Don, classic Izzo Sparty....they were just tougher than we were all night. He challenged his kids, his kids challenged our kids physically and mentally and just out toughed us. Thomas and Buford were just emasculated and Sully uncharacteristically let them get into his head with predictable results......congrats to Sparty.
Re: Bruce Weber's status, according to the Illinois AD: Illinois AD Does Not Give Weber Vote of Confidence
Back to the Big Ten Conference wars this evening with Ohio State meeting Minnesota in Williams Arena on the road. I am anxious to see how we perform this evening and see if we can put the disappointing loss to Michigan State behind us. Stay tuned!
Buckeyes got off to a great start and went on a 20 point run in the first half with some good ball movement and toroid shooting. They cooled off in the second half but managed to pick up a road win which has not been easy for them this season. Buford led the scoring with 24 points and Sullinger had 23 points. Michigan up next Saturday in Ann Arbor and they have not lost at home this year.
Big game on the road against a tough opponent this Saturday.....it M is knocking down shots, they can be anybody in the country up there. I think it has become clear that the fortunes of this team against quality opponents rise and fall with the play of Buford. When he is fully engaged, active, confident, assertive and aggressive on the offensive end, we are as good as anybody.....when he is not, or starts slowly and/or his jumper is not falling, we become much easier to defend and the entire offense seems to stagnate and struggle. We need William to get off early, have a great shooting game and give himself and everybody else a big boost coming down the stretch...it may sound crazy, but I think his lack of confidence this year goes all the way back to him missing the potential game winner against UK in the tourney last year...I have nothing to base that on other than his own comments about it, I just have that sense....
Buckeye T, You may very well be correct in your views about Buford! The head game is almost as important as the physical side. Supposedly LaQuinton Ross is our best bet from beyond the ark, but Matta does not seem to be comfortable with him playing at this point. Maybe his lack of defense and his late arrival is also part of the equation?
Don, I have heard the same about Ross, supposedly a lights out shooter. No doubt his late start has him well behind the learning curve certainly from a defensive perspective. I hope he's a quick learner....! I had thought early in the year the Sibert could have been that guy to come off the bench and spark an offense with his shooting, but he seems to have lost his jumper and has disappeared.....
Sparty did not have any problems with Wisky last night at the Bressling Center. Penn State beat Iowa. Ohio State and MSU remain tied for first place. Game with Michigan in Ann Arbor now a must for the Buckeyes!
I surely didn't want that to happen.....I was kinda hoping we'd just play a little better team defense. Sorry to hear about that Stu....I know the kid has had problems in the past. I hope Painter can get things squared away before tourney time.
Disappointing news from Boilerland, but I have a great deal of respect for Matt Painter. I was hoping maybe Purdue could throttle MSU and help us out at he same time, but now now!
I'm wondering if Byrd's suspension will be only one game. He was the only one arrested and charged with public intoxication. According to the news report, he caused a commotion and may have hit or swung at an employee of the night spot. The police are investigating the incident and will report their findings to the prosecutor's office early next week. I'm speculating that Barlow's dismissal may be related to his suspension last year. He may have been given an ultimatum that the next time he got in trouble, he would be gone. Like I said, it's just speculation.
Duh. I knew that...thanks. What I read yesterday was that it was Barlow's 21st birthday and the older guys on the team were, uh, celebrating it. Barlow made a scene and was asked to leave. He walked out, leaving his wallet in the bar (how do you do that?) He tried to go back in and was intercepted by an officer. Byrd tried to intervene and was arrested for public intox. I heard a rumor that he hit a bouncer but he was not charged with assault. There is no underage drinking as he is 22. I would guess that if he is a kid who normally keeps his nose clean and didn't hit anybody, but was just trying to intervene so they could get the wallet, then I bet he will only be out one game. If he was an instigator and if he swung at somebody, then I could certainly see it being more. Time will tell. Barlow was on a zero tolerance policy after whatever it was he did last year. It certainly hurt the team when he was suspended last year.
Buckeyes trailed the entire game and lose to Michigan in Ann Arbor 56-51. Neither team shot lights out, but Michigan certainly controlled the game and deserved the win. Trey Burke really did a job on the Buckeyes. We are now tied with Michigan for second place and I do not see how we can win the conference title at this point, especially having the final game of the season against Michigan State.
Boilers up 3 on MSU at half. Doubt we keep it up but who knows. Will have to check after game because just got on plane.
OK if Stu's time stamps on his last 2 posts are accurate then he must have used a transporter to get to his destination... just got on plane...2:14 posted at halftime no legs in 2nd half ...2:14. posted after the game?
Can't put anything past you... Got off the plane...saw my damn phone had put up a "double post"...so I just edited the second one since I don't have deleting powers.