In what is arguably the biggest Buckeyes vs. Boilermakers matchup since Jim Tressel called King Right 64 Y Shallow Swap, the #4 Purdue Boilermakers come to Value City Arena to tangle with the #9 Ohio State Buckeyes Wednesday night. You might know King Right 64 Y Shallow Swap by its more common name in Buckeye lore coined by Brent Musberger as “Holy Buckeye”.
Both Ohio State and Purdue look to continue their conference winning ways as the teams have combined for 15 straight Big Ten wins (nine for the Buckeyes) and are only separated by half a game in the conference standings for the top spot (which Ohio State currently shares with Michigan State).
Naismith and All- American front runner PG/F Evan Turner leads the way for Ohio State and has the chance this season to become the first 20-point, 10-rebound, five-assist player since, Larry Bird (according to SI.com’s Andy Glockner). Turner currently is averaging 19 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.
The biggest news might be the status of Ohio State sniper Jon Diebler. Diebler who was injured late in the victory over Illinois on Sunday will most likely be a game time decision. If he can’t go, the Buckeyes will have to lean on a seldom used bench to pick up the slack for the large hole that Dielbler would leave both from behind the arc and on the defensive side of the ball.
The Boilermakers counter with a six game in conference win streak of their own. Purdue is lead by their big forward Robbie Hummel and speedy G E’Twaun Moore, both of who are averaging more than 16 points per game. After JaJuan Johnson and his 14 points per game there is a dramatic decline in talent and ability which should lend itself well to the very top heavy Buckeyes.
All in all this will be a very tight game. You can never count out Ohio State with their ability to score from anywhere on the court. With a raucous crowd at Value City Arena you have to give the slight edge to the home standing Buckeyes and a 10th straight victory in conference.
Prediction: 68-63 Ohio State
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Good preview. I think you might be the only person to ever call E’Twaun speedy…On behalf of Smooge, I say thanks!
Thanks for the comment. From what I have seen of “Smooge” it might not be speed per se but a kind of fluid quickness that reminds me of Evan Turner. Turner is obviously the more well rounded player at this point but if Moore stays for his senior year he could elevate himself to that level.
If we see a similar improvement during this off-season, he’ll be an all-American. Coming into this season, everybody was talking about Hummel and Johnson, and the national media seemingly forgot about Moore…Hard to ignore him this season, that’s for sure.
From what I have seen he will have to improve and polish his game to be a First Team All-American but the potential is definitely there. I think it would be a HUGE mistake for Moore to come out this year. Jon Wall will be the #1 pick and I see Turner as 2 or 3 depending on how the lottery goes (living in DC I hope the Wizards take him so that I can watch him live). Moore coming out and being stacked up to players like that diminish his value. Another year at Purdue, more exposure with a solid team and polish to his game and he could possibly be a lottery pick.
But then you also have the possible lockout in 2011 so he might want to come out and get paid now before the lockout. Who knows.
Probably not adding to the drama of the actual game but Evan Turner and Robbie Hummel were both announced today as finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, which is awarded to the USBWA’s Player of the Year.
The other finalists (in alphabetical order):
Cole Aldrich, F, Kansas (6-11, 245, Jr., Bloomington, Minn.)
James Anderson, G, Oklahoma State (6-6, 210, Jr., Junction City, Ark.)
Sherron Collins, G, Kansas (5-11, 205, Sr., Chicago, Ill.)
DeMarcus Cousins, F, Kentucky (6-11, 260, Fr., Mobile, Ala.)
Devan Downey, G, South Carolina (5-9, 170, Sr., Chester, S.C.)
Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU (6-2, 195, Jr., Glens Falls, N.Y.)
Luke Harangody, F, Notre Dame (6-8, 246, Sr., Schererville, Ind.)
Robbie Hummel, F, Purdue (6-8, 208, Jr., Valparaiso, Ind.)
Damion James, G/F, Texas (6-7, 225, Sr., Nacogdoches, Texas)
Wesley Johnson, F, Syracuse (6-7, 205, Jr., Corsicana, Texas)
Dominique Jones, G, South Florida (6-4, 215, Jr., Lake Wales, Fla.)
Greg Monroe, C, Georgetown (6-11, 247, So., New Orleans, La.)
Scottie Reynolds, G, Villanova (6-2, 190, Se., Herndon, Va.)
Jon Scheyer, G, Duke (6-5, 190, Sr., Northbrook, Ill.)
Evan Turner, G/F, Ohio State (6-7, 205, So., Chicago, Ill.)
John Wall, G, Kentucky (6-4, 195, Fr., Raleigh, N.C.)
Shooting 28% is not going to help the Buckeyes win. Turner needs to give his team some smelling salts. He is showing why he is the player of the year.
Turnovers also won’t help. Diebler is definitely not himself.
68-63 might have been a high guess. Shades of the first matchup?
We know football is king and will always be king at The Ohio State University but my curiosity is peaked. Who is more popular on the OSU campus? Terrelle Pryor or Evan Turner? I think it would be a pretty close call. What do you think? Can we get an opinion poll going? Congratulation to Evan and the Basketball Bucks. They make us proud even with their lack of depth. GO BUCKS!!!!!!
I would think a lot would have to do with the season. It would definitely be a tough call. With Pryor coming off a Rose Bowl win I think it would be hard to dethrone him. But if Turner wins the Naismith and leads them deep into the big dance I would say Turner, until spring practice starts.
Be a winner with Dell!
Ohio State students can receive anywhere from a 10%-30% discount on Dell products!
Follow Dell University-Ohio on Facebook and
on Twitter at twitter.com/DellU_OH
for information on discounts, contests, prizes, and much more!