OSU lost to Michigan State in the final of the Big Ten Tournament today.  As it turned out, the game determined which team would get a #1 in the big tournament.  And since MSU won, it went to the Spartans.

 

Ohio State enters the tournament with a 27-7 record and a #2 seed in the East Region.  The Buckeyes will face #15 Loyala (MD) in Pittsburgh on Thursday.

 

The East Region has Syracuse as its #1 seed.  And Cincinnati is in the same regional bracket as OSU - but could only face each other in the final of their regional bracket.

The Buckeyes took care of #15 Loyola (MD) 78-59 late last night.

 

OSU advances to the 3rd round where they will face #7 Gonzaga, who pummeled West Virginia 77-54 to advance.

GO BUCKEYES

Ohio State gets a scare from Gonzaga but holds on to win 73-66 and advance to the Sweet 16.

Ohio State takes a 12 point lead into halftime against Cincinnati.  UC comes back to briefly gain a four point lead in the second half.  Then OSU counters to regain the lead en route to a 81-66 win.

 

OSU will now face the #1 seed Syracuse, who survived a one point win over Wisconsin.

On the Wisconsin game: Wisconsin had no right to even be in that game.  They shot blazingly hot from beyond the arc to stay in that and even take the lead a couple of times in the second half.  If it hadn't been for that incredible 3-point percentage, they'd have been routed: they had essentially no penetration against Syracuse' zone defense and couldn't stop multiple Syracuse players from slashing in for close-range shots.

 

That said, considering that they *were* in it with under 0:30 to go, they squandered their last opportunity to win it.  I think they significantly underestimated the amount of time it takes to run a play starting near half-court against a quick, trapping defense.  Two very lousy shots on the last possession (one a desperate, off-balance heave from no-man's land with less than two seconds to go), and they held the ball near half court for a long time before they started to run their set.

That OSU game reminded me of the final fight scene from 'Great White Hype' (yes, an awful movie)..... but I just kept Damon Wayons saying "Oh.... you tryin' to embarrass me on NATIONAL TV!?!?" and then opening the can of whoooop a$$

^That win was pretty sweet wasn't it?

 

Totally agree with your assessment of the Wisconsin/Syracuse game, Gramarye.  That Syracuse zone kept Wisconsin's offense outside and Wisconsin shot well (51.9%) outside the arc to stay in the game - until that final possession.  I was really hoping that Wisconsin could pull out the win.  Ohio State knows what to expect from the Badgers.  The Orange zone will be much more of a challenge.

 

As with alot of the Buckeyes games, the outside shooting will probably be decisive.  Maybe Buford will find his touch Saturday - he sure didn't have it Thursday going 1-8 with 4 points.  The other four starters had great games: Thomas - 26 pts; Sullinger - 23 pts & 11 rebounds; Smith - 15 pts; Craft - 11 pts & 6 steals.  The Buckeyes likely won't get the big rebound and turnover advantage they had against Cincinnati.  OSU should do better inside against Syracuse than Wisconsin.  But that zone defense is something you just don't come up against too often - and Coach Matta only has one day to prep the team for it.

What part of a 2 seed beating a 6 seed from the same state qualifies as "sweet"?

What part of a 2 seed beating a 6 seed from the same state qualifies as "sweet"?

 

What made it sweet for me is everyone from down yonder thinking cincy was going to roll tOSU.  Well that didn't happen...and we found out the bearcats are still irrelevant.

What part of a 2 seed beating a 6 seed from the same state qualifies as "sweet"?

 

What made it sweet for me is everyone from down yonder thinking cincy was going to roll tOSU.  Well that didn't happen...and we found out the bearcats are still irrelevant.

 

Care to back that up? I don't see any such claims in this thread:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3483.msg609080.html#msg609080

Actually, looking back, all I see is douchebaggery from suckeyes in the Bearcats thread.

And yet you clearly missed the post that started it all:

 

I just recently learned that there is a college basketball team in Columbus.

