#3 Ohio State 75, Iowa State 56 (Final)

[TooTall]

-If we didn't get Conely and Oden, Cook would be averaging 25+ a game.

I'd say 35.....

 

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

Ohio State needed to pressure ISU from the get-go. They allowed them the opportunity by playing too soft of D, and I credit ISU for making the shots.

At times, it seemed as if it would take a mircale for OSU to score. They were playing flat, and I think some of it has to do with the 5 that are playing at times. I would like to see Conley, Cook, Lewis, Harris, and Oden be the starting five. I don't know what is wrong with Butler, he had 0 points tonight. That's not good.

OSU picked up the pace of the game when they started the full/half court pressure. That's their style, and they've been getting away from the up-tempo with Oden in. I think pressing is a way to create the fast pace and use the half court O to feed Oden the ball. He's unstoppable in the post. He had a couple bad shots today, but I couldn't imagine shooting with that damn brace on my shooting hand.

Overall, close games like this happen every now and then in basketball. They turned up the heat in the end and came away with a 19 point win. I can't wait till Saturday now

Go Bucks!

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Actually, Butler hasn't looked for a shot all year, it seems. He's been in the rotation, and they cycle the ball thru him, and he still seems content to pass it off.

 

[Buck88]

Good win. Sluggish early but pulled away late - they won't all be blowouts.

I'd like to thank Armstrong Cable for listing the game on my digital cable so I could turn over there at 8:00 and see it wasn't on here. They do the same thing with CBJ hockey. Bastards.

 

[buckeyeboy]

-One guy from ISU playing out of his gord(2 banked 3 pointers) and the rest of the team draining 3's.

I've seen several posts that have said this, so I found it interesting to see in the box score that ISU only shot 38.5% (as opposed to our 37.5%) from 3 point land. 38.5% is solid, but by no means spectacular. I didn't see the game, though, so maybe it was simply that they got their threes at critical times, making it seem like they were hitting more than they really were.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

I've seen several posts that have said this, so I found it interesting to see in the box score that ISU only shot 38.5% (as opposed to our 37.5%) from 3 point land. 38.5% is solid, but by no means spectacular. I didn't see the game, though, so maybe it was simply that they got their threes at critical times, making it seem like they were hitting more than they really were.

With the exception of the end, yeah...they were hitting shots to keep em close.. OSU threatened to blow it wide open a couple of times... but ISU scrapped their way back.

 

[buckeyeboy]

Actually, Butler hasn't looked for a shot all year, it seems. He's been in the rotation, and they cycle the ball thru him, and he still seems content to pass it off.

Unfortunately I have only seen a few of our games this year. However, I have taken note that Butler doesn't seem to be the player that he was last year. In the last six games, he's only taken 6, 4, 5, 4, 6, and 2 shots, respectively. I am beginning to wonder whether, especially as the year goes on and Conley gets more comfortable playing at the college level, there isn't a spot for Butler with the first team, because he can play the point well, but not the 2-guard.

I really think this is an unfortunate circumstance not only for Butler but also for OSU, as I think he's a phenomenal point guard--he handles the ball well, had a ridiculous assist to turnover ratio last year, shoots well, and plays great defense.

Any thoughts from people who have seen more of our games this year?

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Butler will be fine. Dealing with confidence issues and working on shooting off the pass. He has shot off the dribble his whole life. His shot will come, but really at this point we havent needed it and he has and always will play great on ball defense and dish the ball very well.

Conley just has that knack to get to the rim and is more and more impressive everytime out.

When Oden gets the brace off his wrist and uses his right hand to the fullest watch out.

Cook is just instant offense and I agree with whoever said it that if he was the main recruit last year he might be putting up 35 a game.

Overall this was a major trap game, between Cincy and UF, and it is always nice to have a rough game every now and then, espescially b4 a big one like Florida. Think Ill this year for the football team.

Overall the place was still pretty quiet tonite, but seemed like the fans were a little more anzier to clap a little more and yell alittle more while the game was going on.

They also proved that right now this is still a football town as loud as the place got when the footballl team came out. What a seen it was. The lets go bucks cheer was easily the loudest I have ever heard that place, and then when Smith held up his heisman and showed it off...What a scene to see.

The next one is the measuring stick to see where we are really at.

 

[OhioState49]

What a game!

 

[Jaxbuck]

Unfortunately I have only seen a few of our games this year. However, I have taken note that Butler doesn't seem to be the player that he was last year. In the last six games, he's only taken 6, 4, 5, 4, 6, and 2 shots, respectively. I am beginning to wonder whether, especially as the year goes on and Conley gets more comfortable playing at the college level, there isn't a spot for Butler with the first team, because he can play the point well, but not the 2-guard.

I really think this is an unfortunate circumstance not only for Butler but also for OSU, as I think he's a phenomenal point guard--he handles the ball well, had a ridiculous assist to turnover ratio last year, shoots well, and plays great defense.

Any thoughts from people who have seen more of our games this year?

IMO right now Conley is the better PG and Cook is by far the better SG so I can't really see Butler staying a starter but who knows. Obviously we will all defer to Thad on the starting 5.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I've seen several posts that have said this, so I found it interesting to see in the box score that ISU only shot 38.5% (as opposed to our 37.5%) from 3 point land. 38.5% is solid, but by no means spectacular. I didn't see the game, though, so maybe it was simply that they got their threes at critical times, making it seem like they were hitting more than they really were.

The end of the game had to skew the numbers. For the majority of the night we couldn't buy one (3 of 13/15 at one point I think) and they were near 50% (10 of 22 ish iirc). This was well into the 2nd half and like I said, when they start banking them in you know they are having a good night.

 

[babybuck]

I just got back from the game (I live in cincinnati). It seemed to that Oden's problem with the left thumb affected his game a lot. The slams looked good. The thumb seemed to bother him when he needed to put the ball on the floor to turn and shoot. I think he couldn't grip the ball as well with the bad thumb. Hopefully a few more days will see an improvement.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

IMO right now Conley is the better PG and Cook is by far the better SG so I can't really see Butler staying a starter but who knows. Obviously we will all defer to Thad on the starting 5.

Neither one plays D like Butler tho...

At this point if we really needed a scorer then Cook would be in the starting lineup, but we arent in desperate need of another scorer. Yes a 7-12 pt/night from Butler would be great, and I still thikn once he gets confidence in his shot those nites will come, but his D can not be matched on the permieter by anyone on the team except for maybe Lighty and we know that defense is one of Matta main keys to the game...

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

Neither one plays D like Butler tho... but his D can not be matched on the permieter by anyone on the team except for maybe Lighty

that's something that i definitely noticed by watching the cincy game in person. though you can note his hustle and ability on screen, seeing in person his impact on the defensive end sheds a lot of light on why he starts and plays substantial minutes. i'm sure, too, that matta understands that even though butler is not putting up the points now, his backcourt leadership and points will be needed later in the season. butler is a shooter. he's a scorer. it's only a matter of time until we see the payout of his off-season work, which resulted in making 93 of 100 three-point attempts during a practice sesson.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

Sluggish OSU turns back Iowa State

Buckeyes' Matta says Ohio State was mentally ready to play, but adds that his young team learned a lesson in 75-56 victory.


By Mark Gokavi
Staff Writer

Wednesday, December 20, 2006


COLUMBUS ? The record books will show the score as No. 3 Ohio State 75, Iowa State 56.
But the Buckeyes know they weren't quite ready to go Tuesday night at the Schotteinstein Center.

Continued.....