2010-2011 Men's Basketball (Outright Big Ten & BTT Champs)

[OSU_Buckguy]

Here's how they can pass - last 2 years: Duke 2, Purdue 0. Two games decided by 13+ points apiece. No need for a rematch!

msu has played unc 4 times in 3 years and 5 times in 5 years; all of which were losses for the spartans. despite all of the matches, guess who faced each other in the challenge this year? apparently, the selection committee doesn't pay much attention to this "no need for a rematch" idea.

 

[buckeyesin07]

Here's how they can pass - last 2 years: Duke 2, Purdue 0. Two games decided by 13+ points apiece. No need for a rematch!

I could see your point if both of those games had been in the Challenge--I think the committee does try to avoid matching up the same teams in the Challenge as it did the previous year. However, that doesn't apply to Duke-Purdue, because they played this past season in the NCAA tournament, not in the Challenge. Thus, your "No need for a rematch" analysis is misplaced.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

I could see your point if both of those games had been in the Challenge--I think the committee does try to avoid matching up the same teams in the Challenge as it did the previous year.

the selection committee may try to avoid rematches from the previous challenge; however, i don't ever see them doing that at the expense of a quality match-up (per television viewership, at least). for example, msu faced unc in the '08 challenge and lost by 35 points. the two teams then played each other in the national tournament, resulting in a 27-point msu loss. nonetheless, the selection committee for the big 10-acc challenge recognized that pitting the two teams against each other yet again for the '09 challenge would create a lot of interest.

 

[DZ83CK]

It makes a big difference that MSU and UNC played for a national title. They have always done rematches in the Challenge for national title games - they have done it every time that a Big Ten and ACC team have met for the title - MD-IU, then UNC-IL and MSU-UNC. That changes things for sure and I'd say there's a stronger correlation to that rematch than any other - 100% correlation. Purdue lost to Duke in a S16 game, far from the NC game. To be honest, there haven't been a whole lot of ACC-Big Ten matchups in the NCAA tourney the past decade prior to 2010, especially ones outside of the Final Four, so it's difficult to ascertain what impact those "lesser" games have on the matchups in the Challenge. But Clemson and UM last year did not play in the Challenge even though there could've been a "rematch" from the NCAA tourney (instead they opted to "rematch" Illinois with Clemson due to their exciting Challenge game the prior season).

I think they like to do rematches in the Challenge when there was a good game the year before in the Challenge and the teams look like they're evenly matched - there is a lot of support for that & it also makes it easier to manage the aspect of who's due a home game and who's due a road game. However, Purdue has had zero "good" games with Duke, just 2 games they've gotten beat in by 13+ points, one at home and one at a neutral site, so I just don't see the logic in giving Purdue a "rematch" when you could make a more interesting matchup such as OSU-Duke or Duke-MSU. I think it would be foolish to give Purdue another shot at Duke when they could easily pit Duke against either OSU or MSU (both of which appear to be about as good or better than PU next year). Again, as I said before, it's been established that Duke > Purdue, and it hasn't even been that close. I just don't think they should go for a "rematch" of a game that has proven to be a mismatch when there are other great options. How could the viewership reasonably prefer another Purdue-Duke game over OSU-Duke or Duke-MSU? I don't think they can. That's why I think Purdue-Duke at least shouldn't be the matchup - I can't argue much if they pit Duke against MSU, because that is arguably as good or better than OSU-Duke. OSU is due to play a road game, MSU is due to play a home game. So no matter whether Duke should play a home or road game this year, there is a better matchup for them than a "rematch" with Purdue. I believe Duke is due a home game, so that to me means OSU @ Duke should be the matchup.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

I think they like to do rematches in the Challenge when there was a good game the year before in the Challenge

and they've also shown not to care at all. there have been 10 rematches in the big 10-acc challenge. 5 of those rematches were set in spite of the first game being decided by at least 10 points (13, 10, 13, 22, and 35).

and the teams look like they're evenly matched

with turner gone, purdue will likely be ranked ahead of ohio state. based on rankings alone, purdue will be a better match for duke than ohio state will.

However, Purdue has had zero "good" games with Duke, just 2 games they've gotten beat in by 13+ points, one at home and one at a neutral site, so I just don't see the logic in giving Purdue a "rematch" when you could make a more interesting matchup such as OSU-Duke or Duke-MSU.

you do know that purdue played without their best player, don't you? i thought this was common knowledge to basketball fans.

Again, as I said before, it's been established that Duke > Purdue, and it hasn't even been that close. I just don't think they should go for a "rematch" of a game that has proven to be a mismatch when there are other great options.

in regards to the selection committee not caring, see: all of the msu vs. unc games that ended with spartan losses (and many with spartan shellackings).

