Another solid week of basketball from the Buckeyes as the prepare for the toughest week of basketball they’ll face until tournament time. This isn’t going to be easy. A pissed-off Michigan team tonight could be quite the buzzsaw for the Buckeyes. And then Indiana on Sunday. I think we all can agree that emerging from this daisy cutter of a week with one win will be quite the achievement. Win them both? Thad Matta gets a statue out front of the Schottenstein center.

Week in Review

1/29/13: Wisconsin 49 – #11 Ohio State 58 (16-4, 6-2 Big Ten)

Wisconsin acted like they were allergic to the painted area and were throwing up threes like it was their job. It turns out that they are really bad at their jobs and should probably be fired, or at least sent back to washing the dishes. Especially that ginger. They can’t run the registers like that. They hit 36.5% of the field goal attempts and took ZERO free throws. This game was not a great showing for the Badgers.

Deshaun Thomas led the way with 25. Laquinton Ross chipped in 8 points including a promising 2-2 from beyond the arc.

2/2/13: Nebraska 56 – #11 Ohio State 63 (17-4, 7-2 Big Ten)

First off, I really have to tip my hat to the Nebraska fans. They were really into this game, making more noise than I thought a Nebraska crowd could muster for a basketball game. They came alive at key points in the game, especially when it was closer than it really had any right to be.

This game shouldn’t have ever been that close, but it was. Nebraska got solid, even inspired, play out of their big man Andre “Big Continent” Almeida, pulling down 8 rebounds (3 of them offensive) and 3 blocks. For a guy who has got the vertical of a tortoise, he was nimble on his feet and used his substantial mass and personal gravitational field to his benefit most effectively.

On the Buckeye’s side, Amir Williams asserted himself in the first half, pulling down rebounds and getting to the free throw line. Lenzelle Smith was the game’s top scorer, accounting for 21 of the Buckeyes 63 points and hopefully getting used to scoring when Deshaun is having an off-night or is getting the majority of the defensive attention.

Week in Preview

2/5/13 @ 9 PM (ESPN) #3 Michigan (20-2, 7-2 Big Ten) vs #10 Ohio State (17-4, 7-2 Big Ten)

This game is a make or break for Michigan, really. They’ve now lost on Ohio State and Indiana’s home courts and MUST defend home court if they want to be counted among the elite. I think Ohio State is going to have its hands full and more this evening against Michigan. Aaron Craft did a number (proving he’s the best PG in the B1G in the process) against Trey Burke last time these two teams met and you’ve got to believe that Burke will take that challenge personally. If he’s on and Craft can’t stop him, it’s going to be a long night.

Michigan also has too much talent around Burke to struggle like this forever. If Stauskas or Tim Hardaway Jr. can hit open shots, Michigan is going to have smooth sailing. But if Ohio State’s defense continues to stymy the Michigan offense and holds Burke in check, Michigan fans are going to be despondent. (Please let this happen, basketball gods)

2/10/13 @ 1 PM (CBS) #1 Indiana (20-2, 8-1 Big Ten) at Ohio State (17-4, 7-2 Big Ten)

I really, really, really want to be Indiana this Sunday. It’s just two days after my birthday. I’ll take a victory as a belated birthday gift, Buckeyes. I won’t even be mad.

The Buckeyes take one from Nebraska, 63-56 in a game that felt closer at times than the final score would indicate.

The Buckeyes got off to a quick start in the first half, going up by nine points early, only to see the lead disappear as the Huskers fought back, taking a lead 14-12. After back and forth, Ohio State took a convincing lead as the first half came to a close, punctuated by a steal by Aaron Craft that led to a Deshaun Thomas dunk.

Amir Williams had a solid half, aggressively going to the basket and drawing numerous fouls. Williams still needs to develop a strong move up with the ball when he gets rebounds around the basket. Too often when he gets the ball around his waist he struggles to get the ball back up to the hoop. He gets bailed out by the fouls but if he was able to go up strong, he would be unstoppable.

The second half started out like the first half ended, with the Buckeyes pushing the lead up to 13 points. As the second half waned, Nebraska slowly worked themselves back into the game due to some poor Buckeye shooting and decent defense and rebounding by the Cornhuskers. They would get as close as five but an acrobatic reverse layup by Craft and timely free throws at the end maintained the lead for the Buckeyes.

Lenzelle Smith was the high scorer in the game, leading everyone with 21 points. Amir Williams pulled down eight rebounds and had three blocks.

The Buckeyes now wait to see how the Michigan/Indiana game plays out before the Buckeyes take the Wolverines on again in Ann Arbor next Tuesday and welcome the Hoosiers to Columbus on Sunday.

