Barely tops Thad for best facial expressions.
#12 Ohio State
20-7, 10-4 Big Ten
Roster | Schedule
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February 21, 2009 12:00 PM ET - CBS —— Breslin Center East Lansing, MI |
#11 Michigan State
21-6, 11-3 Big Ten
Roster | Schedule
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The Buckeyes get back on the road Sunday looking to stay within a half game of first if they can pull the upset, squaring off against Sparty for the only time this season.
Michigan State returns home after playing 6 of their last 8 on the road, while Ohio State is trying to come out of this brutal 3-game stretch with a winning record.
The Buckeyes lost 58-67 last year in East Lansing, shooting just 42 percent from the floor and 62 percent form the line and are 15-36 all time there.
| # | Name | PTS | REB | ASST | POS | # | Name | PTS | REB | ASST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Evan Turner | 19.5 | 9.2 | 5.8 | G | 1 | Kalin Lucas | 15.7 | 1.9 | 3.9 |
| 33 | Jon Diebler | 12.6 | 3.0 | 1.7 | G | 3 | Chirs Allen | 9.8 | 3.0 | 2.1 |
| 44 | William Buford | 13.8 | 5.1 | 3.1 | F | 2 | Raymar Morgan | 10.3 | 5.3 | 1.8 |
| 23 | David Lighty | 12.3 | 4.5 | 2.7 | F | 10 | Delvon Roe | 7.2 | 5.6 | 1.2 |
| 52 | Dallas Lauderdale | 7.3 | 5.0 | 0.3 | C | 50 | Derrick Nix | 2.2 | 2.2 | 0.2 |
Opponent
This game will be a stark contrast of depth, as MSU has 7 players that average at least 21 minutes, with no one playing more than 31, while OSU has 4 players that average at least 32 minutes a game. The Spartans come in scoring 67.4 points per B10 game, while holding opponents to 62.3 a game. Though they sit atop the standings, MSU's +5.1 scoring margin is 4th best, while their 46.1 percent shooting is 3rd. Izzo's squad ranks last in 3 point FG shooting at 32.3 percent, but they have taken the fewest attempts and like Purdue, they make up for it at the line, attempting the second most FT's in the conference.
It should come as no surprise that the Spartans lead the conference in all rebounding statistics, snagging almost 37 a game and beating foes by a +7.7 margin for each game. Turnovers have been a weakness for Sparty for most of the season though, committing the 3rd most TO's during league play, but to Izzo's credit they have less than 10 miscues in each of the last 3 games.
MSU has had 14 different starting lineups, with 10 players getting the nod at some point and Izzo will keep the scorer's table busy. Durrell Summers, Draymond Green and Korie Lucious all average over 20 minutes a game (starter Nix has played 7.7 on the season). Summers, a 6'4" junior scores 10.3 a contest, but hasn't reached that mark in 3 straight and shoots just 25.7 percent from deep. Green is a 6'6" sophomore who plays 25 minutes a game, also scoring in double digits at 10.1 and grabs 8 boards a game. Lucious is an energy guy, scoring 5 points and dishing out 3.6 dimes per game in just over 21 minutes a game.
For the starters, Chris Allen has hit 14 of his last 24 trey attempts over his last 4 games, while Lucas has returned from his injured ankle and has scored 49 over the last 3. Both Morgan and Roe have struggled to find their scoring ways of late and Nix is a big banger inside. All in all this is a typical tough Izzo team that is very capable of pushing the Buckeyes around.
Buckeye Breakdown:
OSU needs to get off to a good start in East Lansing and guard against MSU jumping out to a big lead. Though the Bucks have proven they will fight to the end, overcoming a large deficit is tremendously difficult at the Breslin Center. The Buckeyes shot just 41.7 percent against Purdue, struggling against their physicality and today will be no different. Luckily, the Bucks have done a good job of bouncing back from rough shooting nights this season, when Turner has been healthy, the Bucks haven't posted back to back sub 45 percent games.
Another key for today is limiting Sparty's offensive boards. The Bucks did a better job Wednesday, holding Purdue to 6 O-boards (after giving up 40 the previous 3) and you're not going to completely outboard Sparty, but if they can limit one end of the floor, a win is more probable. Turnovers have been a weakness for MSU all year and I expect to see mostly zone from OSU today, so the Bucks have a good chance of trapping and creating TO's. Getting some points off any turnovers is also crucial.
The last key is secondary scoring. Everyone not named Turner disappeared for a long stretch against Purdue and I think at least 3 of them have to reach double digits in order for OSU to pull out a win. They also need to continue to drive the lane as the game wears on. Like Purdue, MSU will close those lanes off, but OSU has a tendency to settle for too many jumpers late in the game and they have to be relentless in driving.
Last Sunday I predicted a loss to Illinois and the Bucks stomped them. Then Wednesday, I predicted a 9 point win, so today I'm going with my gut instinct since I first looked over the schedule, a 60-66 loss today.
Etc
- With Wednesday's loss, Thad tied Fred Taylor for best record after 200 games and Taylor has a banner hung from the rafters...
- Evan Turner needs 19 points to pass Jamar Butler for 23rd all-time.
Comments
When you go with your gut, do you do so before or after you eat breakfast?
It was before breakfast.
Pretty simple, score early and often, don't wanna get behind in this one.
