make a free throw. I coach 7 year olds… they all are taught to stand on the line and make a free throw with proper form. That is just ridiculous… Lauderdale is fast becoming my favorite Buckeye on the team, but he needs to shoot 100 free throws/a day until he can do it properly. Unacceptable!
ND has 4 players averaging above 12 points a game. Thats scary. Two of those average above 20. Harangody is ND’s force inside. Rumor has it he was sick and may not be 100% but he is still better then Lauderdale and Mullens. McAlarney is there sharpshooter. This may be a game where Matta has to seriously consider putting Crater on McAlarney and hoping his quickness can slow him up a bit. Also, just an idea but man may work better against this team then a zone will since they shoot the 3 so effectively. Lauderdale and Mullens are going to have to keep Harangody in check and not allow him to dominate inside if we want a chance to win. He is a great player and very physical. Has a nice touch on his shot as well. Hey, maybe we can get him to punch Dallas and get thrown out of the game. LOL probably not. The announcers for last nights game were horrible. Seemed to me like they were for Miami. Especially concerning the McGirlslap shot at Crater. It was accidental contact that could have been called a foul. Was a bitch move by slap happy and really cost the game for Miami. Good win by the Bucks, hopefully they can use this as some momentum for this weekends game. Hoping for a win but, if we lost by single digits it would still be something to build on.
You can shoot 1000 free throws a day and still not make them in a game if you don’t have proper mechanics. His free throw form needs to be broken down and built back up. I’m sure coaches are trying, but in the heat of a game a kid doesn’t always “trust” his form because it doesn’t feel natural.
Kind of like me and my golf swing.
You can definetly see a difference in Lauderdale this year from last year defensively. The work he did in the off season has helped him in that aspect. As far as offensively he still has no game. Rebounds and put backs is about all we will get which could be enough. He still has no real post move. The only time I saw him attempt one was against BG and he was out of control and lucky the ball went in and the foul call went agaisnt BG and not him. Otherwise, havent seen much offensively from him and his foul shot is horrible. Still a young season and the more work he gets the better. Of course if he actually got touches that would help too.
@ Palm:
Laurderdale = Ben Wallace. He can rebound like nobody’s business and he is a shot-blocking presence underneath, but his shooting range doesn’t extend beyond his wingspan.
I understand Lighty is an upperclassman and has decent D, but we need to score and having him and Lauderdale on the floor at the same time is killing us. Buford would be a nice compliment to Turner, but it’s hard to argue with the results that we saw last night. Thad’s the man.
I agree… we could not score points in the first half to save our life… if we made a few more shots, we would have had the lead much earlier… gotta be able to score points on the road…..
Matta will figure out the best lineup to get it done… still a work in progress.
I am still amazed that a guy like lauderdale who played pee wee ball, junior high ball, High school, AAU, etc…. cannot execute a free throw. Did every coach just use this guy for his size and neglect to teach him technique?? That is sad…. technique should be taught at EVERY level. It just makes me scratch my head a bit, that is all. Hard to rework a guy’s free throw mechanics when he is 19 years old and has years of muscle memory to unlearn first.
If Lighty could find an outside shot he could be so much more dangerous. They play off him when he’s outside because they know he isn’t that great from out there. He HAS TO make the wide open ones though.
Greg Oden’s Tonsils: Turner needs to play with more control and reduce his turnovers. He has great potential if he can develop an intermediate jump shot.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081203/SPORTS16/812030276/-1/SPORTS
Check that out….I hate these fuckheads
Iowa and Illinois “screwed the pooch” for the Big Ten last night. They needed to pull those out in order for the Big Ten to have a chance. Minny looked pretty good.
Tonight:
IU @ Wake Forest (IU’s gonna get smoked again)
PSU @ Georgia Tech (should be a good one – edge to GT)
scUM @ Maryland (edge to Maryland)
Northwestern @ FSU (edge to FSU)
UNC @ MSU -Ford Field- (toss up)
We’ll need PSU, scUM (gag), and MSU to come through tonight to win our first challenge. Northwestern could surprise FSU, IU has no chance. Doesn’t look good for the Big Ten again.
I hope your not suprised ski, we as buckeye fans deal with this every year. kind of just falls of the shoulder now. everyone hates us and i’m fine with that. they love oklahoma and there BCS record is worse then ours but since they like to pile up points on inferior opponents they are the sweethearts of ESPN. Just like Florida, USC and Texas. Load up the points equaling more browny points.
I don’t get too down on Turner. Obviously it would be nice to see fewer turnovers, but does anybody want him to stop driving to the basket or handling the ball? The problem (and this goes back to my earlier point) is that Turner is THE offense. If somebody (Diebler) could step up and take some of the scoring burden off of his shoulders then I think we would see a drop in Turner’s turnovers. When Diebs started getting hot last night, Turner wasn’t doing anything crazy with the ball because he didn’t have to. When he’s the only one scoring then he’s going to have the turnovers.
