"I mean we can't blame it on anything. We had a great season. We had a lot of doubters this season. Nobody expected us to get this far. Real proud of the guys for helping me get to the Final Four my last year." - William Buford after loss to Kansas
Tyshawn Taylor made two big free throws late, and Thomas Robinson finished with 19 points and eight rebounds Saturday night to lift the Jayhawks to a come-from-behind 64-62 win over Ohio State in the Final Four.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, he of six Final Fours and one national championship, joined our crew of Dave Revsine, Gary Williams and Jim Jackson following Ohio State’s 64-62 loss to Kansas in the national semifinal Saturday night (AP recap). His thoughts: “God, it was a game that’s going to frustrate (Ohio State’s) coaching staff, because we’re sitting here now, 20 minutes after, and I still think they won in a lot of ways.” Watch Izzo’s entire segment with the BTN team now. Source: Big Ten Network
CBS Sports Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg and Steve Kerr recap all the action from New Orleans which saw the Kentucky Wildcats and the Kansas Jayhawks advance to the National Championship game.
After trailing most of the game, Kansas rallies to defeat Ohio State in the Final Four and now moves on to play Kentucky for the National Title. The Bracket Breakdown panel discusses the Jayhawks victory and Ohio State's late game mistakes.
Ohio State Kansas BoxscoreBox Score, Play-by-Play, 1st Half Box Score, 2nd Half Box Score, Play Analysis
Final Stats Ohio State Combined Team Statistics (as of Apr 01, 2012)All games Source: OSU Official Site
Five plays that mattered March 31, 2012 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - 1. With 17:55 left in the first half, OSU's Lenzelle Smith nailed a 3-pointer to give the Buckeyes a 5-2 lead. It was only one shot, but it certainly helped give the Buckeyes confidence that they could hit from beyond the arc -- with a dome as a background or not. The Buckeyes hit 5-of-10 3-point attempts in the first half.
2. With about six seconds left in the first half, OSU point guard Aaron Craft tried to drive to the basket but was denied of a layup by KU's Thomas Robinson. He outlet the ball to Tyshawn Taylor, who passed to Travis Releford, who made a layup as the clock expired. The basket gave Kansas some life, cutting OSU's lead to 34-25 at halftime.
3. With 1:23 left in the first half, the Buckeyes' Deshaun Thomas committed his second personal foul. Thad Matta opted to take him out so he would not pick up his third foul before halftime. The Buckeyes were outscored, 6-2, the rest of the half.
4. Thomas picked up his third foul with 17:36 left in the second half, and Matta took him out again. Over the next 3:36, KU scored on one 3-pointer and a variety of layups and dunks to forge a 38-38 tie with 14:00 left.
5. With 11:30 to play in the second half, Thomas picked up his fourth foul and was sent to the bench again. He would sit out the next 7:21, during which time OSU was outscored, 15-12. He came back with OSU up two, 55-53, with 4:09 to go. The Buckeyes struggled to find an offensive rhythm the rest of the way. Read more: Ohio State men's basketball team falters late, loses to Kansas in NCAA Final Four semifinal
Ohio State led for the vast majority of the game, but not when it counted. Not at the end.
The Buckeyes scored only three points in the last 2:22 tonight, and it cost them a shot at a national championship as Kansas rallied to win 64-62 in an NCAA semifinal game in the Superdome.
Trailing by three points with 8.3 seconds to play, Kansas’ Tyshaun Taylor stole the inbounds pass from Lenzelle Smith Jr. but in turn threw the ball out of bounds, giving the Buckeyes a final chance with 3.8 seconds left.
Kansas fouled Aaron Craft with 2.9 seconds left, and he made one free throw before the second was disallowed by a lane violation and the clock ran out on the Buckeyes’ season.
Thomas Robinson scored 19 points to lead four double-figure scorers for Kansas (32-6), which will play top-ranked Kentucky (37-2) for the national championship Monday night. The Wildcats turned back Louisville 69-61 in the first semifinal tonight...
William Buford scored 19 points in his final game to lead Ohio State (31-8). The Buckeyes shot only 24.2 percent in the second half to Kansas’ 53.8.
Kansas took its first lead since 2-0 when Travis Releford’s two free throws put the Jayhawks ahead 56-55 with 2:48 to play. Ohio State scored the next four points to regain the lead, 59-56, with 2:23 remaining. But Kansas scored the next six, including another pair of go-ahead free throws by Releford with 1:37 to play.
Elijah Johnson’s layup with 1:13, after a tremendous block at the other end by Jeff Withey on a drive by Buford, extended the Jayhawks’ lead to 62-59.
Ohio State failed to score on five straight possessions before Buford’s rebound dunk with 10 seconds left cut Kansas’ lead to 62-61.
But the Buckeyes were forced to foul on the inbounds play, and Taylor’s two free throws gave Kansas a 64-61 lead with 8.3 seconds to play.
Kansas scored the last four points of the first half to get its deficit under 10 points at halftime and carried the momentum to start the second half.
The Jayhawks outscored Ohio State 13-4 in the first six minutes of the half to tie the score at 38 before the Buckeyes steadied themselves. They had only four free throws by Buford until a three-pointer by Craft in transition gave them their first field goal of the half and regained the lead at 41-38 with 13:07 to play.
Despite playing without Deshaun Thomas because of foul trouble, the Buckeyes mixed and matched inside and stretched their lead to six points three times in the next eight minutes. But Kansas responded each time.
After a pair of free throws by Jared Sullinger gave Ohio State a 55-49 lead with 5:22 left, Kansas scored the next seven points to take its first lead since 2-0...
Dienhart: Ohio State-Kansas Reaction March 31, 2012 Source: Big Ten Network - Ohio State led by as many as 13 points in Saturday night’s national semifinal against Kansas, but it couldn’t hold on in a 64-62 defeat at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart offers his rapid reaction to Ohio State’s season-ending loss in this post.
Key player: William Buford. The senior forward led Ohio State with 19 points, hitting 6-of-10 shots, and also grabbed seven rebounds. Jared Sullinger had 13 points, Aaron Craft 11 and Lenzelle Smith, Jr., 10. But it all was for naught, as the Buckeyes blew a 34-25 halftime lead (AP recap).
Key number: 33.9, Ohio State’s shooting percentage (box). If that wasn’t bad enough, the Buckeyes got outrebounded 41-30. Sullinger hit just 5-of-19 shots, getting out played by Kansas big man Thomas Robinson, who had 19 points and eight rebounds. Deshaun Thomas hit just 3-of-14 shots, missing late attempts that could have tied the game and committing a key turnover.
What’s next for Ohio State: A painful way for the Buckeyes (31-8) to end the season, blowing a 13-point lead on a few occasions and allowing the Jayhawks to rally for victory. This year’s team advanced farther than last year’s squad, which got beat in the Sweet 16 by Kentucky after entering the Big Dance as the No. 1 overall seed. William Buford was the lone senior on the team. He’s gone. Now, the question looms: Will Jared Sullinger turn pro after his sophomore season? If not, this will be a very good team capable of winning another Big Ten title and contending for a national title. If Sullinger goes, the Buckeyes figure to take a step back, but will welcome back the likes of Aaron Craft, Lenzelle Smith, Jr., Evan Ravenel, Deshaun Thomas and Sam Thompson. And big man Amir Williams will need to take the next step as a sophomore.
Key stat: Offensive rebounding percentage. The Jayhawks grabbed 37.5 percent of their misses and limited Ohio State to just 25 percent of theirs, the key difference between two defensively dominant teams in a game in which the smallest of statistical margins made outsized impacts.
Key player: Withey. Every Jayhawk played a role in their comeback and eventual win, and Robinson's night -- 19 points, 8 rebounds, 8-of-18 from the field -- can't be overlooked. But the most important performance came from the 7-foot Withey, whose incredible reach and interior defense made Sullinger a nonfactor on the offensive end. Withey finished with 7 blocks and 8 rebounds; Sullinger posted just 13 points on 5-of-19 from the field. In a game filled with tricky matchup issues, Withey was the biggest mismatch ace up Bill Self's sleeve. He proved why Saturday night...
Five Pressing Questions: OSU-Kansas March 31, 2012 Source: Cleveland Bucknuts.com - 1. How will the Buckeyes contain Kansas All-American Thomas Robinson? – Robinson is a big guy at 6-10 and 237 pounds. Kansas also has 7-0 Jeff Withey at the center position. It is likely that the 6-9 Sullinger and 6-7 Deshaun Thomas will take turns defending Robinson. He is an absolute load and had 21 points in the teams’ first meeting.
It is likely that OSU will need a guard to double down on Robinson, particularly when the smaller Thomas has to guard him in the post. Keep an eye on these match-ups.
2. Can Deshaun Thomas continue his hot play? – Thomas has been the leading scorer in the NCAA Tournament to date, averaging 21.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in his four tournament games so far. Kansas will try and do its best to limit Thomas’ touches, but he is so versatile he can score from just about anywhere on the court. The Buckeyes need him to come up big again.
3. Can Aaron Craft force Tyshawn Taylor into some mistakes? – Kansas committed 18 turnovers in the teams’ first meeting. Craft hounded Taylor into seven of them, although Taylor also had nine points and 13 assists in that KU win. Craft is one of the top on-ball defenders in the country. He needs to pack his lunch and get ready for another tough match-up.
4. Can the Buckeyes close out on Elijah Johnson? – Johnson matched his career high with five three-pointers and 15 points in the teams’ first meeting. OSU’s perimeter defense needs to be on guard.
5. Will the real William Buford stand up? – He had a 25-point game in OSU’s win at Michigan State on March 4. In the seven games since then, Buford is hitting only 34 percent of his shots. He was a combined 4 of 20 in OSU’s regional wins over Cincinnati and Syracuse. You know he does not want his OSU career to end here, one game before the national title game.
Bonus Question: Is this a national championship team? – We won’t know the answer to that question until Monday night, of course. But you can’t win the championship unless you get to the title game. OSU is 5-5 all-time in national semifinal games, but has only made the title game once (2007) in the last 50 years. I will stay with my original pick here: Ohio State 75, Kansas 69...
Four Things I Think ... about the Final Four in New Orleans: Doug Lesmerises March 31, 2012 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - 1. This will be the biggest defensive challenge of Deshaun Thomas' career, and Ohio State needs the sophomore to handle it. OSU assistant coach Jeff Boals said Thomas impressed him with the way he guarded Purdue's Robbie Hummel and Michigan State's Draymond Green late in the season, but those players are athletic power forwards who play inside and outside, and might be most dangerous shooting jumpers. Kind of like Thomas. And very unlike Kansas' Thomas Robinson, who is a beast inside, averaging 17.7 points and 11.8 rebounds.
"What poses a problem with Thomas Robinson is he's more of a back-to-the-basket post guy -- that's what Kansas wants to do, it wants points in the paint," Boals said.
Boals confirmed the plan is to at least start Thomas guarding Robinson, with Jared Sullinger on center Jeff Withey. That could change, but the Buckeyes might also be worried about Robinson potentially getting Sullinger in foul trouble. So Thomas, with defensive help from the guards either doubling or digging down to harass Robinson, might be the Buckeyes' best answer.
2. Give me Kentucky and Ohio State in the title game Monday night.
3. In January, there were complaints about a championship rematch in the Superdome between LSU and Alabama. That was football. Now Kentucky-Louisville and Ohio State-Kansas are rematches, with the Wildcats and Jayhawks winning the regular-season games. And there aren't any complaints. It's amazing what a playoff can do to take the griping out of your postseason.
4. Sullinger's Ohio State career is almost certainly winding down. The NBA awaits. He is a two-time All-American. But he is also the kind of player who offers an answer like this when asked for his first impressions of the Superdome:
"The first thing that hit me when I stepped inside the Superdome was how Hurricane Katrina came in and wiped this whole city out and how so many people lived here. I thought about all the people that didn't make it and how this place saved a lot of peoples' lives."
Ohio State (31-7) vs. Kansas (31-6)
Tipoff: 8:49 p.m. today (approximate) at Superdome, New Orleans.
TV: CBS
Where Ohio State can steal an edge: Look at these numbers -- 37.6 rebounds per game for Kansas, 37.1 for Ohio State; each team has 274 steals; 75 points per game for Ohio State, 74.1 for Kansas; 48 percent shooting for Ohio State, 47.6 percent for Kansas. Is there an edge? At least this game, unlike the first matchup, isn't at Allen Fieldhouse.
Where Kansas can steal an edge: The Jayhawks block almost twice as many shots as the Buckeyes. A block here or there could create momentum swings in tight moments.
OSU player who must be locked down: Still Deshaun Thomas. I don't know if Thomas said it or not -- because I didn't hear him say it -- but a Kansas TV reporter told the Jayhawks' Thomas Robinson that Thomas implied he would be too quick for Robinson. Robinson, who talks like Batman, sounded peeved. "He said he's too quick for me?" Robinson asked. "Nah. I don't think he's too quick for me. I don't think he's nowhere near quicker than me." Actually, Ohio State must hope that Thomas is a bit quicker.
Kansas player who must be locked down: Kansas point guard Tyshawn Thomas was playing on a right knee that required surgery soon after the Jayhawks' win over Ohio State on Dec. 10, when he had nine points, 13 assists and seven turnovers. He's looking to be that much better today. "I think a lot of people forget that I was hurt when we played the first time," Taylor said. "I was playing with a big brace on my knee, which is really uncomfortable. I wasn't 100 percent. From Dec. 10 till now, I think I'm a completely different player."
Doug Lesmerises' prediction: Ohio State 69, Kansas 66. March 31, 2012 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Matta seventh-highest paid coach in tournament: Coach Thad Matta is the seventh-highest paid coach among the 68 who led teams to the NCAA tournament this season and the lowest of the four coaches in the Final Four, according to data compiled by USAToday.com. Matta’s total pay in 2011-12 was $2,854,000, making him the second-highest paid coach in the Big Ten behind Michigan State’s Tom Izzo.
Source: CBSSports.com Latest Buckeyes Rapid Reports:
Video of OSU’s open practice this afternoon at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. March 30, 2012 Source: Bucknuts.com
Matta Press Conference March 30, 2012 Source: Bucknuts.com
Are Kentucky, Ohio St. destined to play Monday? After five days of hype, previews, features, opinion and everything else that goes with the Final Four, we’re finally just a few hours away from actual games. What a relief. That makes this one of the final preview items you’ll see related to the Final Four.
Trust us, we’re as ready for the games as you are. So who ya got? I’m taking Kentucky and Kansas, but Bobby Gonzalez and Vin Parise of SportsTalk both think Kentucky and Ohio State will be playing for the title on Monday.
Style of play: Primarily a half-court team, although athletic wings Deshaun Thomas and guard William Buford can score in transition.
The personnel: Most opponents are overwhelmed by the low-post play of wide-bodied All-American Jared Sullinger (above) and the relentless defense of point guard Aaron Craft. Coach Thad Matta keeps a short bench but has talent there.
How to beat them: Force the Buckeyes to shoot from the outside. And do anything and everything to frustrate Sullinger, who is prone to flopping, complaining and moping in search of favorable foul calls.
Why they could win it all: The Buckeyes are unsolvable if they hit threes. Too bad they're 223rd nationally at it...
Kansas-Ohio State: Who wins and why? Source: ESPN
Brennan: I'll take Ohio State. As I wrote above, there are some tricky matchups on both sides -- from Jeff Withey to Deshaun Thomas to William Buford to Elijah Johnson. But I think the most important matchup comes at the point guard spot, and that's where OSU has a decided advantage. Aaron Craft is just so good. He takes almost every guard he plays out of the game, flusters them beyond reclamation, uses lightning-quick hands to force turnovers, takes charges, creates offensive fouls on moving screens, all of it. And he just so happens to be matched up across from Tyshawn Taylor, KU's second-most important offensive player and also one of its most turnover-prone and mercurial. This is bad news for the Jayhawks. In what should be a defensive game, Kansas will need Taylor to not only manage the game, but to create points, too. Against Craft, he is unlikely to do either.
Katz: Ohio State. Kansas is going to try Jeff Withey (instead of T-Rob) against Jared Sullinger, but Sullinger should be able to get around Withey by using his size. I'm sure KU will try to move Sullinger around the post, but it may not work. OSU gets the nod in perimeter shooting, too. The options with Deshaun Thomas, Lenzelle Smith and William Buford outnumber Kansas.
King: Kansas. I learned my lesson last week when I picked North Carolina to beat KU. Talent means a lot, but it isn't everything. The Jayhawks are one of the toughest teams -- both mentally and physically -- in America and they're led by who I think is the game's top coach. And back to that talent aspect: Kansas has one of the leading candidates for the Wooden Award, a fourth-year starting point guard who averaged 18 points a game in Big 12 play and a 7-footer who blocks shots as well as any player in the country not named Anthony Davis. So don't feel too sorry for the "underdog" Jayhawks.
Medcalf: Ohio State will win with its physicality. The Buckeyes are a matchup nightmare for the Jayhawks. Jared Sullinger is back to bullying defenders on the low block, and whether Jeff Withey, Kevin Young or Thomas Robinson ends up guarding him, I think he'll have a big night. Deshaun Thomas can roam the floor on offense and guard multiple positions on defense. William Buford is a big guard who will get good looks, with his teammates occupying Bill Self's squad in the paint. He just has to hit the shots. And Aaron Craft will pressure Tyshawn Taylor. This will be a battle at every position. But Big Ten play has prepared the Buckeyes to play that kind of scrappy game this weekend.
O'Neil: Deshaun Thomas called Aaron Craft a "rat that just won't leave." More like a gnat. You swat, you turn, he's there. And that won't be good for Tyshawn Taylor, who will be frustrated by Craft's chronic defense. Sans Taylor as both a distributor and scoring threat, Kansas and Thomas Robinson alone won't be able to beat Ohio State. Thad Matta makes his second national championship game appearance on Monday night...
Sullinger ducked Kansas in December? That’s just ‘funny’ Back spasms prevented Ohio State center Jared Sullinger from playing in December’s loss to Kansas. It was one of two games the sophomore missed this season, leading to some (Read: Kansas fans) wonder if the All-American was just ducking Kansas. After all, the Jayhawks feature an All-American forward of their own in junior Thomas Robinson. He’s not as skilled as Sullinger, but he’s more athletic. Maybe Sullinger was worried how he’d fare? Hardly.
