12/12: (13) Ohio State at (22) Butler

• Leonardo

  

  OSU is 7-1 and are playing in their first game without Evan Turner.
  
  Butler is 6-3 and have lost two of their last four games.
  
  
  Noon on ESPN
• centralbucksfan

  Will be an interesting game to see how OSU does without Turner. If they are able to go in and get a win, it could go a LONG way for this team as far as confidence is concerned. I expect them to go in and be very competative and think it will be a close game either way.
• thedynasty1998

  

  Butler isn't as good as I thought they would be, although they will stay in the top 25 all year.
  
  I think this is a good test for the Bucks without Turner. I don't think they win, but I'll be happy if they can keep it within 8-10 points. A win would be HUGE!
• devil1197

  A win would be HUGE for confidence and a great resume builder for the tourney down the road. It will show the committee that OSU can play without Turner.
  
  Buford needs to wake up and start playing his game for OSU to win.
• Mulva

  

  This is the kind of game I could see OSU winning even without Turner. Butler is solid, but they aren't very athletic. Buckeyes might not need someone creating off the dribble to get open looks for guys like Diebler.
  
  Going to be interesting to see how the rebounding goes without Turner though.
• osu45804

  

  Sloppy start
• osu45804

  

  Buckeyes on a 11-0 Run to lead 29-28 ... David Lighty and Dallas Lauderdale have been great today.. Diebler still has not scored
• devil1197

  I figured Butler would focus on Diebler after Turner being out.
  
  Glad to see that Lauderdale and Lighty are stepping up.
• BlueDevil11

  

  Lauderdale is getting a lot of easy points off of passes from Lighty. Those two are making it look really easy to score.
• osu45804

  

  Buckeyes end the half on a 18-6 run to lead 36-34
• devil1197

  Very good end to the half for the Buckeyes.
  
  What would be great is if the guys continue to score and then Diebler knocks in a few 3's. They need to get him some open looks.
• centralbucksfan

  Very nice comeback by OSU. They started off slowly, then changed to man to man on defense and got more aggressive. Lighty really getting after it on both ends of court. Keeping Dallas out of foul trouble is key as he is a big mismatch on offensive end. Gotta get Buford and Deibler going.
  As I was worried about, both those guys are getting face guarded without Turner on the floor to loosen up the defense. Gotta find a way to get them open for shots.
• devil1197

  Exactly, both of those guys especially Diebler are going to be facing the opponent's defensive focus. Hopefully this will allow Lighty and Lauderdale to continue having solid games. But sooner or later OSU will have to set some plays up to get Billy and Jon some open looks.
• osu45804

  

  Sloppy start to the 2nd half too
• osu45804

  

  Tie time at 48 w/ 13:12 left .... Buckeyes REALLY need to defend the 3 .... Diebler has TWO points and from the free throw line, he needs to get open and knock down a couple shots bad
• centralbucksfan

  Wow, that was a bs phantom foul on Lauderdale. These officials have been questionable both ways. That foul in first half that was an obvious travel was one of worst calls I have seen this year.
• devil1197

  OSU needs to get Diebler an open look behind the arc. Only one 3 attempt will not win OSU the game.
• devil1197

  Maybe a substitution of Simmons for Diebler?
• osu45804

  

  Butler is getting away w/ a lot of pushing and hand checking
• devil1197

  Cannot let Butler make a huge run.
• Mulva

  

  Diebler should not be on the court right now. Really struggling without Turner out there setting him up. Hasn't created any separation for himself.
  
  Lighty looks pretty good. He's stepped up.
• devil1197

  Mulva, I agree. Diebler isn't the type of player that creates separation that's not his job or role. He needs someone to drive and kick it out to him. I won't bash him because that is his role on the Buckeyes team but it definitely hurts when the main player that sets up your other top scorer is out for two months lol.
• devil1197

  Doesn't look good for OSU. With Turner they would be dominating this game imo but they have played tough so far.
• osu45804

  

  I really dislike Hayward
• purple_rein

  Diebler definitely should have been taken out for the first part of this 2nd half, but now down 10, he has to be out there because he can catch fire at any time.
  
  Lighty, Bufford, Lauderdale, Simmons, and Hill is the lineup I like.