Not suprised one bit dude…….
Well Brian, not even that. Remember, Tressel, out of character, ran up the score against NU this year, and ESPN was quick to pounce again. It’s alright if you run up the score, just as long as you’re not OSU. It’s fine and dandy if you have a charmin soft OOC schedule, as long as you’re not OSU. It’s even okay to lose or get blown out, as long as you’re not OSU.
That is true flip. But, its not Booms fault NU couldnt tackle him as he ran up the gut against them in the fourth quarter. The fake punt was pushing it and really not needed but if I remember correctly it was the punter that took off and ran with it. If they cant catch a punter then I wont feel sorry for them. As far as the rest of your comments about losing to soft opponents and not being hammered for it. Look no further then USC this year losing to a Oregon St. Which at the time was thought to be horrible. They were top ranked and didnt even drop out of the top 10. That was disgraceful. And just proves your point that much further.
One other thing. If Mark May had his head any farther up Pete Carrols A$$ he could see what Petey was thinking 24 hours a day. I really do hate that guy.
First of all, I love the early enthusiasm for hoops from all the Buckeye faithful, Chris and I have been trying to get that bandwagon full on here for a couple of years.
Second, I don’t think Turner needs to stop driving at all, that is how most of their offense is created. Too many times, Thad’s teams settle for quick 3-pointers or dribble/pass around the perimeter. Taking it too the rack puts pressure on the other team, gets them into foul trouble and potentially will get OSU’s big men involved. With that said, Lighty and Turner have to learn the 6-8 foot pull up jumper. With the spacing Thad uses, the middle of the lane is open 85% of the time.
Great win last night, I know McBitchslap could have made a difference, but with the extension of the defense in the second half, I’m not completely convinced he would have lead Miami to the victory. The Canes only hit one three pointer in the second and that was the heave as the shot clock ran down.
E-Turn’s 360 dunk was out of hound…! Loved it though! O – H….
No dis-respect to my boys but could anyone see Thad not finishing his career in Columbus?
Already an NC appearance under his belt, and looking like more good tourney runs in his future.
Seems like he could be hot commodity in the future, but nobody should outspend the Bucks.
Also, we need to get some more fire and passion for BBall in Columbus, we should be a perrenial top 10 fball, and top 25 bball school.
This just in: Pat Forde is dumb as a box of rocks and should not have a job. He listed Japop Quizz as the Freshman of the Year…oooooo kkkkkkkkk patty. Also, he lists tOSU as being on a down trend. Since when does winning 10 games and a share of the conference title make it a down season? I mean really, how do these guys get paid to openly hate like that? Also, game of the year “NU vs. Minny” are you joking? tOSU v. PSU or even Iowa v. PSU were waayyy better. FUCKING JOKE
also, according to that queer, PSU won outright
The real injustice here is that you actually read a Pat Forde article. FOR SHAME, SKI!
The Forde Yard Dash is an embarrassment to professional journalism. Pat Forde is NOT witty, NOT funny, and knows next to nothing about college football… so he fits right in at ESPN.
I saw there was a picture of Alessandra Ambrosio and my obsession took over….my bad flip
BTW….who is he kidding with the pictures of girls in those ‘articles’. Somebody is trying awfully hard to seem heterosexual if you ask me
Forde was told two years ago to copycat Pete Fuitak’s “Cavalcade of Whimsy.” His attempt is a major FAIL! What a tool. I refuse to read it.
When you have to resort to pictures of hot women to attract readers you’re basically putting whipped cream on cow chips.
iball,
You are dead on. I have had the fear of Thad not staying here for a couple of years now. You are right, no one will out spend OSU, but if he leaves, it could be due to the lack of passion this town/school shows for hoops. It is embarrassing to see the Schott’s half full capacity, that arena is waaaay too big for college hoops. And it amazes me how quiet it is the majority of the time, it is only going to get worse with the newer, bigger TV’s for the older folks to watch. But the biggest support HAS to start coming from the students.
With that said though, I bet there are only 4-5 jobs he would leave for; Duke, UNC, Kansas, Louisville and Kentucky.
I love how all of you guys get on here acting like you know what the hell your talking about. I can’t believe a buckeye fan would ever call one of our guys a bricklayer. His nickname is the Ghost first off and that is because he one of the best white boys in the country. If they can keep running him off screens we will put up alot of points. BJ Mullens needs to get better touches in the paint they don’t find him enough and he doesn’t make a quick move when he gets it. He’ll get better and be the best big man in the big ten by the end of the season.