We had quite a week for the Ohio State Men’s Basketball team. Two games, a video and a mention in the Wall Street Journal. To the week:
(1) Ohio St 70 v. Iowa 48 – If there ever was proof of the value of home court advantage, it was this week. After Iowa played Ohio State tough on their court they were thoroughly beaten on Ohio State’s.
David Lighty and William Buford led the way with 18 and 15 points respectively. Oh, and freshman Aaron Craft tied a record with seven steals. No big thing.
A couple days later, The Wall Street Journal asked if Ohio State is College Basketball’s Next Power? There’s nothing here you didn’t already know, but what a boon it was to hire Thad Matta in 2004.
And then there was this:
Unfortunately once it has been seen it can never, ever be unseen.
(1) Ohio St 73 v. (22) Illinois 68 – Again, revisiting the home court advantage – Illinois played Ohio State tough all the way through this slug-fest and the home court clearly energized the Illini.
The Buckeyes didn’t play their best game, but it was enough to weather multiple runs that Illinois went on.
And what more can we say about Aaron Craft? This was clearly his week to shine (video above not withstanding). After playing some shut down defense against Iowa, he basically bottled Demetri McCamey up (who only scored 5 points) and hit clutch free-throws while visibly nervous in the final seconds of Saturday’s game. He took on the pressure like a champ.
Up next week, games against Purdue on Tuesday (1/25) and text-book trap game at Northwestern on Saturday (1/29).
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