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Ohio State Basketball Official Thread

  • Azubuike24
    Has Matta come out of it, even for a minute, all year?
  • centralbucksfan
    Azubuike24;1688482 wrote:Has Matta come out of it, even for a minute, all year?
    Not that I have seen. Different versions, some trapping, stuff like that. He is committed to it from what I know and have read.
  • se-alum
    Some things I took away from the game. Russell has a way to go to be a lottery pick. He has struggled in the 3 games where we played actual D1 talent. He seems to press in those games, and his shot selection can be pretty poor. He seems to take a lot of shots where he doesn't take the time to actually set up and take the shot. No doubt he'll improve, and by the middle of the B1G season, he may very well look like a lottery pick. As we all knew, our bigs are going to be a huge problem all season. They don't have to be great, but they need to be able to make shots within 3-4 feet of the basket. I don't like the zone either. If we can play man with guys like LaQuinton Ross and Deshaun Thomas in the lineup, why can't we play it now?? Loving and Williams would struggle in it probably, but we know Scott and Thompson are above average man defenders, and I can't imagine guys like Russell, Tate, Bates-Diop, and Kam would be less than average. The zone obviously isn't going to work. Wisky will beat us by 25 if we try to zone them.
  • vball10set
    Another fast start against a weaker opponent..now, let's not follow the familiar pattern of just jacking shots up, play lazy defense, thus allowing said weaker opponent back into the game. We need to play well as a tune up for the B1G season. GO BUCKS!!!
  • gerb131
    Still don't know what to think of this team. Once they get into the conference and gain experience they could be a tough out in march.
  • se-alum
    Iowa dismantling our terrible zone defense early.
  • centralbucksfan
    OSU is just better with Scott on the bench and Russell running the point. Scott is terrible right now. And this zone is terrible. Iowa is carving it up. They let the ball at the high post (kills a zone) easily and are giving up offensive rebounds as well. Driving me crazy. Another slow start...what is with that. Maybe time to start others who are ready to play.
  • centralbucksfan
    This team is soft and doesn't compete often enough. Iowa getting all the loose balls. This team lacks fight. Disappointing as hell.
  • se-alum
    centralbucksfan;1690691 wrote:OSU is just better with Scott on the bench and Russell running the point. Scott is terrible right now. And this zone is terrible. Iowa is carving it up. They let the ball at the high post (kills a zone) easily and are giving up offensive rebounds as well. Driving me crazy. Another slow start...what is with that. Maybe time to start others who are ready to play.
    Basically just a shoot around for Iowa right now. OSU not able to contest any shots in this zone. Could they really be any worse playing man?
  • centralbucksfan
    se-alum;1690693 wrote:Basically just a shoot around for Iowa right now. OSU not able to contest any shots in this zone. Could they really be any worse playing man?
    Can't believe it would be any worse. Iowa getting wide open looks and as I mentioned, getting the ball to the middle of the zone. Which opens up the outside. At least in mm, you would make Iowa work for it a little bit. Just think the zone leads OSU to be lazy, no loose balls, no rebounding. I think Matta had right idea using zone. But its not working IMO. At least like to see them mix it up a little. But that's not going to happen. They are committed to it.
  • centralbucksfan
    Wow..how frustrating is this team to watch? OSU giving themselves so many opportunities...and they just blow it. Yet another on the way..can they convert this time!? Its too bad they can't come out of the gate with the energy they are playing now. This would be a totally different game.
  • centralbucksfan
    Frustrating loss to say the least. This team comes out of the gate just flat, digs itself big deficit, fights back, not enough. Sound familiar? Scott sucked..yet again. He is giving OSU absolutely nothing right now. Teams can easily focus on Russell. Losing at home in a game OSU should have won. At least Matta went to some man to man late. Maybe see some more of that?
  • se-alum
    Joke of an effort today. Lazy on offense and defense today. Russell has pretty much choked against the 3 legitimate teams we have played this year. These freshman have to learn and carry this team, because it's obvious the seniors aren't capable of it.
  • Laley23
    I am a lot higher on Iowa than most, but still didn't expect them to dominate today. Expected a win, but despite the score the game was never really in doubt.
  • centralbucksfan
    se-alum;1690715 wrote:Joke of an effort today. Lazy on offense and defense today. Russell has pretty much choked against the 3 legitimate teams we have played this year. These freshman have to learn and carry this team, because it's obvious the seniors aren't capable of it.
    I'll agree on effort. But Russell didn't exactly choke IMO. He basically brought OSU back against UL by himself. He had foul trouble today. And when Scott is non existent, teams are easily going to focus on Russell. He didn't shoot the 3 well today. But wasn't that bad. When you dig yourself a hole like that, players are going to press a bit to get team back in game. Puts the best player in a bad position at times when forced to make plays. He is least of my concerns. Scott at top of it. But overall, as you mentioned, the lack of effort, especially at the start of the game, was just piss poor.
  • centralbucksfan
    Laley23;1690717 wrote:I am a lot higher on Iowa than most, but still didn't expect them to dominate today. Expected a win, but despite the score the game was never really in doubt.
    They have a nice team capable of beating many teams. But also, capable of losing to anyone. Nothing inside. Anyone with an inside game is going to hurt them. They can shoot the ball and against OSU piss poor zone...well, we saw what can happen.
  • se-alum
    centralbucksfan;1690724 wrote:I'll agree on effort. But Russell didn't exactly choke IMO. He basically brought OSU back against UL by himself. He had foul trouble today. And when Scott is non existent, teams are easily going to focus on Russell. He didn't shoot the 3 well today. But wasn't that bad. When you dig yourself a hole like that, players are going to press a bit to get team back in game. Puts the best player in a bad position at times when forced to make plays. He is least of my concerns. Scott at top of it. But overall, as you mentioned, the lack of effort, especially at the start of the game, was just piss poor.
    Russell was 6-20 against Louisville, 4-17 against UNC, and 4-16 today. He's struggled mightily in the 3 biggest games OSU has played. He has to be much better for OSU to be a factor this year. It's obviously not all his fault, but he has a lot of work today. I would love to see Tate start for Scott, and Lee for Williams, but we all know Matta will never do that, no matter how bad Scott & Williams play.
  • Laley23
    They are find inside. White and Woodbury aren't bangers, but they can defend the post fine. Great length elsewhere as well helps.
  • Laley23
    se-alum;1690734 wrote:Russell was 6-20 against Louisville, 4-17 against UNC, and 4-16 today. He's struggled mightily in the 3 biggest games OSU has played. He has to be much better for OSU to be a factor this year. It's obviously not all his fault, but he has a lot of work today. I would love to see Tate start for Scott, and Lee for Williams, but we all know Matta will never do that, no matter how bad Scott & Williams play.
    @Justin_Albers: Vs. KenPom Top 50:


