Wisconsin 78, #12 Ohio State 73 (Final)

[buckeyeboy]

I think the most difficult statistic to see from last night's game was the fact that we were outscored by 14 in the second half.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Here are some pics from the game.....

Ohio State coach Thad Matta pleads with a referee during the first half of a Big Ten basketball game against Wisconsin Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin beat Ohio State 78-73.
(AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Ohio State's Matt Sylvester, top, flys over Wisconsin's Alando Tucker during the second half of a Big Ten basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, in Madison, Wis. Tucker had a game-high 27 points in Wisconsin's 78-73 upset win over Ohio State.
(AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Wisconsin's Brian Butch celebrates his 3-point basket against Ohio State during the second half of a Big Ten basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin had a 78-73 upset victory over Ohio State.
(AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Wisconsin's Ray Nixon and Ohio State's Je'Kel Foster battle for a loose ball in the first half of a Big Ten basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, in Madison, Wis.
(AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Ohio State's Terence Dials shoots over Wisconsin's Kammron Taylor during the first half of a Big Ten basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006, in Madison, Wis.
(AP Photo/Andy Manis)

 

[EdDantes22]

I for one feel pretty good about that game, and tying the season series with Wisconsin in general. Wisconsin is a team that presents a lot of problems for us. They have a lot of depth and size on their front line with Butch, Chappelle, etc. And it's pretty obvious from watching the two games that Tucker is a very tough player for us to handle--we don't really have anyone who can match up with his size and his quickness. He's just a very good player. I'm also very impressed with Kammron Taylor. And let's not forget that on a night when Wisconsin's center made three 3's and a nearly forgotten Ray Nixon hit 3 as well--on a night where we shot a season worst 4-17 from 3 point range--we only lost by 5 to a very underrated Wisconsin squad in an arena where visiting teams simply don't win very often.

Let's be happy about Dials' newfound aggressiveness. He's looking for the ball more (and we're getting it to him more), he's making quick, decisive moves and he's finishing the vast majority of them. He also seems to be playing defense and rebounding with more tenacity. I guess Matta can't really call him Tinkerbell anymore. Let's just hope that his recent level of play continues against Paul Davis in the Breslin Center.

4 out of our 5 remaining conference games look very winnable. That would put us at 11-5, 22-5 overall, probably second to Iowa or third to Iowa/Wisconsin in the Big Ten and in great position for the conference tourney. I'll go on record saying we snag a 3 seed easy with that sort of resume. Whatever happens, these seniors deserve some success and they're finally finding it.

 

[Jagdaddy]

I don't think I've ever known an Ohio State athlete as widely maligned as Syl. Maybe Bellisari...don't know. Either way, those who dislike him continue to find ways to shit on him (layups aren't good, I guess), and those who don't continue to give him credit for all the things he does well (20 assists in his last four games). I could sit here and argue that not all college 4s are your prototypical black hole, glass-crashing, Greg Brunner-type bangers, but I won't. Honestly, I don't know why I bother reading this shit at all. I guess I keep coming back hoping to find pragmatic optimism instead of worthless, 'Monday morning quarterback' commentary from people whose opinions lose every shred of relevance once they're spit out onto a page.

I think it's legitimate to be frustrated with Sylvester as a player because IMO he's less than the sum of his skills. He can do most things on the court at least fairly well, but even as a fifth year senior continues to make at least a couple of completely and inexplicably boneheaded plays in every game. I'm not one to hate on the guy, but you definitely have to take the bad with the good (and there is a decent amount of good) in his game and the seemingly mental nature of a lot of the bad for such an experienced player is frustrating.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

but you definitely have to take the bad with the good

This is the case with most players, but it is obvious that Sylvester is critized more for his one or two questionable decisions a game, rather than focus on the good things he did throughout the game. I cannot remember another player who is given such a short rope....

Lets voice our opinions but be aware that Matt is a very good kid who plays hard every game out, but he is not going to be perfect.