Anytime Wisconsin is in town (or playing basketball ever), you know you’re in for, if nothing else, a really dragging, boring anti-excitement basketball game. Bo Ryan’s going to bore you to death and hope he can take the opposition down with you. Lulling you to sleep with 34-second possesion after 34-second possession.

What we actually got were three million three point attempts (28 but who’s counting) by Wisconsin versus a fairly well spread offensive attack and another swarming defensive effort by the Buckeyes.

Both teams got off to a blistering start, scoring not three, not four, but five points in the first six plus minutes of the first half. Yep, we were playing Wisconsin.

Ohio State initially got solid production going though Deshaun Thomas, with DT scoring the first eight points. Buckeyes went away from Thomas, looking for another scorer to step up the challenge. Aaron Craft scored eight points in the first half, mostly going to the rim.

The second half was a close back and forth match until the Buckeyes, aided by scorers not named Thomas (just kidding, it was mostly Thomas), went on a 15-0 run while the defense forced Wisconsin into some ill advised shots while they went cold, missing seven straight.

It also helped that Wisconsin considered the lane to be lava with very little scoring in the paint and headed to the free-throw line zero times. Not going to win very many games not getting to the free throw line.

Overall, LaQuinton Ross pitched in with a couple timely threes, Aaron Craft tossed in 13 points and pulled down a team leading 7 rebounds. Deshaun led everyone with 25.

The Buckeyes move into third place with a 6-2 record in the Big Ten.

Coming off a disappointing loss to Michigan State, this week the Buckeyes faced two of the bottom three teams in the B1G. Just what the doctor ordered.

Week in Review

1/22/2013: Ohio State 72 – Iowa 63 (14-4, 4-2 Big Ten)

The buckeyes throughly dominating the Hawkeyes until the last few minutes of the game. I hate to focus on the negative in a win, but the team did not handle the full court pressure well. It led to a very sloppy second half. It is an old cliché, but the team appeared to lose focus with such a large lead. I think the entire team fell victim to this trap and were not able to regain the mental edge that led to the 24 point lead. That being said, the Buckeyes were able to hold off Iowa for a much-needed win.

1/26/2013: Ohio State 65 – Penn State 51 (15-4, 5-2 Big Ten)

The Buckeyes controlled this game from beginning to end. They were never in danger. A few spurts of poor shooting, specifically from DT (4-13 for the game) led to a below average score. All in all, a result you would expect against a win less (in B1G) opponent. The Buckeyes are still searching (isn’t it getting a little late in the season) for consistent 2nd and 3rd scorers. Sam Thompson filled that void against the Nittany Lions. He played an excellent game with 16 points on 6-7 shooting. Let’s hope Sam and the rest of the supporting cast can continue to improve their consistency. It will be sorely needed in the loaded back-end of the B1G schedule. Games the rest of the season include Indiana x2, Wisconsin x2, Michigan, Minnesota, Michigan State.

Week in Preview

1/29/2013 @ 7 PM (ESPN) Wisconsin (5-2 Big Ten) vs Ohio State (5-2 Big Ten)

The pesky Badgers led by Bo Ryan always play the Buckeyes tough. This is an important game as the winner will remain near the top fo the B1G race.

2/2/2013 @ 7 PM (BTN) Nebraska (2-6 Big Ten) vs Ohio State (5-2 Big Ten)

The real question about this game is how does Nebraska have 2 wins in the B1G? They looked awful against the Buckeyes in the B1G opener. Should be an easy win.

In other news…

We cannot review this weeks’ happenings without a mention of Matta’s contract revision. Details of the contract restructure can be found here and here. Well documented by Bob Baptist of the Dispatch.

I know there are varying opinions out there about Matta’s tenure at OSU. As far as I am concerned, he can stay as long as he wants.

Ohio State @ Michigan State – Shootyhoops live chat

(Today’s Michigan State Preview comes courtesy of guest writer Joe Ginley (Twitter: @JoeGinley). Joe is a student at John Carroll University, a Buckeye fan and contributes to a variety of news outlets, including Spartan Nation and the Plain Dealer)

Saturday’s showdown in East Lansing between #11 Ohio State and #18 Michigan State is a vital game for both squads. Though the two teams enter the contest from totally different positions, both the Buckeyes and the Spartans will be looking to establish themselves with a significant conference win on Saturday.

