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#12 Ohio State 79 , #16 Michigan State 68 (Final)

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2/22/06

OSU's deep shooters spell deep trouble

Spartans' defense will face big test with Trannon out


By Joe Rexrode
Lansing State Journal


EAST LANSING - Ohio State had a cold shooting night the last time it played Michigan State, and a cold shooting night from Ohio State is like an on-time appearance from the cable guy.

You shouldn't count on it.

So in preparation for tonight's critical rematch at Breslin Center, MSU coach Tom Izzo has been drilling his team on vocabulary. The Spartans must understand the difference between merely "contesting" a shot and "bothering" a shooter.

We've got to do more than contest them. We've got to guard them," Izzo said. "Contesting them doesn't seem to distract them enough, at least from the film I've watched. I'm saying we better have a hand right in their face.

We better be there on the catch. The old, get a hand up late so it looks like to fans, media and coaches like you've done a heck of a job - you haven't really bothered the shot.

"We better be bothering the shot. It can't be a rhythm shot. If it's a rhythm shot, they've proven that it's going in."

No. 13 Ohio State (19-4 overall, 8-4 Big Ten) can put itself in position for the outright Big Ten title with a victory tonight. No. 18 MSU (19-7, 7-5) can sweep and pull even with OSU, and move within a game of first-place Iowa. A lot of it will come down to how the Buckeyes - the best 3-point shooters in the league - are feeling from outside.

They're so good some nights that it doesn't matter whom they're playing.

After watching film of OSU's 15-of-24 long-range night in a win at Michigan, Izzo said, "You almost want to say, 'Hey, let's just get ready for the next game.' "

That urge grew stronger after MSU learned of forward Matt Trannon's broken jaw, which he suffered in Saturday's victory over Michigan.

The injury will keep Trannon out for at least three weeks and complicate tonight's defensive strategy significantly.

Trannon had the game of his career in the teams' first meeting, a 62-59 MSU win in double overtime. He had 14 points and 11 rebounds in 40 minutes. Most important was the versatility he gave MSU on defense, allowing the Spartans to guard OSU's shooters closely.

Trannon is a rare inside player quick enough to defend guards, so on OSU perimeter screens, he was able to switch from his man to a smaller player - and switching is the only way to prevent the ballhandler from getting an open look on an outside shot.

If MSU employs that strategy with forwards such as Marquise Gray and Delco Rowley, they'll be left guarding players who can take them to the basket.

"We have to trust in each other and help each other," MSU senior guard Maurice Ager said. "If we see (Gray) out there on an island, we can't leave him out there."

OSU is difficult to defend because it goes with a smaller lineup, and seven of its top eight players can shoot the 3. The eighth, senior center Terence Dials, is an inside scorer few can guard one-on-one.

MSU's best bet to handle Dials is senior center Paul Davis, but the Spartans can't afford for Davis to get into foul trouble. So MSU will have to put Gray and Rowley on Dials for stretches, and Davis may get stuck on smaller players such as J.J. Sullinger and Matt Sylvester - if Sylvester plays with a back injury.

"We're gonna be moving guys around a lot," Davis said. "It'll be a crazy rotation."

Izzo will go with one big man and four perimeter players at times, perhaps reaching as far down the bench as freshman guard Maurice Joseph and walk-on forward Jason Aerts.

It all adds up to a test of creative coaching, against a fleet of shooters who don't figure to come up cold twice.

"It'll be hard, but I just think we're gonna have to suck it up," said Rowley, whose minutes figure to increase with Trannon out. "We've got something for it."

Contact Joe Rexrode at [email protected].
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In such a big, intense game, it will be very difficult for Dials to stay out of foul trouble, especially in East Lansing. Terwilliger will play a key role while Dials sits. Obviously, Butler and Foster must be hot, and a repeat performance from Sylvester wouldn't hurt. Whoever sets the pace early on will have the edge. Nothing like a few 3's to start it off and shut the crowd up.
 
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This game may be the biggest of the year so far. Can someone tell me why it isnt on national television. Other than that i think the Poisonous Nuts have to shoot alot better than they did the last two games. If they start off shooting well and play solid defense i think we could have a chance of beating msu in east lansing.
 
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buckeye247 said:
This game may be the biggest of the year so far. Can someone tell me why it isnt on national television.
Because ESPN's beloved "Dukies" are on against a cupcake Georgia Tech. However, I will give ESPN some credit that the television schedules are made up prior to the season, but none-the-less they show Duke waaaay too much against second-teir opponents rather than showing top 25 matchups (ie. OSU/MSU & Florida/Tenn. tonight).
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jwinslow said:
b/c Duke needs to be on TV again, and Texas blowing out KState is a great choice over MSU-OSU :roll2: It's not even on regional coverage in sw michigan, nor was the michigan-msu game.
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Not showing a Michigan-OSU game in every corner of Michigan?!? WTF!? That just shows how big ESPN has gotten and how much it rules over sports now-a-days. Im really getting tired of flipping on the tube and seeing either Reddick & Co. stomping a second rate team, or even Gonzaga struggling to hold on against Middle Oregon St. Central Tech - while getting props for the win.
 
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AAAhhhh pissed!

I live in S Illinois and usually get the Buckeyes game on my Channel 8, which is ESPN + or some jazz like that. Well, I look at my listings today and they have Penn State and Indiana on!!! and ESPN has a so called judgment week going on and has Duke/Georgia Tech (oh real exciting - even though ironically, GT is winning right now) and Texas/Kansas (again yawn). Unbelievable. It seems like everytime I have to listen on the computer they lose, so this makes it even worse...besides the obvious fact that I do not get to see them in action!

Anyway, Let's go Bucks tonight!!!!
 
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