Five Things for the Five Seed
Will Thad lead another cutting of the nets?It’s going to take a lot of luck and some damn good play, if Ohio State is going to make a run in the B10 tournament.
At times they have shown flashes of brilliance and the potential to pull off an improbable run, but the problem has been sustaining that level of play for a full 40 minutes.
Adding to the difficulty, Michigan State (8-1) and Wisconsin (7-2) are the two hottest teams over the last nine games.
However, Thad is 13-2 in the past 2 postseasons and if he is to win another tournament, the Buckeyes must shore up the following areas.
The Buckeyes must get inside scoring.
If BJ is set to leave after this year, then this is his chance to improve his draft stock. I have said before, Mullens has seemed disinterested since the end of January, whether it’s from a lack of touches or a fear of the late season, pre-NBA injury. Over the last 10 games, BJ has averaged 8.7 points and 5.4 boards, hardly the sign of an NBA lottery pick. While OSU doesn’t need a Koufos-like NIT run, anything close to a double-double is a necessity. Lauderdale and Madsen must combine for at least 8 points and help put some pressure on the opponents’ bigs.
Minimize the opponents offensive rebounds.
It is just an accepted fact that Ohio State’s zone defense is going to give up more than its fair share of O-boards. The opposition had at least 10 offensive boards in 12 of 18 conference tilts, leading to 102 more FG attempts and a 6-6 record in those games. Wisconsin and Michigan State combined to grab 45 of their own misses against the Bucks, leading to 28 more shots over the three games. Boxing out must be a group effort this weekend.
Guard the 3-point shooter.
As Bob Baptist pointed out in his last OSU Insider, the last 6 opponents have made 43.4 percent of their 3 pointers, attempting 47 percent of their shots from there and making no fewer than 9 treys. In B10 play, the Bucks gave up 158 bombs on 411 attempts, easily leading the conference.
Get penetration into the paint from the guards.
Jeremie Simmons, PJ Hill and Jon Diebler must drive the rock into the lane in order to put pressure on the defense. Good things will happen if they can get penetration; BJ and Dallas can slip open under the rim, they can force a foul or kick it out to the open shooter. The three have combined for just 24 assists over the last 4 games and too often settle for hot potato around the perimeter.
Give the ball to Turner early and often.
ET was not going to let Ohio State lose either one of those games last week and it was a great move by Thad to put the ball in his hands for the stretch run. He should have a chip on his shoulder, after being passed over for the POY award earlier this week and needs to get it going from the start. Turner shot just over 50 percent on the season and lead the conference in FT makes and attempts. The tournament setting is a great chance for a player such as Evan to get into a zone and carry his team for a 72 hour stretch.
Play in the tournament starts today at noon, when Minnesota takes on Northwestern. Regardless of how the Buckeyes fare, this should be another dynamic Big Ten tournament, with all but two teams having a chance to make some noise.
good article. I think we have a pretty good shot at the BTT. Honestly, though, we need to stay consistent. i personally think that is our biggest thing right now. But, im better at talking football so don’t really use my case for yours =)
…..”guard the 3-point shooter”…… that has been a problem all season in the zone that is being employed. Can’t let these guys rain 3’s!!!!!!!!!!
Time to slip in a little man-to-man? Bill Raftery will certainly appreciate it.
or you could “slip a mickie” into the gatorade jug on the oposing side of the court…..but since we are not the Florida State that prolly wont happen
Does anyone know what the time and date are for the spring game yet? Or has it not been decided?
April 25…the lacrosse game vs. ND is before hand at 11 so it will go down after that
Good post.
So who do you guys like in this first game? I find myself falling back on my rule that I can’t root against NU in a game that doesn’t involve the Buckeyes. You know, feel good stories and all.
Jason, same deal with pulling for Wildcats. That didn’t work out worth a damn.
“Jeremie Simmons, PJ Hill and Jon Diebler must drive the rock into the lane in order to put pressure on the defense.”
Maybe the single most important offensive objective in my book.
I would love love love to see PJ use the teardrop floater. He can hit that shot!!! Why doesnt he use it more?? This would open up so many opportunities on the offensive side.
I think its pick your poison with the zone D. If you guard the 3 pointer, then you give up O-boards, and if you crash the board, then Matt Roth hits 150 3 pointers. We will have to figure out whats more important, this is probably an “on the fly” decision Thad has to make at half time.
Zone D allows you to cover most of the floor, but it is not an excuse to NOT hustle!! The man-zone deal is the answer, but we have to see some more HUSTLE and ENTHUSIASM out of this team for it to work.
I couldn’t agree more…with the PGs driving into the lane, whether they shoot or not. Everytime the PG gets into the mode of swinging the ball from side to side, the offense stalls. I would like to see Diebler and Buffurd do more drive and dishing as well. You make a defender help, recover and close out on Turner and it’s almost unfair.
I like our chances against Wisconsin, but Michigan State’s strengths play to OSU’s weaknesses…most notably, getting to the offensive boards.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/2009-03-11-referees-tournament_N.htm
please no valetine, hightower or burr. please no valentine, hightower or burr. please no valentine, hightower or burr.
*clicks heels*
also can someone please explain to me what exactly a 3-2 zone defends if we give up a lot of boards and leave a 3 point shooter open in the corners?
I think it takes opponents out of their “game”. It forces them to take open 3’s and uncontested rebounds, whether they want to or not.;)
Looks like the Wolverines are giving Iowa the bid-ness.
It sure does look like the Hawkeyes are getting it handed to them. It may not be much of a game, maybe time to switch over to Dr. Phil or Jerry Springer..
wow! 38-17 at the half?? wow!! They know they have to win the Tourney to get in!! OSU needs to play with that mentality as well!
Baylor also took down Kansas.
Its hard to really be excited about this team going into march. They play with no emotion and seem happy to win by 1 or 2. When they do get a big lead they piss it away like a sailor pissing away his money on shore leave. They make me sick to my stomach just thinking about it. Go Bucks? I can’t wait till this season is over so my blood pressure can return to normal levels.
Yea, lack of heart is definitely their biggest problem, I dont care what strategy you employ, if you’re not giving your all, it doesn’t matter.
I’ll give it to ET and Diebs, they seem to at least have the will to win, but the rest act like they’re to cool for school.
Remember when Lost-erdale was Swatterdale?? He had some fire in his belly then, but now he just picks up sloppy fouls as soon as he staeps on the court and walks around looking confused.
PJ Hill doesn’t bring the blood pressure down? even a little?
You’re exactly right, I left PJ out. I think ET is certainly our team MVP, but if there was a runner up, Id give it to PJ. Just for stepping up, and filling a major hole.
Why do michigan fans seem to think they are a lock for the tourney?
big non-conf wins early and playing in a tough conference, just like us i suppose.
Just like us? Maybe, except we had a better overall record, a better Big Ten record, and we beat them both times we played head-to-head.
mich st has a better overall and b10 record than us, and beat us both times we played, does that mean that since they’re better, we shouldn’t even think we deserve to go? Same with illinois.
You always root for your team and hope for the best.
Why shouldn’t ohio state be in the tourney? I just think michigan fans are way off base if they think the big ten is going to send 8 teams.