The Buckeyes have a major challenge ahead in the form of Michigan State. Ohio State is coming off a huge 56-53 win over That Team Up North, and riding high after point guard Aaron Craft and Co. spelled Michigan’s Trey Burke and the Michigan offense. Ohio State turned in an exceptional effort early in the game, racing to a 29-8 lead in the first thirteen minutes of the contest. The Buckeyes proved they can match up with some of the best the NCAA has to offer in the triumph over the then-second ranked Wolverines. But the Bucks can’t rest on their laurels in the upcoming game against the Spartans. Michigan State is a dangerous team, especially with a hometown crowd behind it.

Tom Izzo’s Spartans (15-3, 4-1) have not had an easy journey to this point. Injuries, less than stellar play at times and a recent altercation have all hampered the Green and White. Two of Michigan State’s top players, guards Branden Dawson and Gary Harris, have both caused concern this season. Harris has had repeated problems with both shoulders, while Dawson recently had knee trouble. Dawson had the MSU faithful holding their breath when he crumpled to the floor, holding his surgically repaired left knee during Michigan State’s 66-56 win over Nebraska on Sunday. “I was like, ‘Oh crap, there goes the season,’” MSU starting center Derrick Nix said. However, Dawson only tweaked his knee and was soon back in the game, a huge break for the Spartans.

Dawson was the source of anxiety once again when the sophomore engaged in an altercation with junior center Adreian Payne on Wednesday morning. The scuffle between the off-campus roommates began with some needling, but ended up in a small fist fight. Punches were thrown, damaging a wall at the Nittany Lion Inn, where the incident took place. Minor injuries were sustained, but nothing to keep either Spartan from competing. Izzo quickly cleared up the situation, as he benched both players for the first half of MSU’s game on Wednesday night against Penn State. “I spent my entire afternoon meeting with the players involved, and they are sincerely remorseful,” Izzo said following the skirmish. The Spartans went on to beat PSU, 81-72. After the game, Izzo complimented the two on how they handled the situation. “I like the way they both responded. They resolved it. It was joking like you do with your brother.”

Michigan State has also been plagued by poor play against lesser teams. The Spartans sneaked by Louisiana-Lafayette and Iowa with narrow three point victories, but were burned in an upset loss to Miami earlier in the season. Michigan State can come out sluggish against a weaker opponent, but the Spartans can also go toe-to-toe with powerhouses such as Kansas, who MSU defeated earlier in the season, 67-64.

Ohio State can expect to play the same type of game it played against Michigan State. The Spartans feature a stout defense that is third in the Big Ten in allowing only 58.5 points per game. MSU will likely hold the Buckeyes under 70 points, as Izzo’s squad has only allowed opponents to exceed that amount three times this season. OSU already plays at a slow pace on offense, not helping its cause. The Bucks will rely on Deshaun Thomas for points, as they have done all season. Thomas will need to duplicate the 20 point performance he notched against the Wolverines. Ohio State will also require production from Craft and sophomore forward Sam Thompson, who both notched nine points last Sunday.

The Buckeyes, known for their tough defense, will have to keep up that reputation against the Spartans. Michigan State has a number of offensive weapons, ranging from Dawson to junior guard Keith Appling. Though MSU is primarily known for its defense, the Spartans can light it up on offense, as they did against Penn State on Wednesday, scoring 52 points in the second half.

Schematically, if OSU can take away Michigan State playmakers Dawson and Harris, the zone defense can be an effective tool in stopping the Spartans. In the first half on Wednesday, the Nittany Lions utilized a 3-2 zone, holding MSU to 29 points. At the same time, the Buckeyes can also be vulnerable to a zone defense, as proven on Sunday. Ohio State excelled when facing Michigan’s man defense but did not do as well when challenged by a zone defense.

Look for this game to be a classic Big Ten brawl. Both OSU’s Deshaun Thomas and MSU’s Branden Dawson will be critical to the success of their respective teams. But the outcome will depend on which team’s secondary playmakers can take control. For Ohio State, Aaron Craft has to continue his stellar defense and also produce a lot of offense. Sam Thompson needs to have a solid day on offense. Big men Amir Williams and Evan Ravenal must secure rebounds and pick up points in the paint. For Michigan State, production from guards Gary Harris, sophomore Travis Trice and junior Keith Appling will be crucial. Trice and Appling are an especially dangerous pair when on the court together. Centers Derrick Nix and Adreian Payne also need to have solid outings for the Spartans to emerge victorious.

Regardless of the outcome, Saturday’s matchup between two stellar Big Ten foes (set for 6 PM on ESPN) should be an indication of where Ohio State and Michigan State stand in a highly competitive conference that boasts six teams ranked in the top 25.