Preview: Ohio State at #16 Purdue
 Ohio State 18-8, 8-7 Big Ten Roster | Schedule |
February 28, 2009 4:00 PM ET – ESPN —— Mackey Arena West Lafayette, IN |
 #16 Purdue 10-4, 21-6 Big Ten Roster | Schedule |
Ohio State may have caught a scheduling break when they travel to Purdue on Saturday, as the Boilermakers will be playing their second game in less than 48 hours, after getting beat 87-78 at Michigan on Thursday night.
The Bucks took down the Robbie Hummel-less Boilermakers in their first meeting, 80-72 in overtime. Turner went off for 26, 12 and 7, while JaJuan Johnson scorched OSU’s bigs for 30 points.
The Buckeyes have a chance to set the pace for fourth place in the conference. Minnesota lost last night, while Penn State and Wisconsin play their games later in the weekend.
| # | Name | PTS | REB | ASST | POS | # | Name | PTS | REB | ASST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | PJ Hill | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.6 | G | 23 | Lewis Jackson | 5.7 | 2.3 | 3.4 |
| 33 | Jon Diebler | 11.4 | 3.3 | 2.5 | G | 3 | Chris Kramer | 4.8 | 2.9 | 2.4 |
| 21 | Evan Turner | 16.7 | 7.3 | 3.7 | F | 33 | E’Twaun Moore | 14.0 | 4.8 | 2.9 |
| 44 | William Buford | 11.5 | 3.3 | 1.2 | F | 4 | Robbie Hummel | 11.9 | 6.9 | 2.1 |
| 52 | Dallas Lauderdale | 4.7 | 3.8 | 0.3 | C | 25 | JaJuan Johnson | 13.6 | 6.0 | 0.8 |
Opponent
Purdue’s stats don’t include their game against Michigan last night, I’m old and can’t stay up that late. Matt Painter’s crew is one of the best defensive teams in the country, holding conference opponents to just 60 points and 40 percent shooting. Their season total of 37.6 defensive FG percent ranks them 4th in the country, a stat they lead the country in before the first meeting, but OSU was able to connect on 60 percent in that game.
The Boilers come in scoring 65.6 points a game in league play, ranking them right behind OSU and MSU. They are second in B10 shooting at 46 percent, including a 36 clip from deep and 67 percent from the line.
The starting lineup may change from the chart above, with Keaton Grant possibly getting in over Jackson and the possibility of Hummel’s back flaring up with the short turnaround. Nemania Calasan, a 6′9″ senior was unable to go against Michigan due to an illness, so his status is questionable, but Marcus Green and Bobby Riddell will also see some action off the bench.
Purdue is going to be a tired, pissed off bunch, seeking revenge on the Bucks. They slipped into a tie for second with Illinois, after they allowed Manny Harris and Deshawn Sims to combine for 56 points last night. They still have to play at Michigan State in the finale, so back to back losses here could push them towards fourth.
Buckeye Breakdown:
I really like the line up change Simmons and Matta implemented against Penn State. PJ Hill is growing on me and his energy to start the game is just what Thad’s young troops need. Simmons suggested the switch, so let’s hope it is the jolt of energy required to carry this team into the NCAA tourney. You can’t argue with a combined 27 points, on 10-17 shooting, but I’m a little concerned with the 3 assists.
It will be interesting to see if Matta makes the switch at center too. The fact that Lauderdale has morphed into Invisidale is disappointing, but I really think Thad tries to protect Mullens from picking up quick fouls, especially when you have the likes of Ed Hightower and Ted Valentine wearing the striped shirts. However, if Kyle Madsen can give the type of quality minutes he has shown in two of the last three, it is going to give Thad a couple more options.
Evan Turner was named 1 of 15 finalist for the Oscar Robertson trophy this week, given to the player of the year as chosen by the USBWA. Matta has showcased ET’s versatility by moving him to the point in the closing minutes against Illinois and Penn State. The move could be dangerous with Turner’s history of turnovers, but teams are going to double him, leaving Simmons and Turner open. Spreading the court and letting Evan create will open things up for him and the PG’s.
Going into the season, I didn’t chalk the trip to West Lafayette as a win and even though Purdue will have some tough circumstances, I still think they will pull out a close win, 65-61. The Buckeyes haven’t played consistently in their last 2 road games, but the recent changes could be the catalyst for an upset. Ohio State had to win 3 of their last 4, so they can still take the games at Iowa and home against Northwestern if they fall here.
Etc
- Hill has set a career high for points in his last two games (9 and 13).
- Diebler has played 40 or more minutes in the last 7 games.
- Ohio State is 18-1 this season and 112-5 under Matta when leading with 5 minutes left to play.
- If you have HBO and have not seen Eastbound and Down, you are depriving yourself of some serious laughs.
42 Responses
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“Simmons suggested the switch”
Do you have a link for this?
