#4 Purdue (21-3) @ #12 Ohio State (20-6)

• thedynasty1998

  

  OSU needs to win out to get a 2 seed, however it still might be unlikely.
  
  Just saw the box score. OSU only had 6 assists and 5 were from Turner. When you play 4 guards, you do that thinking that they will all be able to handle the ball and create (or because you are just playing your best 5), so it's pathetic only 1 other assist took place in the game.
  
  That really makes Evan Turner's numbers even more impressive. All of his points came off of him creating and getting it himself. No one is able to set him up or create for him to get him easy buckets, yet he still had 28.
• centralbucksfan

  I understand the concern in regards to what happened last year in NCAA. But this team is NO WHERE near last years team. As mentioned, Turner has turned up his game considerably. On top of that, Turner is the PG, which has made a huge difference in this team as well. Overall and individually, this team is SO MUCH better. The record at the end, may not show it...but again, the absence of Turner cost OSU up to 3 games.
  Yes, I was upset about last nites game....but again, Purdue is VERY good. And I honestly think its been rare this year when OSU hasn't had 3 of the top 4 scorers play well. It happened last nite with Lighty and Buford. It left Turner and Deibler to carry the weight...and OSU isn't going to get away with that.
  This team, overall, is a very good shooting team. Well, unfortunately, last nite the shooting wasn't there. Part in due to Purdue defense, part in OSU just not hitting shots. It happens in baskeball on occasion.
  And, OSU isn't going to see a "Purdue" in the first or second round either.
  Sat vs MSU is a BIG game in terms of the Big Ten title hopes. But even with a loss, I think OSU will finish the season out well in their remaining games and hopefully do well in the Big Ten Tourney.
• centralbucksfan

  thedynasty1998 wrote: OSU needs to win out to get a 2 seed, however it still might be unlikely.
  
  Just saw the box score. OSU only had 6 assists and 5 were from Turner. When you play 4 guards, you do that thinking that they will all be able to handle the ball and create (or because you are just playing your best 5), so it's pathetic only 1 other assist took place in the game.
  
  That really makes Evan Turner's numbers even more impressive. All of his points came off of him creating and getting it himself. No one is able to set him up or create for him to get him easy buckets, yet he still had 28.

  Agree about the seed.
  
  But the assist thing had more to do with OSU just not shooting the ball well. Its really as simple as that. If they shoot what they normally do, or close to it...those assist are where the typically are going to be. Buford and Lighty couldn't throw it in the ocean for the most part. And Lauderdale was non existant on both ends for much of the game.
  As I mentioned, OSU has to have at least 3 guys score to have a chance. And that typically will happen. Last nite, it didn't. I mean, Turner had HALF of OSU points. Not a good scenario.
• bulldog8

  I'll just reiterate some discussion from another thread. It just amazes me how soft Diebler is.....I mean, did you see his skin tonight? Not a blemish on it! Neutrogena needs to lock this kid up to run next to Jason Taylor in their commercials. Irregardless of the outcome, OSU should consider this a win just by Diebler's appearance last night
  
  On a more serious note....Just an off night for the Buckeyes. Not really much you can do, but come out with a little more urgency at the beginning of the game. Buckeyes came out shooting cold and Purdue was hot as hell out of the gate. It was nice to see the Buckeyes weather the storm and get it to within 48-46 with 8 minutes left, but you could tell that the run really took a lot out of them. Everyone looked quite tired and I thought it was really evident in Turner just walking it up the court and lifting a shot without getting any passes in. I really can't blame anyone in this one. When you play a team like Purdue, you are obviously going to get tested and our Buckeyes responded well down the stretch. What I saw tonight, was that this is a team that isn't going to get blown out by anyone in the country come tournament time as long as the top 5 are healthy. They will compete with everyone and make for a very interesting March. As far as the end of the game goes, Diebler got as open of a look that you will get against a great defensive team with 5 seconds left in the game. The kid shoots phenomenonally from beyond the arc and he's not going to make them all. I think it's a mute point with calling a timeout or not. I can see it both ways. A lot of arguing going on here for nothing. OSU was beat by a better team tonight, not because of X's and O's, but because of talent and depth. Let's hope for a solid rebound performance Saturday vs Michigan State.
• thedynasty1998

  

  I'm not going to blame the loss on depth, because Matta did what he shold have. But, this is the point of the season where if players are going to show their fatigue it will take place. OSU is coming off two big games, one of which was a cake walk and the other was a dog fight. Now they head to Michigan State and will need to bring it.
• Swamp Fox

  I am very disappointed with Ohio State's first half. They need to show up. There shouldn't be any issues about fatigue. These guys are all division 1 college basketball players. They have no one to blame but themselves. The hole was too big and it was a serious defeat in a game they had to have. Purdue was ready. We needed to meet Purdue's energy with a similar energy. I just didn't see that in the first 10 minutes.
• thedynasty1998

  

  D1 athletes don't fatigue?
• bulldog8

  thedynasty1998 wrote: D1 athletes don't fatigue?

