16 replies to this topic

[Mosheen]

#3 Ohio State vs. #12 Michigan State

Buford and Craft have to be the difference!

[Maltese Falcon]

What an atrocious week to be an Ohio State hoops fan. 40 minutes of lackluster, el matador defense versus a mediocre Purdue
team followed by a big loss to a Sparty team that actually cares. Tom Izzo said after the game that Ohio State is the best
team in the B1G. That is just a motivational comment for his team, and none other than that. I saw the first 8-9 minutes of the game, and that’s it. I knew it was over when Sparty subbed 4 players and OSU stayed put with the starters.

Versus Purdue, Matta refuses to play his bench the first 30 minutes, and then is forced to in crunch time due to foul trouble. When five starters know that there are no repercussions or bench time for poor defensive play, they aint gonna improve. That goes on the coach. Keep a rotation of fresh, hungry, energetic players and that all goes away.

Amir Williams doesn’t even know the protocol for checking into a ball game. If we play Fab Melo from SYR, Davis from Kantucky,or Zeller from UNC, we are going to need either Williams and/or Ravenal in the post. Sully can’t defend 2 post players at once, which is what a lot of elite
teams potentially down the road have.


Buford is streaky and unreliable.

[FiredupDevil]

MSU had a really good game plan in being really physical with Buford and Thomas off the ball. Never allowed them to get comfortable in the offense with or without the ball and the result is a 2 of 24 performance combined. part of me thinks that the entire MSU lineup is a match up problem for OSU as no one matches up with Green or Payne or Nix when 2 of the three are on the floor. Fact is MSU wanted this game more and went out and actually played like it

[Common Sense]

I think the last few weeks, you are seeing teams really develop a good game plan against the Buckeyes. Pressure Thomas and Buford, don't them get good looks at the hoop. Play Sullinger and Craft straight up, let them get their points (Sullinger 20, Craft 10-15) and hold the others down. Attack the Buckeyes on defense, make Buford and Thomas play defense, get Sullinger tired and see what happens.

[gamekeeper]

Problem with OSU this year is I don't think that Bufford, and Thomas have the same killer instinct as Diebler and Leighty had last year. Thomas can only contribute on the offensive side of the ball, and does not move well without the ball on a consistent basis.
And bufford is a better mid range jump shooter, and driver. So when he is isn't getting those shots, i think it affects his three point shooting. I agree with Vic, no one is afraid of OSU, they will respect what they can do, but they haven't put the fear in any team that is of any caliber yet. Duke would be a different game know that Rivers has played more games. Not saying they would win, but it would be far more interesting. OSU has problems putting teams away, and that could hender them in the tournament.
ON Sullinger
It's like playing the Bulls with Jordon early years, we can't stop him, but we can stop everyone else, and just make it rough on him.

[FiredupDevil]

Absolutely agree on the killer instinct lacking in Buford and Thomas. No drive to close out games other than to stuff the stat sheet with points

[{UnStupid}]

Ohio State: CAN beat anybody, WON'T beat everybody. Great talent but they'll never win it all...

[JimBucks]

FiredupDevil, on 16 February 2012 - 05:31 PM, said:

Absolutely agree on the killer instinct lacking in Buford and Thomas. No drive to close out games other than to stuff the stat sheet with points

Maybe today it arrived?!

[gamekeeper]

Hoping, Hoping! Big ten tournament should be fun to watch.

[FiredupDevil]

I stand corrected. William Buford lead this team in the second half with big baskets to early the the second half to allow the rest of the team to believe they could win. By far, Ravenel's five minute stretch at 8:46 might be the biggest of the season 5 pts 2 assists 1 block. Forced Green into some head scratching shot decisions on defense. Green will end up to be the player of the year but his last 5 shots were just Bufordish

[Maltese Falcon]

Thad Matta has won 5 out of the last 8 Big Ten Titles, Izzo has won 3 of the last 8 Big Ten Titles, and the last time UM
won the Big Ten they had a cocaine addict named Roy Tarpley for their Center in 1986.
Beilein will probably get coach of the year this season, and deservedly so.

[RonnyD]

Maltese Falcon, on 05 March 2012 - 06:26 PM, said:

Thad Matta has won 5 out of the last 8 Big Ten Titles, Izzo has won 3 of the last 8 Big Ten Titles, and the last time UM
won the Big Ten they had a cocaine addict named Roy Tarpley for their Center in 1986.
Beilein will probably get coach of the year this season, and deservedly so.

Actually, I believe Izzo was indeed voted Coach of the Year by both coaches and media. I agree though, that Beilein seems much more deserving considering recent program sucesses.

[ADog]

Ohio State vs Michigan State, part 3, rubber match

Each team won on the others home floor...In Indy who takes the title? This game is gonna be a great game to watch. If 1 team dominates, I think they play themselves into a #1 seed for the NCAA tourny.
Both teams so far making a statement in the Big Ten Tourny...gonna be a good one!

[cubbies4life]

ADog, on 11 March 2012 - 09:41 AM, said:

Ohio State vs Michigan State, part 3, rubber match

Each team won on the others home floor...In Indy who takes the title? This game is gonna be a great game to watch. If 1 team dominates, I think they play themselves into a #1 seed for the NCAA tourny.
Both teams so far making a statement in the Big Ten Tourny...gonna be a good one!

According to ESPN winner gets a number 1 seed, loser a number 2. Going to be a war.

[ADog]

cubbies4life, on 11 March 2012 - 10:49 AM, said:

According to ESPN winner gets a number 1 seed, loser a number 2. Going to be a war.

Did not see this (I don't watch ESPN other than games themselves too often. Would rather get my sports info from sights like this )

[gamekeeper]

So Who makes it Further......We could have an all Big ten final. i don't think that is likely but anything can happen.