Here you go Adam.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2009/02/25/osu_mbk_2-25.ART_ART_02-25-09_C1_16D1FDD.html?sid=101
Purdue looked like garbage against UM last night, so of course the Boilermakers will play lights-out against us on Saturday (see Illinois laying an egg at home and scoring 33 in a loss against lowly PSU and then coming to Columbus and shooting 60% from the field against us).
OSU needs to start either Mullens or Madsen upfront and they’ll be better off than starting Lauderdale.
Dallas should’ve suggested a switch as well.
But Dallas has to pick up an offensive foul in the first 30 seconds of each game!
Don’t hold your breath. I am of the understanding that Lauderdale cannot actually speak.
lol, black people are stupid, lol
I want to see Madsen being very physical with Johnson, with no regard to foul trouble, or heck even Lauderdale for that matter. Johnson is a skinny finesse big man who doesnt respond well to being pushed around.
Purdue by a lot. just a gut feeling though.
The Browns just trade Kellen Winslow to Tampa Bay for undisclosed draft picks.
Maybe he’ll actually do something there. Doubt it tho, as TB has been known to only use the TE as an extra blocker. Remind anyone of a certain team we’re all obsessed with?
Tampa sent the Browns back “undisclosed draft picks”
Browns fans, opinions?
Steelers fans, opinions?
I wonder if they got a first round pick for him? If they did good trade if not they still got rid of a guy that didn’t want to be there.
Jared, please don’t give your opinion because you are a moron.
LOL most def.
i forgot you were so well spoken.
Seriously, I hate the guy, but the browns should of kept him on, Brady looked comfortable throwing to him.
Great trade, only a matter of time before he pops off at the mouth again, besides, they need alot more.
I am not a Browns fan, but it looks like they have taken steps back since this new regime took over. Is Martin Rucker any good? New coaches don’t like Quinn. Rogers wants out after one year…Yikes! I really hope no Buckeyes get drafted to go there, which I doubt, since The Gun Show burned Mangini last year.
man i never understand the columbus alive list, it always has the dumbest shit on it. what the hell is massey’s pizza? it’s hound dog’s pizza you morons. that’s the best END OF STORY. WHITE CASTLE as best late night place to eat?!? sure, if you like to eat your own vomit, but if not maybe you should go to buckeye doughnuts instead. rag-o-rama is douchebag grand station, uggghh i can go on forever.
at least they picked used kids.
Bro Adriaticos over any other pizza. Take it to the bank.
I’m a Catfish Biff’s man myself.
A hot Tommy’s right out of the oven is tough to beat too.
Preach on, sugartits.
you know what, i’m just going to say it: adriaticos sucks. sorry. the sauce, if you can call it that, tastes like it has a mustard base. the dough is exactly that; flat, bland dough that makes you feel like you’re chewing a wet sock. the cheese always, ALWAYS hardens into a semi-plastic shell after like two minutes. the whole thing is just gross, and the only reason people say they like it is because other people say they like it so hell it must be good.
I GET VERY ANGRY WHEN TALKING ABOUT PIZZA OVER THE INTERNET
I have to agree. For all the praise Adriatico’s gets, I think it tastes like crap.
Wait wait… what about Flying Pizza? Easily beats Hound Dogs, which is only good because it’s open so late
I will straight up murder, I’m talking weird mutilation shit, you for disrespecting the Adroc. I declare a pizza fatwah on you douchey.
Flying Pizza = best slice in Columbus. I know — i live in NYC, the pizza capital of the world.
Damn I haven’t been to Used kids in 14 years!!! Is it still around?
Used Kids caught on fire a few years back and they moved out of the basement and into an upstairs space next door (where World Records used to be in the mid nineties). Still a pretty awesome place.
Holy shit, Hound Dogs is awesome. Large bacon + pep with garlic butter crust = slice of heaven, heart attack.
I’d say that is better than anything Massey’s has to offer, but Massey’s has more diversity.
They all stand in awe of Miles’ Pizza up in BG. They make a pizza where they put on the cheese, and then shove literally as much bacon as possible under the cheese. It’s ambrosia.
What about Insomniac, the coffee shop?
Did anyone else see this? http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Weekend-out-Words-of-wisdom-and-inspiration-fro?urn=ncaaf,144757#comments
Yeah. We got a tip on that earlier and were sitting on it because it looks like the guy is trying to get his life on track and we didn’t want every idiot with a keyboard to hammer him telling him how much of an F-up he is.
You know I hope we can all forgive and forget with Maurice. Black eye yes, but he is also a human and to err is human but to forgive is divine. I just hope he still makes a positive out of his life and I think he has a great opportunity to make a positive influence on young people.
You and I, both.
If we win this game I will crap my pants and go into a coma. Purdue is a different team at home, and we needed OT to beat them in the Schott when they didn’t even have Hummel. This game smells like 10-point loss.
And the Adriatico’s Buckeye Pizza is badass. I love that their sauce actually has herbs in it, and isn’t just some boring Ragu-like red sauce.