Tuesday: Ohio State (5-0) at Florida State (5-1)

• Ankle Breaker

  

  centralbucksfan;582732 wrote:Go ask Matta. But I watched him closely. He boxed out a number of times, had at least 3 steals tonite, he does in fact play pretty decent defense. And even if he isn't hitting the 3...he is still a threat, which spreads the defense.

  
  This completely explains Diebler. The opponent must always know where he is because he can catch fire at any time. Everybody knows it.
• Big Gain

  That's why he plays more minutes than any other player??? He's Matta's coach on the floor. Son of a coach, his older brother played DIV1 ball, a gym rat, intelligent. The leading 3-point shooter in Ohio State history, shooting 43% from 3 point range. Rated by ESPN as the 5th best shooter in the country. Defense has improved every year. YEP...HE IS WHAT HE IS. Call Matta on his weekly radio show, ask him why Diebler plays so many minutes, when you think he's terrible.
• centralbucksfan

  se-alum;582754 wrote:I really think it's time for Craft to start, which will let Buford start off the game in a position he is more comfortable with. Buford is at his best curling of a screen and hitting the mid range jumper. Give him a chance to get goin' early, then he can spell Craft when he needs a rest.

  
  Why would you want to "change" when OSU has yet to lose, is ranked #2, and overall, has been playing very well? Starting is completely overrated. Craft is on the floor when needed. And tonite, OSU actually got off to a good start with the big lineup. Matta is developing a rotation as well. Guys are getting comfortable with their roles. Sorry, but it would be ridiculous to make any kind of change at this point.
• Ankle Breaker

  

  Another thing about Diebler - when the Bucks play a long, athletic team like FSU or last year's Tenn Vols, Diebler is usually not as effective. But it was even more important for him to be on the floor tonight with Buford playing probably not even half the game with foul trouble. Where would the outside threat come from with neither of them on the floor? Sibert? Not yet ready for that responsibility in a big game. IMO
• Big Gain

  Laley23;582733 wrote:Really? They are a terribly undisciplined team. I would doubt if they make the toruney this year. Tremendous athletes who can fly around on defense...but 44 points is very telling. They had some wide open looks that werent even close. 44 points. Thats just terrible.
  
  
  OSU looked pretty good though. They didnt panic and got the ball to the rim despite getting blocked. Good patience.

  Ohio State is holding their opponents to an average of 43 PPG.
• CinciX12

  

  I only got to catch the last 10 of the 2nd half but from what I saw it was a good experience for Craft to play against a good defending team like FSU. OSU's defense really impressed in just that short time period too.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  The Bucks won tonight despite playing 5 against 8, losing one key guy to an injury and another to a brain fart.
  
  I have to say, I was impressed that OSU didn't get rattled when they were continuously getting mugged under the basket. The refs simply weren't calling FSU's bigs when they hammered people inside.
  
  That the freshman, especially, remained composed through all this, is a testament both to their talent and Thad's coaching.
  
  As for those of you who don't get why Diebler is one the floor so much...he had at least three key steals tonight that helped to thwart runs by FSU, and he hit just enough from the outside to keep them honest and open the floor. If Ohio State even has close to a "normal" shooting night, they win this thing by 20 plus.
• Big Gain

  se-alum;582754 wrote:I really think it's time for Craft to start, which will let Buford start off the game in a position he is more comfortable with. Buford is at his best curling of a screen and hitting the mid range jumper. Give him a chance to get goin' early, then he can spell Craft when he needs a rest.

  Ohio State is the #2 ranked team in the country and you want to mess with Matta's player rotation???? Look how many minutes he's getting and when he's on the floor. IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMMATERIAL WHO STARTS.
• se-alum

  

  centralbucksfan;582767 wrote:Why would you want to "change" when OSU has yet to lose, is ranked #2, and overall, has been playing very well? Starting is completely overrated. Craft is on the floor when needed. And tonite, OSU actually got off to a good start with the big lineup. Matta is developing a rotation as well. Guys are getting comfortable with their roles. Sorry, but it would be ridiculous to make any kind of change at this point.

  Big Gain;582779 wrote:Ohio State is the #2 ranked team in the country and you want to mess with Matta's player rotation???? Look how many minutes he's getting and when he's on the floor. IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMMATERIAL WHO STARTS.

  IMO, in the long run, it is important that Buford(one of our best scorers) be comfortable. Can anyone honestly say that they think Buford has played well in his new role?? It's obvious he's not comfortable with it. Why not strive to be #1, instead of settling for #2. I'm very happy with the way the Bucks are playing, I'm just the type at person that thinks if there's possible room for improvement, why not try it. OSU isn't going to be challenged for a while, so now's a good time to see if it would make a difference or not. Again, just my opinion.
• Laley23

  

  Big Gain;582770 wrote:Ohio State is holding their opponents to an average of 43 PPG.

  
  ok??
  
  FSU should have had way more than 44 points tonight. They were terrible on offense.
  
