Yeah...if you told me before tip-off OSU would lose this game by 5, I honestly think I would have been surprised they kept it that close. I also think I would have felt pretty good after a 5 point loss, but I don't...at all.
There are glaring weaknesses everywhere. Unfortunately something that should be our biggest strength, is actually a huge weakness that won't get better any time soon. Our athletic ability to get near the rim is really something special. Unfortunately guys like Sam Thompson, Shannon Scott, Aaron Craft....they just can't finish. Unless it's a dunk (in Thompson's case) or a wide open lay-up, there just isn't any touch. None. And unfortunately you have that ability or you don't. Some games may be better than others but scoring close to the rim is about skill and ability, and these guys just don't have it.
Craft is great defensively, Scott has improved ten-fold and looks so much better with the ball in his hands, Sam Thompson showed a lot more confidence as well.....but that inability to score within 10 feet of the hoop is killer.
I agree with the assessment that Ross probably needs more time with Deshaun Thomas on the court. If Thomas and Ross aren't on the court at the same time, there is only 1 legitimate scoring option on the court for the Bucks. And really, there are issues with Thomas' shot selection as well. People like Brandon Castel can bitch and moan all they want, but did they see some of the forced shots Thomas took? He didn't make a single forced shot all night....which brings me full circle.
The difference in the game was how they played Ohio States wings. It isn't rocket science. Duke quit helping on dribble penetration in the second half and forced Ohio State to finish at the rim or on spot up jump-shots. And our wings struggled their collective asses off to put the ball in the hoop. And the rare time Thomas did get it in the second half, he took pretty terrible shots.
Pressed for an answer right now, I think OSU will not live up to expectations this year. I think Indiana is obviously the best in the league and Michigan is probably better as well. Minnesota probably has as much talent as OSU this year as well. OSU will certainly make the NCAA tournament, but the Big 10 schedule is going to be a dog-fight for them. Teams like Wisconsin, Northwestern, Michigan State, etc....none of those games are a given with the lack of offense this team possesses. Going on the road this year and getting W's will be at a premium for this squad.
On a positive note, I really think Amir is a force inside. Evan plays within himslef and takes great shots which is a positive. Shannon Scott can get inside the paint whenever he wants which is probably the best offensive characteristic any PG can have and his handle looks infinitely better than it did last year. Sam Thompson looked much more confident with the ball and I was glad he took a few confident jump shots even though they didn't drop. Just the look of those guys was supremely better than last year. They've grown a ton. I wish Aaron could become a legit threat offensively but until he develops a consistent jump shot it isn't happening. The only way for a PG to be really successful offensively without a jump-shot is to be an insane finisher at the rim and have crazy play-making ability a la Rajon Rondo, which Aaron just doesn't have. Great defender, just a little short offensively. It probably sounds like I'm being rough on him, but for OSU to be a legit threat this year, his offense was critical because Thompson, Smith, and Ravenal/Williams just aren't enough offensively to play at an elite level. I was hoping he had turned the corner or developed that game, but he isn't close.
