Northwestern @ Ohio State: Conference Opener

• se-alum

  

  Tomorrow @ 5:30. Northwestern isn't a bad team, but they don't have enough to keep this too terribly close, especially at VCA. Bucks by 15.
• centralbucksfan

  se-alum;1027963 wrote:Tomorrow @ 5:30. Northwestern isn't a bad team, but they don't have enough to keep this too terribly close, especially at VCA. Bucks by 15.

  Agree with this. NW will hang in for a while, but OSU will pull away. OSU needs to defend the 3pt shot and be patient on defense as NW will use the shot clock. Shurna and Crawford are two pretty good players.
• gerb131

  

  530 is a weird time. Always tough with NW think we win but the Cats keep it around 10.
• vball10set

  I'm not overly concerned when we're at VCA, so I'll say OSU by at least 15. However, since we haven't shown we can win a road game against a ranked opponent, I'll be nervous about any B1G games on the road.
• holdingout

  Hope OSU plays with more spirit in this game.
• se-alum

  

  vball10set;1028105 wrote:I'm not overly concerned when we're at VCA, so I'll say OSU by at least 15. However, since we haven't shown we can win a road game against a ranked opponent, I'll be nervous about any B1G games on the road.

  In the one chance they've had, without Sullinger??
• vball10set

  se-alum;1028114 wrote:In the one chance they've had, without Sullinger??

  Yes, but they still haven't proved they can. Once they do (ie on 12/31 in Bloomington), I'll feel a little more confident. That being said, I'm predicting the the B1G regular season champ will have at least two conference losses this season.
• Heretic

  

  Northwestern should be a good challenge, just because they can test the patience of any team with their style of play. You have to be disciplined and not force stuff when they're out there running down the shot clock and trying to keep games to a 55-52 margin.
• wildcats20

  

  Really stroking it well tonight.
  
  Was a 3 point game and now it's blown wide open.
• gerb131

  

  Matta has played 9 already and still 5 left 1st half.
• se-alum

  

  Hightower makin' sure everyone knows he's there. No flow to the 2nd half, due to ticky-tack foul calls.
• gerb131

  

  Havent seen NW dismanteled like this much. 77-51 still 4 to play. And I think Buford missed like 3 shots. 28 points for 44 its always someone else putting up numbers they just roll with the hot hand.
• centralbucksfan

  se-alum;1029289 wrote:Hightower makin' sure everyone knows he's there. No flow to the 2nd half, due to ticky-tack foul calls.

  You can say that again. Everytime I go to a game(season tickets) and I see Hightower officiating...I know whats coming. Just aweful. Watching how physical the IU/MSU game is, with no calls. Can't stand when officials make it about them.
  
  As for OSU, was VERY nice to see them play well. Probably first time since Duke they put together two good halfs of ball. Great to see Sibert play well. We needed his shooting against the zone. And Scott played very well in relief for Craft. You can just see how talented Scott is. He dropped some dimes a few times. Sully looks like he is back in the flow of things as well. Buford, wow..what can you see. He was into it tonite. Wish we could see that every game. I think its mental with him. Going to IU on Sat nite will be a STIFF test for this team. Looking forward to see how they play on the road.
• vball10set

  centralbucksfan;1029382 wrote: Looking forward to see how they play on the road.

  Our first real road test with Sully, and Craft has to stay out of foul trouble--he looked out of synch tonight (which Hightower definitely had a hand in). It'll be a battle for sure.
• ytownfootball

  

  centralbucksfan;1029382 wrote:You can say that again. Everytime I go to a game(season tickets) and I see Hightower officiating...I know whats coming. Just aweful. Watching how physical the IU/MSU game is, with no calls. Can't stand when officials make it about them.
  
  As for OSU, was VERY nice to see them play well. Probably first time since Duke they put together two good halfs of ball. Great to see Sibert play well. We needed his shooting against the zone. And Scott played very well in relief for Craft. You can just see how talented Scott is. He dropped some dimes a few times. Sully looks like he is back in the flow of things as well. Buford, wow..what can you see. He was into it tonite. Wish we could see that every game. I think its mental with him. Going to IU on Sat nite will be a STIFF test for this team. Looking forward to see how they play on the road.