How could the viewership reasonably prefer another Purdue-Duke game over OSU-Duke or Duke-MSU? I don't think they can.

yeah, the viewership would truly suck for a game against two teams that will likely be in the top 8 if not the top 5. a game between two teams that just faced each other in the sweet 16, with the loser not having its best player? that would be a ratings disaster.

 

[OhioState001]

My thoughts on next season:

I think Buford would make a good point guard, I'm not sure how he stacks up against Craft and Smith because I haven't seen them play.

Next year we will have an offensive game down low, unlike this year.

One concern is with Diebler. Will he be able to get shots without Turner?

David Lighty was one player who stepped up when Turner was gone, and was the best defensive player. Let's hope he continues to get better and he will be vital to this teams success.

The success of the freshman will determine how far this team will go.

 

[Meyer]

My thoughts on next season:

I think Buford would make a good point guard, I'm not sure how he stacks up against Craft and Smith because I haven't seen them play.

Next year we will have an offensive game down low, unlike this year.

One concern is with Diebler. Will he be able to get shots without Turner?

David Lighty was one player who stepped up when Turner was gone, and was the best defensive player. Let's hope he continues to get better and he will be vital to this teams success.

The success of the freshman will determine how far this team will go.

Buford would really have to work on that handle. I don't see the same "ball on a string" handle that Turner had, let alone a true true PG. I also don't see the drive and kick ability.

 

[billmac91]

My thoughts on next season:

I think Buford would make a good point guard, I'm not sure how he stacks up against Craft and Smith because I haven't seen them play.

Next year we will have an offensive game down low, unlike this year.

One concern is with Diebler. Will he be able to get shots without Turner?

David Lighty was one player who stepped up when Turner was gone, and was the best defensive player. Let's hope he continues to get better and he will be vital to this teams success.

The success of the freshman will determine how far this team will go.

William doesn't have the handle to be a full-time PG. When Ohio State wanted to get Evan the ball in called situations, normally Diebler became the point guard. I think Jon has a good enough handle to get the ball up the court, but they're really going to miss a player who can create and get the ball to the hoop. I don't see any guys on the roster next year who will have the ability to get to the rack whenever they want a la Mike Conley, Evan Turner, Ty Lawson, Nolan Smith, Nored, etc....another possibility is David Lighty who has an excellent handle, but do you want to make him a full-time PG?? His ability to come off curls and get to the rack is a nice weapon. Of our returning players, I think he has the best handle though...

That was our undoing when Jamar Butler was running the point and to a degree last year as well too. Hopefully one of the freshman shows an ability to get into the paint at will....it'd be huge with an inside presence like Sullinger to dump the ball down too, and wings like Diebler and Buford to kick it out too.

 

[OhioState001]

I'm not to sure about Diebler becoming a PG, won't that take away from him shooting threes? I would say Lighty would be a good PG but he travels at least 3-4 times a game. I'm interested in Smith and Craft though, anyone got insight on these two.

 

[OHSportsFan]

I have go with Lighty as well, as far as returning players go. Only one that can truly create by getting into the lane and with another year of work I think he can be pretty good...or at least what this team needs.

No clue about the incoming guys. I'd rather not rely on them as a starting guard but hopefully Craft or Smith can provide good minutes [and get Lighty off the ball].

 

[billmac91]

I'm not to sure about Diebler becoming a PG, won't that take away from him shooting threes? I would say Lighty would be a good PG but he travels at least 3-4 times a game. I'm interested in Smith and Craft though, anyone got insight on these two.

Craft is a pure PG, but I think he'll struggle to get to spots on the floor, especially in his freshman season. Lenzelle is more explosive, but I'm not sure about his ability at full-time PG next season, he's a combo-guard...Lenzelle played a lot of off-guard throughout high school.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viKn7sYjYhg]YouTube - Lenzelle Smith and Ben Brust[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbRqXFUbWA&feature=channel]YouTube - Craft continues hot start against Eastwood[/ame]

I'm not sure Craft or Smith are answers at the PG next season. I think it becomes a combination of Diebler and Lighty. Jordan Siebert proably has the best opportunity to get minutes in my opinion. He's extremely explsoive and has a nice handle, although like Lenzelle Smith, played a lot of combo-guard in high school.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbRqXFUbWA&feature=channel]YouTube - Craft continues hot start against Eastwood[/ame]

 

[Meyer]

If it were between Diebler and Lighty I think that Lighty has to get the nod. Both look almost nervous with the ball at times, but I think if Lighty put in the work he could do a decent job.

1. Lighty can get into the lane and to the rim while being able to take contact. I do worry that teams will foul him rather than let him score because he's not a very good FT shooter.
2. Lighty can draw defenders and is better at creating for teammates (although I don't think he's exceptional at finding open guys at the moment, he seems to play with a head of steam full speed ahead)
3. Diebler needs to be off the ball..as does Buford
4. More rebounding on the floor at all times because we'd probably play more of a 3 guard lineup with Sullinger and Dallas both on the floor at the same time.