Sullinger, Ohio State’s leading scorer (17.6 ppg) and rebounder (9.1 rpg) laughs at that notion. “People think playing with back spasms is a walk in the park. You can’t bend. You can’t do lateral movements. I was just gonna hurt the basketball team if I tried to play,” Sullinger said. “I think it’s funny. Appreciate the comment.” March 30, 2012 Source: CollegeBasketBallTalk.com
We caught up with the Buckeyes after their practice session during some breakout interviews to get their early thoughts on getting to the final four and hit a little bit of this and that in this video notebook. March 29, 2012 Source: BuckeyeGrove.com
Game plan: Kansas vs. Ohio State March 29, 2012 Source: ESPN - Kansas Jayhawks Offense: By adjusted efficiency's lights, three of the four best defensive teams in the country are members of the Final Four. None of them, if you can believe it, is Kentucky.
They are, in order: No. 1 Louisville, No. 2 Ohio State, and No. 4 Kansas. (Kentucky is ranked No. 11; it's not like the Wildcats are slouches.) The cliche, as always: Defense wins championships.
Can the Jayhawks defend their way to a win? Would a game in which both teams hover around or below the 1.0 point-per-possession mark be in their favor? Maybe. But I tend to doubt it. Which means two things for Bill Self as he prepares his squad for Saturday's "Clash of the Titans"-esque contest. In no particular order:
1. Kansas has to win the interior scoring battle.
2. Tyshawn Taylor has to stay in control...
Quick: Name the nation's best shot-blocker. Anthony Davis, right? Davis's range and impact make it difficult to argue that point. OK then: Name me the nation's most frequent shot-blocker, the one that repels opponents on a higher percentage of possessions than any other in the country? Yep. That's Withey.
Withey and Robinson are the near-ideal defensive pair. When an opponent drives the line, Withey goes after the block; he succeeds 15.1 percent of the time, the nation's highest rate. When that opponent misses -- or when any opponent misses, frankly -- Robinson, the nation's leading defensive rebounder (who grabs 30.9 percent of opponents' available bricks) is there to clamp the board and find a guard for a quick outlet.
This is a massive advantage to hold over Ohio State. At 33.2 percent from long range in 2012, the Buckeyes are an even worse 3-point shooting team than Kansas. More often than not, they get their points from Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas. Which is why Withey changes the game. Robinson has the size and speed to move with Thomas out to 20 feet if needed; Withey has the height to make Sullinger -- who struggles scoring over just this kind of player -- totally ineffective near the rim...
But whatever defense the Jayhawks run, their unique combination of length and athleticism in the post may be their defense's Craftian trump card. It should be fascinating.
Ohio State Buckeyes Offense: Now that we know all about Kansas' interior defense -- and the relative impenetrability thereof -- what hope is there for Ohio State's offense?
Let's go with a two-point plan, similar to Kansas', in that it is one part prescriptive game plan and one part "hope for the best" wishcasting:
1. Use Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas to stretch the floor.
2. Hope William Buford makes some shots.
First up: Sullinger is generously listed at 6-foot-9. Thomas is listed at 6-7, which seems slightly closer to reality. But either way, the Buckeyes' starting forwards are at a major height disadvantage against the defense they'll face on Saturday...Sullinger, that might not be as much of a problem. But Sullinger doesn't explode off the ground. Rather, he roots defenders out with his considerable posterior, achieves optimal position, and finishes with brute force. This season -- especially in the Syracuse win, when he flashed a dazzling little mid-range touch -- Sullinger has considerably expanded his game. But he remains at his best when he can clear defenders out of his way and score with his right hand over his left shoulder. Against a 7-foot Withey -- the likely matchup in any man-to-man defense -- that is going to be very difficult...
That goes double for Thomas...the stretch forward has morphed from a impulse bench gunner into one of the nation's most potent scorers. Thomas is leading Ohio State in scoring through its four NCAA tournament games, the mark of his continued expansion into one of the nation's most versatile threats...
This kind of versatile inside-out scoring from a 6-7 forward presents a major matchup problem for the Jayhawks. In the man-to-man, it could force Robinson to move further away from the hoop than he'd like. Thomas can look to shoot, or he can make Robinson move to stop his penetration; either way, Thad Matta will like his chances. If Kansas goes to that famed triangle-and-two, Matta can use Thomas to stretch the corners all the way to the 3-point line, where the shot is (relatively) high-percentage and the defensive style is most vulnerable.
Whether the Jayhawks play man (likely) or triangle-and-two (less likely, but you never know when Self will bust it out), Thomas and Sullinger's ability to score away from the rim will be key.
Which brings us, of course, to Buford. When Ohio State has struggled this season -- and those times, though rare, were highly publicized -- it was primarily because Buford and Craft and Thomas and even Lenzelle Smith were failing to provide the outside shooting that made the 2011 Buckeyes' offense so lethal. Actually, forget 2011: Ohio State was never even mediocre from long range. A large portion of that responsibility falls on Buford.
In this game, Buford presents the clearest matchup advantage for the Buckeyes. Travis Releford and Elijah Johnson aren't big enough to match up with the Buckeyes' guard's size on the wing. But Buford is just 13-of-44 in the NCAA tournament, the kind of offensive struggles he's dealt with all season. Ohio State has managed to progress this far without efficient wing scoring, but that may not get it done against an rim-protecting defense like this.
Can Buford come alive at just the right time? Can the Buckeyes stretch Kansas enough to get a few easy looks at the rim? The questions are intertwined and difficult to divine. But in this game, they couldn't possibly be more important.
Defense: Sports Illustrated's Luke Winn does a better job than anyone in the country processing advanced statistics and scouting data and presenting it to your eyeballs in visually attractive form, and Luke's 2012 Aaron Craft Turnometer may be his Symphony No. 9. All season, Winn tracked the turnovers Craft forced -- some for which he was credited in the scoresheet, many not -- alongside charges taken and offensive fouls forced. The end result is the picture of the nation's most dominant defensive player, one who individually forces turnovers on 7.56 percent of opponents' possessions and one who just had his best game of the season in the Sweet 16:
How many players can say their best performance of the season was in the NCAA tournament? That’s the case for Buckeyes pest/point guard Aaron Craft, who had the Turnometer" needle buried by creating 10 turnovers against Cincinnati in the Sweet 16. According to SI’s charting, it was Craft’s top turnover-creation game of the season, beating his previous best of 9.5 against Jackson State on Nov. 18...
Craft is a nightmare matchup for the previously discussed, turnover-prone Taylor. Taylor is the second-most-important piece of Kansas' offense. Not only does he initiate that offense, but he is relied upon to penetrate the lane, finish with a floater or drive, or find an open player with a dish. Craft makes that possibility remote.
Another major part of Taylor's game is transition; he and Johnson can be fearsome on the break. (Their connection on the closing-moments half-court alley-oop against Purdue was one of the more simultaneously questionable and amazing plays of the season.) But Craft is good at this, too: He is uniquely able to pressure defenders in the open court -- to "turn them," in coach speak -- cutting off any ball advancement (at best) and creating enough havoc to win a turnover (at worst). The Jayhawks would sure like to see Taylor and Johnson get out on the break whenever possible; it's the best way to score against Ohio State. But is it even possible?
There are other defensive matchups to watch in this game -- how Ohio State handles T-Rob and Withey, whether the Buckeyes need to worry about Releford on the wing, whether reserve Conner Teahan can provide shooting off the bench -- but by far the most important is what Craft can and will do to Taylor...
Buford key to Ohio State’s Final Four fate Source: Big Ten Network
Scouting Ohio State: To start, confront Sullinger, confound Craft March 28, 2012 Source: CBSSports.com - CBSSports.com analyzes each team, talking with coaches who have faced the Final Four teams. Jeff Borzello writes a scouting report on Ohio State, quoting -- anonymously -- three coaches. What each of them has to say about the Buckeyes' style of play:
Offensive strength: "Tremendous passing team. Tremendous. And all their players make the right pass and the right play. They take good shots and execute their offense. It's Aaron Craft. He orchestrates the whole show, gets everyone involved."...
Key player: "Everybody has their different opinion. But if you don't have Sullinger in that lineup, it's a mediocre lineup. He does so much; he's such a load on the block. You have to make the decision to trap him or not, but he's such a good passer out of the trap. Sullinger is the most important key." "If Buford can play with confidence, they're tough to beat...
Primary weakness: "Offensively, their weakness is consistent outside shooting from 3..."Depth. If you can get out and run on them, they don't have the bench that these other teams have. If Craft ever gets in foul trouble, they're in trouble. When Sullinger comes out, they're in trouble with Ravenel and Amir Williams. They are better in the half-court, but they're opportunistic in transition." "It's outside shooting. That's why Buford is the key...
How to stop them: "A team that can switch everything would give them problems. They're a play-oriented team. If you go man-to-man, switch everything 1-4. Teams that can pressure and switch will give them problems..."You have to get Sullinger off the block...You have to be able to stop Craft from being in his comfort zone, with his little dribble pullups..."You need to limit Sullinger's touches. I don't think a lot of teams try to front Sullinger, but he seems to find a way to get a lot of post touches...
Best way to score on them: "You have to have a low-post presence. Establish low post and score. Kansas can hurt them. Sullinger's not a great defender in the low post. Kansas needs [Jeff] Withey and [Thomas] Robinson and those guys to score around the basket..."We did a pretty good job of scoring on them with our movement. Whoever Craft is guarding, go away from them. Sullinger has trouble with his perimeter defense, and he's skeptical of foul trouble. Whoever he's guarding can exploit him..."It's very interesting, because Craft is so good with ball pressure. I think it's very hard to ask your point guard to create as much as possible because Craft gives them problems. So you can put the ball in someone else's hands, or run him into a lot of ball screens. Plus, if you're having someone ball screen, you bring Sullinger and Thomas outside of the lane, you're making them slide their feet on the perimeter. I just don't like guys trying to handle the ball against Craft. He's an elite defender; he has a special skillset. He changes the tempo and flow of the game."
Ultimate concern: "I think it's trying to figure out a way to guard them..."You don't want to let them get into a rhythm. When they get the inside-outside game, the transition game -- you can't let it all click at the same time. If you double-team Sullinger, and you make a mistake on the rotation, they hit a shot..."It's probably Sullinger. I go back to personnel. Sullinger is a fantastic college basketball player. He's got to be your key. He's capable of scoring 25 on any given night...
Something extra: "Take away Buford's catch and shoot..."Pressure Craft as much as you can full court. Get the ball out of his hands, make the other guys run offense..."I think you can bother Craft..."Thomas is hard to take away. We tell our players he has to shoot over his right shoulder, but that doesn't seem to stop him..."You have to go strong inside. Sullinger doesn't want to get in foul trouble..."Kansas can guard one-on-one against Sullinger with their size..."Maybe give a junk defense, throw them off. See how you can do without doubling Sullinger to start..."Thomas is the best slashing four man I've seen. He gets behind the defense. He's going to get what he needs to get to... "You have to get back on defense. No transition lobs." ...
Sin City casinos are sticking with Kentucky and Ohio State as Final Four favorites and still think the Wildcats have by far the best shot of winning the NCAA title. Odds put out by Nevada casinos after the matchups were set show they think Kentucky — the No. 1 seed overall in the tournament — has a 52 percent shot at the title. Ohio State has a 25 percent chance, Kansas 15 and Louisville eight. Kentucky is a 8.5-point favorite over Louisville and OSU a 2.5-point favorite over Kansas for Saturday’s semifinals.
Final Four Game Notes:
Ohio State Source: OSU Official Site
Kansas Source: Kansas Official Site
Without a hint of exaggeration, this may be the most intriguing individual matchup of the entire Final Four. Ohio State's Aaron Craft is arguably the best on-ball defender in the country. He doesn't give ball-handlers an inch of space and forces enough turnovers that SI.com's Luke Winn created a stat just to track them. Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor, on the other hand, has become notorious for the turnovers he commits and the bad shots that he takes. And while Bill Self would surely have less gray hair if Taylor had managed to eliminate that aspect of his game, there is no denying just how much the senior point guard means to the Jayhawks. He had 22 points, six boards, five assists and five steals against North Carolina. I've maintained all season long that Taylor is the most important player for Kansas, and if Craft can limit his production, that becomes a difference maker for the Buckeyes. Edge: Even
Shooting Guard This may as well be called the battle of the X-factors. Elijah Johnson has been terrific for Kansas down the stretch of the season. He's averaged 15.8 points in his last six games, providing an important third-scoring option alongside Taylor and Thomas Robinson. Johnson is, more or less, the reason that the Jayhawks advanced past Purdue in the Round of 32, as he finished with 18 points on a night that Robinson and Taylor combined to shoot 6-of-23. Lenzelle Smith Jr. plays a similarly vital role in the Ohio State offense. Smith had 33 points as Ohio State won two games in Boston last weekend, making arguably the two biggest shots of the game as the Buckeyes held off Syracuse in the Elite Eight. Smith also has a tendency to play his best when the lights are the brightest; he had 28 points in a win over Indiana this season and scored 17 in a win over Michigan. Edge: Even
Small Forward I should preface this by saying that the Buckeyes should have the advantage at the small forward spot because William Buford has become as inconsistent as he is talented. Buford is an important piece for Ohio State because of his ability to score the ball from the perimeter. When he is shooting well, it makes it that much more difficult for opponents to collapse on Jared Sullinger in the post. The problem is that those good shooting performances have become fewer and farther between late in the season. Buford was just 4-of-20 in the Boston regional, is shooting just 13-of-44 in the NCAA tournament and hasn't shot over .500 in a game since March 4, when he hit the game-winning jumper to beat Michigan State in the final game of the regular season. Travis Releford has developed a bit of a reputation as a defender, and while he's not necessarily a go-to scorer, he can chip in with 15 points on a good night. Edge: Ohio State
Power Forward Deshaun Thomas may end up being the key to this game for the Buckeyes. He's developed into one of the more explosive front court scorers in the country as his sophomore season has gone on, culminating in the 22.3 points that he is averaging in the four games in the tournament. The question for the Jayhawks is going to be how they matchup with him. Do you risk putting Thomas Robinson on him, or will Robinson's inability to be effective against Robbie Hummel be enough to scare Bill Self off of that idea? And if Robinson doesn't guard him, do you dare to put Jeff Withey on Thomas? Based on the way Kansas matches up with Ohio State, we may end up seeing quite a bit of Kevin Young in this game. Edge: Ohio State
Center The matchup that we are all hoping to see is Jared Sullinger and Thomas Robinson, two All-Americas and arguably the two best low-post scorers in the country. The interesting part here is that Jeff Withey may actually be a better matchup on Sullinger defensively for the Jayhawks. Sullinger struggles when he is guarded by players with more length and athleticism than him; Withey is 7-feet and one of the most dangerous shot-blockers in the country. The problem with that is Robinson would be forced to guard Deshaun Thomas. If Sullinger and Robinson do get matched up with each other, it will be a treat for every fan to enjoy; both players thrive on their strength and ability to establish position in the post. But where Robinson thrives on his natural athleticism to score over players he overpowers, Sullinger -- while heftier and more of a land-warrior -- is much more skilled and technical on the block. Edge: Even
Bench Neither team has much of a bench. Evan Ravenel and Amir Williams have both provided quality minutes when Sullinger gets in foul trouble, while Jordan Sibert and Sam Thompson have both seen minutes off the bench during the tournament. The reason that Kansas gets the advantage, however, is because of Kevin Young and Conner Teahan. Teahan has been an important piece for the Jayhawks all year with an ability to shoot the ball, but the more valuable piece will be Young. Early in the season, it was difficult to imagine Young earning playing time. But as the season went on, he's developed into a valuable piece off the bench. He brings energy and athleticism, and, more importantly, he allows the Jayhawks to go small when Withey is faced with a mismatch. Edge: Kansas
Coach With all due respect to Thad Matta, who is a sensational coach, I'm not sure that there is anyone in the country who has done a better job this season than Self. He led Kansas to a Big 12 title and has now taken the Jayhawks to the Final Four despite a roster that doesn't have a typical amount of Kansas talent. They also lost their depth when three freshmen were ruled ineligible. More importantly, Self has gotten his team this far with the mid-game adjustments he has made. The switch to a triangle-and-two defense was a major part of the reason that Kansas beat Purdue, N.C. State and North Carolina. Edge: Kansas
Former President Clinton makes his Final Four picks; kind words for Jared Sullinger & the Buckeyes
KU-OSU is the game to watch March 28, 2012 Source: ESPN - Ohio State versus Kansas is in prime time for a reason. It's simply the better matchup. It's the game that's been dissected, analyzed and evaluated by experts since Sunday. And still, no consensus on the outcome...
Buckeyes look like they're 5 points better than Kansas Jayhawks, says Doug Lesmerises (SBTV) March 28, 2012 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Breaking down the Buckeyes lineup March 28, 2012 Source: ESPN - The Ohio State Buckeyes are back in the Final Four for the first time since losing to the Florida Gators in the 2007 championship game. ESPN Stats & Information takes a look at the keys to success for the Buckeyes in New Orleans...
Will it be the one who lit up Purdue for 29, Northwestern for 28, Kansas for 21 in the first meeting and Duke for 20? The cool team leader who hit a nerveless shot at the buzzer with a hand in his face to earn the Buckeyes a share of the Big Ten title at Michigan State?
Or the one who is shooting 34.7 percent from the field over the last seven games — arguably the Buckeyes’ seven biggest games to date — while averaging 11.3 points, 3 under his average?
No one doubts that Buford can decide the outcome of a game.
The problem is that works both ways...
Matta Press Conference at OSU March 27, 2012 Source: Bucknuts.com
Sullinger Press Conference at OSU March 27, 2012 Source: Bucknuts.com
Craft Buford Press Conference at OSU March 27, 2012 Source: Bucknuts.com
Road to the Superdome: Ohio State March 27, 2012 Source: CBSsports.com - ...Why they'll win it: The Buckeyes have one of the best big men in the country in Jared Sullinger, an elite point guard in Aaron Craft who defends and possesses all the intangibles -- and a couple of wing scorers in William Buford and Deshaun Thomas. They do a nice job as a team moving the ball, Sullinger passes well out of double-teams and these guys defend well as a group. They play unselfish and their top four guys can matchup with just about anyone.
Why they won't: Every team they'll go up against has an answer for Sullinger. Sure, he's big, strong and skilled. But Kansas' Thomas Robinson is strong and ultra-athletic. If they get past Kansas, it'll be either Anthony Davis (Kentucky) or Gorgui Dieng (Louisville). Ohio State also can't afford to have senior guard William Buford continue to slump offensively. He needs to get going and make shots.
