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2014-15 Ohio State Men's Basketball (Official Thread)

I like the VCU matchup, only because it means OSU should be able to play mostly small ball. The last time OSU truly was able to do this was against Maryland, prior to Loving's suspension. After Loving's performance against Minnesota on Thursday, I'm hopeful he can be in the right mindset for the first game against the Rams. If OSU can survive on the inside with Loving, Tate, and Diop, I think Scott and Russell should be able to handle VCU's press sans Brionte Weber.

The Buckeyes really need to get on a roll shooting the basketball. It is the ONLY way they can beat Arizona - shoot the lights out and trade 2's for 3's, because Arizona will eat the Buckeyes alive in the paint.
 
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I don't like the VCU matchup at all. They play fast, fast, fast. As an aside there are a couple of kids on VCU that I coached against and that my son played against.
I know it is a big If but if we handle their pressure I think we will be fine. From what I have read and I will admit it has not been much but it seems like they do not shoot the ball very well as a team and rely on their pressure to win games. I will have to do a little more research on them but that is my initial take. I know you know much more about them than most of us.
 
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"There's always next year."
Next year's team will probably be a joy to watch.

For once I agree with you.

I think we've all hoped and/or overstated that this team could be good if they played to their potential. at this point, it's not going to happen. Like ORD said, no expectations at all - if they win, that's great, if they lose that's just a continuance of the trend.
 
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I just haven't like what I've seen when Ohio State plays a team that speeds them up. The Louisville game is a prime example of this.
I will defer to you because you certainly know them better than I do but the boys in Vegas like as early but not by much. I wonder if the boys from the Commonwealth want to play football:wink:
I read something earlier that they lost their PG about midseason. What say you.
 
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They've always had a ton of quick guards that can defend but the shooting can be lacking sometimes. Honestly, Mo Alie-Cox pushing our bigs around and beating them down the floor worries me as much as anything. Kid has a big time motor and knows how to create space for others. I've known him since he was 10. Tate is probably the best matchup against him but he is as strong as an ox.

They've had time to adapt to the loss of their point guard. If Ohio State handles the pressure and they aren't an opponent that has a hot shooting night I could see the Buckeyes winning by 8 or so as they are still the more talented team. I do love the way a Shaka Smart team plays though. Effort is never an issue.
 
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I know it is a big If but if we handle their pressure I think we will be fine. From what I have read and I will admit it has not been much but it seems like they do not shoot the ball very well as a team and rely on their pressure to win games. I will have to do a little more research on them but that is my initial take. I know you know much more about them than most of us.
Much of OSU's struggles this year are when forced into a halfcourt game, this team has a very average halfcourt offense and the more up-tempo the game is, the better for OSU.
 
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IF OSU can hang in down low and on the glass with the smaller lineup (which I believe they can - other than McDonald at times, the best rebounders on the team are not the big men), I think the advantage against VCU's pressure leans toward Ohio State. Having Tate, KBD, and/or Loving on the floor as your "post" players means there should be 5 guys who can handle the ball pretty well. As long as Shannon Scott does not have massive amounts of brain fatigue during the game and start playing too hurried, I think OSU can break the pressure and score against the pressure before VCU can get set in the halfcourt.
 
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