Ohio State at Illinois 1/10...Thoughts??

• holdingout

  Always a tough place to play. Ohio State's defense finally playing with some attitude. I like that. Nevertheless, this game will be a battle.
• se-alum

  

  Illinois isn't very good. Also, I love the fact that Matta is building a bench, even if he has been forced into it. Buford needs to get his head out of his ass and play like a senior. He's been pretty bad lately.
• vball10set

  Always a tough place to play. IMO the key is getting Craft back on track--he's seemed off the last couple of games, uncharacteristically turning he ball over and making stupid fouls...and WB? I have no idea what's going on with him, but he'll get it righted.
  
  Bucks by 12
• se-alum

  

  vball10set;1044638 wrote:Always a tough place to play. IMO the key is getting Craft back on track--he's seemed off the last couple of games, uncharacteristically turning he ball over and making stupid fouls...and WB? I have no idea what's going on with him, but he'll get it righted.
  
  Bucks by 12

  Luckily, it seems like Scott is ready for the big stage. He's played VERY well when he's had the opportunity.
• wkfan

  se-alum;1044703 wrote:Luckily, it seems like Scott is ready for the big stage. He's played VERY well lately when he's had the opportunity.

  FIFY
• Mulva

  

  I think the Iowa game was the only time Scott's really impressed me all season. Even against Nebraska the game before he went 0/5 with 0 assists and 3 TO.
• ytownfootball

  

  Scott will need to be stepping up, especially if Willy B continues to struggle (he won't I hope). Need to have that outside threat. Scott did do pretty well @ Iowa, it is tough to come in off the bench and be lights out as a frosh though.
• wildcats20

  

  se-alum;1044627 wrote:Illinois isn't very good.

  This.
  
  
  This game won't be close.
• centralbucksfan

  se-alum;1044627 wrote:Illinois isn't very good. Also, I love the fact that Matta is building a bench, even if he has been forced into it. Buford needs to get his head out of his ass and play like a senior. He's been pretty bad lately.

  Buford shot poorly, forced a little bit. But he did have 11 rebounds, 5 asst. and 3 steals. So at least he didn't disappear on the floor. Which in the past, was something he would do. It was also his 100th victory as part of OSU. Like to see him knock down some shots, but shooters do have off nights. But his overall floor game was pretty good.
  
  If OSU plays as they did in the second half vs Iowa, they will win this game by 15+. But when you are the top dog in the conference, you are going to take everyones best shot.
• Laley23

  

  For some reason Bruce Weber continues to coach as if hes at a Mid Major with a lack of talent, walking the ball up and not letting his players make plays by calling plays each time down the court. Its pathetic.
  
  Id expect that to continue...and not end well.
  
  OSU - 73
  ILL - 59
• se-alum

  

  Mulva;1044793 wrote:I think the Iowa game was the only time Scott's really impressed me all season. Even against Nebraska the game before he went 0/5 with 0 assists and 3 TO.

  Yea, but he's come in a played with confidence when needed, and hasn't hurt the team. You can tell he's much more comfortable now than at the beginning of the year.
• centralbucksfan

  se-alum;1044936 wrote:Yea, but he's come in a played with confidence when needed, and hasn't hurt the team. You can tell he's much more comfortable now than at the beginning of the year.

  I agree with this. And I think before its all said and done, Scott will be a stud player. He has all you want. Needs to be more consistant with his jumper. But that will come. You could tell he was tentative and trying to figure things out. He had a little trouble with the speed of the game at this level. But Sat., he definately looked like the light bulb came on. Hopefully that is a huge confidence builder. Having a backup PG like him is HUGE. If some can remember after Conley left, we were begging for a PG! Now we have depth there! Very nice thing to have!
• se-alum

  

  centralbucksfan;1044947 wrote:I agree with this. And I think before its all said and done, Scott will be a stud player. He has all you want. Needs to be more consistant with his jumper. But that will come. You could tell he was tentative and trying to figure things out. He had a little trouble with the speed of the game at this level. But Sat., he definately looked like the light bulb came on. Hopefully that is a huge confidence builder. Having a backup PG like him is HUGE. If some can remember after Conley left, we were begging for a PG! Now we have depth there! Very nice thing to have!

  Scott and Craft are going to have to play together next year, so one of them needs to develop a consistent jumper, and Scott looks to have the more coachable shot. He has good form, and could be a very good mid-range shooter. Craft still looks like he is pushing his shot, instead of shooting it, which is something you usually see in the women's game.
• vball10set

  I'll bet there's some serious competition involving Craft and Scott at practices, and it's only going to push them both to get better--it'd sure be fun to watch.
• LJ

  

  vball10set;1045006 wrote:I'll bet there's some serious competition involving Craft and Scott at practices, and it's only going to push them both to get better--it'd sure be fun to watch.

