Lucas torched OSU for 40 points this year.
(Jay LaPrete: AP)Kalin Lucas didn't start and wasn't a factor in the first half, he left that up to Durrell Summers, but Lucas lead the second half Spartan surge, scoring 20 of MSU's 52 points en route to their 78-67 victory in Columbus.
Summers was pumped from the rare start, hitting 4 of 5 three pointers in the first half and scoring 16 of his career high 26. The sophomore came into the game averaging only 8 points, but hit 8 of his 13 shots overall and almost doubled his previous career best.
The Spartans killed OSU on the boards, 35-19, grabbing 16 on the offensive end, leading to 15 more shots and 19 second chance points.
Ohio State took early advantage of MSU's different starters by jumping out to a 24-11 lead with 6:40 left in the first, but a 9-2 Spartan spurt cut the lead to 3 with just under 4 minutes left. The Buckeyes would hold onto a 5 point lead at the half.
However, the Spartans scored the first 4 points of the second half and would take the lead for good with just under 10 minutes left. Ohio State had no answer for the Spartans depth, playing only 7 players and getting outscored 31-15 off the bench.
The Buckeyes were lead by Evan Turner, who scored 19 points on 6 of 8 from the floor and the stripe. Turner also lead OSU with 6 boards and 3 assists. Mullens and Diebler each went for 12 points, while Buford contributed 11 and Simmons had 8.
Ohio State actually had a great shooting day, hitting 23 of 42 shots from the floor, including 10 of 20 from deep, but the continuous rebounding woes once again lead to the defeat.
The Buckeyes seem to run more half court sets today, which might have been a product of Hill playing more minutes or Thad needing to slow the game down. They still don't look inside enough and their driving lanes were cut off by the Spartan defense, but overall they took good shots, just gave up too many offensive boards.
This loss isn't a huge surprise, I really didn't expect OSU to pull this one off, Michigan State is simply the best team in the conference and have multiple players that can burn you. Ohio State's PG play and rebounding is definitely cause for concern, but if OSU can pull off the next two against Michigan and Indiana, they will continue to stay in the hunt for a tourney bid.
Comments
I thought the Buckeyes were going to take the game in the first half and then I thought they could still complete the upset when they got within three with like 6-5 minutes left. A little better shooting at the end would have sealed the deal is the opinion I got just watching and not looking at the stats.
Shooting was never the problem for OSU - the difference in the second half, primarily, was that MSU stopped being completely befuddled by the zone. They started hitting shots, stopped turning the ball over, and kept cleaning up on the glass. Rebounding is really the only thing OSU did badly all game - at one point MSU scored on 19 out of 22 possessions because every time they missed they got the ball back.
OSU showed their immaturity again.. These guys can't seem to hold their focus and hustle for an entire game.. The mental awareness they lack is staggering at times.. I've never seen so many bad passes and or good passes with players not ready for them.. Dallas and BJ have had several balls come their way and bounce off their hands like they were daydreaming about their new xbox360 game... and this team has to figure out how to get more dribble penetration and pick and roll to BJ.. We have a big man who can score.. for the love of god can we figure out how to get the ball to him? When this happens it opens our outside game back up.. Hopefully these guys all come back for a year because I can see them improving by leaps and bounds for next season... the talent is there. the chemistry and focus just needs to be built..
how much difference would Lighty make? since a lot of our problems are immaturity and composure issues I really feel his presence on the floor might have got us a W yesterday. he could take charge, get us a good shot to stop an opposing team's run, etc. there were a couple of possessions we were just dying for a hoop and ended up taking bad shots that clanged off the rim. we need him back - and hopefully he'll get there in time to punch our ticket to the big dance.
Exactly SpartyDan. They figured out our zone, yet we stayed in it the entire game. It still boggles my mind that we don't even attempt any kind of man-to-man defense. Even if it is only for a few possesions, it causes the other team to have to alter their offense. We stay in zone for the entire game and it doesn't change....
Rebounding was absolutely ridiculous. Even with Lauderdale and Mullens in the game, they still got beat. BJ may go pro, but he will be ridin pine. Everyone outside the arena after the game talked about how unimpressed they are with him.
Where did Buford go on the second half? And why dont we run plays to get Diebler open? The kid pops it every time hes got a clear shot.
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I am ashamed.
Matta is a good recruiter, but i can't say much for his coaching. Michigan St. figured out the zone and ate him up, like most of the teams are now. He needs to switch things up. I was embarrased, AGAIN!!!
I'm not so sure he's a bad coach. He doesn't have much in the cupboard right now as far as overall depth, and having a solid point guard is essential to having a solid team. Throw in the fact that the team is very young, and there you go.
I think he's doing a helluva job considering. The score could've been a whole lot worse.
bottom line is we are a better team without #2 on the floor. he brings nothing to the table.
Purdue at Wisconsin tonight. Big game for tOSU considering Wisky has hit the skids lately.