 

[BrutusMaximus]

The ONLY problem I have with Syl is when we are up by 5 points with 2 minutes to go and you need to control the ball, run the clock, etc, etc. He is about the last person I wanna see on the court in that situation. His ball handling skills are fairly awful. I understand that ball handling is not supposed to be his strong point, but if you have him at mid-court guarded one on one, chances are, that guy is gonna steal from him and dunk.......has happened more than once this year. Why put him in that position?

 

[sandgk]

I think the most difficult statistic to see from last night's game was the fact that we were outscored by 14 in the second half.

I agree on that point - the scoring turn-around from the 1st half certainly glares at you from the box score.

Other stats in keeping with the troubles of the Buckeyes, who still came close, include:

(Obviously) 3-Pt shooting, well down at 0.235

Sullinger's participation - he was effectively taken out of the game by Wisconsin.

Fouls - Wisconsin, by design I feel, let there bench pick up their fouls. Ohio State's foul totals are largely on the top of the order. Doesn't help Sullinger do anything if he ends up on the bench.

One Bright Spot FT shooting - glad to see a good number here, Buckeyes were 17-19 0.895 (!) from the FT line. Badgers, 20-31.

Like others have said, there is still time for this team to get to #2 in the conference, or get that #3 seed for the tourney.

 

[buckeyeboy]

This is the case with most players, but it is obvious that Sylvester is critized more for his one or two questionable decisions a game, rather than focus on the good things he did throughout the game. I cannot remember another player who is given such a short rope....

I am not sure I agree with this--I think he makes way more than "one or two questionable decisions a game." And I think a lot of the frustration is that the mistakes he makes are ones that should not be made by a 5th year senior. Don't get me wrong--I think he's a good player and he's had some fantastic moments as a Buckeye; I just feel that most games he makes decisions that leave you shaking your head in light of the fact that he's been around here for so long.

 

[buckeyeboy]

I think it's legitimate to be frustrated with Sylvester as a player because IMO he's less than the sum of his skills. He can do most things on the court at least fairly well, but even as a fifth year senior continues to make at least a couple of completely and inexplicably boneheaded plays in every game. I'm not one to hate on the guy, but you definitely have to take the bad with the good (and there is a decent amount of good) in his game and the seemingly mental nature of a lot of the bad for such an experienced player is frustrating.

I think this is a very fair assessment.

 

[vrbryant]

Terence Dials, for a guy who's been there that long, has no excuse for not knowing what an outlet pass is. He gets a defensive board, and while his teammates are all booking down court, he's still hugging the ball like a fat fifth grader who's terrified of getting ripped. He shows flashes of talent on the offensive end, but I've seen him make a lot of bad decisions when going up with the ball, and very rarely goes up strong the way a player his size should. And don't get me started on double teams. The advantage to being good enough to draw the double is so you can kick it to the open man when you see it coming. Can't remember the last time I saw him do that. Don't get me wrong, he does a lot of things well, but Matta kinda had it right when he called him tinkerbell. He's really a sheep in wolf's clothing.

Is that a fair assessment?

 

[BrutusMaximus]

Is that a fair assessment?

Yes?

There is nothin wrong with being somewhat critical. Dials looks awesome some games, horrible others. The last few games he has looked great, like I hoped he would this year. Couple other games like scUM st, and Iowa (I believe), he couldnt hit anything, didnt show any aggressiveness, was outrebounded like crazy.......

Some people believe everything should be bright rays of sunshine 24/7, and sorry but that just isnt the way it is. I am not sayin "That guy sucks, I could do better"..........

Edit: Sorry, horrible may be the wrong word there. Let's say he looks mediocre some games.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I am not sure I agree with this--I think he makes way more than "one or two questionable decisions a game." And I think a lot of the frustration is that the mistakes he makes are ones that should not be made by a 5th year senior. Don't get me wrong--I think he's a good player and he's had some fantastic moments as a Buckeye; I just feel that most games he makes decisions that leave you shaking your head in light of the fact that he's been around here for so long.

I didn't mean he literally only makes one or two mistakes a game. I agree that he can be inconsistent but lets also recognize his value to this team. Its very obvious to me. I understand your point of view.

