It is Valentine’s Day (at least it is as I’m typing this), so I feel like professing my love for something. I love when the Buckeyes score 20 consecutive points. I don’t even care what the sport is. Heck, they can score 20 straight runs on the baseball field this spring for all I care.
Ohio State decided basketball was its sport of choice Tuesday night. The spurt, which stretched a 12-12 tie into a 32-12 lead, was all the Scarlet and Gray really needed before putting it on cruise control en route to a 78-68 victory. Granted, watching the Buckeyes coast for most of the game was somewhat frustrating at times, but the game was never really in doubt after the surge (even with Mike Tirico playing head cheerleader for the Minnesota comeback effort from behind the microphone).
The game itself, with the Gophers clawing back from Ohio State’s early first half run, was somewhat of a metaphor for Minnesota’s season. The Gophers endured a huge blow early in the year when Trevor Mbakwe – probably their best player – was lost for the season with an ACL tear. But Tubby Smith’s bunch has battled back nicely, remaining in the hunt for an NCAA tournament appearance despite Tuesday’s loss.
I also happen to love when the Dr. Jekyll version of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde William Buford show makes an appearance on game day. Ohio State’s lone senior, who carried the team last week against Purdue but was virtually nonexistent versus Michigan State, scored the team’s first seven points on his way to a game high 24. Jared Sullinger also added 23 points, but it was Buford who hit the clutch shot or grabbed one of his key eight rebounds whenever the Gophers made the contest a little too close for comfort.
Outside of Buford’s night, it was encouraging to see somewhat of a freshmen orientation on the court, as Shannon Scott, Amir Williams, and Sam Thompson (who again got to show gravity who’s boss with an electrifying dunk) all received significant playing time. In fact, all three were in the game together during the integral part of the 20-0 run while Sully and Aaron Craft rested.
Tubby Smith, who loves to constantly rotate his players, must have put something in the drinking water in Minnesota because Thad Matta, in a very non Matta-esque way, found a way to play ten Buckeyes in the first half.
On that note, I would like to see Williams, who was a heralded recruit coming out of high school, continue to get minutes instead of Evan Ravenel down the stretch. Williams is more athletic, blocks shots, and changes Ohio State’s look on defense. Ravenel just takes up space.
The Bucks seemed to clean up some of the problems that plagued them during the Michigan State loss over the weekend. Sullinger himself pointed out that the team played like “spoiled brats” against the Spartans, with selfish offense and constant whining to the officials. There was far less complaining and far tougher play on the inside, as the Buckeyes outrebounded and outhustled the Gophers.
While I am not a fan of many ESPN personalities (no self respecting Buckeye fan should be after the way they covered Tressel and tattoo-gate), Dan Dakich does a nice job analyzing the game. He talked about how Ohio State has been struggling with communication problems on defense, especially with ball screens (and even off-ball screens). Basically, the defenders never seemed to be on the same page with each other against either Sparty or Purdue, causing a number of easy baskets. This issue too was (for the most part) cleaned up in Minnesota, as the Bucks, led by Craft’s six steals, played better overall individual and team defense.
The victory marked Ohio State’s fifth straight win over the Golden Gophers and was a much needed lift after struggling at home last week. For the time being the Buckeyes sit a half game ahead of the idle Spartans – who play Wisconsin Thursday – in the Big Ten standings.
More importantly, it’s on to M*ch*g@n Saturday. Here’s to hoping the Bucks go on ten 20-0 runs against the Weasels.
