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Illinois at Ohio State 2/21...

  • centralbucksfan
    ytownfootball;1091796 wrote:Not sure what happened to Thomas stepping back. Early in the season it looked like he was going to fill that role adequately, now he doesn't seem to look for that shot.
    He actually did hit 3 of 6 threes vs UM. But prior few games, he hasn't been shooting well either. On the season, he is 32% from three. Not great. He is streaky from the outside. As is Buford. No consistancy..never know what your going to get from either one game to the next.
  • vball10set
    more on WB...

    http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2012/02/tuesday-skull-session-1#more
    SO GOES THE SEASON WITH BUFORD. William Buford is having an up and down season, which has been trending downward as of late. Rob Oller of the Columbus Dispatch believes the Buckeyes aren't going to get far unless Buford turns it around.As displayed in the Buckeyes' losses against Michigan State and Michigan, Buford is going to need to elevate his level of play if the Buckeyes expect to go far in the NCAA tournament. Buford, the team's only senior, is setting a poor example for the younger players beneath him as he has taken the most shots on the team but is an astounding ninth in field goal percentage on the team.
    Additionally, while Buford is averaging 15 points this season, his highest average of his career, he is averaging 18.4 points against the bottom seven Big Ten squads and only 8.8 points against the top four teams. He's clearly having trouble living up to the pressures of big games and that's a bad sign because every game in March Madness is a big game.
    Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas can only do so much for this team. Thad Matta needs to get more out of his perimeter game. Lenzelle Smith, Aaron Craft, and Buford have simply not been a great alternative to the post game and it's hurt OSU in their last two big games.
    Buford, who could've been a first round NBA draft pick last year, is playing at such a low level that some people are questioning if he'll even get drafted. Could Buford have to play in Europe like David Lighty did this year? Maybe we shouldn't think this far ahead as Buford still has time to turn it around, but Buford has to pick it up or the Buckeyes are in trouble come March.

  • centralbucksfan
    Hard to argue any of that. I could care less about his NBA stuff. I just want to see him be more consistant. I think MOST players are going to average less vs better teams/defenses. But that despartiy Buford has is pretty alarming.
  • LJ
    Ravenel.....*facepalm*

    a foul in seriously 30 seconds
  • Automatik
    Air Thompson!!!
  • Mulva
    LOLinois. So bad.
  • chicago510
    Sam Thompson...giggity can he jump. That was an NBA oop.

    Buckeyes hot tonight...which means they will struggle this weekend.
  • Automatik
    chicago510;1092260 wrote:
    Buckeyes hot tonight...which means they will struggle this weekend.
    Haha I was thinking the exact same thing. They will blow their load tonight.

    I'm pumped to see how Thompson's future at OSU unfolds. Some more time in the weight room and increased PT, sky is the limit.
  • chicago510
    Automatik;1092264 wrote:Haha I was thinking the exact same thing. They will blow their load tonight.

    I'm pumped to see how Thompson's future at OSU unfolds. Some more time in the weight room and increased PT, sky is the limit.
    Maybe some semblance of a jumper lol?
  • Laley23
    Goodness. Bruce Weber should do the country a favor and resign at the half. I cant stomach to watch this team any more. They were awful 2 weeks ago. They are DREADFUL now.
  • chicago510
    I would feel good about this bounceback performance if this sorry ass Illinois team didn't just get crushed by Nebraska.
  • Laley23
    chicago510;1092270 wrote:I would feel good about this bounceback performance if this sorry ass Illinois team didn't just get crushed by Nebraska.
    They have given up. It started when Brucie basically admitted he was fired and his team was done during that post conference.
  • Tiger2003
    Leonard having a damn solid game.
  • Big Gain
    He has to work on other things than dunks. Become as good of a shooter as Lighty made himself into.
  • vball10set
    I knew Scott couldn't shoot, but I didn't realize he was that bad-LOL...and Amir Williams has a long, long way to go. Nice start, but I'll withold judgement until the game's over. We need to put a complete game together and start to build momentum for the stretch run. GO BUCKS!!!
  • gerb131
    Up like 30 on the Illini and several Buckeyes arent in, guess wrting is on the wall.
  • Tiger2003
    That was nice by Ross.
  • Tiger2003
    Ross is going to be good.
  • wildcats20
    Laley23;1091006 wrote:OSU by 25. If Illinois actually tries, then OSU by 16


    As for what I would tell Matta:

    1. You are the more talented team on 95% of the nights. Push the pace. More possessions with more talent usuallys results in more possessions "won".
    2. Try some pick and rolls with Sully. He can hit the shot, and if not Craft will be able to penetrate and create issues even if he doesnt score. He has troubel penetrating alone.
    3. Swing the ball around until Sully has his man pinned. When he does, he touches it. Emphasize on getting the ball inside. This team cant shoot, so the best time to do so is on a kick out. They can hit those, they cant hit it when they settle though.
    Winner winner chicken dinner
  • Big Gain
    Automatik;1092264 wrote:Haha I was thinking the exact same thing. They will blow their load tonight.

    I'm pumped to see how Thompson's future at OSU unfolds. Some more time in the weight room and increased PT, sky is the limit.
    He must do much more than that for him to hit a sky limit. He's isn't going to be worth much unless he turns himself into the shooter Lighty turned himself into.
  • SportsAndLady
    Phew.

    Took OSU -15.5

    They have to have the worst scrap players in the world lol holy shit it was like 24 points
  • LJ
    wildcats20;1092363 wrote:Winner winner chicken dinner
    except it wasn't because Illinois tried :laugh:
  • Laley23
    LJ;1092375 wrote:except it wasn't because Illinois tried :laugh:
    Oh, they tried. You STFU.
  • centralbucksfan
    Good to see OSU come out and play with a purpose. I realize ILL is tanking. But OSU played with a sense of urgency early on then held a consistant lead. They had what they need, balance. Smith came to play and was aggressive. Scott in the lineup WITH Craft I liked. He pushes the pace of the game and is able to penetrate, break down defenses. I also hope Thomas keeps on this hot streak. Last two games he is on a roll.
    Weber is COOKED. He was coaching his ass off and I dont' think one player was listening. They have quit on him. Sad to see, because this Ill team has talent.
  • stlouiedipalma
    I'll be smiling when I step into Starbucks tomorrow morning with my OSU gear on. I love it when they beat the Illini.