Player to watch: Aaron Craft - There's no one in the country who plays perimeter defense in the same manner. He's relentless guarding on the ball -- and also so smart off-the-ball. He gets his hands on seemingly everything -- and also sets up his teammates and is the team leader. However, what Craft will need to do it be more assertive and look for his own shot -- especially if one of Sullinger, Buford or Thomas aren't making shots. If those three guys are on their game on the offensive end of the floor, Craft can get away with deferring. However, he'll need to make a couple shots, at least, to keep the defense honest.
Best off the bench: This is an issue. There's really no one that coach Thad Matta counts on off the bench. Evan Ravenel is a Boston College transfer who spells Sullinger and could be key if the big man gets into foul trouble again -- as he did against Syracuse. Athletic freshman Sam Thompson averaged a dozen minutes in league play. We'll go with freshman point guard Shannon Scott, who often comes into the game and allows Craft to play off the ball for a spell. However, there are no standouts coming off the bench for the Buckeyes.
One guy soaring: Deshaun Thomas -- The 6-foot-7 sophomore has been sensational on the offensive end and can ill-afford to have an off-night for the Buckeyes. Thomas, who dropped about 20 pounds this past offseason, is averaging 16.1 points this season and can score from just about anywhere. He has 87 points in the four tournament games -- and erupted for 20 in the first half against Cincinnati.
One guy slumping: William Buford -- The smooth veteran has made just 4 of his last 20 shots from the field over the past two games and has not made more than 50 percent of his shots in a game since the regular-season finale on March 4 against Michigan State. Matta needs Buford, one of the top scorers in school history, to get going against Kansas -- in a big way.
Notable stat: William Buford has 1,971 career points in his career, just 20 shy of passing Jerry Lucas for third in Ohio State history. Dennis Hopson ranks first on the Buckeyes all-time list with 2,096.
Last time in Final Four: 2007 -- Greg Oden, Mike Conley and Daequan Cook led the Buckeyes to the national title game, where they lost to the defending national champion Florida Gators.
Last time won a national championship: 1960 -- It's the lone national title in men's hoops that the Buckeyes have won. Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek crushed California, 75-55, in the championship game. Four members of this team are in the Hall of Fame: Lucas and Havlicek as players and Fred Taylor and Bob Knight as coaches. Taylor, the coach of that 1960 squad, died in 2002.
All-time starting five: G: Jim Jackson; G: Evan Turner; F: John Havlicek; F: Clark Kellogg; C: Jerry Lucas
Final thought: When Sullinger decided to return to Ohio State, this is one of the primary reasons: To get to a Final Four and have a chance to win a national title. The Buckeyes team, the one that lost to Kentucky in the Sweet 16 a year ago, was more talented. They lost David Lighty, Jon Diebler and Dallas Lauderdale. However, this one has a chance because it has an elite low-post player, a terrific point guard and a couple of guys that can put the ball in the basket. If these guys are clicking, they can beat anyone. However, they need to avoid foul trouble and make sure Buford and Thomas are making shots.
ESPN's Andy Katz and Gene Wojciechowski preview the Final Four.
What's the buzz for the Final Four? March 26, 2012 Source: ESPN - ...(2) Ohio State vs. (2) Kansas: When these two teams met Dec. 10, Kansas earned a 78-67 victory. But Sullinger was unavailable that afternoon due to a back injury. Evan Ravenel, Sullinger's replacement, recorded nine points and five rebounds.
This is a completely different matchup, however, with Sullinger in the mix. Robinson versus Sullinger might be the best individual battle in the Final Four. Craft and Smith against Johnson and Taylor is a great backcourt pairing.
The Jayhawks and Buckeyes are both in the top 10 in Pomeroy's defensive efficiency ratings. And they're both versatile offensively. This should be a great game.
Plus, this is a rare matchup. This is just the second Final Four meeting between two No. 2 seeds since the seeding process commenced in 1979. North Carolina and Arkansas met in the Final Four in 1995...
Why They'll Win The National Title:(analysis of each team)
Ohio State: Few doubted OSU's national title potential when Jared Sullinger announced his decision to return for a second season. That collection of talent -- anchored by Sullinger, Aaron Craft, Deshaun Thomas and William Buford -- ranked among the nation's best.
But throughout the regular season, the Buckeyes battled through bouts of immaturity. Thad Matta openly questioned their practice habits during a rough stretch (they went 2-3 over five games) in February. They had the makings of a national champion but seemed to lack the leadership and mental toughness to achieve that dream.
The loss of veteran David Lighty left a leadership void in the program that the Buckeyes couldn't fill. And then, this young group began to mature and realize its full potential. The Buckeyes have rallied from their challenges in February and reeled off eight victories in their past nine games.
The Bucks knocked off 1-seed Syracuse on Saturday as Sullinger took advantage of Fab Melo's absence to finish with 19 points and seven rebounds. Thomas has blossomed in the postseason, too. His 14-point, nine-rebound effort (6-for-14) against the Orange was his worst game in the NCAA tournament. Craft has harassed some of the top guards in America all year. He's also showcased that defensive success in the Big Dance.
A few lesser-known names have made an impact, too. Lenzelle Smith Jr. (18 points) was a star against Syracuse.
The Buckeyes are strong inside. They have one of the best perimeter defenders in the country. And they have a veteran (Buford) who's capable of a big night every time he steps onto the floor. They have all of the tools for a title.
But it starts with Sullinger. The immovable forward came back to win a national title. And if he continues to produce at this level, he might accomplish that feat in New Orleans...
Five Storylines For Ohio State Versus Kansas
1. Vengeance? The Jayhawks beat the Buckeyes in Round 1 in December. But Sullinger wasn't available due to a back injury. His presence changes everything.
2. Thad Matta is searching for his first national championship. He reached the title game with Greg Oden's team in 2007. Will he win No. 1 in the Big Easy?
3. Robinson versus Sullinger is an explosive matchup between two of the top frontcourt players in the country.
4. Self doesn't need another ring to make Kansas fans forget about Roy Williams. But a second national championship would solidify his status as a legend. We're talking statues, people.
5. Defensive stoppers could turn this game. Withey can dominate the paint with his shot-blocking ability. Craft (2.5 steals per game) is the best on-the-ball defender in America...
Game-changers
Kansas: Taylor could score 20 or he could commit a half-dozen turnovers. Or both.
Ohio State: Paging Buford. The senior has had moments of greatness and other times he's appeared on the side of a milk carton in key games...
Jared Sullinger recovered from first-half foul trouble to score 19 points and grab seven rebounds, helping Ohio State beat top-seeded Syracuse 77-70 on Saturday to advance to the Final Four in New Orleans. The second-seeded Buckeyes will play the winner of Sunday's Midwest Regional final between North Carolina and Kansas.
"We're not going down to New Orleans for a vacation. It's a business trip," said Sullinger, who picked up his second foul 6 minutes into the game and did not return the rest of the half. "These guys have played without me before, so they know what they have to do."
Deshaun Thomas scored 14 points with nine rebounds for Ohio State (31-7), which led by eight points with 59 seconds to play and held on after the Orange cut it to three. The Buckeyes made 13 of 14 free throws in the final 68 seconds and finished 31 of 42 from the line.
Ohio State is making its first trip to the Final Four since 2007, when it lost in the national championship game to Florida. They had lost in the regional semifinals in each of the past two seasons, and Matta wasn't even sure they would make it that far after a series of unimpressive practices.
When the Buckeyes, who spent five weeks as the No. 2 team in the nation, closed out February with three defeats in five games -- including a home loss to Wisconsin on Feb. 26 -- Matta had more reason to worry.
But he got the response he was hoping for.
"That loss opened their eyes and said, 'Hey, maybe we're not as good as we think we are,' " Matta said. "Maybe it got us pointed in the right direction."
In a tightly officiated game that left Sullinger on the bench in foul trouble for most of the first half and Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim not-quite muzzled after picking up a technical foul, it came down to free throws. Syracuse was called for 29 fouls -- its most in more than three years -- despite playing its usual 2-3 zone...
Four thoughts from Ohio State-Syracuse March 25, 2012 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer -1. The refs got it wrong most of the first half, but the egregious charging call on which Jim Boeheim drew a technical was not as bad as the "air" foul on Jared Sullinger. That forced Thad Matta to bench Sully with two personals the last 13 1/2 minutes.
2. Amir Williams was almost unbelievably good after Sullinger and Evan Ravenel got into foul trouble. The 6-11 freshman had four points, three rebounds and two blocks in nine minutes. He allowed OSU to fight another half. If Will Buford keeps slumping, would Matta possibly consider the freshman, who averaged only 10 minutes per game, in the Final Four in a pairing at times with Sullinger?
3. So maybe MSU's Tom Izzo was right? After the Spartans shut down OSU in Columbus, his team looked like it had an answer for everything the Buckeyes tried.
"I still think they're the best team in the Big Ten," said Izzo. At the time, it seemed to be sweet-talking a rival and deflecting attention from Izzo's own team. But the Buckeyes are the only ones still playing from the league now.
4. Lenzelle Smith Jr. wears the name "Smith Jr." on the back of his jersey, which seems odd because his father, after all, is not in the Buckeyes' lineup. Smith Jr. said it is to make sure he doesn't get his mail mixed up with letters to the elder Smith. It seems a prudent step, given the fan mail that is sure to come now.
Watch post game reaction from Ohio State University after their win over Syracuse.
OSU Syracuse Postgame: Lenzelle Smith Jr. Source: Bucknuts.com
Smith delivers a blood-and-guts effort March 25, 2012 Source: Columbus Dispatch - A mere two minutes into the game and it already was evident that there would be no place for the meek in the NCAA Tournament East Regional final between Ohio State and Syracuse.
Bodies were flying, referee whistles were chirping and the sellout crowd inside tinderbox TD Garden made the arena sound like a home game for Syracuse.
And Ohio State sophomore forward Lenzelle Smith Jr. was bleeding.
A collision at the end of a drive by Syracuse guard Brandon Triche left Smith bleeding above his right eye and sent him to the locker room just 2:24 into the game.
“I tried to stay in front of my man, slid my feet, and when he spun, his head scraped my eye,” Smith said.
Team doctor Grant Jones put four stitches in Smith’s eyelid, and Smith returned to score 18 points to lead the second-seeded Buckeyes to the Final Four with a 77-70 victory over the top-seeded Orange.
Smith’s gutty return and clutch production personified coach Thad Matta’s pregame message.
“Coach told us this game was going to be about toughness,” Smith said. “He said either we were going to break or they were going to break. We didn’t break.”
Not with Smith firing away above the legendary 2-3 zone defense played by the Orange.
He made 3 of 5 three-point attempts while scoring 16 points in the second half as his vision began to clear.
“When I first came back into the game in the first half, I couldn’t even really see out of my eye,” Smith said. “We switched our offense around. I’m normally on the right side, but I had to stand on the left side because the right side was all blurry. The court lights were flickering with my contacts.” ...
The unheralded 6-4 sophomore guard from Zion came up with a big-time second half, scoring 16 of his 18 points after needing four stitches to repair a cut over his right eye in the first half to key Ohio State’s 77-70 Elite Eight upset of Syracuse on Saturday...
"Everybody kind of pulled together," coach Thad Matta said.
"It was something we’ve been preaching. We told them, to win this game, somebody was going to have to step up and make plays."
The key somebody was Smith, who joined Sullinger on the All-East Regional team. He’d had a big game before, going off for 28 against Indiana on Jan. 15. Other than that, though, he had not scored more than 12 in a game this season.
Smith didn’t make it to the interview room because the cut required attention. But the Buckeyes knew what he had done.
"He did a lot for us, offensively and defensively," guard Aaron Craft said. "He made a couple of big shots for us. And on the other end, he did a good job of keeping their great guards in front of him." ...
OSU Syracuse Postgame: Aaron Craft Source: Bucknuts.com
Crafty is amazing!
Brotherly love March 25, 2012 Source: Columbus Dispatch - It was an emotional day for OSU point guard Aaron Craft, who had five points, four assists and four rebounds on the same day his older brother headed to Afghanistan on military duty.
Craft got to speak to his brother, Brandon, yesterday before he fulfilled an Army assignment by deploying from Fort Lewis in Washington.
“We had the going-away talk,” Aaron said. “He just told me to enjoy it. He wishes he could watch and be here, but he’s doing something more important, and it just keeps everything in perspective.”
> OSU Syracuse Postgame: Jared Sullinger Source: Bucknuts.com
Sullinger’s reward: Final Four trip March 25, 2012 Source: Columbus Dispatch - Jared Sullinger spurned the big money of the NBA one year ago for a moment that finally arrived last night.
The Ohio State sophomore forward, considered a lottery draft pick after his first year, led Ohio State to the Final Four with a 77-70 win over Syracuse in the East Regional final.
“I made the right decision when I said I was coming back, no doubt about it,” Sullinger said.
Sullinger was named the region’s Most Outstanding Player after scoring 19 points — 15 in the second half — and grabbing seven rebounds against the Orange. The personal honor, however, didn’t feel as special to the Columbus native as getting the Buckeyes to their first Final Four in five years.
“It means a lot,” Sullinger said. “Ohio State is known as a football school, and it’s been forever known as a football school. Getting to the Final Four, we should get the stamp now that it’s not only a football school, it’s a football and basketball school.”
Sullinger played only six minutes — totaling four points and three rebounds — in the first half because of two fouls. He went to the bench for the rest of the half when his second foul was called with 13:42 left.
“I took off my jersey and put on some pom-poms,” Sullinger joked.
OSU Syracuse Postgame: William Buford Source: Bucknuts.com
OSU Syracuse Postgame: Deshaun Thomas Source: Bucknuts.com
Freshman Amir Williams' first-half performance helped rescue foul-plagued Buckeyes March 25, 2012 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - Amir Williams had played 12 minutes in his previous nine games, but when Jared Sullinger's second foul in the first half Saturday night was followed by Evan Ravenel's second foul in the first half, the freshman OSU forward got the call against Syracuse.
"It was one of the biggest moments for me ever," Williams said, "going in and having a chance to factor in to going to the Final Four. That was one of the greatest things ever and I was just excited to be a part of it."
Williams seldom looks excited, and at moments he can actually look overwhelmed by the moment and uncertain of how to handle himself on the court. He looked that way for a few minutes Saturday night. Then he started rebounding. And blocking shots. And getting to the foul line, even though he missed three of four free throws. And making a quick, sharp pass to Deshaun Thomas inside.
Overall, he had three points, four rebounds and two blocks in nine first-half minutes before not playing in the second half.
"I think he gave us energy, he gave us blocks and rebounds and he played really well," Thomas said. "That's what we needed off the bench."
...
Two-Minute Drill: Inside Ohio State’s Postgame Locker Room March 25, 2012 Source: The Ozone - Here’s a look at what the players and coaches had to say after the game. Matta’s Best Coaching Job at OSU?...Sullinger Tipping His Hand?...Turning Things Around...Off to the Final Four...Player Notes...
Analysis: Scarlet & Gray Matta March 25, 2012 Source: Columbus Dispatch - Facts of the matter
In the end, all those preseason expectations were met by an inspired team that played through trying circumstances -- in-fighting, injury and the strange disappearing act of its lone senior -- to scrap it up against the No. 1 seed in Syracuse. Just call it the Finally Four.
Defining moment
Lenzelle Smith Jr. stood at the foul line with the Buckeyes holding a 71-67 lead and 19.6 seconds to play. A miss and Syracuse would still be in it. But like the cool customer he has increasingly become during the tournament, Smith made both throws, and that was that.
What went right
Bench play and clutch free throws. Ohio State played eight players the first half and came away not much worse for wear as the score was tied at at 29 entering intermission. As for those “free” throws? There were misses early -- and some late -- but all was solid down the stretch.
Drawing board
Interior defense looked a bit ragged at times -- maybe some zone was in order? -- but overall not a lot to work on. When you reach the Final Four, the nitpicking takes a night off.
Star power
Controlled desperation separates those who can raise their games under pressure and those who can’t. Two Buckeyes showed that they could hold up with everything on the line. Jared Sullinger went old-school by kissing two big shots off the glass, plus making free throws when it mattered most. The big man had 19 points and went 9 of 12 from the line. Then there was Smith, who took three stitches above his eye just 2:24 into the game and returned to finish with 18 points, including huge three-pointers that kept the Orange off the Buckeyes’ backs.
Micromanaging
When a game becomes a 60-meter dash, as this one did, usually it is best to go with a sprint relay team to spread the huffing and puffing. So where was Shannon Scott to help spell Aaron Craft? On the other hand, credit Matta for putting some faith in Amir Williams, who played the last 8:45 of the first half while Sullinger sat on the bench with two fouls. Williams rewarded his coach’s trust by, well, not screwing things up.
Whistle-blowers
The only explanation for some of the rattle-and-roll shaky calls, besides melting under big-game pressure, was that the officials watched the game from the same distorted perspective as viewers at home. It was impossible to see straight because of the way CBS shot the game from weird angles and distances. Minus that excuse, the refs had no leg to stand on, especially on Sullinger’s second phantom foul. Terrible. These zebras were overmatched. ...
Jeff Boals talks about Thad Matta's coaching job, improvements since Wisconsin and the turning point of the season.
Only they believed...these six from ESPN picked the Buckeyes to reach the Final Four: @JayBilas, @ESPNAndyKatz, @douggottlieb, @eamonnbrennan, @JasonKingESPN, @JohnGasaway. See all the ESPN predictions.
Ohio State vs. Syracuse preview No. 2 Ohio State heads to the elite 8 to face off against No.1 Syracuse. The Bracket Breakdown panel discusses the keys to the game for this upcoming match-up. Source: CBSSports.com
East preview: Ohio State vs. Syracuse March 23, 2012 Source: ESPN - ...Whom to watch: William Buford, Ohio State: Matta went out of his way to commend his senior for his defensive effort against Cincinnati. And it was deserved. It also was welcome deflection for Buford’s offensive woes.
The Sweet 16 has not been kind to Buford. He's played in that round three consecutive seasons and is 8 of 37, including an absentee 1-of-8 against the Bearcats on Thursday...
