Ohio State Derails Ramblin’ Wreck, Advances To Regionals
Ohio State was not sharp out of the gates, tallying only two points by the under-16 and only 6 at the under-12. The first half was dominated by several factors. First, Evan Turner rebounded from an outright forgettable game against UCSB on Friday. After some early long-range jumpers failed to fall, Turner found some wiggle room inside for layups and pull-up jumpers. That was about it for Ohio State in the first half. Minus some dunks by Lighty on Turner assists, no one else was really involved in point production. Diebler was fouled on an early 3pt attempt, but finished 0/4 from the field and Buford was scoreless. While Turner was keeping Ohio State in the game, Georgia Tech was failing to create any separation. Georgia Tech was not sharp in the first half. Turnover after turnover kept Ohio State within striking distance early while foul trouble for much of the big men, including three on Derrick Favors and Gani Lawal, kept them on the pine in the first half. Empty possessions for Georgia Tech resulted in them losing their first half lead.
Mistakes continued for Georgia Tech in the early parts of the second half while Ohio State was able to finally find its shooting stroke. 0/4 in the second half, Diebler caught fire. He finished with 6/12 on the game and 4/10 from the perimeter (20 points). The Buckeye offense all-around was much better and transition points off turnovers accumulated. Meanwhile, Ohio State was able to solve the length and depth problem in the interior with some stellar play by David Lighty in the interior. He did pick up a fourth foul with about eight minutes left, prompting Jeremie Simmons’ presence in the game. However, he more than flustered the taller Favors, forcing turnovers and offensive fouls. The Buckeyes padded a 14 point lead that had CBS cut away from the game to show Missouri-WVU before careless play from Ohio State resulted in an 11-0 run for Georgia Tech. Ohio State eventually made some (but certainly not all) of their free throws, benefited from a flagrant foul on a Lighty transition opportunity, and salted the game away.
The Buckeyes now advance to St. Louis, along with Big Ten compatriot Michigan State. The Buckeyes play old nemesis Tennessee next while Sparty tips off against Northern Iowa, who had the stunning upset of the no. 1 overall Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday. How many brackets had picked a Midwest Regional without the 1, 3 and 4 seeds?
It was a good day for shooty hoops all around. While the game did not carry any of the drama that Ohio State’s game against Georgia Tech did, the ladies routed St. Francis in their opening round game in Pittsburgh. They will again meet Mississippi State on Tuesday, who they beat last year in Columbus to advance to the Sweet 16.
Written by: Vico |
Looks like Thad is starting the “O-H-I-O” cheer.
Re the lady Buckeyes; CBS in western NY switched to the Vanderbilt game about 5 minutes into the OSU game. Evidently, it was becoming obvious at that point that the game was getting out of hand. for us.