  
  Willy B surged after his blocked shot and never quit after that, great game from him. Happy to see Sibert play some meaningful minutes where he actually produced.
• centralbucksfan

  vball10set;1029385 wrote:Our first real road test with Sully, and Craft has to stay out of foul trouble--he looked out of synch tonight (which Hightower definitely had a hand in). It'll be a battle for sure.

  Definately not one of Craft better games. But it wasn't bad either. I don't worry too much about them getting in foul trouble. Both are pretty smart players. Two of Sully fouls tonite were a joke. And what we have now with this team, that we haven't in the past, is depth. Matta may not go to it unless needed. But with Scott able to come in, as well as Ravenal and others, OSU can certainly hold their own. Tonite with Craft and Sully on the bench, OSU actually increased their lead. That was great to see.
• se-alum

  

  Scott definitely had some nice passes that led to easy scores. He's gonna be a good one.
• Big Gain

  se-alum;1029409 wrote:Scott definitely had some nice passes that led to easy scores. He's gonna be a good one.

  I hope he's patient, he won't be a starter or play more than 10 minutes in a meaningful game until he's a Senior.
• centralbucksfan

  Big Gain;1029614 wrote:I hope he's patient, he won't be a starter or play more than 10 minutes in a meaningful game until he's a Senior.

  He played 20 min tonite in a meaningful game tonite. And it will be interesting to see how it plays out with he and Craft. But Scott is too talented to stay in the bench for 3yrs. That I do know.
• Midstate01

  

  I think eventually you'll see craft and Scott on the floor together. Maybe not this season though.
• hoops23

  

  Big Gain;1029614 wrote:I hope he's patient, he won't be a starter or play more than 10 minutes in a meaningful game until he's a Senior.

  LMAO, what?
• se-alum

  

  Big Gain;1029614 wrote:I hope he's patient, he won't be a starter or play more than 10 minutes in a meaningful game until he's a Senior.

  Ridiculous.
• Wooball

  

  Midstate01;1029691 wrote:I think eventually you'll see craft and Scott on the floor together. Maybe not this season though.

  I think next year we may see them on the floor together some, but I think with Craft, Scott, Smith, Thompson, Sibert, Ross, Ravenel, Williams, Spoon and McDonald you are going to have a long, quick, athletic team w/ no true post scorer. I'd expect that team to pressure and get out and run. To do that Matta is going to need 2 quality PG's to run the show, which he will have.
  
  Edit: I left out Thomas, he should come back for his junior year but it wouldn't shock me if he leaves if he is told he would get picked.
• centralbucksfan

  Wooball;1029812 wrote:I think next year we may see them on the floor together some, but I think with Craft, Scott, Smith, Thompson, Sibert, Ross, Ravenel, Williams, Spoon and McDonald you are going to have a long, quick, athletic team w/ no true post scorer. I'd expect that team to pressure and get out and run. To do that Matta is going to need 2 quality PG's to run the show, which he will have.
  
  Edit: I left out Thomas, he should come back for his junior year but it wouldn't shock me if he leaves if he is told he would get picked.

  McDonald won't see the floor for a LONG, LONG while, if ever. He just isn't that good. A project. Until Spoon learns to shoot, he isn't going to get serious time either. His shot is just aweful. Unbelievable athlete. But basketball is a skills game. His skills are lacking.
  But I agree about Scott and Craft playing together. Two PG's on the floor is not unheard of.
• Wooball

  

  centralbucksfan;1029833 wrote:McDonald won't see the floor for a LONG, LONG while, if ever. He just isn't that good. A project. Until Spoon learns to shoot, he isn't going to get serious time either. His shot is just aweful. Unbelievable athlete. But basketball is a skills game. His skills are lacking.
  But I agree about Scott and Craft playing together. Two PG's on the floor is not unheard of.

  There was a reason those were the last 2 guys I listed. Although Spoon did get into the game last night in the 1st half. He could see some action next year at the 4 if Thomas makes a poor(basketball) decision and heads to the NBA.