Scoop Jardine, Syracuse:
One of Syracuse’s hidden strengths this season is its ability to take care of the basketball. The Orange are eighth in the country, committing just 10.5 turnovers per game. That number will meet its match in the form of Aaron Craft. Arguably the best on-the-ball defender in the country, Ohio State's sophomore guard is a relentless gnat who not only swats at the ball but also frustrates his opponent into mistakes.
What to watch
This could be the first time that Syracuse feels sorely the absence of Fab Melo. Rakeem Christmas and Baye Keita have done a more than admirable job for the Orange through this NCAA tournament run, but in their first three games, the duo has not faced anything quite like Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas.
The two are big, strong and armed with an arsenal of scoring touches. Most crucially for Christmas and Keita, Sullinger and Thomas help Ohio State rack up a plus-7.6 rebounding edge, good for sixth in the country — and good for lots of extended possessions. Christmas and Keita will have their work cut out for them in this game... Aaron Craft's defense sparks Ohio State March 24, 2012 Source: Associated Press - Aaron Craft doesn't get as much publicity as some of his Ohio State teammates...But Craft is the stopper, the pesky defender who irritates dribblers and takes the ball away.
"He takes great pride in what he's doing every single possession," Buckeyes coach Thad Matta said Friday. "That's why I've said it all year. He's the best defender in college basketball."
On Saturday night, Craft will be pestering Syracuse guards Scoop Jardine, Brandon Triche and Dion Waiters in the East regional final as the second-seeded Buckeyes try to return to the Final Four for the first time since 2007...
"He's just one of those guys who's always up on you," Triche said. "He's good with his hands. He gets into the passing lane. He pretty much just makes it tough, sliding left and right. He's one of those guys who never gives up."
Craft tied his season high of six steals in Thursday night's 81-66 win over sixth-seeded Cincinnati. And three came after the Bearcats overcame a 37-25 halftime deficit to take a 52-48 lead...
Craft traces his defensive focus to being the son of a high school coach and playing against older brothers.
"We would play one-on-one," he said. "I couldn't score too much because I was a lot smaller, but I could frustrate him if I was playing defense. That kind of is what I hung my hat on, and it carried over, and it's something I enjoy doing. I take great pride in it."...
So how do Syracuse's athletic guards match up with Craft?
"We'll find out," Orange coach Jim Boeheim said. "I don't give scouting reports."...
1. Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas is a zone killer. He's a great fit at floating in the soft middle of a zone and hitting from anywhere within 15 feet. His quick-turnaround, one- handed half-hook is the kind of shot most zones aren't prepared to defend. And the ability Thomas has to catch and shoot without a second thought, which has driven people crazy at times during his career, is an asset against a zone because he gets the shot off before the defense swarms to him. March 23, 2012 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
No free scoops: No statistic at the NCAA Tournament may be more difficult to understand than the foul shooting of Syracuse senior guard Scoop Jardine.
Starting with his freshman season, here is his free-throw shooting percentage during the course of his career: 83 percent, 75 percent, 66 percent, 55 percent. That means that, late in games, such as on Thursday against Wisconsin, the Orange can't put the ball in the hands of their ballhandler.
Remarkably, though, Jardine has found his touch so far in the NCAA Tournament. He was a 49 percent shooter coming into the tournament but has made 9-of-10 free throws in his first three games. Expect Syracuse to need Jardine to make a couple of big free throws if it's going to win the whole thing. March 23, 2012 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Win prepares OSU to face Syracuse zone March 23, 2012 Source: Columbus Dispatch - If Ohio State is going to make its first Final Four appearance in five years, the Buckeyes will have to dissect the legendary 2-3 zone defense played by the Syracuse Orangemen. “It’s going to be tough,” said OSU point guard Aaron Craft. “It’s going to be big to understand what they like to do. That’s what Syracuse is known for.”...
Besides advancing the Buckeyes, the victory gave them a primer on facing a 2-3, which Cincinnati played the entire first half.
“We went into this game thinking Cincinnati was probably going to play zone,” said OSU coach Thad Matta. “We spent a majority of our time this week going against zone. And I told our guys, trying to motivate them, when we play Syracuse on Saturday, this will pay off for us.”
The Buckeyes showed great patience and ball movement against Cincinnati’s zone, building a 37-25 halftime advance behind the 20 points of sophomore forward Deshaun Thomas.
“Patience was important,” said OSU guard Lenzelle Smith Jr. “You play into their hands if you play fast without thinking. They made a lot of teams not think and play fast and turn the ball over. They tried to make us take quick shots, but guys passed up some of those shots, and we took the shots we wanted. That’s our motto: Pass up a good shot for a great shot.”
Ohio State shot 45 percent in the first half, and improved that to 52 percent in the second half when Cincinnati switched to a man-to-man defense.
“We just read their defense really well,” said OSU forward Jared Sullinger. “You’ve got to give that to the coaches. They put us in situations where we could succeed.”
Now the Buckeyes have no doubt what they’ll face against Syracuse.
“I know we’re going to face a 2-3 zone, there’s no hiding that,” Sullinger said. “They’re very long. They’re very athletic. They can get up and down with the best of them. So it’s going to be a game that we’re going to have to try to control the tempo.
“We’re going to have to score and execute our offense even though they’re playing a 2-3 zone. We can’t just sit back and let them punch us. We’ve got to throw the first punches.”...
Jared Sullinger and teammate Deshaun Thomas celebrate during the second half of their men's NCAA East Regional basketball game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in Boston Thursday March 22, 2012 (Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
Buckeyes Turn Back Cincinnati 81-66 March 22, 2012 Source: Bucknuts.com - Ohio State cleared a major hurdle late Thursday night with a resounding NCAA Sweet 16 win. The second-seeded Buckeyes got 26 points from Deshaun Thomas and 23 points and 11 rebounds from Jared Sullinger in taking an 81-66 win over No. 6 seed (and bitter instate rival) Cincinnati in an NCAA East Region semifinal Thursday night before a crowd of 18,896 at Boston’s TD Garden.
The Buckeyes (30-7) advance to Saturday’s East Region final to face No. 1 seed Syracuse (34-2) here in Boston (7:05 p.m., CBS). The Orange took a dramatic 64-63 win over No. 4 seed Wisconsin earlier Thursday. The winner on Saturday will move on to the Final Four next weekend in New Orleans.
OSU led by as many as 13 late in the first half before allowing UC to surge into a four-point lead early in the second half. But the Buckeyes went on a 17-1 run to regain control and win going away.
“Obviously, that was a great college basketball game,” said OSU coach Thad Matta. “We were able to put together a run there in the first half. Give Cincinnati credit, they came out and stung us to start the second half, and we had to take some timeouts there to kind of refocus what we were doing on the defensive end.
“Once we got that going, I thought it generated some offense for us. We were able to make the plays we had to make down the stretch.”
The Sweet 16 had been Ohio State’s Waterloo the last two years in the NCAA Tournament with losses to lower seeds Tennessee in 2010 and Kentucky last year...
Key player: Deshaun Thomas led the Buckeyes with 26 points and had seven boards, but Jared Sullinger was the man. He tallied 23 points and harnessed 11 rebounds with three blocks. The sophomore hit 7-of-13 shots and was 9-of-10 from the free-throw line for an Ohio State squad that played just six eight players, but six ate up most of the minutes.
Key number: 27, free throws shot by Ohio State. The Buckeyes hit 19 (70.4 percent). Conversely, Cincinnati was just 5-of-8 from the charity stripe. The Buckeyes also had a decided edge from the 3-point line, hitting 8-of-17 (47.1 percent) compared to the Bearcats’ 9-of-23 (39.1 percent). Ohio State—which forced 18 turnovers–actually blew a 12-point halftime lead and saw Cincinnati take a four-point lead before taking over down the stretch.
What’s next for Ohio State? The win over Cincinnati advances the Buckeyes to the Elite Eight for the first time since Ohio State and Greg Oden marched to the national championship game in 2007, where the Buckeyes lost to Florida. The last two years ended in Sweet 16 losses to Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively. In 2009, the Buckeyes lost in the first round to Siena. Now comes a date with No. 1 Syracuse in the East Regional Final for the Big Ten’s tri-champs who are playing as well as anyone in the tourney. How will the Orange handle Jared Sullinger without Fab Melo?
FAST RECAP: Jared Sullinger scored 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out three assists as No. 7 Ohio State defeated Cincinnati 81-66 on Thursday at TD Garden in Boston in the Sweet Sixteen. Both Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas played well for Ohio State (30-7). Sullinger went 7-of-13 from the field. Thomas had 26 points, hauled in six rebounds, knocked down 10-of-16 shot attempts, and shot 3-of-5 from long range. The Buckeyes shot 50 percent from the field (27-of-54). Ohio State was on fire from beyond the arc during the game, shooting 47 percent (8-of-17).
The Buckeyes shot 19-of-27 from the free throw line. Lenzelle Smith Jr. shot 6-of-7 from the field and scored 15 points for Ohio State. The Buckeyes also got a solid contribution from Aaron Craft, who scored 11. Cashmere Wright contributed 18 points, pulled down four rebounds, contributed three assists, and drilled 4-of-6 three-pointers for Cincinnati (26-11) in the loss. Justin Jackson was 4-of-5 from the floor and chipped in eight points for the Bearcats. Cincinnati was hot from long range, hitting 9-of-23 threes for a 39 percent night from beyond the arc. The Bearcats also got double-digit games from Jaquon Parker, who scored 10 and Sean Kilpatrick, who scored 15. Ohio State won the rebounding battle en route to victory, pulling down 33 boards to 25 for Cincinnati. The Buckeyes led 27-22 with 3:00 left in the first half before they widened the margin to 13 points with an 8-0 run that ended late in the first. Shannon Scott finished the run off with a field goal, which helped Ohio State lead 37-25 at halftime.
The Buckeyes will face a different look than most of the Big Ten employs later today when they face Cincinnati and its four guard lineup. Ohio State's conference is known more for big men and banging in the paint and while Yancy Gates can deliver that bruising experience the rest of the team is much smaller and quicker.
But what do the Buckeyes think about the look that the Bearcats will give them and could DeShaun Thomas be the X-Factor for the team in posing match-up issues for Cincinnati when it comes to size and shooting ability?
We caught up with several Buckeyes as well as Thomas himself to ask that question and more about what they think about the problems that UC will present. March 22, 2012 Source: BuckeyeGrove.com
Sweet Sixteen: OSU vs. Cincy Positional Matchups March 21, 2012 Source: Eleven Warriors - As nice as it has been to brag about Ohio putting 4 teams into the Sweet Sixteen, it’s now time to focus on a matchup that will end the season and send home one of those teams. The Bearcats of Cincinnati are an interesting team to meet in the tournament, because they play a 4 guard rotation, and also dominate many games in the paint. The numerous guards help to provide them with tremendous speed and athleticism on the court, and their big man, Yancy Gates, is a beast underneath and can hold his own with most players in the country. This is certainly going to be a tough game, and one that will likely resemble an OSU versus Michigan State game with a high level of physicality anytime a player gets near the paint. Compound that with the fact that Cincinnati fans/students seem to think that Ohio State is the devil and will no doubt be pulling out all the stops to send their in-state enemies home to Columbus.
Regardless, these teams once battled for National Championships, so it’s nice to see them facing each other again in a very meaningful game.
Below are my positional breakdowns for this Sweet Sixteen matchup
#1 Guard (Cashmere Wright vs. Aaron Craft)
Cashmere Wright (#1, 6', 170 lbs), Cincinnati’s point guard, has struggled shooting the ball in the tournament, so far. It’s hard to imagine those struggles improving when going up against the best on-ball defender in the country in Aaron Craft, but that’s what Wright will need to have happen in order to keep Cincy in this game. In his first two March Madness games in 2012, Wright is 6-18 from the field and just 1-8 from behind the arc. Craft, on the other hand, is 8-11 from the field in games against Loyola (MD) and Gonzaga.
Wright, like the other Cincinnati players, plays aggressively on both sides of the ball, so Craft will likely appreciate the 5 days of rest that he got after the Gonzaga game, because Cashmere and Co. will likely use a lot of motion to keep OSU running and switching. I don’t think that Aaron Craft will have the offensive output that he had against the Bulldogs, but should be close to 8-10 points. Similarly, I think that Wright will have a handful of assists in Thursday’s game, but will be held to under 10 points against the Buckeyes. Overall, I think this matchup is a push, since both players will produce close to their normal numbers.
#2 Guard (Dion Dixon vs. Lenzelle Smith, Jr.)
Dion Dixon (#3, 6’3", 195 lbs) will be a good matchup for Lenzelle Smith, Jr. because of his size and skill set. Dixon is quick and has the ability to drive the lane and score in the blink of an eye, averaging 13.1 points per game. However, he’s just an average shooter from the field (37%) and is allergic to the arc (26%). Smith Jr. will need to be alert and active defensively, as Dixon and his teammates are quick off the dribble and able to drive and score against less athletic teams. OSU will need to prove that they are able to defend this and force the outside shot whenever possible.
LSJ will need to make a shot here and there for the Bucks, move his feet and get into position on defense, and most importantly, grab rebounds! Having such a good rebounder at our #2 spot could go a long way in keeping offensive possessions going and ending the Bearcats looks at the other end. Once again, I think that both guards will be close to their averages, so I’ll push this matchup as well.
#3 Guard (Jaquon Parker vs. William Buford)
Ok, Buckeye fans, it’s the game that we’ve been waiting for… you know, the one where Buford scores 20 points and plays to his potential. I think that Thursday will be that game for William Buford, and hopefully the first of 4 to come in this tournament run. Jaquon Parker (#44, 6’3", 210 lbs) gives 3 inches to Buford, although Parker can certainly play bigger than his size. Parker is a very versatile player that can bang underneath and grab boards or hang back and hit from outside (38%). Buford will need to be on the top of his game, defensively, to prepare for Parker’s diverse attack.
However, I think that it is on the offensive end of the court that Buford will make his stand. Parker may be called upon to help in doubling-down on Sullinger and/or Thomas in the paint, and this should leave Buford with some open looks. If Buford can hit a couple of early shots, I think that his confidence will sky-rocket and he will nail 3-4 deep balls and a handful of mid-range jumpers. Naturally, he’s going to keep his streak of charging fouls going for this game, but I am giving the edge to Willy B in this one.
#4 Guard/Forward (Sean Kilpatrick vs. Deshaun Thomas)
It’s only fitting that the hot hand for the Bearcats should be lined up against OSU’s X Factor in this in-state battle. Sean Kilpatrick (#23, 6’4", 215 lbs) led Cincy with 18 points in their win over Florida State, matching Thomas’ total against Gonzaga. Kilpatrick, like many of Cincy’s players, is not necessarily the fastest or quickest person on the court, but simply has the entire package and natural ability to get to the lane, protect the ball, and get a good look at the basket. This helps them all, including Kilpatrick, to be solid players in all aspects of the game, whether it be scoring, grabbing rebounds, or playing lockdown defense. This guard is no exception, but he happens to be the Bearcat that I least want to see with the hot hand. He is most consistent scorer on the team, leading the way with 14.3 points per outing, is the most likely candidate to put the ball up from deep, and also happens to be second on the squad in rebounds and assists.
(Spoiler) So why do I like Deshaun Thomas in this matchup? Because Thomas can also hit from behind the arc, is an offensive rebounding freak of nature, in the kindest sense of the word, and has 3 inches on Kilpatrick. For some of the other matchups, that height factor might not play a big part, but because Cincinnati hates giving up space in the paint, I think that’s exactly what Matta will try to do. And what better player to throw into the mix down low than a guy that has a remarkable knack for finding the ball and getting it up quickly, like Thomas? Kilpatrick may still get his 12-14 points in this game, but Thomas’ presence inside will force Cincinnati to bring extra help and fold down onto he and Sullinger, thus allowing Buford a look from outside. Advantage = Thomas.
#5 Forward (Yancy Gates vs. Jared Sullinger)
Yancy Gates (#34, 6’9", 260 lbs), as I mentioned above, is a monster in the paint. When not suspended for 6 games for voilently suckerpunching people in the face during basketball games, Gates uses his giant frame to get and maintain good position under the basket. Like many people, after I watched that clip of Gates knocking a player out cold in a bench-clearing brawl, I never wanted to hear his name, read about him playing ball, or see him on TV again, and yet here we are. It’s nice to know that a player can be suspended for almost half of a football season for receiving free tattoos in exchange for his hard-earned trophies, and yet a thug that punches someone on the court and send them to the hospital will be allowed to play in 85% of his games in that season…but I digress.
Gates averages very close to a double-double per game, with 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds. He will have a weight advantage on Jared Sullinger of about 20-25 pounds, but both use their physiques very well to get themselves under the rim for boards and points. Sullinger definitely holds the edge over Gates in shooting ability, as he can back out for mid-range shots and deep balls, where as Gates’ output comes largely from the paint and the free throw line. The Bearcats will likely throw Justin Jackson (#5, 6’8?, 210 lbs) into the game to battle with Sully as well, but the real competition will certainly be between Gates and Sullinger. Even more so than Sullinger versus Sacre (Gonzaga), I think that this matchup between the big men will be an epic battle that ends with Ohio State’s star on the winning end.
I expect both players to be at or above their averages in points and rebounds, but for Sullinger to outscore and outrebound Gates on Thursday night in Boston.
Overall Prediction: This game has all the makings of a down-to-the-wire thriller. Both teams can play solid, fundamental defense and have a number of players to account for offensively. Ultimately, I think that this game is decided in the paint. If Yancy Gates is able to own the box and force OSU outside for its looks, then the Buckeyes could be in trouble. Likewise, if Ohio State is able to play through Sullinger and Thomas down low and kick the ball out for open shots by Buford, Smith and Craft, then the Bearcats will be headed home. My edge goes to OSU in a tight one.
OSU 70 – Cincinnati 65 (a touch of irony for the 1961 NCAA Championship game)
Buckeyes Keys vs Bearcats
William Buford Game Winning Shot Against Michigan State Gives Ohio State 3rd straight Big Ten Championship
Hoops Preview: OSU at Wisconsin Source: Bucknuts Friday's interviews at Ohio State (click on link for Craft and Thomas interviews & more on the game)
OSU Looking For Win In Newest Rivalry February 4, 2012 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - Ohio State's two meetings with Wisconsin last season were nothing if not spirited. If the events of those games weren't enough to spark a new rivalry, what's a stake in Saturday's meeting in Madison should be more than enough to remind both sides why this game has become so big...