And yet you clearly missed the post that started it all:

 

I just recently learned that there is a college basketball team in Columbus.

 

That didn't infer the Bearcats would win (again, NO ONE said they would), and it was in the UC thread which is a place where trash talk against another team should be considered pretty non-aggressive.

What part of a 2 seed beating a 6 seed from the same state qualifies as "sweet"?

 

It was "sweet" because it was in the Sweet 16.  A win over Syracuse would be elite.  As in the "Elite 8".

And yet you clearly missed the post that started it all:

 

I just recently learned that there is a college basketball team in Columbus.

 

That didn't infer the Bearcats would win (again, NO ONE said they would), and it was in the UC thread which is a place where trash talk against another team should be considered pretty non-aggressive.

 

If it wasn't dismissive inference, what would it have been?  "Even though there isn't a college team in Columbus, we'll still lose?"

FINAL FOUR BABY!  GO BUCS!

FINAL FOUR BABY!  GO BUCS!

 

I'll go with what MTS said.

 

FINAL FOUR BOUND!  GO BUCKS GO!

If anyone is coming down to NOLA for the game, give me a jingle.  I'll be happy to be your guide

HA!! You tell him Jared!!

 

That was the point in the first half when Sullinger got his second foul.  The Buckeyes survived until halftime with a 29-29 tie despite Sullinger only playing six minutes.  Fortunately, Sullinger was able to stay out of foul trouble and played the entire second half.  He finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds.

 

Buford didn't shoot as bad as he did against Cincy - but he still didn't exactly light it up shooting 3-12 with only one 3-pointer.  But Buford did contribute 13 points and 9 rebounds by the end of the game.  Thomas did well with 14 points and 9 rebounds.  Craft's value leading the offense and defense went well beyond his 5 points.  But the player of game against Syracuse might well have been Lenzelle Smith, Jr.  Smith got 16 of his 18 points in the second half - including 3 of the team's 4 three-pointers.  Most of them at key moments.  And the three reserves who filled in for Sullinger in the first half also played their part.  Basically, a great team effort that lead to the 77-70 victory over Syracuse.

 

Now it's on to New Orleans to face Kansas!

This will be an interesting rematch.  Kansas was the first team to beat us this regular season--at Kansas, and with us playing sans Sullinger, but they nevertheless did beat us (and Kansas' <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recap?gid=201112100287">Tyshawn Taylor was playing hurt in that game, too</a>).

 

To the best of my knowledge, both Kansas and Ohio State are healthy and at full strength now (i.e., no eligibility problems, either, contra Syracuse).  Our younger players have had several more months to develop, too, which hopefully will make a positive impact.  Lenzelle Smith, Jr. had 3 points in the previous game, for example; he will hopefully be ready to make more of an offensive impact this time around.

The run up to the Final Four always features plenty of background stories on the players and coaches of the four teams.  But the story of Coach Thad Matta health problems is pretty amazing.  Apparently Thad Matta has suffered from back pain since age 15.  But that back pain got considerably worse in 2007, when two of his lower vertebrae collapsed. 

 

Since then Coach Matta had multiple back surgeries.  Despite the surgeries, his back injuries have caused nerve damage to his right foot.  Because of that nerve damage, Matta can only walk because he wears a black brace that connects his lower leg to his foot.  Despite the brace, it's barely noticable when Matta walks the sideline.  But Matta is always in some measure of pain.  During this season's Christmas holiday, the pain got so bad that Matta seriously wondered if he could finish out the season.

 

Coach Matta rarely talks about his back problems and he certainly doesn't look for sympathy because of it.  But his struggles are nevertheless inspiring for the way he has been able to overcome them.  Below is an article about Coach Matta's health problems from today's Columbus Dispatch:

 

Rob Oller commentary: Matta won’t back down from persistent pain

One more article about Coach Matta's health challenges from Yahoo Sports: Final Four-bound Buckeyes take cue from coach

 

And a preview of tonight's game from ESPN: Ohio St.-Kansas Preview

 

GO BUCKS ! ! !

