That one was fun, but it hurt. The Buckeyes stated slow as MSU started hot. The Spartans hit two early threes as Ohio State played sluggish and sloppy, something that didn’t please the coach none too well. Thad Matta became a man of the scarlet, as only as he can do. The fire came out and Matta whipped the Buckeyes into shape and the half continued apace, trading buckets and trading leads.
As the half came to a close, the Michigan Spartans pulled away from and led by seven. The second half started just as easily for the Spartans as they extended their lead and went up by 10 quickly.
Ohio State cut the Spartans lead to five, 37-32, but a couple bad offensive sets and YET ANOTHER THREE by Valentine put the Michigan Spartans up by 10 again. Then things got ugly.
Michigan rattled off a 13-2 run off as Adreian Payne, the bane of my existence, dominated LaQuinton Ross for two emphatic put-back jams and a three pointer. Everything was going Michigan’s way.
With a little more than seven minutes left, MSU led 55-38 and looked to be in cruise control.
After the under-eight time out, Ohio State brought the full court pressure and the defense turned up. They snuffed out the Spartan offense and made some nice plays as they pulled to within ten with four minutes left.
Then, Aaron Craft happened.
Buckeye fans, let me take this moment to remind you we only have Craft for a few more months. In no time, his ruddy cheeks, his gritty gritness, his everything will be moving on. Take the time now to savor and enjoy what he does night in and night out.
So back to the Aaron Craft happening. He found Sam Thompson on a beautiful ally-oop and then scored on a spectacular reverse lay-up that took Valentine out of the game and brought the Buckeyes to within three, 54-57. Aaron Craft is simply amazing, but it gets even better — he inbounds the ball to himself (off Payne’s butt (IN YOUR FACE, PAYNE)) and lays it in to bring his team to within one. That series of events defines what and who Aaron Craft is.
This team looked dead and bloated but Aaron Craft willed them to come back from down 17. SEVENTEEN. They outscored Michigan 20-3 and sent the game to overtime.
Overtime went back and forth but Gary Harris’ dagger three with 28 seconds put the Spartans up three and they wouldn’t relinquish that lead.
Marc Loving had a chance at the end for the tie with another three pointer, but wasn’t able to convert. Keith Appling was fouled and iced the game, 73-68.
Ball game.
[…] Close: Last night the Men’s basketball team fell to Michigan State in OT. Our Tony Rice did a nice recap last night after the game. The game seemed like it was going to get out of hand but the Buckeyes […]