Buford leads Ohio State to 81-74 win over Florida November 15, 2011 Source: Associated Press - "I didn't know how we were going to play tonight," coach Thad Matta said of his team, which has just one senior (Buford) and one junior. "During the drive in the morning I was saying, ‘What if? What if?' But I thought we played with good composure. They knocked us early by making shots and our guys did a nice job of continuing to play and weathering the storm."...
Sullinger Says He Will Come Back
The Ohio State basketball season is done but don't expect to see Jared Sullinger leaving with the three Ohio State seniors after this season. The freshman forward told the media only minutes after a crushing 62-60 loss that he would be back for his sophomore season...We caught up with Sullinger after the game and got his thoughts as well as head coach Thad Matta. Source: BuckeyeGrove.com 3/26/11
Ohio State has played like the top seed in the tournament, but will they turn in another impressive performance against Kentucky on Friday? Join Jason Horowitz and Jon Rothstein for an in-depth look at this game.
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas held a teleconference to give his thoughts on the NCAA Tournament, which of course includes UK and Ohio State. He thinks Ohio State is the favorite not only in this game, but to win the title as well. Here are some of his thoughts:
"Ohio State is the better of the two teams, because they’re a lot older. And they’re really balanced. Having that kind of experience and the talent they have is a terrific combination. Kentucky has talent, but it’s inexperienced talent."
Bilas talked about the matchup problems freshman center Jared Sullinger creates for defense:
"If he gets a foot in the lane, he’ll score or get fouled or both. I think you only go on Sullinger once he puts it on the deck. But once he does, he’s usually in a move pretty quick. You have to push him out a little bit, catch it off the block."
On the potential strategy of doubling down on Sullinger:
"If you’re going to double on Sullinger, you will give up open shots."
On who UK could possibly leave to help on Sullinger:
"Certain shooters you have to stay with. Diebler is a no-leave guy. You have to find him and not leave him. Cannot (take a player) off of him. Lots of teams have doubled off (Aaron) Craft. But you have to mix it up."
Speaking of Craft, the freshman point guard:
"Aaron Craft is beyond his years. I haven’t seen a guard put better pressure on the ball than he does and be a better defender."
On Ohio State’s short but talented rotation:
"They’re not deep, but they can go deep with (Dallas) Lauderdale, or they can go small and bring Deshaun Thomas off the bench. He’s had 22 in a big game. Really good 7-man roster."
On Josh Harrellson:
"Underrated. Had a really good year. Had a really good job on the glass. Been really impressed by second and third effort on the glass. Finishes plays and takes advantage of plays."
Talented mix, supporting cast could be difference for top-seeded Ohio State March 17, 2011 Source: USA Today - "...This week, Lighty and the Buckeyes are in Cleveland (Lighty's hometown), where overall top seed Ohio State (32-2) opens the NCAA tournament Friday against Texas-San Antonio (TNT, 4:40 p.m. ET)...."
Ohio State, which hit 6 of 7 3-point attempts while building a 15-point halftime lead, set a pair of NCAA records in the win. The Buckeyes hit 93.3 percent from 3-point range (14 of 15) and followed a miss on their first attempt with 14 straight 3s. The previous mark for consecutive 3-pointers made was 11 by Niagara in 1987.
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Ohio State players gather around the Big Ten regular-season trophy after beating Wisconsin 93-65 in an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 6, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 1 Ohio State rips Wisconsin in Big Ten finale CBSSports.com wire reports
March 6, 2011 COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In the midst of a raucous locker room after No. 1 Ohio State's 93-65 payback victory over 10th-ranked Wisconsin, Jon Diebler said he was sorry to his teammates.
"I apologize for missing that one," he said.
Everyone laughed.
Diebler lived up to his "3-bler" nickname Sunday by hitting 7 of 8 shots behind the arc while scoring 27 points, as Ohio State (29-2, 16-2 Big Ten) set NCAA Division I records by making 14 of 15 3-pointers (93.3 percent) and hitting 14 in a row - after missing the first.
"On our best day this year, we hit 11 of 17 and thought we'd hit the jackpot," Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. "Fourteen of 15? I don't think people do that very often. Either that, or I'm living in the wrong part of the country."
Still smarting from their first loss of the year, a 71-67 setback at Wisconsin on Feb. 12, the Buckeyes unleashed their best game of the season - shutdown defense at one end and 68-percent shooting from the field at the other.
"I don't know if you could script it much better," said Ohio State coach Thad Matta. "Our defensive energy was incredible ... and offensively the shots were falling. It was incredible how well we shot the basketball."
Freshman Jared Sullinger had 22 points just weeks after accusing a Wisconsin fan of spitting in his face as he left the floor at the Kohl Center. He had told several people that he not only wanted to beat the Badgers, but that he wanted to beat them by 50 points.
The final score only seemed that lopsided.
"That first loss in college, I didn't take that too lightly," Sullinger said. "I wanted to win, and I wanted to win big, too."
William Buford added 18 points and David Lighty 13 for the Buckeyes, who won their 22nd straight home game while dropping Wisconsin to just 4-5 in Big Ten road games this season.
Ryan had been the focal point for many fans in a capacity crowd of 18,809 who felt he had disrespected the Buckeyes after the first meeting when he said, "We won the game. Deal with it."
Ohio State officials fueled the fans' enmity by handing out 1,400 scarlet towels that read, "Deal With It." When Ryan's picture was shown on the monitors at midcourt before the game, there was a large chorus of boos, and the Buckeyes student section immediately behind the Wisconsin bench yelled at the coach most of the day.
Asked after the game about the towels, Ryan said, "What towels? ... I know one thing, towels didn't blow the ball in on all those 3s."
The Buckeyes built a 47-32 halftime lead - the exact score they led by in the second half of the first game before Wisconsin came roaring back - thanks to 6-of-7 shooting behind the arc.
Topping that, Ohio State hit all eight 3s in the second 20 minutes.
Diebler, who tied the Big Ten record by hitting 10 shots behind the arc in a win at Penn State on Tuesday night, is 17 of 20 on 3-pointers in his last two games for the Buckeyes, who had clinched the outright Big Ten title a day earlier thanks to No. 6 Purdue's loss at Iowa.
Josh Gasser had 17 points, Jon Leuer 16 and Keaton Nankivil 10 for the Badgers (23-7, 13-5). Jordan Taylor, who had scored 21 of his 27 points to lead the comeback in the second half of the first meeting, was limited to eight points on 2-of-9 shooting. He was shadowed throughout the game by Ohio State freshman Aaron Craft.
"Aaron did a tremendous job," said Matta, whose teams have won four Big Ten titles in the last six years. "He'd studied so much film. What might go unnoticed is the job the other guys did in helping Aaron. But he was a pit bull out there today."
Wisconsin drew as close as 56-45 on Nankivil's 3 with 14:15 left before the Buckeyes put the game on ice. Diebler was at the heart of it, starting things with a 3. He later hit one off an inbounds play and then dribbled around a defender and stepped back for yet another to push the lead to 69-48 and cap a 10-0 run midway through the second half.
The rest of the game was a matter of killing time until the Buckeyes could cut down the nets and raise the Big Ten trophy. They'll be the top seed in the Big Ten tournament this week in Indianapolis, and are all but assured of a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Lighty, who played his final home game along with Diebler and Dallas Lauderdale, said the victory was nothing more than a step toward bigger goals.
"Our first mission was a regular-season Big Ten championship. That's complete," Lighty said. "Now we'll turn our focus on a three-day tournament that we need to win and that will get us ready for the NCAA tournament. That's just step two of our three-step mission."
BIG TEN HAS SEEN THE MOST GROWTH : "...Likely linked to the creation of The Big Ten Network which launched in August 2007, the Big Ten has shown the most growth in men’s basketball revenues since 2003.
The table below compares men’s basketball revenue for the entire conference in 2009 to 2003. It corrects for inflation by using CPI data from 2009 and 2003 to calculate the 2003 revenues in “2009 dollars”. Lastly, a “growth ratio” is calculated to see the growth in “real revenues” from 2003 to 2009.
Conference
2009
2003
2003 (in 2009 $)
Growth Ratio
Big Ten
$138,054,933
$37,708,837
$43,976,630
3.14
ACC
$133,479,911
$84,761,805
$98,323,694
1.57
Big East
$154,122,296
$88,058,061
$102,147,351
1.51
SEC
$124,636,534
$73,261,482
$84,983,319
1.47
Big 12
$105,706,308
$67,572,143
$78,383,686
1.35
Pac 10
$80,129,005
$54,537,074
$63,263,006
1.27
4 of the 6 BCS conferences have seen real growth rates in men’s basketball revenue between 35-57%.
However, the Big Ten has seen the greatest growth by far. Their conference revenues from men’s basketball are 214% greater than in 2003 after adjusting for inflation.
Data like this makes it clear why conferences want their own sports networks.
If any of the conferences could use a cable network to promote its own sports league, its the Pac 10. At 27% growth, their men’s basketball revenues have grown the least over that 6 year span..."
Four Players Net Double-Digits in Buckeyes' Win Over Northwestern, 52-47 March 8, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "The day after Ohio State lost its captain and most experienced player, coach Thad Matta walked into a staff meeting and wrote a magic number of wins on the blackboard. Almost three months later, and still without David Lighty, his Buckeyes met that lofty goal. Evan Turner hit two jumpers down the stretch and Jon Diebler added two clinching free throws as Ohio State beat Northwestern 52-47 on Sunday to hang on for its 20th win and likely grab a NCAA tournament berth..." (Audio: Thad Matta, OSU Players and Bill Carmody Postgame )
Boxscore: Northwestern vs Ohio State
Evan Turner Scores 22 as Buckeyes Clip Iowa, 60-58 March 3, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Evan Turner scored 22 points and dished out nine assists as Ohio State held off Iowa 60-58 Tuesday to snap a three-game road losing streak. Jon Diebler added 12 points for the Buckeyes (19-9, 9-8 Big Ten), who won their first road game since beating Indiana 93-81 on Jan. 31..." (Audio: Thad Matta: Iowa Postgame Press Conference)
Boxscore: Ohio State vs Iowa Hawkeyes
Evan Turner Scores 22 as Buckeyes Clip Iowa, 60-58 March 3, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Evan Turner scored 22 points and dished out nine assists as Ohio State held off Iowa 60-58 Tuesday to snap a three-game road losing streak. Jon Diebler added 12 points for the Buckeyes (19-9, 9-8 Big Ten), who won their first road game since beating Indiana 93-81 on Jan. 31..." (Audio: Thad Matta: Iowa Postgame Press Conference)
Boxscore: Ohio State vs Iowa Hawkeyes
Ohio State - Team Notes Source: USA Today
Thad Matta and analyst Bill Raftery were chatting recently about what could have been for the Buckeyes: A starting lineup of Greg Oden, Kosta Koufos, Evan Turner, Daequan Cook and Mike Conley.
"And you still wouldn't be starting a senior," Matta said.
Perhaps no other team in the country has been more affected by one-and-done players than the Buckeyes. Two years ago, they lost Oden, Cook and Conley after one season. Last year it was Koufos. This year it will likely be freshman B.J. Mullens, and perhaps Turner.
The most painful of the early defections, though, was Conley. His game progressed faster than Matta ever could have imagined, and the Buckeyes have never recovered.
"We didn't see that coming," Matta said.
When Oden left, Koufos was there to step in. When he left, there was Mullens. But Conley? His early departure was compounded this season by Anthony Crater's transfer after just 10 games.
Jeremie Simmons' slump has landed him on the bench, making P.J. Hill the starting point guard on a team wishing the regular season would end before it plays its way right out of the NCAA Tournament.
A smashing 25-point loss at Purdue on Saturday certainly didn't help the Buckeyes' chances. The Bucks limp into the final week of the regular season having lost four of five, while Matta occasionally takes a moment to think about the team he could be fielding, instead of the one he is.
Asked how he likes the new rule requiring players to spend at least one year in college before bolting to the NBA, Matta paused for a minute and chuckled.
"What do you think?" he said.
Buckeyes Fall to No. 16 Purdue, 75-50 February 28, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Robbie Hummel scored 17 points and No. 16 Purdue defeated Ohio State 75-50 on Saturday. E'Twaun Moore had 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, Nemanja Calasan had 14 points and JaJuan Johnson added 12 for the Boilermakers (22-7, 11-5 Big Ten). Evan Turner scored 14 points and fouled out for Ohio State (18-9, 8-8). The Buckeyes have lost four of five..." (Audio: Thad Matta: Purdue Postgame Press Conference)
Boxscore: Ohio State vs Purdue
Ohio State Rallies to Defeat Penn State, 73-59 February 24, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Jeremie Simmons went to Ohio State's coaching staff on Sunday and suggested that P.J. Hill start in his place. It ended up being an ingenious move for Simmons, for Hill - and for the Buckeyes. Simmons came off the bench to score 14 points and Hill added a career-high 13, and the two also led a second-half surge as Ohio State beat Penn State 73-59 Tuesday night to end a three-game losing skid. 'I'm a real person. I understand that P.J., he works hard every day,' Simmons said of his selfless act. 'I knew he would start us off strong on the defensive end so I wanted him to start.'..." (Audio: Thad Matta , PJ Hill, Jeremie Simmons and BJ Mullens Postgame Audio )
Boxscore: Penn State vs Ohio State
Buckeyes' Second Half Comeback Falls Short, 70-68 February 22, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Four days after mustering just 33 points in a pitiful home loss, the Illini placed three players in double figures led by Mike Davis' 22 points and shot 58 percent from the field in a 70-68 victory over Ohio State on Sunday. The victory kept the Illini (22-6, 10-5) alone in third place in the Big Ten and gave coach Bruce Weber his 150th win at the school. Weber improved to 150-53 in six seasons with the Illini and is 253-107 in 11 years as a head coach at Southern Illinois and Illinois..." (Audio: Thad Matta, Bruce Webber, Evan Turner and Jon Diebler Postgame Audio )
Boxscore: Illinois vs Ohio State
Buckeyes Fall to Northwestern, 72-69 February 18, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Kevin Coble scored 26 points and Craig Moore added 23 to lead Northwestern to a 72-69 win over Ohio State on Wednesday night. John Shurna hit a fallaway 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds left to give the Wildcats the win. The freshman scored 9 points...The Buckeyes (17-7, 7-6) lost their second straight, falling into a three-way tie for fifth place in the conference. Jon Diebler scored 28 points and hit eight 3-pointers to lead Ohio State, which squandered a 37-28 halftime lead..."
Boxscore: Ohio State vs Northwestern
No. 24 Buckeyes Edged by Wisconsin, 55-50 February 14, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Marcus Landry scored 17 points, and Joe Krabbenhoft made a key 3-pointer and steal down the stretch to help Wisconsin beat No. 24 Ohio State 55-50 on Saturday night for its fourth straight win. Wisconsin (16-9, 7-6 Big Ten) grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and snapped Ohio State's four-game winning streak, overcoming Evan Turner's 23-point effort for the Buckeyes. Ohio State (17-6, 7-5) shot 55 percent from the field, but was anything but efficient because of 19 turnovers, struggling with Wisconsin's pressure defense and failing to keep the Badgers off the boards..." (Audio: Thad Matta: Wisconsin Postgame Audio )
Boxscore: Ohio State vs Wisconsin
Ohio State Extends Win Streak with 64-58 Win over Minnesota February 7, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - " Evan Turner made seven free throws in the final 64 seconds, leading Ohio State past No. 19 Minnesota 64-58 Saturday night for the Buckeyes' fifth win this season over a ranked opponent. Two of the wins have come this week, with the Buckeyes (17-5, 7-4 Big Ten) beating No. 12 Purdue 80-72 on Tuesday night. Turner finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Jon Diebler and William Buford each scored 11 points and B.J. Mullens had 10 for Ohio State. The Buckeyes won their fourth in a row while running their record against ranked opponents to 5-4..." (Audio: Thad Matta, Evan Turner, Jon Diebler, Jeremie Simmons and Minnesota Coach Tubby Smith Postgame )
Boxscore: Minnesota vs Ohio State & Postgame Quotes
Buckeyes Knock Off No. 12 Boilermakers 80-72 in Overtime February 3, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - " Evan Turner scored six of his 26 points in overtime, leading Ohio State past No. 12 Purdue 80-72 on Tuesday night to end the Boilermakers' six-game winning streak. William Buford had 22 points and fellow freshman B.J. Mullens added 17 as the Buckeyes (16-5, 6-4 Big Ten) won their third straight while shooting 60 percent from the field. Purdue (17-5, 6-3), which needed a win to share the Big Ten lead with No. 13 Michigan State, had not permitted an opponent to shoot better than 43 percent all season..." (Audio: Thad Matta, Mullens, Buford, Turner and Purdue Coach Matt Painter Postgame )
Boxscore: Purdue vs Ohio State
Turner Scores 29 as Buckeyes Down Indinana, 93-81 January 31, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Evan Turner had 29 points and 10 rebounds Saturday as Ohio State beat Indiana 93-81, a school record-tying 11th straight loss for the Hoosiers. William Buford added 24 points for the Buckeyes (15-5, 5-4), who won for only the sixth time in 35 tries at Assembly Hall and posted their first regular-season sweep of the Hoosiers in a decade. Coach Thad Matta is now 50-25 in Big Ten games, becoming the second fastest in school history to reach 50 conference wins. Former Buckeyes coach Fred Taylor did it in 61 games..." (Audio: Thad Matta: Indiana Postgame Press Conference )
Boxscore: Ohio State vs Indiana
Ohio State Finishes Regular Season Sweep of Michigan with 72-54 Win January 28, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Evan Turner scored 14 of his 22 points as Ohio State built an 18-point first-half lead, and the Buckeyes hung on to beat Michigan 72-54 on Wednesday night in a chippy showdown between the rivals. The game was held up for several minutes near the finish after Michigan's Zack Novak elbowed Ohio State's P.J. Hill in the face. The officials separated the players before the skirmish escalated. Novak was called for a flagrant foul and was ejected from the game. It was the second time in two weeks the Buckeyes (14-5, 4-4 Big Ten) had beaten the Wolverines (14-7, 4-5). Jeremie Simmons matched his career high with 12 points for Ohio State, which had lost its last two games, both to ranked opponents. B.J. Mullens also had 12 points..." (Audio: Thad Matta, John Beilein (Michigan head coach) and Evan Turner, B.J. Mullens and Jon Diebler Postgame Interviews)
Boxscore: Michigan vs Ohio State & Postgame Quotes
Buckeyes Lead at Half, Fall to No. 7 Michigan State, 78-67 January 25, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Durrell Summers had 26 points to almost double his career high and No. 7 Michigan State dominated the boards on Sunday to beat Ohio State 78-67. The Spartans (16-3, 6-1 Big Ten) took 15 more shots from the field, thanks to a 35-19 rebounding advantage. On the offensive boards, Michigan State held a 16-3 upper hand. Kalin Lucas added 20 points and Goran Suton 13 for the Spartans, who were coming off a humiliating 70-63 loss to Northwestern on Wednesday night that had ended an 11-game winning streak and a string of 28 straight wins at the Breslin Center..." (Audio: Thad Matta Postgame Interview )
Boxscore: Michigan State vs Ohio State
Ohio State Falls to No. 24 Illinois, 67-49 January 20, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "When Ohio State was stopping 7-foot-1 center Mike Tisdale early in the game, Illinois coach Bruce Weber pulled him. That was a point where last season's 16-19 edition of the Illini might have fallen apart. Stop one weapon and they didn't have an answer. Not so far this season, and certainly not Tuesday night against the Buckeyes. Weber plugged in forward Dominique Keller and watched him score 12 points in a 67-49 victory over Ohio State. And he saw Tisdale, who found his touch in the second half, score 15 points. Then there were the 13 points from Demetri McCamey, and the 10 for Chester Frazier..." (Audio: Thad Matta Postgame Interview )
Boxscore: Ohio State vs Illinois
Buckeyes Upset No. 24 Michigan in Ann Arbor, 65-58 January 17, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Ohio State's youthful regulars grew up a little Saturday night, just in time to help the Buckeyes upset their Big Ten rivals. Sophomore Evan Turner scored 19 points and freshmen William Buford and B.J. Mullens each added 15 to help the Buckeyes beat No. 25 Michigan 65-58, spoiling the Wolverines' celebration of their 1988-89 national championship team. Each of the trio scored during a 10-0 run in the final five minutes that broke a 47-all tie and gave Ohio State (13-3, 3-2) the lead for good..." (Audio: Thad Matta Postgame Interview )
Boxscore: Ohio State vs Michigan
Buford, Diebler Propel Buckeyes to Big Ten Win Over Indiana, 77-53 January 13, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "William Buford scored 19 points and Ohio State caught fire behind the arc to beat Indiana 77-53 on Tuesday night. Jon Diebler added 17 points, B.J. Mullens 14, Evan Turner 13 and Jeremie Simmons 12 for Ohio State (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten), which has split six games since starting 9-0. Simmons added eight assists, while Turner and Diebler each had five. The Buckeyes took control by hitting 11 of 16 3-pointers in the first half. They made four consecutive shots behind the arc to start an 18-0 run that pushed the lead into double figures..." (Audio: Thad Matta and Tom Crean & postgame quotes and notes )
Boxscore: Indiana vs Ohio State
Matta Recruits Represented On ESPN Top-60 List For 2010 January 11, 2009 Source: Bucknuts - "ESPN.com/Scouts.com have provided their Super 60 recruit rankings for men’s basketball prospects in the Class of 2010 and Ohio State and the state of Ohio are well represented. Four of Ohio State’s five verbal commitments for the 2010 class are listed in the ESPNU Super 60 list of top basketball prospects. That group includes: Columbus Northland 6-8 power forward Jared Sullinger, ranked No. 1 overall and averaging 22.7 points and 15 rebounds a game as a junior; Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Leurs 6-7 small forward DeShaun Thomas, who is ranked No. 6 overall and averaging 31.7 points per game as a junior; Cincinnati Princeton 6-3 shooting guard Jordan Sibert, who is rated No. 41 overall and averaging 13 points per game as a junior; and Zion (Ill.) Zion-Benton Township 6-5 combo guard Lenzelle Smith, who is rated No. 52 nationally and averaging 15 points per game as a junior. The one remaining member of the class is Cleveland Benedictine 6-4 shooting guard Cameron Wright, who is averaging 18.5 points per game as a junior..."
