What an emotional rollercoaster the Buckeyes have given their fans. Just this past week we saw Ohio State dominate the Illini in Champlain then lose a heartbreaker at home to Purdue–a game billed as a must win to keep hopes of a Big Ten title alive.
That loss (and most likely some Coach Matta encouragement) must have inspired the Scarlet and Grey as they came out hot against Michigan State, pulled off the upset and grabbed a virtual tie with Purdue and MSU at the top of the Big Ten standings.
What can you say about Evan Turner that hasn’t already been said? He has played inspired basketball all season. When he broke his back he could have taken it easy, and let it heal and sacrificed his teammates for his own personal gain. Instead he made an early comeback and lead the Buckeyes on a charge to the top of the conference standings. Not only that, with three big games on the glass against three below average teams, Turner could be the first player since Larry Bird to average 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The schedule makers didn’t do the Buckeyes any favors last week scheduling Purdue and MSU back to back but they more than made up for it with the cupcake schedule this week. The Buckeyes travel to lowly Penn State on Wednesday where they will “clash” with the 10-16 (2-12) Nittany Lions. This would be a good opportunity to build a healthy lead in the first half and let the starters take in the sites for the rest of the game and see what the reserves can do.
Saturday brings the Wolverines into Value City Arena but don’t expect the hype of “The Game”. Michigan is trying to hang on to a .500 record overall and just get back to even in conference. This might be your classic trap game but Evan Turner is on the verge of becoming the first ever Buckeye basketball player (men’s or women’s) to be voted the Player of the Year. That goal, combined with a chance at a regular season Big Ten title and the hatred of Michigan should lead to a double digit victory.
A 2-0 mark this week and a MSU victory over Purdue would set the Buckeyes up for at least a share of the Big Ten title and a high seed in the NCAA tournament next month.
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Wow it’s quiet in here. We just won at least a share of the regular season Big 10 tourney and I like our outlook on winning the conference tourney. Go Bucks.
Sorry, stupid actual work has gotten in my way of writing a new post. It also doesn’t help that with clinching the #1 seed in the Big Ten tourney and finishing the regular season before anyone else that our Champion Buckeyes won’t play a game for 10 days. I will hopefully have something over to Jim to post sometime this weekend and we can get a discussion going on the tourney.