  BTW, no they are not.
• hoops23

  

  77Legend;582738 wrote:Does anyone think that Buford shoots too much?

  
  No, actually, I'd prefer him to become even more aggressive.
  
  This is the kind of win that builds team character. Nothing was really going for OSU tonight, yet they battled through it and still prevailed with a 14 point win on the road against a solid FSU team.
  
  You can tell that FSU was 'up' for this game.
  
  As Wes said earlier, OSU played like crap, but were still able to come away with a pretty convincing W.
  
  The one thing that I was frustrated about, was the lack of movement on offense, specifically by Sullinger. There is no way he should have been denied the ball so often. Somebody, whether he or the ball handler, has to find a way to get him more touches inside.
  
  Opposing teams are going to study this, and while most don't have the size or athleticism that FSU does, they will employ that into their defensive gameplan. OSU has to do a better job with entry passes.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  I doubt OSU is going to shoot as poorly from outside as they did tonight during most games -- which made what FSU was doing inside that much more effective. If Ohio State had had even an average night shooting, this game would have been a rout.
  
  However, I agree that Sullinger has to find ways to get free underneath that he did not show tonight. We have to remind ourselves that he IS only a freshman who has played a handful of games, so he's still learning...even while he's putting up double doubles.
• hoops23

  

  Writerbuckeye;582957 wrote:I doubt OSU is going to shoot as poorly from outside as they did tonight during most games -- which made what FSU was doing inside that much more effective. If Ohio State had had even an average night shooting, this game would have been a rout.
  
  However, I agree that Sullinger has to find ways to get free underneath that he did not show tonight. We have to remind ourselves that he IS only a freshman who has played a handful of games, so he's still learning...even while he's putting up double doubles.

  
  No doubt, which is why I was fine with the way the game was going. It's also why I said this was a "team building" win. These are the kind of wins that makes you a better player, because individually, you just found out that you HAVE to bring it every game.
  
  While Sully didn't have a good game offensively, he did bring in 14 boards and played some good man defense.
• Midstate01

  

  osu had by far their worst shooting night. They will rarely not shoot it well. But they played tough D, even with the officials calling everything. If they called the same fouls against FSU, osu wins by 25.
• Big Gain

  Laley23;582803 wrote:ok??
  
  FSU should have had way more than 44 points tonight. They were terrible on offense.
  
  BTW, no they are not.

  You can't believe anything Digger says.
• Big Gain

  se-alum;582802 wrote:IMO, in the long run, it is important that Buford(one of our best scorers) be comfortable. Can anyone honestly say that they think Buford has played well in his new role?? It's obvious he's not comfortable with it. Why not strive to be #1, instead of settling for #2. I'm very happy with the way the Bucks are playing, I'm just the type at person that thinks if there's possible room for improvement, why not try it. OSU isn't going to be challenged for a while, so now's a good time to see if it would make a difference or not. Again, just my opinion.

  Buford plays the point less than 10 minutes/game. When he plays the point, all that means is he dribbles the ball across the half court line. Then Matta's motion offense starts. At that point there is no difference between what Diebler, Lighty and Buford are doing. Craft comes in at the first TV timeout, which occurs less than 5 minutes into the game. Lauderdale goes out when Craft comes in. Then they're in a 4 guard offense, instead of a 3 guard offense. At that point, the only thing Buford does differently is not bring the ball across the half court line.
  
  Do you want Freshman Craft to play the entire game at the most demanding position on the floor?? ALL 40 minutes??? If Craft was the starter and he left the floor for a blow who becomes point guard??? BUFORD!!! SAME FREAKING THING!!!! The ONLY difference is, a Junior 2 year starter, starts the game and a Freshman comes off the bench. It's a good thing for the Freshman to spend the first 4 minutes of the game and the first 4 mnutes of the 2nd half, sitting by Matta and/or an assistant watching/getting instructions about what the opponnet is doing on offense and defense.
  
  Either way, both ways, Craft plays the point 32 minutes and Bufod plays the point 8 minutes. MOST importantly, Craft is at the point at the end of the 1st half and at cruch time.
  
  You're trying to tell us that because Buford plays the point for 20% of the game it's thrown his game completely off? Even the 80% of the time when he doesn't play the point?
  
  We're all glad it's just your "opinion" and Matta is making the decisions.
• 77Legend

  

  Big Gain....my screen name derives from a family member of mine, not in regards to me. Oh, and yes he was a legend at Ohio State too! : )
• thedynasty1998

  

  Didn't get to see the game, but the only comment on here I have a problem with is saying, "OSU hasn't lost, so why mess with things". I don't have a problem with the starting lineup, but just because they haven't lost a game yet doesn't mean you don't try to improve things and work on different lineups. Maybe they try Craft at PG and see if they can get a better start? Why not try it. They have plenty of games going forward to experiment with different things, so we will see if Matta thinks it's worth changing anything.
• centralbucksfan

  thedynasty1998;583103 wrote:Didn't get to see the game, but the only comment on here I have a problem with is saying, "OSU hasn't lost, so why mess with things". I don't have a problem with the starting lineup, but just because they haven't lost a game yet doesn't mean you don't try to improve things and work on different lineups. Maybe they try Craft at PG and see if they can get a better start? Why not try it. They have plenty of games going forward to experiment with different things, so we will see if Matta thinks it's worth changing anything.