 

[buckeyeboy]

Terence Dials, for a guy who's been there that long, has no excuse for not knowing what an outlet pass is. He gets a defensive board, and while his teammates are all booking down court, he's still hugging the ball like a fat fifth grader who's terrified of getting ripped. He shows flashes of talent on the offensive end, but I've seen him make a lot of bad decisions when going up with the ball, and very rarely goes up strong the way a player his size should. And don't get me started on double teams. The advantage to being good enough to draw the double is so you can kick it to the open man when you see it coming. Can't remember the last time I saw him do that. Don't get me wrong, he does a lot of things well, but Matta kinda had it right when he called him tinkerbell. He's really a sheep in wolf's clothing.

Is that a fair assessment?

First of all, I've never said anything anywhere near as insulting about Syl as you have by calling Dials a "fat fifth grader." I do agree with some of what you say, however; for example, I totally agree that Dials doesn't go up strong with the ball as often as he should. I don't know what it is--maybe it's that Syl makes more mistakes, maybe it's that Syl makes more obvious mistakes (e.g., getting the ball slapped out of his hands when he was standing beyond the three point line in OT of the MSU game which led to a costly layup when he should have been holding the ball in triple threat position), or maybe Dials' mistakes are more easily forgotten when he puts the team on his back like he did last night.

Bottom line is that in my opinion, a lot of the criticism that Syl gets is at least somewhat warranted. I've read your previews and posts on this site, and you obivously know a lot about basketball; thus, I'm suprised when I read these posts in which it seems you claim that Syl never does anything that warrants a little criticism.

 

[Golferdow01]

Terence Dials, for a guy who's been there that long, has no excuse for not knowing what an outlet pass is. He gets a defensive board, and while his teammates are all booking down court, he's still hugging the ball like a fat fifth grader who's terrified of getting ripped. He shows flashes of talent on the offensive end, but I've seen him make a lot of bad decisions when going up with the ball, and very rarely goes up strong the way a player his size should. And don't get me started on double teams. The advantage to being good enough to draw the double is so you can kick it to the open man when you see it coming. Can't remember the last time I saw him do that. Don't get me wrong, he does a lot of things well, but Matta kinda had it right when he called him tinkerbell. He's really a sheep in wolf's clothing.

Is that a fair assessment?

Not trying to bust your balls VRB, but why are you so critical of Dials play yet advocate Syl at every opportunity?

I understand Syl needs an advocate more than TD, but Dials is far beyond Syl's skills, and I am not one to senselessly bash Matt at every opportunity like most people.

 

[vrbryant]

I'm retiring after this.

Bottom line is that in my opinion, a lot of the criticism that Syl gets is at least somewhat warranted. I've read your previews and posts on this site, and you obivously know a lot about basketball; thus, I'm suprised when I read these posts in which it seems you claim that Syl never does anything that warrants a little criticism.

Seems you missed the part of that great big post wherein I stated specifically that Syl makes mistakes just like - and maybe a little more often than - other players. You're right...when Shannon Brown poked the ball away, I had to turn my head. When Syl tied it to force 2OT, I turned back. When he drilled a couple thirty-footers to keep it close, I couldn't turn away. My primary issue/quandary/concern is with the fact that he, more than any other player, seems to draw the ire of the fans for the mistakes he makes--even when he redeems himself. Don't know why, don't really care. I just know it grates on him, and that sucks.

Not trying to bust your balls VRB, but why are you so critical of Dials play yet advocate Syl at every opportunity?

I understand Syl needs an advocate more than TD, but Dials is far beyond Syl's skills, and I am not one to senselessly bash Matt at every opportunity like most people.

If you'd been paying attention, you'd know that the Dials commentary was a direct parallel to some criticism of Sylvester that I used to illustrate a point. Thank you for accentuating it. For the record, I generally make it a point to not offer unsolicited analysis of a specific player's in-game performance because, again, I fail to see the point in doing so. Now, I'm going to take my own advice and pretty much disregard these threads from now on.