Turner's 2nd half penetration was key (C Neibergall)It wasn't pretty but Evan Turner and his fellow Buckeyes overcame some adversity for a change in the form of four points per game scorer Devan Bawinkel's career high eight threes to hang on 60-58 in a must win game over the Hawkeyes.
The much maligned Buckeye defense conceded 12 Iowa triples (12/29, 41%) on the night but at least came out in man to man defense for the first time since fire was invented and they stuck with it much of the first half. That strategy produced the same typical results as the zone, however, as Iowa shot 6/14 (43%) in the opening 20 minutes.
Though the defense was again tough on the eyes for stretches, OSU deserves some credit for holding Iowa scoreless over the final 2:27 and to only six points (two triples) over the final 7:34.
The tightening up on D down the stretch proved crucial as the offense managed to shoot 5/7 over that same 7:34 to secure the victory. It was far from pretty though as Turner turned it over with 27 ticks left and OSU leading 60-58 before missing the front end of a one and one with five seconds remaining setting up a good look at a three by Jermain Davis that caromed off the back then front iron as time expired.
Despite the few rough possessions from Turner in the waning moments, the kid posted game highs of 22 points (10/17) and a career high nine assists. Looking to create off the bounce almost exclusively in the second half, after a steady diet of midrange jumpers (4/9 FG) in the first, Turner helped OSU produce 20 points in the paint in the final 20 minutes after only registering two as the Buckeyes trailed 32-30 at intermission.
I know anyone who watched this one is well aware it could have gone either way but again, I'm pleased OSU showed some moxie while getting some clutch, if not consistent plays from guys like Dallas Lauderdale and P.J. Hill.
Lauderdale was Invisidale for the most part but he picked up three blocks including a colossal swat with the game on the line while Hill continued his pesky, if not spectacular play with five points, two boards and a big block / jump ball giving OSU possession with the game tied at 44 before the under 12 minute TV timeout. A role play from a role player. Me likes.
Jon Diebler (12 pts, (4/7 FG) was the only other Buckeye in double figures but the team continued their sharpshooting ways hitting 56% from the floor (7/14 3FG). Wil Buford stayed true to form as of late disappearing in the second half after scoring seven points in the first.
I'm not sure if the kid is just tired due to big minutes in a physical conference or what? No matter the cause, it needs addressed because this team isn't going to do much if he can't consistently help at the offensive end especially when you consider his continued struggles to add anything defensively.
Keeping with the defense, a positive way to look at tonight is subtracting Bawinkle's unpredictable explosion (8/13 FG) OSU held the rest of the Hawkeyes to 34% (11/32) in addition to the aforementioned late game lock down. Still, it's hard not to think this team's ceiling is very limited as it pertains to post-season success.
Beating Iowa should not be considered a Herculean accomplishment but that's what we're left with as we wait for Northwestern to arrive Sunday afternoon to conclude the regular season.
At 9-8 in conference and 19-9 overall, it goes without saying the Wildcats serve as another must win if OSU wants to play in the real tournament.
There seems to be one camp thinking the NIT will serve this team better in the long run while those like me think an NCAA bid is the only acceptable outcome. Where do you land?
I'd much rather go one and done in the Dance since I'm of the opinion they'll all be back except for B.J. Mullens leaving them plenty of time to play together in the off season versus winning a few games in the NIT but that's just me. I mean, I know the 2010 class is going to be sick but I don't think it's all that healthy for the program if Matta is forced to brag about NIT success.
Comments
For those who think we looked weak by barely hanging on against an inferior Iowa team, just go look at the MSU-IU highlights from today. Any road win in the Big 10 this year is a good win.
BTW, the great victory over St. John's in the 1999 Elite Eight is on "Big Ten's Greatest Games" right now.
That's a great point. I wasn't overly impressed with the win considering what OSU had at stake but you are right. A road W is a road W in this league.
I was impressed with Offutt's play tonight. Although he only registered 1 assist and 2 points, I thought he played some good D and just played well overall filling in for Buford when he got in foul trouble. Reminds of a certain guy who's injured right now.
I like what Offut's been giving lately, too. Definitely comes in and plays some defense.
Also, I forgot to mention it in my recap but I was amazed at how much Flex offense OSU ran tonight. I can't recall Matta running that much Flex ever? Am I crazy? I know OSU constantly runs Diebler off baseline screens sometimes the result of a Flex type offense but tonight it looked a lot more like what I remember trying to defend all the time back in high school.
i'd much rather be in the NCAA tourney than the NIT, no matter how many games we'd win in either. all that winning the NIT does for you is give you claim to being the 65th best team in the land (not exactly true but whatever), and when measuring a school's success, NCAA appearances is usually a big factor in that.
I was kidding yesterday when I said some slow white guy was going to go 12 of 12 from three for a career high in points, but it happened. I wish that Thad would be more willing to go to a box and 1 when one slow white guy is killing us. They said MSU held Bulwinkle to 1-6 shooting, probably by beating the hell out of him. When someone was on him he missed, he only hit wide open shots.
I think Buford is tired, and guys like Hightower call crappy fouls on him and get him into foul trouble early. Then he can't keep his head in the game. He did flare for 7 quick points and kept the bucks around but had to go out when fouls came around.
This team could be so much deeper if Crater would have stayed, and that Wallace kid would have stayed last year too. You mean to tell me they couldn't use another athletic wing on offense and to run the zone? Oh well what could have been. Is Thad going to try to fill Crater's scholarship with anyone?
my favorite line from last night going into the late possesion when ET turned it over...
"evan turner can certainly expect some double team action."
hell yes he can.