  You didn't know that D1 athletes are actually robots and defy all biochemical processes of the human body?
  
  Anyone who doesn't think a D1 athlete fatigues, take a course in Biochemistry and learn a bit about lactic acid and gluconeogenesis. I don't care who you are, in how good of shape you are, fatigue is inevitable!
• Swamp Fox

  There's mental fatigue and there is physical fatigue. I think that Purdue jumped us and weren't ready. Purdue didn't appear fatigued. Are they deeper than the Bucks?? I know a little bit about fatigue but this looked more like a few minutes of capitulation. We didn't fatigue in the end, we "fatigued" for the first horrendous 10 minutes. We were the better team in the second half but not even close in the first half. "Fatigued " in the first half, not fatigued in the second?? Perhaps you are right. Perhaps I don't understand.
• centralbucksfan

  Fatique? Hmm, lets look at this. Turner sat out the entire month of December. Played only 21 min vs IU two games ago. He should easily be well rested.
  Buford played only 22 min vs Ill.
  So no, I don't buy into the fatigue, as I have stated before. Matta has been only practicing this team for an hour and fifteen min in between games. And the 5 starters are not doing many reps during this time.
  And if OSU was so fatigued, they wouldn't have had the energy the showed in the second half comeback.
  At this time of year, most everyone is fatigued. Most of it is mental at this point in the season.
  Bottom line, for whatever reason, they didn't come out of the gates.
  If you watch enough sports, often times its difficult to get up for two consecutive "big" games during a season. OSU played as well as they could have vs ILL. Thats why I cautioned people not to expect that kind of play 3 days later. Didn't think it would be that bad the first half, but I expected a bit of a falloff from Ill game.
• peoplerfunny

  I drain 3's wrote: Since when did we become Duke and start chucking up 3's all the time?

  Ohio State Basketball..."Live by the 3pt. shot, die by the 3pt. shot"...End of story.
• vball10set

  cbf--you crack me up...
• Prescott

  Ohio State Basketball..."Live by the 3pt. shot, die by the 3pt. shot"...End of story.

  This applies to reasonable number of D1 teams. There just aren't that many productive low post players.
• bulldog8

  centralbucksfan wrote: Fatique? Hmm, lets look at this. Turner sat out the entire month of December. Played only 21 min vs IU two games ago. He should easily be well rested.
  Buford played only 22 min vs Ill.
  So no, I don't buy into the fatigue, as I have stated before. Matta has been only practicing this team for an hour and fifteen min in between games. And the 5 starters are not doing many reps during this time.
  And if OSU was so fatigued, they wouldn't have had the energy the showed in the second half comeback.
  At this time of year, most everyone is fatigued. Most of it is mental at this point in the season.
  Bottom line, for whatever reason, they didn't come out of the gates.
  If you watch enough sports, often times its difficult to get up for two consecutive "big" games during a season. OSU played as well as they could have vs ILL. Thats why I cautioned people not to expect that kind of play 3 days later. Didn't think it would be that bad the first half, but I expected a bit of a falloff from Ill game.

  I wasn't saying that I thought fatigue was the main factor for this loss, just indicating that fatigue is inevitable and happens in all athletics regardless of how hard you train. I did think it showed how tired the Bucks were after their run though. They worked their tails off to get it within a 2 point game at 48-46 then it just looked like they hit a wall, forcing sloppy shots as soon as they brought the ball up the floor. I agree with you though, the first 10 minutes obviously cost the Buckeyes this game. No time to dwell on the loss though, another big foe waiting on Saturday. I like our chances against MSU much better than Purdue. I think the Buckeyes lock down this win and go undefeated the rest of the way.
• Laley23

  

  People dont get fatigue. It doesnt matter how good of shape your in or how much rest you have had etc. If you go non-stop during the game (or non-stop during any activity) you get tired. It really doesnt matter.
  
