For the fifth time in six games Ohio State shot better than 50% from the field (25-44), ending their 2 game skid in a 72-54 beatdown of Michigan.
The Schott had a bit more jump to it tonight, as classes were canceled and students got in free, which helped energize Thad's team to start the game.
The Buckeyes jumped out to a 19-4 lead with 10:46 left in the first, taking advantage of a combination between a sloppy Michigan team and stifling Buckeye defense. During that span, UM missed 9 straight shots, while OSU went 7 of 11.
I thought the Buckeye defense had great rotation within the zone during the first half, forcing Michigan to miss all 11 of their 3-pointers and shoot an overall 20% from the field, en route to a 36-18 halftime advantage.
As expected, UM didn't give up shooting the threeball and hit 5 of their first 7 to start the second, cutting the OSU lead to 10 with just 5:30 gone in the half. However, in what became a theme for the game, anytime the Wolverines had a spurt Ohio State would answer and never let UM get closer than 8 points.
Beilein's troops ended up making 7 of 26 from downtown and shot an overall 30.6 percent, while turning it over 21 times. Once again, Michigan seemed to be confused by the rotating zone, but managed to snag 10 offensive boards and make 17 of 19 FT's in order to keep it close at times.
I thought Michigan played out of control most of the game, including coach Beilein's technical foul with :24 seconds left in the first and dirty Zack Novak's elbow to PJ Hill's jaw with 1:27 left. Novak was rightfully ejected for the jack-ass move and I wouldn't be surprised to see a 1 game suspension come down from the B10 offices.
scUM was lead by Manny Harris, who recorded his first triple-double of the year, with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 10 turnovers. I must admit, that dude is good and fun to watch, he just needs to learn the ability to slow it down every now and then. DeShawn Sims took advantage inside during the latter stages of the first, scoring 9 of his 13 on 3/7 shooting, but he disappeared in the second when Michigan started bombing away.
Evan Turner was a monster from the get-go, scoring 14 of his 24 in the first, looking to create one on one and getting not only to the hoop, but also the charity stripe. Turner hit 6 of 9 shots and 12 of 13 from the line, while adding 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
He was helped by Jeremie Simmons and BJ Mullens, who each went for 12 points. Simmons looked to drive more than he has the last few games and was responsible for 2 huge threebombs in the second, one when UM had cut the lead to 8. Mullens went 5/7 in 25 minutes, while also registering 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Dallas Lauderdale recorded just 4 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks, but I thought he did a great job of being physical down low, establishing good post position and altering numerous shots on defense. His early aggressiveness helped Ohio State score 20 of their 36 first half points in the paint.
Buford and Diebler filled their roles tonight, combining for 17 points, 7 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals.
Ohio State now sits alone at 6th in the conference, one game in the loss column behind Minnesota and Penn State. The Buckeyes travel to Bloomington on Saturday, looking to sweep another hoops rival on the season.
Comments
free tickets ftw
[...] basketball coverage Eleven Warriors is sublime), I couldn’t help but notice the men in blue got railed again by the scarlet, 72-54, this time in the flourscent sanctuary that is Value City Arena. In [...]
We're just better than Michigan, enough said.
No seriously, throw out records, look at the teams on the floor, we're probably the 4th or 5th best team in the conference.
In watching the game, what became very apparent was our need for a second and third option in the offense. Mullens/Swatterdale are developing in to one of those roles; however, without Turner we look helpless. Is it true that Turner is averaging almost 39 minutes per game? If so, we will not go far in the dance. Deeper teams will throw two people at him to shut him down and then the offense starts lobbing three balls like Michigan.
Did anyone else notice that Diebler, Hill, and Madsen were all in during the run that got UM down to 8 points? Then when they took Hill and Madsen back out the Bucks pushed it back up, that is a problem. I understand Thad not wanting to ride his guys too hard, but when you have 5 players on the floor and 3 of them aren't great scoring threats it makes it really easy on the defense. None the less it was a good win and they need some more to move up in the standings and get to the tourney.
I like the poll question.
Another thought
The Big 10 may not have a top 5 team, but I think in the next 5 years they will be a major factor in the Final Four. 10 of the 11 teams have quality coaching so no one team will dominate like UConn does the Big East, every year it will be someone different.
I did notice that and forgot to mention it in the recap. I don't like it, but I think OSU was up 13 or so and Thad was trying to get one last rest for his studs for the final stretch run. With his depleted roster, he has to steal minutes when he can.
This team has another bonafide scoring threat in Mullens but they either can't or refuse to pass him the damn ball. I know he has to work on his hands, but the guy is a beast on the block and has a nice jump shot as well. Also when we establish him as a scorer he'll draw double teams leaving Buford, Diebler or Turner with an open shot from the perimeter.
