Ohio State 65, Northwestern 47 (final)

[Buckeyedynasty]

It's a win for the good guys. GO BUCKS!

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Hill looked OK, he had one sloppy turnover and didn't really seem to have enough time to get into the flow of the game. But honestly it didn't seem like the team was in much of a flow as a whole until the last 8 or 9 minutes.

I think Hill needs to get more time on the floor. A PG needs game time action more than anyone in order to get a feel for his teamates and how to create opportunities for them. With the few minutes Hill is getting there is no way that he can have a feel for running the team.

I also think that at times Butler could use a minute or two on the bench not only to catch a break, but just to observe what is going on from the bench...Sometimes it is easier to pick things up sitting and watching...

 

[NastyDogg72]

I also think that at times Butler could use a minute or two on the bench not only to catch a break, but just to observe what is going on from the bench...Sometimes it is easier to pick things up sitting and watching...

I agree, and as was stated earlier in the thread he is shooting nothing but 3's right now. During the first half of the season he was penetrating and taking the ball to the rim, all of the sudden he stopped and the long distance shooting started.

It was covered in masse on the IU game thread that Butler looks worn out right know and it seemed really evident tonight. That fatigue is not just physical, he looks mentally drained right now as well. Tonight Butler's game was not sharp at all, now granted the entire team seemed slugish for 2/3rds of the game, but Jamar really seemed semi-lost on the floor at times and not his usual aggresive self. Few uncharacteristic turnovers and in general waited for the game to come to him instead of the other way around.

 

[vrbryant]

David Lighty was one of my favorite players from last years team, but over the last 6 games hes only been averaging 6ppg. I know his defense outstanding and everything but I think it would be nice to start Diebler at sg and have Turner play at sf. Turner and Diebler play well together, and when Diebler has his shot like he does right now, I personally don't think he can get the ball enough. Just a thought,... but Thad knows best.
..and gratz to Matta on number 200

(psst) Lighty's a captain.

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

OHIO STATE MEN OHIO STATE 65NORTHWESTERN 47



Koufos, Butler key OSU win



Thursday, February 14, 2008
Associated Press
Evanston, Ill.- Kosta Koufos scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Jamar Butler set the school's all-time assist record, and Ohio State beat Northwestern, 65-47, for a much-needed victory on Wednesday night.
With their NCAA hopes in doubt after reaching the finals last year, the Buckeyes (17-8, 8-4 Big Ten) could not afford a letdown after losing two of their previous three games. The defending Big Ten champions went on a 19-4 run in the second half to put away a team that is still searching for its first conference victory.




Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Scout--Milestones abound in Ohio State victory

BN--Ohio State Manages To Pull Away From Toothless Wildcats

BN$--Final Analysis: Ohio State 65, Northwestern 47

BG$--Record Setting

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

Men's basketball: Buckeyes find zone to their liking in win

Thursday, February 14, 2008 3:32 AM
By Bob Baptist


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH



EVANSTON, Ill. -- Jamar Butler said he noticed the different look of Northwestern's zone defense on the first possession of the game. This time, as opposed to their first meeting five weeks ago, Butler had a 5-foot-10 guard in front of him instead of a 6-8 forward.
"They put the bigger man down low to try to stop us in the post," Butler said. "I think they kind of dared us to make plays up top. I think our guards did a good job making plays."
Kosta Koufos and Othello Hunter combined for 30 points, and Butler and Evan Turner for 13 assists, to lead the Ohio State men's basketball team to a 65-47 victory last night in Welsh-Ryan Arena.



Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

OSU-Northwestern box score

Thursday, February 14, 2008 3:29 AM

 

[bkochmc]

But honestly it didn't seem like the team was in much of a flow as a whole until the last 8 or 9 minutes.

That statement sums up the game nicely. There were times in the first half where the Bucks look like they could open up a 10 point lead but then someone would make a silly turnover and NW would cut the lead to a couple of points. Sloppy play the first half, much improved in the second. If basketball did a "3 stars" like the NHL does my three for the game would be:

1 - Hunter - Played a good all-around game. Had some baskets in transition, some nice putbacks, some nice post moves and rebounded well on the defensive end

2 - Kofous - As others alluded to in the thread... when he is hitting his shots he needs to get the ball. He had one or two kickout passes for wide open 3's that were nice... good things happen when the ball goes to the post!

3 - Diebler - Knocked down some key 3's in the second half. When he gets on a roll he can break a game open... played some pretty good defense too.

EDIT: Turnovers for the game: 18 (Diebler 1, Butler 3, Turner 5, Hunter 2, Lighty 4, Koufos 2, Lauderdale 1)

Also, congrats to Butler for breaking the Ohio State career assist record!

 

[xcrunner]

How much did Butler play?
Was hoping he'd finally catch a break, he's been looking tired, as has been pointed out. Hopefully he played less than 35.

 

[bkochmc]

How much did Butler play?
Was hoping he'd finally catch a break, he's been looking tired, as has been pointed out. Hopefully he played less than 35.

I think it was right around 35... Played the entire first half, was out for a few minutes in the middle of the second and didn't play the last minute of the game.

EDIT: The box score has him at 37 minutes.

 

[Best Buckeye]

Actually I thought this game went exactly as I imagined it would go. The smaller scrappy team came to play as it always does. Good job by Carmody to keep the troops emergized, He impresses me in that regard.
They have no inside players and wore down just as is expected and that's when we pulled away.
Butler played too much as usual and I thought Matta should be breaking in someone new at the PG , But I have thought that all year which explains why I am not a coach.
A good question is who will be our PG next year? For sure it won't be anyone with much experience so we better have another good one somewhere.

 

[bkochmc]

Actually I thought this game went exactly as I imagined it would go. The smaller scrappy team came to play as it always does. Good job by Carmody to keep the troops emergized, He impresses me in that regard.
They have no inside players and wore down just as is expected and that's when we pulled away.
Butler played too much as usual and I thought Matta should be breaking in someone new at the PG , But I have thought that all year which explains why I am not a coach.
A good question is who will be our PG next year? For sure it won't be anyone with much experience so we better have another good one somewhere.

NW is definitely a scrappy bunch. I wonder what Carmody could do with some talent...

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Last night we got the job done......period. No one will remember this win come selection Sunday but if we would have lost it would have been huge. We have several opportunities in the next few weeks to get off the tourney bubble....

Observations:

To many turnovers (18)
Another solid game by KK.....16 points and 11 rebounds.
Another step forward for Diebler
Butler still seems too passive to me at times....needs to look to create looks for himself and the team.
Wallace actually saw the court.
Lauderdale picked up two quick fouls in just 3 minutes.
Lighty continues to struggle....just 2 points and 4 turnovers.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Photos from the game....

Ohio State's coach Thad Matta yells at his team during the second half of a college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. Ohio State won 65-47.
(AP Photo/Brian Kersey)

Ohio State's Evan Turner, left, passes the ball around Northwestern's Nikola Baran, of Croatia, during the second half of a college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. Ohio State won 65-47.
(AP Photo/Brian Kersey)

Northwestern's Craig Moore (20) fouls Ohio State's Othello Hunter (45) during the second half of a college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008. Ohio State won 65-47.

Ohio State's Othello Hunter (45) goes up for a dunk during the first half of a college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008.
(AP Photo/Brian Kersey)