Buckeyes Finish Non-Conference Slate with 89-65 Win over Houston Baptist January 9, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Freshman William Buford scored a career-high 19 points and Ohio State pressured and fastbreaked past road-weary Houston Baptist 89-65 on Friday night. Evan Turner added 15 points and B.J. Mullens and Jeremie Simmons each had 12 for the Buckeyes (11-3), who had lost three of their last four after opening 9-0 and climbing to No. 15 in the Associated Press Top 25. The Buckeyes shot 56 percent from the field..." (Audio: Thad Matta and players Nikola Kecman, Jeremie Simmons, William Buford & postgame quotes and notes )
Boxscore: HBU vs Ohio State
Buckeyes Handed 67-58 Setback by Michigan State January 6, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Michigan State made five 3-pointers in less than 3 minutes, making up for what was otherwise a lackluster performance. Kalin Lucas scored six of his 20 points on 3-pointers during the first-half barrage that gave the eighth-ranked Spartans the lead for a good in a 67-58 win over Ohio State on Tuesday night. 'We were up and we let our guard down,' Buckeyes forward Evan Turner said. 'They got shots all over the perimeter and the momentum changed.' Michigan State has won eight straight since being routed by North Carolina and 26 in a row at home, dating to a loss against Ohio State nearly two years ago, but coach Tom Izzo was underwhelmed by the latest victory..." (Audio: Thad Matta: Michigan State Postgame Interview)
Boxscore: Ohio State vs Michigan State
Ohio State Dips to 1-1 in Big Ten Play with Road Loss at Minnesota January 3, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Lawrence Westbrook led a typically balanced Minnesota offense with 15 points, and the 21st-ranked Gophers salvaged a split in the opening week of Big Ten play by beating 23rd-ranked Ohio State 68-59 on Saturday. The Gophers (13-1, 1-1) bounced back from their loss to No. 10 Michigan State three days earlier by rebounding better. Damian Johnson scored 12 points, and Minnesota held a 42-30 advantage on the boards over the Buckeyes (10-2, 1-1). Missing junior guard David Lighty, Ohio State got 21 points from Evan Turner and 15 from Jon Diebler. But the Gophers held off a late charge and were in command most of the game..." (Audio: Thad Matta Postgame Press Conference )
Boxscore: Ohio State vs Minnesota
Diebler's Career-High 27 Points Rings in New Year with Win Over Iowa December 31, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Jon Diebler scored a career-high 27 points and Evan Turner hit three late free throws to lead No. 24 Ohio State past Iowa 68-65 Wednesday in the Big Ten opener for both teams. In a physical game between two of the nation's top defensive teams, the Buckeyes (10-1) built an early lead, lost it, regained it, and then barely had enough to hang on at the finish..." (Audio: Thad Matta, Iowa Head Coach Todd Lickliter plus P.J. Hill, Jon Diebler and Evan Turner Postgame and Postgame Quotes & Notes)
Boxscore: Iowa vs Ohio State
Crater Granted Ohio State Scholarship Release December 28, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Anthony Crater, a freshman from Flint, Mich., asked for and was granted a release from his Ohio State men’s basketball scholarship, Thad Matta, head coach of the Buckeyes, announced Sunday. Crater appeared in all 10 Ohio State games this season. The 6-foot-1-inch guard scored 12 points (1.2 ppg.) and handed out 19 assists for the 9-1 Buckeyes. He averaged 13.1 minutes per game. Matta did not know Crater’s future plans..."
West Virginia Pulls Away from Ohio State in Second Half December 27, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Alex Ruoff scored 17 points, leading West Virginia and coach Bob Huggins to a 76-48 victory over No. 15 Ohio State on Saturday. Da'Sean Butler had 16 points - all but two in the first half - with Darryl Bryant adding 11 and Devin Ebanks 10 for the Mountaineers (10-2), who handed Ohio State its first defeat of the season. West Virginia has won four in a row since a 68-65 loss to Davidson in the Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 9. Up by seven at halftime, the Mountaineers extended the lead to more than 20 midway through the second half and then poured it on the rest of the way..." (Audio: Thad Matta, Bob Huggins plus Evan Turner and Jeremie Simmons Postgame)
Boxscore: West Virginia vs Ohio State
Mullens Has Career Night in Buckeyes' Win Over UNC Asheville, 83-59 December 22, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - " Freshman B.J. Mullens, getting the most playing time of his brief career, scored 19 points to lead No. 15 Ohio State past UNC-Asheville 83-59 on Monday night. The 7-foot Mullens had never played more than 20 minutes nor scored more than 11 points. But with coach Thad Matta trying out various combinations against an overmatched and undersized opponent, Mullens dominated. He was 8-of-11 from the field, including six dunks, and added eight rebounds and three blocked shots..." (Also: Postgame Quotes)
Boxscore: UNC Asheville vs Ohio State
No. 16-Ranked Buckeyes Use Second-Half Run to Defeat Iona, 71-53 December 20, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - " Evan Turner had 21 points and ignited a second-half rally with nine points and two blocked shots to guide No. 17 Ohio State to a 71-53 victory over Iona on Saturday. Jon Diebler added 16 points and William Buford 10 for Ohio State (8-0), playing its first game without captain David Lighty, who will miss six to 12 weeks after breaking a bone in his left foot...The Gaels were missing leading scorer Gary Springer, who is out with a sprained ankle. Ohio State's winning streak reached 13, including the final five games a year ago when it won the NIT..." (Audio: Thad Matta plus Evan Turner, Jeremie Simmons and William Buford Postgame)
Boxscore: Iona vs Ohio State
Lighty Sidelined For Weeks After Breakout Performance December 18, 2008 Source: Bucknuts - "The Ohio State men's basketball team got a top-level outing from swingman David Lighty last night and now will be without its most experienced player after it was determined Lighty suffered a broken foot during the contest...word had emanated from the university that Lighty could be out for as long as three months, wiping out the services of OSU’s most experienced player and natural leader..."
Lighty Paces Buckeyes in 81-68 Win Over Jacksonville December 17, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "David Lighty had 21 points to lead No. 17 Ohio State to an 81-68 victory over Jacksonville on Wednesday night. Ohio State (7-0) led by 19 points early in the second half only to see the lead cut to five with 5 minutes left. Jon Diebler hit his third 3-pointer for the Buckeyes, and the Dolphins never got closer. The Buckeyes finished 10-of-17 from beyond the arc (59 percent). Evan Turner scored 17 points, Diebler added 14 and Jeremie Simmons had 10 for the Buckeyes..." (Audio: Thad Matta & players postgame)
Boxscore: Jacksonville vs Ohio State
No. 21 Buckeyes Remain Unbeaten with 54-51 Win Over Butler December 13, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Evan Turner scored 14 points, including the go-ahead basket, to lead No. 21 Ohio State past Butler 54-51 on Saturday, surviving a late rally by the previously unbeaten Bulldogs. The Buckeyes (6-0), coming off big road wins against ranked Miami and Notre Dame, looked sluggish after having the week off for final exams. They built a 13-point lead early in the second half, then missed seven of their next eight shots. They had just one field goal in the final 12 minutes..." (Audio: Thad Matta & players postgame)
Boxscore: Butler vs Ohio State
Evan Turner Leads Ohio State in Win Over Seventh-Ranked Notre Dame, 67-62 December 6, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "- Evan Turner scored a career-high 28 points Saturday and Ohio State spoiled Luke Harangody's return to the lineup with a 67-62 victory over No. 7 Notre Dame, the unbeaten Buckeyes' second straight upset of a ranked opponent. Harangody, the Big East player of the year last season...led Notre Dame (6-2) with 25 points and 16 rebounds, but Ohio State (5-0) took a 30-28 lead at halftime and built the margin to as many as 10 points in the second half..." (Audio: Thad Matta postgame)
Boxscore: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame
Ohio State completes impressive week with win over Irish December 6, 2008 Source: Sporting News - "-- What we learned from Ohio State's 67-62 victory over Notre Dame in The Hartford Hall Of Fame Showcase at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday. 1. Ohio State is a serious Big Ten threat: In one week, Ohio State invigorated its basketball season with victories against Notre Dame and Miami (Fla)...2. Evan Turner is a stud...4. You can zone a shooting team..."
Ohio State Knocks Off No. 21/22 Miami, 73-68, in Big Ten/ACC Challenge November 29, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Ohio State erased a 14-point second-half deficit Tuesday night, mounting the comeback after the ejection of Miami scoring leader Jack McClinton to beat the 21st-ranked Hurricanes 73-68. Jon Diebler scored 20 points and Evan Turner had 19 for the Buckeyes (4-0), who won for only the second time in seven games in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Miami (4-2) fell to 0-3 in the series..." (Audio: Thad Matta postgame)
Boxscore: Ohio State vs. Miami
Evan Turner Scores 16 In Buckeyes' Win Over Samford, 59-22 November 29, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "Evan Turner scored 16 points and had a career-high 13 rebounds and Ohio State held Samford to the fewest points by an opponent in 69 years in a 59-22 victory on Saturday. The Bulldogs (3-2) had only nine field goals. The Buckeyes (3-0) blocked seven shots..." (Audio: Thad Matta postgame)
Boxscore: Ohio State vs. Samford
Buckeyes Fend Off Falcons, 61-57 November 24, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - " David Lighty hit two clinching foul shots with 6.4 seconds left to lead Ohio State past Bowling Green 61-57 on Monday night. The Buckeyes (2-0) led by as many as 13 points with just under 15 minutes left but Bowling Green (3-2) roared back to take a 48-46 lead on Nate Miller's half-hook at the 6:05 mark..."
Boxscore: Ohio State vs. Bowling Green
Buckeyes swat away Hornets November 21, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Dallas Lauderdale sat in the postgame interview room appearing to have on one shoulder pad under his T-shirt. It was a bag of ice. 'My shoulder's fine,' he said. Who's going to argue with him? Returning from a sprained left shoulder that kept him out of an exhibition game last week, the 6-foot-8, 255-pound sophomore started ahead of touted 7-foot freshman B.J. Mullens and had seven blocked shots last night, and Ohio State opened its season with a 70-42 win over Delaware State in St. John Arena..."
Don’t Look Now, but Buckeye Hoops Start Tonight November 13, 2008 Source: Eleven Warrior - "...here are a few things to look for if you are able to catch the game. 1. Improvement from last year: There is no doubt Evan Turner and Dallas Lauderdale are going to play key roles in any Buckeye success....2. Point Guard Competition: For the first time in three years, Ohio State has a question mark at point guard. I appreciate P.J. Hill’s effort, but OSU is in deep trouble if they have to rely on him to lead this team. The competition should be between JUCO transfer Jeremie Simmons and freshman Anthony, don’t call me Noopy, Crater...3. Will Mullens follow Diebler’s footsteps: Jon Diebler’s shooting struggles from last year are well known and he came from a Division II school. BJ Mullins played in the same division and is rated by Rivals as the top player in the country...4. Man defense vs. Match up zone...5. Freshmen Impact: Besides BJ Mullens and Crater, Thad brought in William Buford and Walter Offut, two wing players who will add depth to the Bucks rotation..."
Matta doesn't know what to expect tonight November 13, 2008 Source: Buckeye Grove - "The Ohio State men's basketball team will be a little shorthanded tonight when they take on Walsh University in their final exhibition game before the start of the regular season. Sophomore forward Dallas Lauderdale injured his non-shooting shoulder in a closed scrimmage at Miami University and Thursday OSU coach Thad Matta said he would not be available for the exhibition game..."
Buckeye Hoops Outlook November 3, 2008 Source: The Ozone - "The OSU Men's basketball season begins with an exhibition game November 13, and for the second-straight season OSU Head Men's Basketball Coach Thad Matta has welcomed a team that is dominated by new faces. The faces may be new again, but if there is a difference between this year and last it is the sheer number of quality players Matta will have at his disposal. Matta will have 12 scholarship players available in 2008-09. A 13th scholarship player will practice but will not be eligible to play due to transfer rules. Matta will have not only more numbers, but a far more athletic team that in theory will be able to play in ways that last year's team could not..."
Buckeyes lose Kecman for 12 games November 3, 2008 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State junior college transfer Nikola Kecman must sit out the first 12 games of the season after playing for a Serbian team that included professional players. A sophomore who came to Columbus from Eastern Arizona junior college, Kecman is a 6-foot-8 shooter who offers a different set of skills than anyone else on the OSU roster. He'll be able to practice with the team but not travel before his return on Jan. 6 against Michigan State. Ohio State and the NCAA reached the decision on the suspension jointly..."
Buckeyes Not Selected In Big Ten's Big Three October 26, 2008 Source: Bucknuts - "The Big Ten basketball media conference was held today in Chicago and Purdue was selected as the men's team to beat this season while PU sophomore Robbie Hummel, a 6-8 sophomore, was deemed the preseason player of the year. Results of the voting from the 22-member media panel only indicated the top three teams -- and didn't include Ohio State...."
Big Ten basketball previews October 26, 2008 Source: Chicago Tribune - "Chicago Tribune's college writers break down the conference, team-by-team...Ohio State: In what has become one of the rites of fall in Columbus, Ohio State coach Thad Matta is preparing a 7-foot freshman to be a key cog for his team. This year it's Columbus native B. J. Mullens, who steps into the shoes vacated by Kosta Koufos, who stepped into the sneakers left by Greg Oden. Both left after one year for the NBA draft, and Mullens might be good enough to do the same..."
Matta seeking reliability at point guard October 25, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "While watching his new guards hone their skills recently, Ohio State men's basketball coach Thad Matta was almost sure one of them, who shall remain nameless, was carving a niche for himself at the point. 'He had me going one way, saying this kid is never going to turn the ball over,' Matta said, 'and then he had a day when he turned it over four times. 'And I'm like, I need consistency.' Turnovers, and the points it cost Ohio State, were a culprit in the Buckeyes barely finishing above .500 in the Big Ten last season and, as a result, being passed over for the NCAA Tournament..."
Ohio State Finalizes 2008-09 Men’s Basketball Schedule September 15, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - " Thad Matta, now in his fifth year as head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball team, has put together a challenging non-conference schedule to go along with the 18-game Big Ten regular-season slate in 2008-09. Every Ohio State game will appear on national television in 2008-09. CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and the Big Ten Network will showcase the Buckeyes throughout the season..."
Big Ten schedule out, more to come September 4, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "A season-opening tournament that did not pan out caused a scheduling problem that prevented Ohio State from joining most other Big Ten teams in announcing its complete men's basketball schedule yesterday. As a result, only the Buckeyes' 18-game Big Ten schedule was released. The 11-game nonconference schedule will be revealed when dates, starting times and TV coverage are finalized, the athletics department said in a statement..."