Seriously, I think the Purdue game was a fluke. Not that Purdue didn't deserve the win or simply out-play the Bucks, and I think that is the point. Diebler just stood there, unmoving, waiting for Turner to drive the lane, kick it out to him, and then he could take his three point shot. I honestly think the Bucks are the best team in the Big Ten WHEN they ALL play.
IF the Bucks are active, they will beat the Spartans.
Good article by Hunter, OSU not doing a good job of selling basketball. When you hear the numbers, it makes even less sense that OSU fans are not more committed to bball.
I may get killed for this, but i don't see OSU going very far this year, we don't have any depth and we live and die by outside shooting. Not a good formula for tourney victories. It's gonna take more than Turner getting hot to carry us. I think most people realize this, hence the lack of buzz around the successful bball season we are having
http://www.dispatch.com/live/c...
Spot on, see below comment.
Taylor won a National Title.
Totally agree. I am not sure they can get out of the first weekend. Need a consistent 3rd scorer. It's frustrating watching Lighty and Diebler light it up one game and disappear in the next.
got a good feeling on this one on a very good sport watching sunday
also not just snow boarding chicks are hot the surprise was hot curling chicks!!!! sadly not for team usa
Vonn gets all the skiing pub, but that Mancuso might be more attractive
OH no, Hightower and Burr
All we're missing is Valentine.
Dammit Dieber!!!
OSU should be able to drive all day
Can't afford a long scoring draught today.
might be? she is more attractive
Wish Hightower would retire.
there's the hollywood, everyone look at me, off-the-ball birddogging we're all accustomed to.
Michigan State is sloppy
Yeah they are. They were even when they took the early lead. Izzo has to be frustrated.
No foul on the Lighty drive, but we'll call one touch foul between the rings.
Turner needs to stay on the block if Lucas is going to guard him.
Women's curling down 4-1 after 3 ends. Just gave up 4 points in the 3rd end. The first Canada-US matchup of the day.
Down 12 and their students are still loud.
To me, it all goes back to the decision to build an NBA/Monster Truck-style arena when it was decided that St. John Arena had out-lived its usefulness.
As Mr. Hunter says, "The atmosphere in Value City Arena isn't the best. The best seats are committed to seat license-holders. Many longtime ticket-buyers were treated like third-class citizens when the team moved from St. John Arena and have moved on to other things. "
It's very simple... the powers-that-be (back then) sold out. Instead of a college basketball arena, they built a PSL factory. Make no mistake, they got exactly what they wanted/envisioned (great college basketball atmosphere be damned). The Schott is a horrible place to watch a college game.
Don't get me wrong. I love the Buckeyes (of course) and root for them to win every game, but I am not going to feel like I am less of a fan for calling out/questioning those who decided that the arena that would replace St. John Arena would first be a money factory and second a college basketball arena.
Great half without Turner on top of his game.
Great first half. Just sustain it now.
Canada/USA in men's ice hockey this evening. Time to make Crosby cry.
7:40 on non-HD MSNBC.
Normally, I'd say we wouldn't have a chance, but at the pace Team USA is winning medals this games, who knows.
The last olympics the US women's curling team was loaded with talent. They lost that talent this year not sure what happened.
US led by 2 Devils, that gives them a chance.
Guess the officials thought they needed to be more a part of the game this half.
Some refs just like to see themselves on the DVR'ed game broadcast when they get home
or maybe the B-dubs guys hit the button? I've seen the commercials, i know what happens in these games!
Turner not even running down the floor.
Dammit Diebler.
I don't like the call.
that's a bad calll... typical hightower strut and waving arms like a damn 5yr old on coke
Yeah, that was pretty weak.
I think we are officially in trouble here.
i see what you did there!
Diebler and Lighty have disappeared. Always seems to happen when things don't go well.
They're settling for jumpers again.
anyone else see the old dude with a club tril shirt?
Yeah, he fell on his own
Raftery will take some heat for that comment.
the commentators are having a competition on who can say in some way, shape, or form that evan's tired the most times in a 40min game....
so far, they're both winning and we're all losing.
Why does it feel like we are behind?
We're done. Turner not even looking to drive.
This officiating is atrocious.
Man, he is good.
You were a little hasty, chief.
Hope it isn't a sign of things to come but Canada just run-ruled the Women curlers.
Wow. That was awesome. And not at all expected.
WOOOOOO!!! Back in it!
Huge win and without Turner anywhere near his best.
Loss to Purdue at home, win @ Sparty. Mabye I'm alone here, but I can't figure this team out. But damn it, I love 'em.
20-10-6... any question hes POY now?
With you 100%.
I will say though, losing at home by 3 to the number 4 team isn't a bad loss. Especially to turn around and beat Michigan State on their home court. I think this team is going to be a tough out in the NCAA tourney.
It's nice to win one when the officiating was obviously trying to hand the game to Izzo. I don't generally complain about the officials but that was terrible, and how is Ed Hightower still on the job?!
nice tuff game solid victory
I think Hightower started officiating when they still used peach baskets and couldn't dribble.
I think he has also confused the game of basketball with rugby.
Game ball to the team as a whole.
Diebler played the best D of his career in the first half, slacked off some in 2nd.
Cheap shot on the leg whip by Lucas on Buford...should have been intentional or flagrant.
I am happier than a pig in shit that Hightower doesn't officiate football.