tOSU +5.5 at Duke (ov/un 142.5) Wed 9:30 ESPN

[Coqui]

Losing by 5 at Duke is still pretty good. This loss actually makes me feel better about the season.

 

[bkochmc]

This team just has way too many hole's, likely a 10 loss team.

10 losses is my worst-case pessimistic view: Kansas, Indiana x2, TSUN x2, @Illinois, @MSU, @Purdue, @Wisconsin

The losses I think will happen: Indiana x2, TSUN x2 (pains me to say that), @Illinois, @MSU, @Wisconsin. 8 total losses, 7 in conference play.

At this time I don't see Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern or Penn State beating this team regardless of their shortcomings. Basically, if they go at least .500 against the non-bottom dwellers, they'll have 10 losses at most.

 

[Coqui]

10 losses is my worst-case pessimistic view: Kansas, Indiana x2, TSUN x2, @Illinois, @MSU, @Purdue, @Wisconsin

The losses I think will happen: Indiana x2, TSUN x2 (pains me to say that), @Illinois, @MSU, @Wisconsin. 8 total losses, 7 in conference play.

At this time I don't see Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern or Penn State beating this team regardless of their shortcomings. Basically, if they go at least .500 against the non-bottom dwellers, they'll have 10 losses at most.

I can't see MSU or Wisconsin after what I've seen from them so far. I think we split TSUN

 

[ArmyVet83]

While this team has limitations offensively, their defense will keep them in most if not all their games. The let down in the second half defensively will be a very rare occurance. However, if this team is going to win consistently they must develop additional scoring options (Ross and Smith need to step it up). While Scott and Sam are good defensively they are liabilities on the offensive end as is Williams.

However, this team played Duke much tougher than I thought they would. Proud of the effort.

 

[MaxBuck]

Matta said he thought LaQuinton Ross gave them reality good minutes. Probably should have gotten him in there sooner.

And kept him in there longer.

 

[Oh8ch]

This could be a 10 loss season IF Ross, Thompson and Williams do not start to contribute more on the offensive end. IMO last night's game gives Matta more of what he needs to make that happen. I am still highly confident that it will.

We almost beat Duke at Duke without that happening. We did that despite Shannon Scott having a HS flashback and thinking he could take over the game on two straight possessions and despite missing Craft and Thomas for a big chunk of the first half.

The B1G will be brutal. But I don't see more than 5 losses.

 

[keeganbrick]

At some point I think Thomas is going to have to play a Evan Turner type role in the last 5 minutes of close games where he just gets the ball at the top of the key with 25 seconds left in shot clock and goes to work. And Quinn Cook is now my most hated player in college bball. That kid is such a punk

 

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

This team will not lose 10 games.

 

[brodybuck21]

This team will not lose 10 games.

yeah im with you there. I also do not see scum winning in Columbus. Ill have to see more than a 5 pt home win vs a barely top 25 nc state team before I annoint them final 4 contenders. Now indiana on the other hand looks scary

 

[buckeyesin07]

10 losses is my worst-case pessimistic view: Kansas, Indiana x2, TSUN x2, @Illinois, @MSU, @Purdue, @Wisconsin

The losses I think will happen: Indiana x2, TSUN x2 (pains me to say that), @Illinois, @MSU, @Wisconsin. 8 total losses, 7 in conference play.

At this time I don't see Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern or Penn State beating this team regardless of their shortcomings. Basically, if they go at least .500 against the non-bottom dwellers, they'll have 10 losses at most.

I agree OSU will sweep Nebraska, Iowa, NW and PSU. That's six wins right there.

The middle teams are UW, Illinois, Purdue and Minny. Bucks play home against Minny, @ Purdue, and the other two teams twice. Out of those six games, I'd like to think the Bucks can split those.

The upper tier is MSU, scUM and Indiana. OSU plays each of those teams twice. At this very early point in the season, I think OSU probably wins two of those six and drops the other four. Those teams are really good.

So in conference my guess is 11-7.

 

[OSUsushichic]

Fun game, but I came very close to muting it. I was so sick of hearing about Duke Duke Duke Duke Duke. Ugh.

 

[colobuck79]

I am encouraged. Losing by 5 at one of the hardest venues, with Craft's worst game, Scott having a terrible game both physically and mentally, big men not showing up, Thomas not getting enough touches, and questionably short minutes by Ross who had a hot hand. We will stomp that team in March anywherewe play them. As for the B1G, I think Indiana is the only team that sweeps us. The glass is half full.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

At some point I think Thomas is going to have to play a Evan Turner type role in the last 5 minutes of close games where he just gets the ball at the top of the key with 25 seconds left in shot clock and goes to work. And Quinn Cook is now my most hated player in college bball. That kid is such a punk

Yeah....he's one of those guys that has a face that makes me want to punch him.

 

[Jake]

Losing by 5 at Duke is still pretty good. This loss actually makes me feel better about the season.

Me too. I was concerned it might look like last year's game in reverse. That wasn't the case at all.

Duke was determined to not let DT beat them, and that left Craft open. Unfortunately, Aaron had a miserable night. Many of his misses were open shots and some of them were bricks. I'll take my chances that most of his nights won't be like that.

The other guys are still getting used to playing real minutes. To think they won't improve is not realistic. They'll get better. This loss was far more beneficial than another blowout against a weakling. Our flaws were magnified and there's a LOT of season left to address them.

Even with all of that, it was a 2 point game in the final minute.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Duke was determined to not let DT beat them, and that left Craft open. Unfortunately, Aaron had a miserable night. Many of his misses were open shots and some of them were bricks. I'll take my chances that most of his nights won't be like that.

And one of those misses prompted at least five simultaneous posts of "WTF was that!?!?!".