The Buckeyes tournament run ended tonight with a 64-62 loss to Kansas.

 

Definitely disappointed.  But still very proud of the team.

Great run for the Buckeyes.  Last night's loss was tough, but it was a great season and I'm happy with the run they made.  Hopefully Thomas comes back, and he, along with Craft and Smith and Amir Williams, Sam Thompson, Shannon Scott, and Evan Ravenal should form a solid core of players that can make the squad very competitive again next year. 

i just dont really get what fans of teams like kentucky and kansas get out of this. outside of a few tokens these team players dont represent their home states in the slightest bit. always so many imports its kind of a joke. i know every college team has imported players, but not to the same extent. ok, ok i do admit to sour grapes on this topic today too - ha! alright so as hoops fans i suppose now we all have to root for the kansas, umm, 'grouping of players' to win since they defeated the bucks. and regardless i do think it'll be a pretty good game.  ;)

Sully's going to the Association.  Thomas is returning to OSU next season.  More about it at the article links below:

 

Sullinger leaving Ohio State for NBA draft

 

Deshaun Thomas will return next season

Thomas returning should make them a top 10 team again.  If they get that Tony Parker recruit watch out for another final four run. 

Ohio State will be very competitive once again next year with Thomas returning.  However the Big Ten as a whole is going to be absolutely loaded. 

We already knew about senior William Buford and sophomore Jared Sullinger not being on next season's team.  But it looks like two bench players also will not be returning. 

 

Sophomores J.D. Weatherspoon and Jordan Sibert have asked to be released from their scholarships and plan to transfer.  Weatherspoon, a 6-foot-6 forward from Columbus Northland, is uncertain where he might transfer.  Sibert, a 6-4 guard from Cincinnati Princeton, also would not say where he would transfer.  But the OSU assistant who recruited him is now the head coach at Dayton.  So Sibert is very likely bound for UD.

 

The below linked article from the Columbus Dispatch listed three potential roster replacements that are being actively recruited by OSU.  One, an Italian-born 6'-4" guard currently a senior at a Nevada prep school, could play for OSU next year.  The other two, both 6'-8" forwards transferring from Div. I schools, would have to sit out next season. 

 

The loss of Weathspoon and Sibert is likely not a big blow for OSU.  Each player saw their playing time decrease throughout last season to practically nothing.  But it could make for a very short bench next season.  If OSU doesn't get one of those three potential replacement players listed in the article, the basketball Buckeyes may play next season with only 9 scholarship players on the roster!

 

Dispatch: Ohio State men's basketball: Weatherspoon, Sibert exit; bench shrinks

An update on the above story.  Amedeo Della Valle, an Italian-born 6'-4" shooting guard who is a senior at Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, made an oral commitment to join Ohio State next season.  The below linked article from the Dispatch states that he plans to sign and send his letter of intent to OSU by the end of next week.

 

Ohio State men's basketball: Sharpshooting recruit picks OSU

The Basketball Buckeyes start their season tomorrow on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.  The OSU men's team will face Marquette in the second game of a doubleheader in this year's Carrier Classic at Charleston, SC.  The OSU women's team plays Notre Dame in the first game of the doubleheader.

 

The men's team starts the season ranked #4 in the AP.  One of three Big Ten teams ranked in the AP's top 5 - Indiana #1, OSU #4, Michigan #5.  Two other nearby teams fill out the top 5 - Louisville #2, Kentucky #3.

The Buckeyes season opener against Marquette had to be cancelled last night.  The first game of the doubleheader on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown between the OSU women's team and Notre Dame went off without a hitch.  That game started at 4PM and ended around 6PM, just as the sun was setting.  After the sun set, the temperature dropped, causing condensation to form on the wood court.  The OSU men's game was set to start at 7PM.  But after an hour delay, the game was called.  They would wipe the court dry and the condensation would reappear within a few minutes.

 

So the Buckeyes regular season opening game will instead be tomorrow at the Schott against Albany.