2010 Hoops Outlook Takes Shape August 10, 2008 Source: Bucknuts.com - "The Ohio State basketball program has a rosy future thanks to the efforts that have already gone into the 2010 recruiting class. Head coach Thad Matta and staff already have promises from a couple of the top juniors-to-be in the nation in Jared Sullinger and DeShaun Thomas, another hook into in-state product Cameron Wright and have targeted a few other topflight prospects including a pair from the Windy City..."
Buckeyes add 7-foot transfer July 17, 2008 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State has added another 7-footer to its basketball roster, replacing a Koufos with a Sarikopoulos. This one has already met Spike Lee. The Buckeyes announced today the addition of Zisis Sarikopoulos (ZIZ-is SAR-uh-cope-uh-liss), a 7-foot, 265-pound center from Athens, Greece. Sarikopoulos played last season at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He will sit out the 2008-09 season to satisfy NCAA transfer rules and will have three seasons of eligibility beginning with the 2009-10 season..."
Matta Adds Miller To Hoops Staff July 8, 2008 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "It didn't take Ohio State men's basketball coach Thad Matta long to replace trusted assistant John Groce on his staff. To fill the void, Matta went to a familiar face in Brandon Miller, a former player and coach under OSU's head man. The university announced the hiring Tuesday..."
2010 point guard rescinds commitment July 4, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Coach Thad Matta fell in love with Trae Golden’s game after seeing him play last year, and the love translated into a commitment from the Powder Springs, Ga., point guard in October...he told Rivals.com today he has rescinded his commitment to the Buckeyes and reopened his recruitment..."
Raising the bar July 1, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Buckeyes' rigorous summer conditioning program focuses on competitive goals - Competition is the name of the game Richardson is playing with the Buckeyes this offseason. It began during spring quarter with a circuit-training regimen that sophomore Evan Turner described as "insane." It is continuing this summer with an interval-training protocol developed by a Japanese scientist, Dr. Izumi Tabata..."
Utah Jazz grab Koufos with 23rd overall pick in NBA Draft June 27, 2008 Source: Canton Repository - "His dream came true, but Kosta Koufos had a long wait to get there, and a restless evening as well. Koufos was passed over by the Cleveland Cavaliers and watched 22 players get picked in front of him Thursday night. Finally, more than two hours after the NBA Draft started, Koufos had a team. With the 23rd pick in the first round, the Utah Jazz grabbed the GlenOak High School and Ohio State star. Sliding down the draft board does have its advantages. Koufos is going to a playoff team and will learn under the NBA's longest-tenured head coach in Jerry Sloan..."
Koufos slides to Jazz at No. 23 June 27, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "7-footer from OSU goes later than most analysts expected..."
Koufos’ High School Coach Blasts Matta June 29, 2008 Source: Eleven Warriors - "I think it’s safe to say Jack Greynolds Jr, Kosta Koufos’ head coach at Canton GlenOak High School, is not a huge fan of Thad Matta. (Greynolds: Matta clueless: 'Listen, if you can’t get along with a kid like Kosta, then you’re clueless,' Greynolds said. 'If you’re making $2 million season and can’t figure out how to use a 7-foot-1 kid, you’re clueless. If you can’t get along with a kid who comes early, stays late and gets good grades, you’re clueless, and you’ve got the problem.')..."
Matta Reacts To Loss Of Top Assistant June 27, 2008 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "Such a move had been speculated for some time, but it still came as somewhat of a shock when Ohio State associate basketball coach John Groce took the head coaching position at Ohio University. Find out how OSU head coach Thad Matta took the news, how he helped the process along and what this departure could mean for the future of the coaching staff..."
Thad Matta met with several members of the Columbus media Friday to comment on the National Basketball Association Draft and the departure of longtime assistant John Groce. Source: OSU Official Site
OU grabs energetic Groce June 27, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Former Ohio State forward J.J. Sullinger said Schaus made the right choice. 'I don't know that much about Ohio University basketball, but now I'm going to be really interested in that team,' Sullinger said. 'Ohio University will be on the up. They made a good decision. Coach Groce knows his X's and O's, but he also can turn boys into men and turn good players into outstanding players. I can't say enough about him.'..."
Losing Groce to Ohio U. a big loss for Ohio State basketball June 26, 2008 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State knew it was losing Kosta Koufos to the NBA Draft tonight, but the Buckeyes could not have expected to lose their top assistant coach at this point in the summer. John Groce will leave his post as an Ohio State assistant coach to become head coach at Ohio University. A news conference is planned at Ohio University on Friday. John Groce, Thad Matta's right-hand man as the associate head coach of the Buckeyes..."
Groce opts for the Ohio University job June 26, 2008 Source: Bucknuts.com - "The problem with having great assistant coaches is knowing it is a matter of time until they leave. That day finally came for Ohio State head coach Thad Matta as he saw longtime assistant John Groce take his own head coaching job with in-state Ohio University..."
Sources Say Groce Chasing OU Job June 25, 2008 Source: Bucknuts.com - "Thad Matta would rather not lose trusted aide John Groce, who has been by his side for eight years at three different universities. However, Matta would like to see his good friend land a desirable head coaching job, and Groce may have found one in the southeastern part of the state at Ohio University..."
ESPN: Matta Bags Another Top-Five Class May 26, 2008 Source: ESPN - "With signings in from the late signing period, ESPN.com's Antonio Williams has made his final class rankings for men's basketball. Ohio State coach Thad Matta's six-man class, including Ohio Mr. Basketball award winner William Buford, is rated as No. 3 nationally..."
Buckeyes will play the Tigers in '08 & '09
May 4, 2008 Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal - "...the Tigers are currently set for three big home games in 2008 against potential top-25 teams Ohio State...and the Tigers will return the games to Ohio State in '09..."
2008-09 Roster Taking Shape May 2, 2008 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "It might not be as loaded as Thad Matta would have liked, but it appears Ohio State finally has some clarity for next season. With the expected signing of junior college transfers Jeremie Simmons and Nicola Kecman coming Friday or Saturday, the Buckeyes can begin to look ahead. Kyle Lamb gives an early look into next year's rotation...."
Catching Up with a Buckeye Super Fan May 1, 2008 Source: Eleven Warriors - "If you have been to or watched a Buckeye basketball game on TV over the last five years, you undoubtedly have seen the kid in this photo, OSU senior Kyle Blizzard. Kyle is originally from Trenton, Ohio and will graduate in June with a communications degree and business minor, hopefully parlaying his education into a job within the sports realm..."
Koufos to turn pro, won't return to Ohio State
April 29, 2008 Source: Canton Repository - "In a little more than a week, Kosta Koufos did some soul searching. And the GlenOak High School graduate and Ohio State basketball star came to the conclusion his heart is in basketball. Now so will his wallet. Koufos told The Repository late Tuesday night that he has decided to turn pro and will not return to Ohio State..."
Ohio State Picks Up Pair of JUCOS April 26, 2008 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "After losing a pair of freshmen, one to the NBA draft and a transfer, Ohio State looks like it's re-tooling just a bit for next season. Sources say the Buckeyes picked up a pair of junior college commitments on Saturday afternoon, both were on official visits...Reportedly, Jeremie Simmons, a 6-2 guard from Mott Community College in Michigan and Nicola Kecman, a 6-9 power forward from Eastern Arizona College gave verbal commitments to Matta on their trips to Columbus this weekend..."
Mullens now on top of the 2008 Rivals150 April 23, 2008 Source: Rivals.com - "The 7-foot-1, 265-pound center from Canal Winchester (Ohio) High School said he was excited to hear the news on Tuesday night. 'It's been a long time and I've been working hard for it,' Mullens said. 'I think I'm the guy that you can say is the No. 1 player in the country now. It's been a lot of work to get there. I know it's someone's opinion but, yeah, it feels good to be No. 1.' Mullens is the most unique prospect in the class of 2008, and the top long-term prospect in the nation. Rivals.com National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer said there were a number of reasons why Mullens took over the top spot in the 2008 rankings..."
"#1 B.J. Mullens: Size, athleticism and skill are the big three that separate Mullens from the rest of this class. It just isn't very often that you find a 7-foot plus center who can run, jump and shoot like Mullens. He has the type of athleticism that makes you think of Bill Walton and then he has the shooting touch that makes you wonder if he could develop into a Dirk Nowitzki type player. Mullens does need to become a tougher defender and rebounder, but the pieces are there for him to be a number one pick in the draft and premiere big man in the League." Source: Rivals150 for class of 2008
Ohio State basketball loses another freshman April 23, 2008 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "The university announced today that forward Eric Wallace will transfer from OSU after playing almost no role on the team as a freshman. Still, the loss will be felt. Wallace and Koufos were two of five members of Ohio State's class of 2007, which was ranked as the No. 7 class in the country by Scout.com and was seen as a worthy followup to the Greg Oden-Mike Conley class of 2006..."
Koufos declares for NBA Draft but ...
April 21, 2008 Source: CantonRepository.com - "Ohio State's Kosta Koufos said Monday he will declare for this summer's NBA Draft but the 7-foot freshman has not closed the door on a return to the Buckeyes. Koufos said in a text message to The Repository he will not hire an agent. Underclassmen who do not hire agents can later pull out of the draft by June 16 and return to school. 'I am declaring for the 2008 NBA Draft but not hiring an agent and maintaining my college eligibility,' Koufos wrote..."
Report: Koufos Declares for NBA April 21, 2008 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "...Sources told BuckeyeSports.com Friday that returning to Ohio State was the least-likely option for Koufos of three possible choices. Even if Koufos withdraws his name by the deadline, it’s possible, if not likely that he decides to forego his NCAA eligibility to instead pursue at least a season spent in Greece – where he one day hopes to play for the Greek Olympic team..."
Koufos decision pending April 6, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Kosta Koufos will announce this week whether he will stay at Ohio State, enter the NBA draft or play professionally in Greece. The 7-foot freshman declined to give a timetable for his decision after the Buckeyes won the National Invitation Tournament championship game Thursday in New York. He was more forthcoming in a story published yesterday in the Canton Repository (OSU's Koufus weighs his options
), his hometown newspaper..."
Ohio State Knocks Off UMass to Win 2008 NIT Title April 3, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "A year removed from a loss in the national title game, Ohio State has a championship trophy to carry home. Never mind that it's from the NIT. Jamar Butler and his buddies couldn't care less. Butler had 19 points and eight assists in his final college game, leading the Buckeyes to a 92-85 win over Massachusetts on Thursday night and prompting the victory celebration inside Madison Square Garden that they couldn't have last year in Atlanta..." Box Score
Buckeyes End Season with NIT Championship April 3, 2008 Source: The Ozone - "'That's what happens when you put an NCAA tournament team in the NIT. They walk through it. Send that to the committee. Write that." ----OSU senior point guard Jamar Butler to the-Ozone after OSU cut down the nets in New York as the NIT champions...'"
Ohio State Dispenses Cal, 73-56, in NIT Second Round March 24, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Jamar Butler scored 20 points and spurred a 17-2 first-half run with three 3-pointers to lead Ohio State past California 73-56 in an NIT second-round game on Monday night. The Buckeyes (21-13) were helped along by an emotional return to their old home court. The game was contested before a capacity crowd of 13,276 at 52-year-old St. John Arena. The Buckeyes' home court, Value City Arena, was hosting a concert by Bruce Springsteen on Monday night, so the game was shifted a few hundred yards away to where they played their home games a decade ago. The Buckeyes, fifth in the Big Ten, advance to host a quarterfinal game on Wednesday night against Dayton..." Box Score Postgame Quotes Postgame Notes
Ohio State - California Postgame Analysis March 24, 2008 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "It was a throw-back crowd in a turn-back-the-clock rematch. Before a sellout, upbeat crowd of over 13,000 Monday evening in the NIT second round, Ohio State throttled California 73-56 in their first meeting since the 1960 National Championship game. The Buckeyes staged a quarterfinal showdown against in-state Dayton Wednesday in Value City Arena. Kyle Lamb analyzes the win against California..."
Buckeyes Advance in NIT, Defeat UNC-Asheville 84-66 March 18, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - " Jamar Butler scored 21 points and added 10 assists to lead Ohio State past UNC-Asheville 84-66 on Tuesday night in an NIT first-round game on their home court. During one span in the second half, the senior point guard scored or assisted on 15 consecutive points for the Buckeyes (20-13), who were passed over by the NCAA tournament a year after finishing as the national runners-up..." Box Score Postgame Quotes Postgame Notes
Buckeyes Land Top Seed in NIT March 16, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State received a No. 1 seed in the 2008 National Invitational Tournament Sunday. The Buckeyes will tip off against UNC-Asheville at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Value City Arena. 'In postseason play every team is a quality opponent,' Thad Matta, Ohio State head coach, said. 'UNC-Asheville will be another difficult test for our basketball team. We are fortunate to keep playing and have another chance to play on our home court at Value City Arena. Like always, we hope our fans support us like they have all season.' The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and WBNS Radio 1460 The Fan..."
Buckeyes Miss Big Dance, Claim NIT Top Spot March 16, 2008 Source: Bucknuts.com - "One year after playing for the national championship, Ohio State won't even be in the NCAA Tournament. OSU's handful of late-season losses are certainly to blame. OSU found out later in the evening that it will host UNC-Asheville at Value City Arena Tuesday night..."
Buckeyes Miss Big Dance, Likely Headed To NIT March 16, 2008 Source: Bucknuts.com - "One year after playing for the national championship, Ohio State won't even be in the NCAA Tournament. OSU's handful of late-season losses are certainly to blame, while the tournament selection committee overlooked the Buckeyes' strong schedule. OSU is almost certain to play instead in the NIT. Those pairings will be announced later this evening..."
Buckeyes Preview Big Ten Tournament March 12, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Head coach Thad Matta and three members of the Ohio State men's basketball team met with media Wednesday at Value City Arena to preview the 2008 Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.
Ohio State's 2008 Big Ten Tournament Media Guide March 11, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Michigan State will face the Buckeyes for the second consecutive time this week at the 2008 Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis..."
Buford Brings Home AP's Mr. Basketball Award March 12, 2008 Source: Bucknuts.com - "On the eve of Toledo Libbey's appearance in the Division II state final four, Ohio State signee William Buford has been named as the state's Mr. Basketball award winner by The Associated Press. Bucknuts.com has the first reaction from Buford on receiving this prestigious award..."
OSU, Michigan State Rematch Coming Friday In Indy March 10, 2008 Source: Bucknuts.com - "This is our comprehensive preview of the Big Ten tournament, set for Thursday through Sunday at Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse. Ohio State goes in as the fifth seed and will play against fourth-seeded Michigan State Friday (2:30 p.m., ESPN). We look at that rematch from the regular season finale and have a ton of notables on the history of the tournament..."
All Big Ten Teams March 10, 2008 Source: The Ozone - "OSU senior point guard Jamar Butler has been named to the first team of the All-Big Ten basketball team by the media and second-team by the coaches. Freshman Kosta Koufos was also honored as a third-team selection on both lists. Check out the-Ozone report with a complete list of all the selections ..."
Buckeyes End (Regular) Season with Win Over No. 17 Michigan State March 9, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Michigan State coach Tom Izzo says that's not a bubble Ohio State is sitting on -- it's a rock. Senior Jamar Butler said goodbye to the home crowd with 20 points and Ohio State beat Michigan State (No. 18 ESPN/USA Today, No. 17 AP) 63-54 Sunday, closing out the game with a 15-2 run to enhance its prospects of landing an NCAA tournament berth..." Box Score
Buckeye Rally Knocks Off No. 15 Purdue March 4, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - " Jamar Butler scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half and Othello Hunter, one of Ohio State's worst free-throw shooters, hit two foul shots and made a big defensive play in overtime as the Buckeyes upset the 15th-ranked Boilermakers 80-77 on Tuesday night..." Box Score
Buckeyes Drop Final Road Contest at Minnesota, 71-57 March 1, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - " Jamar Butler scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half and Othello Hunter, one of Ohio State's worst free-throw shooters, hit two foul shots and made a big defensive play in overtime as the Buckeyes upset the 15th-ranked Boilermakers 80-77 on Tuesday night..." Box Score
Unlucky Number Seven - Bucks lose to IU February 26, 2008 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "Once again, Ohio State found itself in position to pull out a key victory against a quality opponent. But once again, the Buckeyes found themselves lacking when they needed a big play to be made and again came out on the wrong end of a close game, this time at the hands of the Indiana Hoosiers...."
Ohio State Falls at No. 12 Indiana, 72-69 February 26, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State suffered another tight defeat at Indiana Tuesday, 72-69, in Assembly Hall. Ohio State hung tough the entire game, but could not muster enough plays in the second half to pull out the win..."
Familiar finish dooms Buckeyes February 25, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Whether jinxed or just not good enough, the Buckeyes again put themselves in position to post a breakthrough victory yesterday and squandered the opportunity. They scored four points in the final 8 1/2 minutes and lost 58-53 to the 11th-ranked Badgers in Value City Arena..."
Buckeyes Fall Short In Ann Arbor, 80-70 February 17, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Kosta Koufos scored 18 points and Evan Turner had 16 for the Buckeyes (17-9, 8-5), but it wasn't enough as Michigan pulled away late for an 80-70 victory Sunday at Crisler Arena. It was Ohio State coach Thad Matta's first loss to Michigan in eight games..." Box Score
Ohio State Downs Northwestern, 65-47 February 14, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Kosta Koufos scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Jamar Butler set the school's all-time assist record, and Ohio State beat Northwestern 65-47 for a much-needed victory on Wednesday night..." Box Score
Lackluster effort leaves Matta lost for answers February 11, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "There are seven games left in the regular season, and an inescapable conclusion has slipped through the doors in the Schottenstein Center: A promising, young Ohio State basketball team might not be growing up fast enough to get into the NCAA Tournament..."
Buckeyes Suffer 59-53 Loss to Indiana February 10, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State dropped a 59-53 decision to No. 13/14 Indiana Sunday in Value City Arena. Kosta Koufos had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Buckeyes, now 16-8 on the season. Jon Diebler added 14 points for Ohio State as the Buckeyes fell to 7-4 in league play. Indiana, which was led by D.J.White's 21 points and 13 rebounds, is now 20-3 overall and 9-1 in the Big Ten. Eric Gordon hit a number of big shots to lead the Hoosiers past Ohio State..."