  Swamp, yes...Purdue is MUCH deeper than OSU. I dont think fatigue was the reason they lost. They were just unprepared in the first half and werent there mentally. That doesnt constitute fatigue.
• centralbucksfan

  Prescott wrote:

  Ohio State Basketball..."Live by the 3pt. shot, die by the 3pt. shot"...End of story.

  This applies to reasonable number of D1 teams. There just aren't that many productive low post players.

  Exactly. And if you want to continue the best players in the country, you have to let them play. They don't want to come into a very structured situation. They want to be able to do their thing, within the course of the offense. And Matta has obviously been one of those coaches who has let players play to their abilities. Thus, they develop and it also helps in recruiting.
  Although, I will say this year...OSU is much better at driving to the basket, and not always settling for the 3. Last nite, they did have their lapses. But again, this is a very good shooting team overall.
• ohiotiger33

  

  Exactly. I know OSU has some great players, and was wondering why they weren't at least trying to dribble-drive and then kick it out for an open look if they wanted the three. That way you could start going inside, and not have to die by the three.
• Big Gain

  Swamp Fox wrote: There's mental fatigue and there is physical fatigue. I think that Purdue jumped us and weren't ready. Purdue didn't appear fatigued. Are they deeper than the Bucks?? I know a little bit about fatigue but this looked more like a few minutes of capitulation. We didn't fatigue in the end, we "fatigued" for the first horrendous 10 minutes. We were the better team in the second half but not even close in the first half. "Fatigued " in the first half, not fatigued in the second?? Perhaps you are right. Perhaps I don't understand.

  The first ten minutes of the game when Purdue built a double digit lead had absolutely nothing to do with fatigue. Purdue shot a ridiculous 70%, anything and everything they threw up hit nothing but net. During the same span Ohio State shot 25%. Shots rattled around, went half way down and came out. Lay ups were missed. When JaJaun Johnson goes 6-6 in the 1st 10 minutes and five of those shots are from 15 feet out you know you are in trouble.
• bulldog8

  ^^^I completely agree. The first 10 minutes had nothing to do with fatigue. Just a good example of one team coming out and laying the first punch, but I loved the toughness of OSU hanging in there and chipping away to the 8 minute mark in the second half when the Buckeyes trailed 48-46. This was when I thought fatigue really started to show. Every time Turner came up the floor with the ball, he dribbled around a bit and forced up a shot from the top of the key without getting any ball movement and releasing shots with about 20 left on the shot clock. Don't get me wrong, Turner played an absolutely amazing game, but at times I think he needs to try not to do as much and let his supporting cast help him out a bit. At that point in the game, some solid ball rotation might have been more beneficial and could have created some better shots. There's really nothing else OSU could do though - this was evidently not a game to get the bench involved and Matta was absolutely right in sticking with the starting 5. Just a tough game and tough loss. Still proud of how the Buckeyes fought and great look for Diebler to end the game. I correct myself from earlier - Buckeyes have another big foe awaiting on SUNDAY, not Saturday On a positive note, big win for Minnesota over Wisconsin tonight.
• centralbucksfan

  bulldog8 wrote: Don't get me wrong, Turner played an absolutely amazing game, but at times I think he needs to try not to do as much and let his supporting cast help him out a bit.

  Uh, when your other 3/4 were playing as poorly as they were...Turner had to do what he had to do...take the game into his own hands. 99% of the time, Turner does what you mentioned above. Thats why he avg. 6 asst per game. Unfortunatley, his supporting cast didn't show up until it was basically to late. I wasn't too happy with this shots either...but again, its hard to fault him with the way he played overall. He was the only one who showed up to play a game from the getgo.
• bulldog8

  centralbucksfan wrote:

  bulldog8 wrote: Don't get me wrong, Turner played an absolutely amazing game, but at times I think he needs to try not to do as much and let his supporting cast help him out a bit.

  Uh, when your other 3/4 were playing as poorly as they were...Turner had to do what he had to do...take the game into his own hands. 99% of the time, Turner does what you mentioned above. Thats why he avg. 6 asst per game. Unfortunatley, his supporting cast didn't show up until it was basically to late. I wasn't too happy with this shots either...but again, its hard to fault him with the way he played overall. He was the only one who showed up to play a game from the getgo.

  At this point in the game, Buford was starting to heat up and Diebler had already hit some great shots. I agree that Lauderdale and Lighty didn't have much to show for, but I would have been satisfied with Will or Jon getting some looks at this point in the game. Still gotta love Turner's instinct to try to take over the game. If this kid doesn't get POY, something's wrong.