    D’Angelo Russell: 13.7 ppg, 14-53 FG (26%), 4-24 3FG (17%).
  • centralbucksfan
    se-alum;1690734 wrote:Russell was 6-20 against Louisville, 4-17 against UNC, and 4-16 today. He's struggled mightily in the 3 biggest games OSU has played. He has to be much better for OSU to be a factor this year. It's obviously not all his fault, but he has a lot of work today. I would love to see Tate start for Scott, and Lee for Williams, but we all know Matta will never do that, no matter how bad Scott & Williams play.
    Hard to argue that. But again, the team getting down big as they do early, puts a lot of pressure on Russell to make something happen. So I am not putting it all on him. And in those games, he was also involved in getting OSU back in the game and giving them a chance. Amir actually played decent today. And Lee...well, I am hugely disappointed in him thus far. I really expected him to be a big factor with this team. Scott..well, he has no excuses. Poor turnovers, poor shot selection. And I have seen an attitude with him as well. Today, got his shot blocked, while getting back..he basically let guy go right by him to the rim. This from a senior? So ya, IDK. Team has potential and I am still optimistic they will get better. I believe a few years ago they started off like 1-3 in Big Ten and then went on a great run. We'll see...
  • Laley23
    I do agree that the zone is the root of all the problems. Creates such a lackadaisical attitude. Right out of the gate, they are relaxed. I did it all the time in high school, and I assume the mindset is the same in college, based on the results.
  • Mulva
    Bad loss. Iowa is not a good team.
  • Heretic
    There's something to be said for dominating hordes of weak-ass teams by 40+ points and then not looking like you have a clue when going against opponents that actually have some degree of ability.

    It's not good, but there is something to be said.
  • Laley23
    Mulva;1690752 wrote:Bad loss. Iowa is not a good team.
    They are not great. But, what have they done to make everyone think they suck?
  • Automatik
    Heretic;1690756 wrote:There's something to be said for dominating hordes of weak-ass teams by 40+ points and then not looking like you have a clue when going against opponents that actually have some degree of ability.

    It's not good, but there is something to be said.
    Something is to be said and time will tell.