Five Score in Double-Figures as Ohio State Downs Michigan, 65-55 February 5, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Othello Hunter scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to help Ohio State rally for a 65-55 win over Michigan on Tuesday night. With the Buckeyes clinging to a 56-55 lead, Jamar Butler hit a 3-pointer and followed with a layup to give Ohio State (16-7, 7-3 Big Ten) a six-point lead with 1:20 remaining. Jon Diebler made a pair of free throws, and David Lighty added a dunk to cap the comeback and send Michigan (5-17, 1-9) to its sixth-straight loss..." Box Score
Ohio State Falls on the Road at Iowa, 53-48 February 2, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - " Justin Johnson scored 24 points and Iowa beat Ohio State 53-48 on Saturday night, snapping the Buckeyes' three-game winning streak. Seth Gorney added 10 points for the Hawkeyes (11-12, 4-6 Big Ten), who suffered a 31-point loss to Ohio State back on Jan. 9. Iowa's defense was much better this time around, as the Hawkeyes held Ohio State to 37.5 percent shooting from the floor. Iowa improved to 10-4 when holding an opponent under 60 points..."
Butler Leads Buckeyes to Third-Straight Win January 29, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Jamar Butler's sweet shooting and Penn State's second-half cold spell helped Ohio State win on the road. Butler scored 20 points and the Nittany Lions went 10-plus minutes of the second half without a bucket in the Buckeyes' 68-56 victory on Tuesday night..."
Fast Start, Solid Finish Lands Win Over Minnesota, 76-60 January 26, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Jamar Butler scored 27 points and Ohio State relied on some big second-half defensive plays and a technical against Minnesota coach Tubby Smith to beat the Golden Gophers 76-60 on Saturday night..."
Buckeyes Bounce Illinois, 64-58, in Front of Sellout Crowd January 23, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "David Lighty scored 16 points and had a critical rebound and two free throws with 30 seconds left to help Ohio State avoid a late collapse in a 64-58 victory over Illinois on Tuesday night. The Buckeyes (13-6, 4-2 Big Ten), who ended a three-game losing skid, led 55-40 with 6:26 left and seemed in control of the game before the Illini roared back to make things uncomfortable in the final minutes..."
Buckeyes Take No. 7 Tennessee to the Wire in 74-69 Defeat January 19, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State went toe-to-toe with the seventh-ranked team in the country on its home court, but in the end, Tennessee did just enough to hold off the Buckeyes, 74-69, in Knoxville..."
Rally Comes Up Short at Michigan State; Butler Tops 1,000 Points January 15, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Drew Neitzel flicked his wrist and pumped his fist after finally seeing a 3-pointer go through the net. It was not just another basket for the preseason All-American, or an ordinary game for No. 11 Michigan State. Neitzel scored eight of 13 points in the first half, helping the Spartans start strong and regroup from a humiliating performance with a 66-60 victory over Ohio State on Tuesday night..."
Men's Basketball: Buckeyes Fall at Purdue, 75-68 January 13, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Marcus Green scored 22 points, and Purdue beat Ohio State 75-68 on Saturday afternoon to end the Buckeyes' 19-game Big Ten winning streak..."
Buckeyes Out Run Iowa, 79-48 January 9, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "David Lighty and Othello Hunter each scored 14 points to lead Ohio State past Iowa, 79-48, Wednesday in Value City Arena. The Buckeyes now are 3-0 in the Big Ten and have won eight in a row for a 12-3 overall mark. Iowa dropped to 7-9, 0-3 in league play..."
Buckeyes Extend Win Streak to Seven with 62-51 Win over Northwestern January 6, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "After scoring a career-best 32 points Thursday in a win at Illinois, Ohio State's Jamar Butler went scoreless for the first time in more than a full season. The senior pont gaurd found other ways to contribute, dishing 11 assists and pulling down a career-best 10 rebounds in leading the Buckeyes past Northwestern, 62-51, Sunday in Value City Arena..."
Butler Lifts Ohio State to 74-58 Win at Illinois in Big Ten Opener January 3, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Jamar Butler scored 32 points to lead Ohio State to a 74-58 win over Illinois Thursday in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Butler accounted for almost half of his team's offense in the first half, then scored 15 straight points early in the second, when the Buckeyes (10-3, 1-0) pulled away from the Illini. The senior guard, who averaged 14.2 points coming into the game, was 4-for-7 from 3-point range..."
Basketball Outlasts UMBC, 92-83 Dewcember 29, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Jamar Butler scored 22 points and had a career-best 12 assists and Evan Turner added 17 points in Ohio State's 92-83 victory over Maryland-Baltimore County despite a school record 17 3-pointers by the Retrievers. The Buckeyes (9-3) built a 75-58 lead with 7:15 to play but UMBC's Ray Barbosa got the Retrievers close when he made a pair of 3s with about two minutes left, cutting Ohio State's lead to 79-72..."
Buckeyes Cage Gators, 62-49 December 22, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State is no longer Gator bait. It's a long way from making up for all the grief that Florida has dished out to Ohio State over the last year, but the Buckeyes got a tiny measure of revenge Saturday with a 62-49 victory over the Gators..." Florida vs. Ohio State Box Score
Buckeyes Get Redemption With Win Over Florida December 22, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "Ohio State's zone defense proved too tough for two-time defending national champion Florida. The Buckeyes held the visiting Gators to 33 percent shooting and cruised to a 62-49 win, avenging a pair of losses to Florida from last season. Kosta Koufos led OSU with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Jamar Butler had 13 points and five assists. Click this free link for more...updated with notes and quotes..."
Men's Basketball Outshoots Presbyterian, 87-43 December 15, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Buckeyes set Value City Arena records for field goal and 3-point field goal percentage. Kosta Koufos scored 21 points including nine in a 16-0 first-half run, to lead Ohio State past Presbyterian 87-43 on Saturday..." Boxscore
Ohio State Shuts Down Coppin State, 47-39 December 10, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Evan Turner scored 13 points in his first collegiate start to lead Ohio State past Coppin State 47-39 on Monday night..." Boxscore
Second-Half Collapse Spells Defeat At Butler December 1, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "Ohio State had No. 16 Butler on the ropes, jumping out to a 14-point first-half lead. But the Buckeyes could not hold on against Butler's veteran team. The Bulldogs rode their patient offense and strong defense, forcing 24 OSU turnovers in what ended up as a 65-46 win for Butler Saturday night at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse..."
Ohio State Falls to No. 1 North Carolina, 66-55, in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge November 28, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Wayne Ellington and Deon Thompson led a second-half surge and No. 1 North Carolina defeated Ohio State 66-55 Wednesday night. Freshman Jon Diebler came out of a shooting slump to score 19 points for the Buckeyes, who had won six of its last seven..." Boxscore
Preview Box For North Carolina November 28, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "In our next installment of the basketball preview box, we take a look at the key matchups, strategies and noteworthy statistics leading into tonight's nationally televised game between Ohio State and North Carolina. Bucknuts basketball analyst Jeff Rapp goes to great lengths to assess OSU's chances of pulling off a major upset at Value City Arena, where Thad Matta has never lost to a nonconference foe..."
Buckeyes Slam VMI, 90-57, in St. John Arena November 25, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Jamar Butler set the Ohio State career record for 3-pointers made and Kosta Koufos recorded his first career double-double in a 90-57 victory for the Buckeye men's basketball team Sunday over VMI..." Boxscore
Buckeyes Get Right In 90-57 Bludgeoning Of VMI November 25, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "Freshman Kosta Koufos posted a game-high 22 points and a career-high 14 rebounds as Ohio State bounced back from a loss to Texas A&M Friday night at Madison Square Garden with a 90-57 pounding of VMI Sunday night at St. John Arena. Click this free link for more. Updated..."
Ohio State Falls to Texas A&M in NIT Championship Game November 23, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site/Associated Press - "The Buckeyes suffered their first defeat of the season with a 70-47 loss to No. 15 Texas A&M in the championship game of the preseason NIT Friday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Senior Jamar Butler scored 17 points for the Buckeyes..."
Buckeyes Go Stone Cold in Loss to Aggies November 23, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "There's cold, there's very cold, there's inept, and then there's whatever you would call what the Buckeyes were against the Aggies. Check out the-Ozone report on a night the Buckeyes would probably prefer to forget in the Preseason NIT final..."
Final Analysis: Texas A&M 70, Ohio State 47 November 23, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "The good signs were scarce and the alarming ones were plentiful as the Buckeye hoopsters fell apart in the finals of the NIT Season Tip-off at Madison Sqare Garden. Bucknuts basketball analyst Jeff Rapp peers inside Texas A&M's rout over Ohio State, summarizing the decisive moments and indentifying the key performers..."
Twelve Courtside Observations from the Garden - Texas A&M November 23, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "The-Ozone was courtside at The Garden again last night, and noticed some interesting things as the game played out. Check out our courtside observations now..."
Koufos scores career-high 24 points and Ohio State beats No. 21 Syracuse in NIT semifinals November 22, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Ohio State coach Thad Matta doesn't want to anoint freshman Kosta Koufos as the next big thing just yet. The 7-foot freshman scored a career-high 24 points to help the Buckeyes beat No. 21 Syracuse 79-65 on Wednesday night in the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals. 'Time's going to tell,' Matta said. 'You spend 15 minutes with him and you know he's 18 years old. I really believe we do kids an injustice by...he plays a good game and we blow him up.' Koufos has gotten better every game. He had 18 in his debut against Wisconsin-Green Bay and then scored 19 against Columbia to help Ohio State advance to New York..."
Ohio State - Syracuse Postgame Analysis November 22, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "It was supposed to be a battle of youth and inexperience Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Both Ohio State and Syracuse had a young, untested team. However, Ohio State took issue with that perception and cruised to a 14-point victory against Syracuse in the semifinals of the NIT Tip-Off. Kyle Lamb dissects the game further..."
Twelve Courtside Comments from the Garden November 22, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "Writer's don't get to sit courtside much anymore, but they do at Madison Square Garden, and it gave us a chance to see some things in the Syracuse game that we normally wouldn't see. Check out Twelve Courtside Comments from the Garden now..."
Men's Basketball Quotes November 19, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "The Ohio State men's basketball team leaves for New York Monday for the Dick's Sporting Goods Preseason Tip-Off at Madison Square Garden. The Buckeyes take on Syracuse in the second NIT semifinal at 9 p.m. Wednesday (ESPN2). Ohio State then faces..."
Coach Interview - Thad Matta November 19, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Men's basketball head coach Thad Matta met with the media prior to leaving for New York City where Ohio State will face Syracuse in a Preseason NIT Semifinal matchup."
Men's Basketball Adds Four for 2008-09 November 15, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Men’s basketball staff attracts another highly-rated class...When Thad Matta took over the Ohio State men's basketball program in the summer of 2004 he immediately began recruiting student-athletes to improve the program's future. The first player to make a commitment to the Buckeyes that summer had yet to..."
Matta Glows About Latest Recruiting Class November 15, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "Ohio State men's basketball coach Thad Matta had reason to smile after he got all the expected signatures and was able to discuss his four-man class of 2008. The experts all rate the bunch among the top 10 in the country, thanks in large part to the exploits of 7-foot center B.J. Mullens, a local star who committed more than three years ago. (Note: We also have a link to video of Mullens signing and all of the recruits in action.)..."
Ohio State Defeats UW-Green Bay 91-68 November 13, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "David Lighty almost doubled his career high with 21 points as Ohio State beat Wisconsin-Green Bay 91-68 Monday night in the opening round of the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament at Value City Arena..."
OSU finds new fountain of youth November 12, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Thad Matta has realized it already. There are freshmen, and then there are freshmen..."
Numbers grow in Buckeyes' favor November 9, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Quality may have fallen but Matta likes quantity: After a year of quality, the Ohio State Buckeyes are experiencing what it's like to have quantity. 'It's amazing,' coach Thad Matta said during preseason workouts. 'We started practice this year with 13 guys and I became claustrophobic. I'd never had that many guys before. Now at least we look better when we walk through an airport and our warmup lines look better.'..."
Bucknuts Staff Predictions: OSU Men's Basketball November 8, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "The 2007-08 Ohio State men's basketball team has tough shoes to fill after last year's squad advanced all the way to the national championship game. Will there be an encore? Or will this young team have some growing pains? We attempt to answer your questions about this year's men's basketball season in this special feature..."
Buckeyes Stunned On Home Court November 7, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "A last-second tip-in attempt fell short and the Buckeyes suffered a defeat on their home court to Division II foe Findlay. Get all the details on the game and where the Buckeyes go from here..."
Findlay humiliates 'awful' Buckeyes November 7, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Was Ohio State embarrassed by its 70-68 exhibition loss to Division II Findlay on Tuesday night? 'Wouldn't you be?' asked OSU senior point guard Jamar Butler. 'Come on, we got beat by a Division II team. If I said it's no big deal, I'd be lying.'..."
Buckeyes Flunk In Preseason Test vs. Oilers November 7, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "OSU Head Coach Thad Matta wouldn't say he was glad his team lost, but did say "It would have been a shame if we had won" after watching his team fall to Division II Findlay..."
Highlights - Ohio State vs. Findlay Source: OSU Official Site - "Big Ten Network highlights from Ohio State's men's basketball exhibition game vs. Findlay on Nov. 6, 2007."
Ohio State - Ashland Recap November 1, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "After a magical ride all the way to the National Championship game last season, Ohio State returned to the hardwood Wednesday evening in an exhibition game against Ashland hoping lightning will eventually strike twice. Gone is over 50 points per game from a 35-4 season, but the Buckeyes showed flashes of ability in an 88-59 victory. Kyle Lamb shares his observations of the win..."
Ohio State Wins Exhibition Opener 88-59 Over Ashland October 31, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "The Ohio State men's basketball team opened its season Wednesday with an 88-59 exhibition win vs. Ashland at Value City Arena. The game marked the first Ohio State and Big Ten men's basketball game televised on the Big Ten Network..."
Bucks Off And Running With Win Over Ashland October 31, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "The Ohio State men's basketball team controlled the action as hoped in its first exhibition run-through, an 88-59 blowout. The inside combination of newcomer Kosta Koufos and Othello Hunter proved productive, freshman Jon Diebler also joined the starting lineup, and a deep and hungry bench kept up the tempo thanks to a few throwdowns like the one Dallas Lauderdale provides at left...."
Young Bucks Prepping For Debut On Hardwood October 30, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "With an exhibition game with Ashland right around the corner, OSU men's basketball coach Thad Matta is working feverishly to get his newcomers ready for prime time. That hasn't been easy, however, as the Buckeyes feature seven newcomers that are offset by just four veterans. Are the five frosh and two transfers prepared for the trials and tribulations ahead?..."
OSU men's basketball: New look, same respect October 29, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "With the Ohio State men's basketball team having lost four starters and returning only four regulars from the team that reached the NCAA championship game last season, Butler thought the Buckeyes would be picked to finish in the bottom half of the Big Ten..."
Ohio State men's basketball: 2010 class adds two top-ranked recruits October 22, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Two high school sophomores who visited Saturday have committed to sign with the Buckeyes in two years...Trae Golden, a 6-foot-1 point guard from Powder Springs, Ga...Cameron Wright, a 6-5 guard from Cleveland Benedictine..."
Lighty Looking To Be Complete Player October 19, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "David Lighty was a two-sport star early in his high school days at Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph. And last season during his freshman year at Ohio State, there were fans who wondered if he had picked the wrong sport. However, when the chips were down late in the year, Lighty showed why he was such a highly-regarded prospect. And this year, he is expected to be huge piece of the puzzle for Thad Matta and the Buckeyes..."
OSU Basketball Scrimmage Photos October 20, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "The Buckeye men's basketball team opened doors to the public for a scrimmage that took place before Saturday's football game. Here are photos of the event, taken by Steve Helwagen."
Matta and the Buckeyes Continue to Prepare For Season Opener October 18, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Thad Matta, head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball team, has put his 2007-08 squad through a handful of practices with just under two weeks remaining before the team begins its two-game exhibition season at home Oct. 31 vs. Ashland (7 p.m./Big Ten Network)..."
Men's Basketball Media Day October 10, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Thad Matta and the two-time defending Big Ten champion Buckeyes previewed the upcoming 2007-08 season with media and posed for photos Wednesday at Value City Arena. Listen to audio clips from media day at the links below."
"In the national championship game, eight players were drafted from that game: five in the top nine of the NBA draft. ...If you're going to (compete)... you better have some really, really good players."
Starting over another day at office for Matta
October 11, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "When coach Thad Matta was asked whether he would like to rebuild the Ohio State men's basketball program every year, he laughed. He started to answer, tripped over a word or two and then tried again. 'That's a great question," he said. "I ask myself that every day.'..."
Basketball Bucks Strap In For Wild Ride October 10, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "The Ohio State men's basketball team has a long way to go if it is to make anyone forget about last year's march to the pinnacle of the postseason -- and that task is doubly daunting considering the loaded schedule the Buckeyes are about to face. A rough nonconference ledger and a full 18-game trek through the Big Ten awaits..."
Public to Get First Glimpse of Men’s Basketball Team Oct. 20 October 9, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Thad Matta, head coach of the Ohio State men's basketball team, has scheduled a public scrimmage from noon-1 p.m. Oct. 20 on the main floor of Value City Arena prior to the Ohio State Homecoming football game vs. Michigan State at 3:30 p.m...."
Buckeyes' Matta gets raise, extension September 22, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Ohio State gave men's basketball coach Thad Matta a raise of almost $500,000, boosting his salary to just under $2.5 million a year and adding another year to his contract through the 2016 season. In an addendum approved by the Ohio State Board of Trustees on Friday, Matta, in his fourth year as head coach, picked up another year on his contract by virtue of winning the 2007 Big Ten regular-season title..."
Gearing Up: Hoopsters Excel In Offseason Workouts September 20, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "The Ohio State men's basketball team doesn't begin to practice officially for another four weeks. However, most of the 11 scholarship players were on hand throughout the summer and made very positive strides under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coach Dave Richardson. If you are a hoops fanatic anxious to see what the Buckeyes will have in store, this is a must read..."
"I mean we can't blame it on anything. We had a great season. We had a lot of doubters this season. Nobody expected us to get this far. Real proud of the guys for helping me get to the Final Four my last year." - William Buford after loss to Kansas
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