No Bball expert but from seeing the game on TV, some reasons it was closer than it should have been;
-A mix of OSU being a bit flat and ISU playing very tough. Everytime OSU concentrated and played hard the lead grew but give ISU credit they wouldn't go away.
-One guy from ISU playing out of his gord(2 banked 3 pointers) and the rest of the team draining 3's.
-OSU as a team had a very bad night behind the arc
-Oden working on good offensive moves but can't finish with the left hand like he will be able to soon.
-The good thing I saw was that everytime ISU got close, OSU just pulled out in front a bit more. It was like they were saying, "sorry, we are just too good to let you beat us."
-Cook can't stay a sub much longer although I love the offense off the bench he gives.
-So much talent on this team its impossible to give them all the credit they deserve every night but Conley can play PG like nobody's business. Penetrates at will.
-If we didn't get Conely and Oden, Cook would be averaging 25+ a game.