Ohio State Basketball Season Review and Big Ten Tournament Preview
The Ohio State Buckeyes ended the season as the #1 seed in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament. The #5 Buckeyes stumbled early in the Big Ten season but when All-American Evan Turner was back at full strength, the team flourished. Ohio State stood at 14-6 after blowing a big lead at West Virginia. They rebounded and finished the season 10-1 with their only loss coming to Purdue 60-57.
The Buckeyes head into the post season led by Evan Turner who should sweep all major Player of the Year awards including the Naismith and Wooden trophies. Turner finished the regular season averaging 19.5 PPG, 9.4 RPG and 5.8 APG. He is a phenomenal player who can win games for the Buckeyes down the stretch. Sophomore William Buford, 14.3 PPG, drastically improved as the season progressed. His silky smooth mid range jumpers are a thing of beauty and he is also a very good athlete in the open court. The glue of the team is RS junior David Lighty. Lighty, who played in the 2007 National Championship game, is a defensive stopper who can guard four positions and can score in the open court as he averaged 12.4 PPG. Sharpshooter Jon Diebler had a very good season averaging 12.6 PPG which included 41.9% from beyond the arc. The team lacks an inside presence on offense but junior center Dallas Lauderdale patrols the paint on the defense end. His long arms and good timing make it difficult for opposing centers. The bench is shallow with only Kyle Madsen, PJ Hill and Jeremie Simmons seeing any real playing time.
The team’s biggest weakness could show up in the Big Ten tournament and certainly in a week on the big stage of the NCAA tournament. Head Coach Thad Matta’s critics point out that he rarely develops a strong bench as was evident in several blow out wins when the starters remained in the game. If the team can stay out of foul trouble and avoid fatigue they can cut down the nets in Indianapolis, twice.
Big Ten Tournament:
Opening Round: The tournament tips off on March 11th with Iowa facing Michigan. The winner will move on to face Ohio State on March 12th at noon. The second game will tip 30 minutes later as Northwestern faces undermanned Indiana. The night cap features Tubby Smith’s Golden Gophers of Minnesota against Penn State. Michigan, Northwestern and Minnesota will advance to the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals (March 12th): Ohio State will face an athletic and dangerous Michigan team that gave them problems in both contests this season including a 73-64 loss in Ann Arbor. In what will be a close game, the Buckeyes will prevail and advance to the semifinals. Wisconsin and Illinois will tip off 30 minutes after in what will be the best game of the quarterfinals. The Illini could need a win to enter the NCAA tournament. The teams split the two games in the regular season with each winning on the road. In what will be a very physical game, the Badgers will advance to face Ohio State on Saturday. Purdue will battle Northwestern in what will also be a very heated contest. The Boilermakers are still adjusting to life without Robbie Hummel. Even without Hummel they will advance to the semifinals. The Spartans of Michigan State will battle Minnesota in what should be a close game. The Golden Gophers still believe they should be in the NCAA tournament and a win over Michigan State could propel them into the dance. The last time they met was a thriller in Minnesota as the Spartans escaped with a 65-64 victory. It’s difficult to pick against Tom Izzo in the tournament but Minnesota is very hungry. In what will be a classic, Sparty escapes with a narrow victory.
Semifinals (March 13th): Ohio State will battle a tough Wisconsin team at 1:40 on Saturday. The Badgers and Buckeyes split the regular season with each team winning on their home court. This will be a grueling contest but the athleticism of Ohio State will be the difference. The Big Ten’s best player, Evan Turner, will have a monster game as the Buckeyes advance to the title game on Sunday. Michigan State vs. Purdue will follow in an evenly matched contest. Even without Hummel Purdue is still a very good team and will give Michigan State all they want. Michigan State defeated Purdue on February 28th in the Boilermakers first game after Hummel’s injury. Purdue will be inspired in front of the home state faithful but the absence of Hummel will be the deciding factor down the stretch. Michigan State advances to face Ohio State for the title.
Big Ten Championship (3:30 ET March 14th): The Buckeyes defeated the Spartans in East Lansing 74-67 on February 21st. In that game four Ohio State starters played all 40 minutes with each scoring in double figures. Turner and Buford recorded double-doubles in the contest. Michigan State star guard Kalin Lucas was held in check with only 9 points but he did record 8 assists. The title game will be back and forth and very close. Turner will once again be the difference as Ohio State wins the title 77-73.
Projected NCAA Seeding for the NCAA Tournament:
Ohio State: 2
Michigan State: 3
Purdue: 4
Wisconsin: 5
Illinois: 9
Stemavo Rheulus, Senior Writer
In the second half the Cavs started strong as LeBron and Mo Williams each hit 3-pointers to give the Cavs a 62-58 lead prompting Flip Saunders to call a timeout with just over 7 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter. A Shaq basket closed the quarter with Cleveland on top 78-73 with LeBron sniffing a triple-double at 25 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.