Buford was saddled with foul trouble for much of the game- he had two midway through the first half, causing him to miss a big stretch before coming in when Turner went out. Then, in the second half, he got #3 with about 17 minutes remaining and #4 with about 12 minutes remaining, making Thad sit him until there were only about 3 minutes remaining.
Foul trouble really cuts into your minutes- ask Greg Oden.
Since he picked on Turner on Saturday, Hightower must have decided it was Bufords turn to have a seat.
Agreed. But more often than not his fouls are the result of lazy defense so is that because he's tired or because he can't play defense yet? Seemed like he improved his rotations, even drawing some praise from Matta, for a few games back in January but the last month has been an excercise in an inability to rotate and/or identify his man in the zone or else he's fouling guys on drives trying to block shots instead of staying in front of the driver.
I thought the OSU wins from the 1999 tourney "never happened" due to O'briens cash donations to certain eastern European causes.......
oh well, good for the BTN for showing that game... I loved that win!
NIT just doesn't help the program's status any at all. you brag about "consecutive NCAA bids." let's go get one.
I'm having a hard time at the end of the year again keeping my heart in this knowing that we have some young guys that will probably be gone this year.. It just feels crappy.. As much as we knock on guys like PJ Hill at times these are the guys I appreciate the most on this team as he never complains, rode the bench a lot but still gives it his all when he is on the floor and is actually in my opinion playing very very solid now..
I said midway through the second half that if Splaterdale didn't see the floor agian the rest of the year I would be okay with it - absolutely fine with it. Then he goes and saves our asses - twice.
Damn him and his glorious wingspan.
Any chance we can get some video posted of Chris playing some lockdown defense?
HAHA! No such film exists. I just tried not to get a concussion running into picks from the opposing 4 and 5 men along the baseline. I was like 6'2", 170 lbs soaking wet and quickness wasn't my strengh. I was better and scoping the other teams cheerleaders from the sidelines in a way Titus would appreciate.
Boycott the NIT!
For me, this was one of the most entertaining games the Buckeyes have played this year, for some reason Iowa City is always tough for OSU. Maybe it is the great bar scene they have in the downtown pedestrian mall.
I like the energy displayed in the latter part of the game. Turner is hands down the B10 POY and Walter Offut could be a really nice surprise next year, as long as he doesn't pull an Eric Wallace.
Still can't guard the 3! Is there any reason one guys should sink 8 3's against any team. It was evident as early as the Miami game when McClinton was scorching tOSU before getting tossed. This team has no perimeter defense...
I'm not a fan of the "NIT is ok because it gives us more games to develop young guys" argument.
The big thing it did for us last year is solidify Koufos leaving early after his sick NIT run. Without that, and I'm not sure he jumps, despite his (and douche HS coach's) problems with how Thad was using him.
I'm a bit of the Baba Booey opinion - the best (and worst?) part about this year's team (post Lighty injury) is that the big guns are all frosh & sophs. Obviously, that's why they've been inconsistent and we're a bubble team.
This is only a good thing is those guys return next year as sophs & juniors. Knowing (or fearing) that two of them may very well succumb to the lure of riding NBA pine (and groupie hos) at $35,000 a game mitigates my enthusiam for next year. In both cases, I think it's clear they could greatly improve their draft standing by returning, but it's hard to think that way when you're 19 years old.
I think we'll make the big tourney and be very happy with losing in the S16.
OSU needs to seek revenge against the Purple Kitties this Sunday. I'll be watching as OSU gets their 20th win of the season. GO BUCKS!!!
OSU should win vs. Nerdwestern, no questions asked. Does that lock us in to the top 5 and give us a bye though?
It may be better not to get the bye, the extra game would boost our win total, albeit against probably Indiana. But thats not a sure win either.
Reminds me*
id much rather have the 6 seed and play IU than get roped into the 4/5 game with wisky / penn state.
It is going to be interesting how the standings end up. Whisky plays at Minnesota tonight and Penn State gets Illinois at home on Thursday. If both Whisky and PSU win, they have a chance to tie with Illinois for 3rd place. PSU finishs up at Iowa this weekend and Whisky gets a home date with Indiana. Illinois is done after Thursday.
I agree with Morgan though, the 6th seed looked like the better side of the bracket.
guys check this out...ridiculous...
http://forums.bucknuts.com/sho...
please go over and defend 11W if you can!
Looks like I'll be saying NUGEEEEE down here in tampa next season. Thats sweet you just knew they had to bring in another buckeye to keep me interested after letting Joey go last week.
Thread is locked and down now. Speaking of stealing things, the name Block 'O' as well as many of the images on the site are registered trademarks of the Ohio State University. Being that I used to be an officer for Block 'O', it is highly offensive
On that note, anyone else think Iowa's cheer/dance squad was TOP NOTCH??
I mean damn-near all of them were knockouts!
Have you guys now completely jumped on the P.J. Hill bandwagon?
It was kinda lonely when tampa buckeye and I were the only people on it.
.......seems to be getting crowded now though.
I admit I've been his harshest critic but I still see no reason to jump on the bandwagon. What has he really done besides not totally suck and become a somewhat marginal player? A bandwagon seems hardly necessary for a guy averaging 5.25 pts, with 20 Assists and 13 turnovers since his minutes spiked beginning February 3rd. Now, since starting he's averaging 8.5 pts, 2.25 asst against 1.25 turnovers but I think it's a bit ridiculous to freak out over four games of serviceable play. I like what he's doing but bandwagon? Not so much.
I am finally on it (Chris and I still differ on this one), I must give the kid credit for the improvement he has made this year, especially since he has started.
This bandwagon serves rum and cokes right?