Ohio State – Team Notes « Elite Article Source

13Mar/10Off

Ohio State – Team Notes

Evan Turner was a senior in high school the last time Ohio State hit such an important 3-pointer. Ron Lewis' miracle 3 to send a second-round NCAA Tournament game against Xavier into overtime three years ago ignited a magical run that didn't end until the national championship game.

Now, prep pal Demetri McCamey and Illinois stand between Turner and the Big ten tournament title game.

How far the Buckeyes will roll following Turner's buzzer beater against Michigan on Friday is yet to be determined, but it immediately became one of the more memorable shots in school history.

Now Ohio State will face Illinois on Saturday in a Big ten tournament semifinal in Indianapolis. The Buckeyes swept the season series from the Illini, winning by an average of 12 1/2 points. The Buckeyes looked rusty in their quarterfinal game against Michigan following a nine-day layoff, and even coach Thad Matta conceded they didn't play very well.

but Turner's 35-foot heave was just another example of why he is one of the best players in the country. More importantly, it kept alive Ohio State's chances of landing a no. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Buckeyes will likely have to win the conference tournament in order to have a legitimate claim to a top seed. a loss to the Wolverines could have dropped Ohio State to a no. 3 seed.

OHIO STATE 69, MICHIGAN 68: Evan Turner's 35-foot heave at the buzzer gave the Buckeyes a stunning win over Michigan in the Big ten tournament quarterfinals. Turner's shot answered Manny Harris' jumper for the Wolverines, which temporarily put Michigan ahead 68-66 with 2.2 seconds left. Turner finished with 18 points and eight assists. William Buford and David Lighty each added 15 points.

NOTES, QUOTES

--Evan Turner struggled with his shot most of the day before hitting the game winner. He was just 5 of 14 from the field before the final heave. More impressively, he has made all five of his 3-point attempts dating back to his last miss on Feb. 24 against Penn State.

--It was overlooked by Turner's heroics, but David Lighty hit a big runner in the lane to tie the game against Michigan at 66 in the final minute. Lighty finished with 15 points and provides a legitimate no. 2 option with experience to pair with Turner. Lighty is the only remaining player from Ohio State's run to the national championship game three years ago.

--Dallas Lauderdale had a tough afternoon while battling foul trouble. Lauderdale played just 15 minutes and had Michigan's Manny Harris hit what appeared to be the game winner over his outstretched arm. Lauderdale is Ohio State's only legitimate big man and must stay out of foul trouble for defensive purposes in future games.

--The Buckeyes have won 18 basketball conference championships, including 12 outright.

--Thad Matta's 67-33 record after 100 games at Ohio State is second only to Fred Taylor among coaches. Taylor, who took over in 1959, was 75-25 through his first 100 games. Taylor coached the school's only national championship in 1960 and now has a street named after him on campus.

POSTSEASON OUTLOOK: The Buckeyes have a slim chance at a no. 1 seed, but will have to win the tournament. The victory against Michigan likely secured a no. 2 seed, although a loss could've dropped them to a three. Ohio State is one of the hottest teams in the country, having won five straight and 11 of its last 12.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We've got great players coming in. if we can keep the band together for one more year with what we're adding, it's exciting." -- coach Thad Matta

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

SEASON RECAP: Ohio State withstood the back injury to Evan Turner to win a Big ten regular season championship for the third time in five years. Coach Thad Matta has won at least 20 games every season in Columbus and the Bucks enter the postseason winning 10 of their last 11. their non-conference losses have been to Butler, West Virginia and North Carolina (early in the season). They are no worse than a no. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, could make a run at a no. 1 seed and are tremendous threats to make a deep run into March.

PLAYER ROTATION: Usual Starters -- G Evan Turner, G Jon Diebler, F David Lighty, F William Buford, C Dallas Lauderdale. Key Subs -- F Kyle Madsen, G P.J. Hill, G Jeremie Simmons

Ohio State 75, Penn State 67

Ohio State 66, Michigan 55

Ohio State 73, Illinois 57

Ohio State 69, Michigan 68 (Big ten tournament quarterfinal)

vs. Illinois, March 13 (Big ten tournament semifinal)

IN FOCUS: The Buckeyes are the top seed in the tournament for the third time in the last five years. They won it in 2007, when they went on to the national championship game, and lost in the Big ten finals to Iowa in 2006. They are one game away from the conference tournament title game.

--Evan Turner recently took part in a cover shoot for Sports Illustrated. Turner doesn't know when he'll be on the cover, but it will likely be the magazine's March Madness preview.

--Walk-on and Club Trillion blog sensation mark Titus had surgery this week to repair a torn labrum. Titus had been hurt for weeks, but put off the surgery so he could be in uniform for Senior Night. He was the only of the Bucks' players in tears.

--Jon Diebler broke out of his shooting funk in the season finale against Illinois, making 7 of 14 3-pointers. Diebler had struggled with his shot since injuring his wrist Feb. 14 against Illinois. Diebler's wrist appears to be feeling better and the results, at least against the Illini, were evident.

Ohio State - Team Notes