I hope Thad has these guys working on free throws and cutting down on the turnovers. Those two will kill us in close games.
[...] On OSU’s beatdown of UM’s hoops squad: “I thought Michigan played out of control most of the game, including coach Beilein’s technical foul with :24 seconds left in the first and dirty Zack Novak’s elbow to PJ Hill’s jaw with 1:27 left. Novak was rightfully ejected for the jack-ass move and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a 1 game suspension come down from the B10 offices.” [Corey/Eleven Warriors] [...]
Simmons needs to work on his FTs. Missing both on a technical foul ... Christ!!
Better start playing games of knockout at practice and the losers run. A LOT!
I agree completely....but you have to look deeper than the records. We still have a game with Indiana, a game with Iowa, and 2 with Northwestern left on the schedule, and we should win all four of those.
We played almost all of our tough conference games early, and we'll climb the standings as teams above us play each other and we play the lower half of the conference.
If we go 5-5 in our final 10 games, that makes us 19-10 overall and 9-9 in the conference. Is this good enough to get us in?? Or do we have to win one or two B10 tourney games to seal the deal??
I think we must get the winnable games(IU, PSU, NWx2, Iowa) and probably get one or two of the toughy's vs. Ill, Minny, Wisc, Purdue.
And still win at least one tourney game.
Looks like a battle to me.
Is it panic time about the '09 QB situation?
No need to worry about the QB situation if you ask me. Bauserman has appeared capable and will get a lot more reps in the Spring and Fall this year. Also, I mentioned before re: Orhian Johnson having played QB in high school and some schools were recruiting him as a dual threat QB.
I don't think it is time to panic, Bauserman isn't going anywhere and teams have to catch TP before they can hurt him.
I just love the fact that we still OWN those scUMbags! I grew up during the Cooper and Jimmy Jackson era. This is so GOOD!
But it seemed to me a game ago everyone thought the sky was falling on this team? I don't think beating this Fichigan team proved anything. We still can't keep teams off the glass.
Evan Turner straight up DOMINATED the first half. I haven't really jumped on his bandwagon (I understand he is the best we have) as I think he tries to force things way too much. First half he just straight BALL'D scUM. 2nd half was nice, he got his points, and they were in the flow of the game. Didn't seem to force anything.
Novak is a punk (who looks eerily similar to Corky from that one early '90's show). Corky Novak
I shit you not, I heard from a coach out here (VA in case you forgot) Boyd is wishy washy on Clemson, as of yesterday. He heard Boyd pulled out. F him.
Nah. Bauserman seems more than capable. There was talk of him transferring with the expected acquisition of Boyd, but since that fell through (or did it?) I doubt he leaves.
I wouldn't expect anything major from it, just thought I'd relay it.
Yeah that was a straight-up cheap shot elbow he threw. The announcers were trying to play it off as him trying to box out, but when I was taugh to play the game you get a body on somebody and you don't box out there face with you elbow. It's probably good they kicked him out because I could have seen something ugly happen.
On that note, PJ Hill, while he doesn't show up a lot in the stat column, has become the heart and soul of this team in Lighty's absence. The kid plays balls out. I just wish he would do something with that hair though.
Alright, I am imposing a "No Tajh Boyd" ban on myself. I feel like a rat bastard for ripping into him and being obsessed with the story. Just looked forward to seeing a kid from my area rep the Scarlet and Gray and I am not too thrilled with the way it down. Not gonna happen, no I am offically done with it. Good luck to him.
Jason, just got the stickers, Thanks!!!
Anyone read about or hear any insight on how Tressel's visit with Marcus Hall went? I'm tired of the drama surrounding this kid, but the fact is we really need depth on the O line...
Isn't the visit today? Or was it last night?
yesterday afternoon/evening.
Glad to hear, Chief. Hopefully you can find a seaman apprentice to plaster those all over DoD property! :)
No specifics on the visit, but Hall is hosting Randy Shannon tomorrow (I think) and then going on a visit to Tennessee.
I really hope we at least get Hall out of the Big 3, if you will. Im all for a kid taking his time making a decision and get tired of people calling them "prima donna".
The only thing that might keep him out of OSU is Mike Adams. But right tackle should be wide open.
But is tackle where he'll end up? I've read a couple of opinions that he is more suited to play at one of the guard positions.
I agree that these kids should take all the time they need because it is a huge decision, but don't play the games that are seeming to become more popular with the rise of interest and numerous services providing updates on fifteen minute intervals.
Nice thought, but I did give my nephew, who goes to Plaxico's HS a few for that purpose. I have converted him to a Buckeye fan, and he's gotten to meet the Vest.
watching minnesota and two words come to mind, "oh shit"