Neither of the Kentucky schools are going to be facing OSU this year, though, unless it's in the tournament.

 

On the other hand, in addition to Indiana and Michigan, we've got Michigan State (#21) and Wisconsin (#22) sitting back there with some good squads of their own.  Clevelander17 said it right back on April 10: The Big Ten is flat-out loaded this year.  The Big East also has five ranked teams, but ours are ranked higher (it is mathematically difficult for two different conferences to have three schools in the top five) and we only have 11 schools; the Big East has 15.

OSU starts their Big Ten schedule tonight after going 10-2 so far.  That 10-2 record looks OK on paper, but not so good upon analysis.  The 10 wins came against mediorce to lower-level teams.  The two top-quality teams OSU played account for the two losses. 

 

The close early season loss at Duke wasn't too bad.  But a later home loss against Kansas was not so good.  Very poor shooting - particularly during the late stages of the Duke game and for the entirity of the Kansas game - has emerged as the main concern with the basketball Buckeyes.  As has been pointed out previously - the Big Ten is loaded this year:

 

- Teams that started in the Top 25 and remain ranked: Michigan, Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio State

- Teams that started outside the Top 25 and are now ranked: Illinois, Minnesota

- Teams outside the Top 25 that looked strong in pre-conference: Iowa, Northwestern

- Teams outside the Top 25 that looked weak in pre-conference: Wisconsin, Purdue

- Teams expected to be bottom dwellers in the conference: Nebraska, Penn State

The Big Ten is absolutely loaded this year.  Illinois lost last night, though.

 

I'm really impressed with and excited about Sam Thompson.  His outside shot/selection still needs some work, but his transition play and interior defense is fun to watch.  I want to see more development from some of the other youngsters.  Craft and Thomas can't be expected to carry this team if they're going to make it past the Sweet Sixteen.

Sam Thompson is a human highlight reel.  On sportscenter's top ten last night he was #6 and #1.

The basketball Buckeyes finished their first week of Big Ten play 1-1.  And it might fortell what's in store for them this year. 

 

The win came at home against an inferior team (Nebraska) and was a blowout win.  The loss was at Illinois (a quality team) and was a blowout loss.  OSU's main weakness showed up again in the blowout loss - poor shooting.  They were 20-60 (33.3%) overall and 4-19 (21.1%) behind the 3PT line.

 

It won't get any easier.  The Bucks play at Purdue tonight (they beat Illinois there last week), then a Sunday home game against #2 Michigan, then a Saturday game at #22 Michigan State.

They need this one tonight against Purdue.

^They do.  And they did. 

 

The team looked much better - especially with the outside shooting.  I still don't think they can hang with Michigan on Sunday.  But I'll be cheering for them.

I'm pleased to be proven wrong about the basketball Buckeyes being unable to hang with Michigan.  They did more than hang with them, they beat them!

 

The Bucks had a great first half and opened a 21-point lead over Michigan at the 6:52 mark.  Michigan slowly worked their way back and tied it at 46-46 with 5:58 left in the game.  OSU went on a six-point run after that and eventually won 56-53.  The win gave Michigan its first loss of the season and likely denied them a #1 ranking in next week's poll.

Close loss at Michigan State on Saturday.  Outside of Deshaun Thomas, who scored half of the Buckeyes points, the shooting woes returned.

Michigan State is a ridiculously hostile environment to play in; I think I read that we've only won there once since 1996 (the 2006-2007 squad with Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Daequan Cook, etc.), and we've fielded some incredible teams in that span.  The team that went to the Final Four with Michael Redd and Scoonie Penn still lost at Michigan State.

 

The 19-point drubbing we got at Illinois remains the big question mark of the season for me.  That and failing to defend our home court against #9 Kansas.  Losing by 3 at Michigan State?  Michigan State hasn't lost at home yet this season (though admittedly, we were the highest-ranked team they'd faced at home yet), and we were tied with under 2:00 to go.

Right, that Illinois loss is looking more and more like a really bad one.  The Illini are really struggling now.

