As disappointing as this game was, I believe if the Buckeyes had a legit big man who could control the paint defensively and convert around the basket, they could have won this game. Tilly and Njegovan were 0-11 from the field combined for 0 points in 30 minutes, and the misses were all high-percentage shots from the paint. Even with as bad as the team was defensively, they would have been right in this game with the post position providing even average offensive production.

Wow, that’s 3 years from now

Look at the dogs from Ohio that end up on MSU teams with Izzo. It’s fucking disgusting

Jagdaddy said:

The softness of this team, and pretty much every Ohio State men’s or women’s basketball team for at least a decade, is nauseating. Just staying in front of guys without fouling, not settling for threes from our lesser shooters, taking the ball to the rack to draw fouls, and boxing out, would be worth another 5 wins a year.

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You're right, that's been the one constant with three coaches over practically 10 years now, not enough dogs, too many puppies. Wisconsin really exposed OSU's lack of post presence - both offensively and defensively, it was embarrassing. Blackwell for Wisconsin is the perfect example of the type of player OSU needs more of, a guy who will bully his way to the basket and not let a defender being in his way stop him. You need a team filled with guys who can handle some bumps, be able to play through contact, get to the foul line and convert in the paint, but over the last several seasons OSU puts together teams with maybe 2 guys who can do it and 8 who can't. There absolutely should be a higher priority in recruiting players with the requisite size, strength and athleticism to hold their own at the B1G level. At this point, what justification is there for continuing to recruit based on the same failed emphasis on offensive skillset over all else?

MPhillips said:

He was so good coming out of HS. Never should of wrestled 197 (he was 220 in HS and cut to 97kg for Greco). But he couldn't beat Hilger and Hilger got an extra year. Injuries got him too. Been a fan since he was in HS.

And yes, "beefed up" indeed.

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Agreed, he was a monster. I thought OSU was in a great position to land him. His run in the junior worlds was pretty special too. I watched his matches on Flo. It was exciting for sure. I’m wondering if his run is buried in YouTube someplace. It’s worth the watch.

OregonBuckeye said:

Wish people wouldn't share their crap here to give them extra exposure

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It’s like a lot of stuff shared here. Portnoy, Smith, etc. it’s like I tell my dog ‘leave it’

Just a reminder that May who spanked MSU at the Breslin was available when we hired Diebs…

Mike80 said:

Not much you can do when the other team shoots 70% except hope they start missing

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Play defense?

Tilly’s 6-7 missed layups, many of which have led to transition scores, have not been helpful.

Also, why is Bruce kicking everything out when he gets into his usual Mark Jackson stop and pop in the paint zone?

Jagdaddy said:

It predates Diebler. Hell, even Matta’s teams rarely rebounded well absent an Oden or Sullinger.

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I think Diebler embodies the worst of end of era Matta and Holtmann when it comes to actually being a coach. He's a good recruiter and players like him but IMO from what we've seen he's way in over his head as actually being a basketball coach at a major program.

buckeyemania11 said:

At some point you have to recognize that the coach reflects on the players. Some people can't admit that still here with Diebler though

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It predates Diebler. Hell, even Matta’s teams rarely rebounded well absent an Oden or Sullinger.

OregonBuckeye said:

My apathy towards Buckeye basketball disappoints me. Just nothing to really get excited about

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Until there's a huge attitude change high up in the Athletic Department this is the product we are gonna get. They know they can just sail off the football program so they are ok with mediocrity in other sports as long as it's not completely bottom barrel awful and there is no bad press. They've made that clear by their actions.

My apathy towards Buckeye basketball disappoints me. Just nothing to really get excited about

Jagdaddy said:

The softness of this team, and pretty much every Ohio State men’s or women’s basketball team for at least a decade is nauseating. Just staying in front of guys without fouling, not settling for threes from our lesser shooters, taking the ball to the rack to draw fouls, and boxing out, would be worth another 5 wins a year.

Click to expand...

At some point you have to recognize that the coach reflects on the players. Some people can't admit that still here with Diebler though

The softness of this team, and pretty much every Ohio State men’s or women’s basketball team for at least a decade, is nauseating. Just staying in front of guys without fouling, not settling for threes from our lesser shooters, taking the ball to the rack to draw fouls, and boxing out, would be worth another 5 wins a year.

brodybuck21 said:

Im sorry but wisky has gotten every call, break and bounce

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Seems to happen to us in most B1G games now a days. There's just like a "cursed" type of weight hanging over the program.

Our guys just don’t seem to learn the finer points of the game. Just a shame what happened to a once dominant Buckeye Basketball program. Thanks, Gene.

Still in search for a quality win over a NCAA lock team.

1 quad 1 win at NW which does not carry much weight

A home quad 2 win over a bubble UCLA team

If this team wants to make the tournament they need to get a NCAA level tournament team quality win.