Big game tomorrow.....Matta has never won in Madison where Bo Ryan's teams are brutally tough to beat. To make matters worse, the team will not have a chance for their typical morning shoot-around.....don't know the exact reason yet, but it can't be a good thing. Most talking heads I've heard like the Badgers in this one.....if young Sully doesn't shoot better at the line than he has in his last two outings, it will be a long afternoon since I suspect he'll be spending alot of time there.....defensive intensity, focus, patience and poise....this is where the seniors will need to provide leadership. Win or lose, this will be a great test and a great learning experience for these kids.....
Buckeye Terry, Something has to give tomorrow! Either our undefeated streak 24-0 or Wiskys 13-0 record at home. Fan polls on CBS are predicting a Buckeye win 54 to 48%. In addition to Matta's 0-5 record at Kohl Center, Diebler records on treys at Wisconsin is at the bottom of the list in conference play. (5) Gary Parrish (CBS) is predicting a win for Wisconsin and a 33-1 record for Ohio State going into March Madness. Should be a great game, but I am predicting a Buckeye win!
We lose at the Kohl Center again! Matta is now 0-6 in Madison. Difference today was our inability to defend the three point shot. Wisonsin capitalized on that and that was the difference in the game. Win streak is broken but I think we will still end up with a #1 seed in the Big Dance. Wisconsin is a very good and disciplined basketball team!
As advertised....tough team, coach, style and venue to play and win. Plenty of lessons to be learned by all. Kids played well, got up by 15 in the second half, started to celebrate and get a little sloppy and quick as a wink, it's a new game....all in all, I think it will turn out to be a positive experience for them all....
Wisconsin is more than good...they really have a great team. Size, speed, ball handling, and three point shooters. They did the same thing to Purdue when we played in Madison...the threes were raining down. Perhaps we could have defended a couple of them better, but those are big guys popping the treys...it was a pretty magical run. And I can't forget the two shots (in a row) for us that were way deep in the basket and bounced out during that same run. The kid who sealed the game at the end with a three to put them up five with 30 seconds left was 3 for 17 for the season... So it goes.
.....and had a huge offensive rebound after a great defensive possession by us late.....and so it goes. Stuff happens......I still like this team alot.
Buckeyes win at home aginst MSU 61-51, in a game much closer than the final score. MSU shot 60% from the floor and out rebounded Ohio State. Big problem for the Spartans was 19 turnovers and while Ohio State shot 29 times from the charity stripe to six for MSU. Sulinger had a difficult night but Buford was the main man for the offense. Aaron Craft continues to play great defense with some timely steals and assists. Next up will be Purdue in West Lafayette Sunday on CBS. No easy games down the strectch in my opinion.
Buford is a great offensive player....great shooter, can create off the dribble, take it to the rim, jump out of the gym and finish strong. Much underappreciated around the country in my view. Has always flown under the radar of a more visible star but is a bonafide first round pick.... I think Izzo's plan for Sully was straightforward but effective.....he is very deep in the middle and used them all to attack Sully offensively to make him work and get him in foul trouble and had numbers, size and strength to be very physical with him when we had the ball.....there are not many teams that have Izzo's numbers down low....good thing. With Kalin Lucas coming back to form, if I expect Sparty to finish strong and hurt somebody's feelings in the tourney. Tough trip coming up.....the Boilers will be more than ready, as will our buddy Stu!
OSU loss to Wisc shows how much home crowd can mean in college basketball. Irish beat Wisconsin on a neutral floor back in Nov, probably wouldn't have at Madison. Fortuneately NCAA tournament is on neutral courts.
I think you're selling the Irish short....they are capable of beating anybody, anywhere. I know what you're up to.....nice try tho! :lol: Speaking of which, looks like it's Texas turn in the #1 barrel....good luck. We've got a big one coming up -v- the Boilers which could have a bearing on tourney seeds.....big game for both.
You do know most of our players are walkons and majoring in Theortical Physic's, Engineering or Pre-Dental. Only get to practice a few hours a week, good kids though! :twisted: :twisted:
With regard to good home court advantages....I'm watching the Purdue/Wisc game and of the 38 Purdue/Wisc games played at Purdue....Purdue has won 36 of them.
Purdue wins at home. Whisky hits only 3 of 19 treys! Go figure as hotter than a firecracker at home when they beat us. Home court does have its advantages!
Stu, Any thoughts on tomorrow's game? The Boilers have been tough at home and I think we will be fortunate if we can escape with a win.
Don, Stu.... At the beginning of the year I marked this one down as a loss for us and feel the same now.....it would be a great accomplishment for these kids to sneak out of there with a win, but I'm not counting on it....
Sorry, Don...been busy and not on 'puter much. Boilers continue to improve and play well at home. But as before, my money is on the Buckeyes. Just too many weapons. Should be a heckuva game...but thought we'd show up better in the last one. I'm gonna miss it...will be in a loge at the United Center for a Blackhawks-Redwings game...unless they got a TV in there.
Stu, I had an invite to attend the Blackhawks game but had to pass because of illness in the family. I'll be rooting from afar for the hometown team.