I know.  I can't believe this same Illinois team beat not only OSU, but Gonzaga and Butler earlier this season.

A little disappointing that the Buckeyes let the Hawkeyes back into the game last night, but in fairness Iowa is better than most will concede and they have a good shot at making the dance this year.

Newest commit for the Buckeyes class of 2015.  #1 ranked player in the country for his age. 

 

Check out his Soph highlight film. 

 

Well, the great UO server crash of 2013 sure blew away alot of February to April posts about the 2012-13 season.  Here the full season recap wiki-style: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_Ohio_State_Buckeyes_men%27s_basketball_team

 

Last season's nadir came in early February when the Buckeyes lost to three ranked teams within two weeks (#3 Michigan, #1 Indiana, #20 Wisconsin).  Followed by the season's resurgence that started in late February, when the Buckeyes won their last five Big Ten games, including two ranked teams (#4 Michigan State and at #2 Indiana).  The five-game winning streak extended to 8 when they won all 3 of their Big Ten Tournament games.  And then extended to 11 games when they won they first 3 NCAA Tournament games.  They eventually lost to Wichita State in the West Regional Final - aka The Elite 8.  OSU finished 29-8 (13-5 in the Big Ten, T-2nd regular season).

 

The general consensus of the season was that the Buckeyes struggled against quality opponents early, improved to finish the regular season strongly, and had a great run in the Big Ten and NCAA tourneys.  General consensus was that an Elite 8 finish outperformed the team's talent level.  Although, with the way the West Regional bracket opened up, a #2 seeded OSU losing to a #9 seed Wichita State was a missed opportunity to reach the Final Four.

Junior Deshaun Thomas led the 2012-13 team in scoring and was a reliable 20-point-a-night player.  But the team struggled to find a consistent No. 2 scorer and struggled with outside/3-pt shooting.  Eventually, junior point guard Aaron Craft emerged as a #2 scoring threat by driving to the basket, to go along with his assists and steals.  Soph. LaQuinton Ross also emerged during the two tourneys as another secondary scorer and outside shooter.  Guards Scott & Smith plus forwards Thompson & Ravenel and center Williams rounded out the 2012-13 lineup with consistently inconsistent scoring and overall play.

 

Thomas left for the NBA draft.  But virtually everyone else returned from last season's team.  For 2013-14, Ross looks to take over the leading scorer role.  Craft returns at point guard.  Guards Smith & Scott and center Amir Williams round out this year's starting lineup.  Sam Thompson is the 6th man.  While center McDonald and guard Della Valle plus freshman Marc Loving round out the primary bench players.  Marc Loving was Ohio's Mr. Basketball last year from Toledo.

 

The general consensus was that while the 2013-14 team would lose the reliable scoring presence of Thomas, they would be a more athletic team then 2012-13.  And if some of the athletic-but-raw talents like Ross and Thompson could polish their game, this year's Buckeyes could be at least as good as last year's team.  So far this year, after one exhibition game and two regular season games, the team has shaped together thusly:

 

- Ross is indeed the main scorer and is playing a more polished all-around game.

- Craft has moved back into his point guard role.

- Smith and Scott are both in the starting lineup and look to provide higher percentage 3-pt shooting than last year.

- Williams is the big body in the paint for rebounds, defense and occassional scoring.

- Thompson is the 6th man, can still throw down spectacular dunks and generally has a more polished all-around game.

- Della Valle is the 3-pt shooter off the bench.

- McDonald is the big body in the paint off the bench.

- Loving looks very promising as an all-around sub coming off the bench.  As is Coach Matta's custom, the true frosh is not getting a heavy amount of minutes, but he is the mix of a 9-player rotation that gets meaningful playing time.

 

Currently the Buckeyes are ranked #10.  However, that's just 3rd in the Big Ten behind Michigan State and Michigan.  Wisconsin is also ranked at #20 with Indiana and Iowa just outside of the Top 25.  OSU has won against Morgan State and Ohio U. to begin the regular season and will travel to #17 Marquette on Saturday.