One thing I really like is that we'll be well equipped to match up with teams with big lineups and teams with smaller, quicker lineups.

 

[DZ83CK]

with turner gone, purdue will likely be ranked ahead of ohio state. based on rankings alone, purdue will be a better match for duke than ohio state will.

Fundamental fairness says OSU @ Duke should be the matchup before Purdue @ Duke. For OSU to get subordinated to Purdue this time when OSU had a better season than Purdue and hasn't gotten a shot at Duke would be inappropriate IMO. I don't quite understand why you insist that OSU should get a less prestigious game than Purdue. OSU has a lot of advantages compared to Purdue - incoming recruits, depth, and performance this season (and so does MSU), which is why Purdue shouldn't be matched up with Duke again (esp considering the fact that PU got beaten twice by Duke recently, neither of which was a NC game or close to it. Hummel played 37 minutes when they got their asses handed to them in W. Laf.). OSU had a better season this year than Purdue - OSU had a higher seed in both the BT and NCAA tourney and won the BTT, both teams went out in the same round of the NCAA tourney, both teams lost a key player for 6-7 games. Purdue might get a high ranking, but it's very debatable that they should be rated higher than OSU, and for that reason, that should not be a factor. I think a lot more fans would prefer to see the "first" OSU-Duke instead of Purdue @ Duke when PU has gone 0-2 against them (neither at Cameron Indoor) and there is little reason to think they wouldn't go 0-3 if that was the matchup. The Challenge is heavily based on matching up the respective top teams from their leagues from the prior season. I remember they sent OSU to play Duke after OSU shared the conference title and won the BTT in 2002, even though OSU had lost their best player in Brian Brown. I'd be OK with MSU-Duke as I said before, but OSU has earned this matchup ahead of Purdue because they had a better season & should also get it because they haven't gotten a marquee matchup in the Challenge the past couple years.

If the schedulers go with Purdue @ Duke and put OSU against another ACC also-ran (such as VT, Miami or FSU), I'll be bothered by it. IMO OSU earned a shot at one of the ACC's top 2 from this year (Duke or Maryland) or UNC (still a marquee matchup) by virtue of winning the Big Ten regular season and conference tourney and making it to the S16 (which only 1 ACC team made it to). While OSU @ Maryland would not have nearly as much luster next year, it is reasonable based on past practices. I feel that OSU-Duke is clearly more appropriate than pitting OSU against another middling ACC team considering OSU hasn't gotten the chance to play one of the ACC's top teams the past couple years (while PU has and has gone 0-2 vs. Duke) & OSU had the success this year and recruiting class coming in to merit such a matchup.

I think it boils down to this: there are 3 Big Ten teams (OSU, MSU, PU) that stood above the others last year and coming into next year, and just one ACC team (Duke) alone by itself. That makes some sort of imbalance likely for the Challenge. However, PU and OSU are both due road games, Duke and MSU are due home games. So either PU or OSU "should" play at Duke, and as I've explained before, OSU shouldn't be subordinated to Purdue at this time for many reasons. So it should be OSU @ Duke.

 

[JJ88]

I don't see Lighty becoming the point guard. I think the best option of the returnees will be Buford. During the second half of the year, William began grabbing defensive boards then bringing it down the court, much like Turner did. He seemed to become more comfprtable and confident with the ball in his hands. William also showed that rare trait of enjoying passing the ball and making plays for others. There is no question that he has the ability, it's just whether or not he can make that leap going into next season.

I think it will be a PG by commitee type of deal, but my bet on the starter would be William. I can't wait to see these freshman guards in person to see if any of them can handle the point. Hopefully the recruiting class can live up to the hype!

 

[billmac91]

I don't see Lighty becoming the point guard. I think the best option of the returnees will be Buford. During the second half of the year, William began grabbing defensive boards then bringing it down the court, much like Turner did. He seemed to become more comfprtable and confident with the ball in his hands. William also showed that rare trait of enjoying passing the ball and making plays for others. There is no question that he has the ability, it's just whether or not he can make that leap going into next season.

I think it will be a PG by commitee type of deal, but my bet on the starter would be William. I can't wait to see these freshman guards in person to see if any of them can handle the point. Hopefully the recruiting class can live up to the hype!

I don't mean to be so matter of fact, but William just doesn't have the handle. He is amazing coming off screens and knocking down the jumper, or pull-up pops, but he isn't a ball-handler by any means. Outside of bringing the ball up to break pressure when teams press, Willaim won't be handling the ball as a PG. If that were the case, Buford would have been handling PG dutuies more frequently this year, but it went to Diebler.