  You gotta wonder how much of that is factoring into Craft's boneheaded mistakes lately
• vball10set

  LJ;1045044 wrote:You gotta wonder how much of that is factoring into Craft's boneheaded mistakes lately

  I alluded to this in another thread, LJ--I really think Craft is feeling the pressure of Scott's presence, something that he hasn't had to worry about until recently. He'll get through it, but it's something he's prolly never had to deal with--ever.
• Mulva

  

  The thought of Craft, Scott, Smith, and Williams/Ravenel on the floor together is terrifying from an offensive perspective.
  
  I'm interested in the Sully v Meyers Leonard match up. He's a pretty solid defender, although he's skinny as hell and Sullinger might be able to push him around inside. I think Illinois is too bad offensively to win this one either way.
• centralbucksfan

  vball10set;1045132 wrote:I alluded to this in another thread, LJ--I really think Craft is feeling the pressure of Scott's presence, something that he hasn't had to worry about until recently. He'll get through it, but it's something he's prolly never had to deal with--ever.

  No offense, but I think this is pure BS if you think Craft is feeling any kind of pressure. The only pressure this kid feels, is what he puts on himself. He has been SO good and SO consistant since he stepped foot at OSU, its scarey. So now he is struggling a "little bit". Big deal. It happens to everyone. And really, but for one game, he hasn't been THAT bad. Just average...which we arent' used to. So its easy to say he is struggling. But feeling pressure from Scott? Nada, not even close.
• Big Gain

  Exactly, I'm more worried about Scott transferring. Unless Craft is in foul trouble or injured Scott won't see more than 10 minutes in a meaningful game.....for three years.
• hoops23

  

  Big Gain;1046565 wrote:Exactly, I'm more worried about Scott transferring. Unless Craft is in foul trouble or injured Scott won't see more than 10 minutes in a meaningful game.....for three years.

  No. You posted this BS before.
  
  It's just not true.
  
  Shannon Scott has more potential than Aaron Craft. Craft is a great defender, one of the better defensive PG's in sometime, IMO, however, he does not have the complete package that Shannon Scott does.
  
  There is absolutely no reason why they can't share time and also be on the floor at the same time for a few minutes each game.
• se-alum

  

  I don't think Craft is feeling any pressure, but I do think tight officiating has affected him in a few games. The Indiana and Iowa games weren't officiated like B1G games.
• vball10set

  centralbucksfan;1045941 wrote:No offense, but I think this is pure BS if you think Craft is feeling any kind of pressure. The only pressure this kid feels, is what he puts on himself. He has been SO good and SO consistant since he stepped foot at OSU, its scarey. So now he is struggling a "little bit". Big deal. It happens to everyone. And really, but for one game, he hasn't been THAT bad. Just average...which we arent' used to. So its easy to say he is struggling. But feeling pressure from Scott? Nada, not even close.

  None taken, but to your point, I think Craft is putting pressure on himself because of Scott's presence--not so much that he feels he'll lose his job to him, but he's so competitive and such a perfectionist he wants/needs to validate Matta's decision to play him each and every game. He's pressing, and that's obvious--but he's still my favorite Buckeye and will continue to get better.
• Big Gain

  hoops23;1046574 wrote:No. You posted this BS before.
  
  It's just not true.
  
  Shannon Scott has more potential than Aaron Craft. Craft is a great defender, one of the better defensive PG's in sometime, IMO, however, he does not have the complete package that Shannon Scott does.
  
  There is absolutely no reason why they can't share time and also be on the floor at the same time for a few minutes each game.

  When do you foresee Scott taking over the starting PG spot from Craft??
• se-alum

  

  Big Gain;1046955 wrote:When do you foresee Scott taking over the starting PG spot from Craft??

  You're too caught up on positions. If they're two of the best 5 players, they'll be on the court together.
• centralbucksfan

  se-alum;1046964 wrote:You're too caught up on positions. If they're two of the best 5 players, they'll be on the court together.

  This I agree with totally. The guy that is going to be squeezed out, is Sibert. Except for one game, he has been just aweful. Why he continues to get minutes, is beyond me. His shot looks worse this year than last. And he thinks he is a 3pt shooter. I am not sure he has made a 3 in the past 3 games. But continues to chuck them every opportunity he gets. Scott needs work on his shot, but I could deal with him shooting more than Sibert. IMO, Sibert has been the biggest disappointment on this team, by FAR!