  
  FYI...OSU got off to a great start last nite. Built their lead and never gave it up with the starting lineup. And I'll gaurantee (as I did with Diebler time), that Matta won't touch the starting lineup unless things head south real fast. He isn't one to do that. He is about routine, guys developing their roles. As it should be. As mentioned, Buford might play the point for maybe 10 min a game at most. Then he is moved over once Craft comes in. For most of game, at end of game...Lauderdale is on bench, and Craft is on floor when it counts. That won't change.
  
  As for the game, it wasn't pretty. OSU definately didn't shoot well. Didn't play near their "A" game offensively. But still won going away.
  What was impressive...even though FLa St isnt' good offensively, OSU still played well defensively. And even more encouraging...against a bigger/athletic team...OSU outrebounded Fla St and had a number of offensive rebounding. I love this as rebounding has been not good the past few years. Sully obviously makes a difference in this area. But the rest of the players are more aggressive going to the boards as well. Great thing to see!
• norwalk

  Ohio State did get off to a nice start but I think they could of put them away early if Diebler would of hit some of his early wide open attempts. With that said, a win at FSU (athletic, defensive) team I will take it.
• Laley23

  

  Big Gain;583009 wrote:You can't believe anything Digger says.

  
  I didnt hear a thing Digger, or anyone said last night, I watched at a bar. I can see with my own two eyes how pathetic the offense that FSU was running. It was extremely undisciplined and a bunch of get the ball and look to score. If you get cut off, throw up a bad shot or pass. It, unfortunately, reminded me a lot of Indianas offense the last few years.
  
  As for OSU only giving up 43 pts a game...I have no clue where you get that unless we are gonna count exhibitions.
  
  FSU actually got some great looks from 3 off of their defense and had some run out opportunities and still only managed 44. It was terrible offense.
  
  OSU on the other hand looked great on offense. They worked their sets, and got the ball down low. Just that FSU has tremendous athletes and swatted away everything they put up.
• CinciX12

  

  Big Gain;583009 wrote:You can't believe anything Digger says.

  
  My little 4 year old cousin has an imaginary friend she plays barbie with that knows as much about basketball as Digger.
• Ankle Breaker

  

  Usually when a team has 10 of their shots blocked and more than that altered, they lose. OSU wins by 14. I take that as a good sign.
• centralbucksfan

  Laley23;583312 wrote:I didnt hear a thing Digger, or anyone said last night, I watched at a bar. I can see with my own two eyes how pathetic the offense that FSU was running. It was extremely undisciplined and a bunch of get the ball and look to score. If you get cut off, throw up a bad shot or pass. It, unfortunately, reminded me a lot of Indianas offense the last few years.
  
  As for OSU only giving up 43 pts a game...I have no clue where you get that unless we are gonna count exhibitions.
  
  FSU actually got some great looks from 3 off of their defense and had some run out opportunities and still only managed 44. It was terrible offense.
  
  OSU on the other hand looked great on offense. They worked their sets, and got the ball down low. Just that FSU has tremendous athletes and swatted away everything they put up.

  
  A few points:
  1. i agree with FSU offense being bad, and not running anything on offense.
  2. Even at that, the OSU defense still played well. FSU may not run anything, but when you have athletes like that, they are capable of getting to the rim and then rebouding. OSU did a very nice job staying in front, not getting beat, and rebounding. FSU had a few good look 3's, but not many IMO.
  3. Not sure where you go the OSU offense looking good. It was as poor as they have been all season to be honest. Didn't shoot well, nor did they really execute very well on offense except for a handful of possessions IMO. BUT, give FSU some credit...they actually do play pretty darn good defense.
• Laley23

  

  centralbucksfan;583445 wrote:A few points:
  1. i agree with FSU offense being bad, and not running anything on offense.
  2. Even at that, the OSU defense still played well. FSU may not run anything, but when you have athletes like that, they are capable of getting to the rim and then rebouding. OSU did a very nice job staying in front, not getting beat, and rebounding. FSU had a few good look 3's, but not many IMO.
  3. Not sure where you go the OSU offense looking good. It was as poor as they have been all season to be honest. Didn't shoot well, nor did they really execute very well on offense except for a handful of possessions IMO. BUT, give FSU some credit...they actually do play pretty darn good defense.

  
  I thought OSU worked well on offense and didnt get frustrated and kept getting the ball down low. I liked their patience. Maybe that is getting confused with finishing the plays Idk. I also havent seen OSU play too much this season.