Ohio State vs Miami (Big Ten vs. ACC challenge)

[ScarletBlooded]

The marquee matchup against the Buckeyes, before our real hard test against Notre Dame this upcoming weekend. I haven't done much scouting against Miami (FL), so I'm not sure what style of ball they play but I know the Bucks are poised to win this battle against their ACC opponent, after losing the last 2 to North Carolina. I can sense a close win for the Bucks here because they're gonna need all the momentum they can get against nationally ranked Notre Dame who put a massive beatdown on their in-state rival Indiana earlier in the season. The game is televised on ESPN at 7:00 EST.

The men's basketball game against the Hurricanes is in Miami, Florida tonight, but for those in the Columbus area, the women's team is also facing a tough ACC opponent, North Carolina at Value City Arena also scheduled to start at 7:00 EST.

[Nate]

Thanks for posting these games.  I"ll do a better job of getting them on the front page.  I"ve been busy at work and sick of late. 

We're getting our tails kicked right now by Miami.  Hopefully we can come back.

[ScarletBlooded]

No problem. Get well soon Nate and I know how work tends to get very hectic during the holidays. 

As far as this game goes...the word "Ouch!" comes to mind. The 'Canes are clearly playing like the better team and this is without their star player on the floor after getting ejected. Once again the Bucks are playing tentative on offense but what's upsetting me is that they're getting loose on defense as well, which is why the 'Canes have been hitting the boards more and getting easy shots.

This team definitely needs a talking to from their coach and see if they can spark a strong comeback because if they can't get it done, they're very unprepared for their upcoming game against the Irish. The offense and the defense needs to click now or this game is lost.

[ScarletBlooded]

WOW! What an epic comeback! Coach Matta must've gave the Bucks one hell of a speech because they focused on the fact that Miami's star player was unable to play, the ejection of course and never looked back but man was it close. Much thanks to Diebler and Turner making the shots needed to be made as well as Lauderdale's much improved effort. B.J. Mullens felt some pressure in that game but in due time he will over come it, due to the great 73-68 win posted by the Bucks.

They must never let up though. #7 ranked Notre Dame is next and they gotta push hard for an epic win. An upset is not impossible, but it sure won't be easy.

Go Bucks! 

[FlaBuck]

Great comeback from the youngsters...............

We need to make our shots inside the paint more consistantly.

Way to take one from the Canes................ :cool:

[AutoModGod]

B.J. Mullens felt some pressure in that game but in due time he will over come it

I didn't see much of the game .. only the last 6 minutes (too many Christmas lights to put up outside and too little time).  How did Mullens play overall?  I only saw him in the game for 1 play.  On that play he took the ball to the rack, got fouled and then missed both free throws.  I thought for sure his missed free throws were going to cost us that game.  Matta must not have been too happy either because he parked BJ on the pine.  Fortunately, Turner hit enough free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

What happened on the ejection?

[ScarletBlooded]

Despite Mullens being 1-4 from the charity line, he finished the game with 5 points and 9 rebounds, showing more defensive effort around the second half. I was afraid that he would cost us that game too, I had my hands over my face in dismay seeing him miss those shots but Evan Turner came through for us.

The ejection happened in the first half. Anthony Crater was attempting a steal just as Jack McClinton from Miami was passing the ball and Crater's hand got some of McClinton's face incidentally but no foul was called, although I don't think it would've been called in time anyway because McClinton immediately retaliated by slapping Crater across the face and the players on the court nearly got in each other's faces but the refs stopped them in time. After reviewing what happened, Jack was sent packing as the refs booted him out of the game.

Kind of a controversial win but we'll take it nonetheless.

[Nate]

It's a road win against a tough opponent.  That will look very good on our NCAA resume to the selection committee.

[AutoModGod]

Despite Mullens being 1-4 from the charity line, he finished the game with 5 points and 9 rebounds, showing more defensive effort around the second half. I was afraid that he would cost us that game too, I had my hands over my face in dismay seeing him miss those shots but Evan Turner came through for us.

The ejection happened in the first half. Anthony Crater was attempting a steal just as Jack McClinton from Miami was passing the ball and Crater's hand got some of McClinton's face incidentally but no foul was called, although I don't think it would've been called in time anyway because McClinton immediately retaliated by slapping Crater across the face and the players on the court nearly got in each other's faces but the refs stopped them in time. After reviewing what happened, Jack was sent packing as the refs booted him out of the game.

Kind of a controversial win but we'll take it nonetheless.

Thanks, Scarlet.  That fills in the pieces of the puzzle for me.

Turned in last night just in time to see the women snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against N. Carolina.  I think I am bad luck to them as they immediately went into the tank after I turned it on. 

Ohio State women's basketball has been on the same level for some time, IMO.  We are pretty good, but not good enough to play with the elite 3 or 4 programs in the country.  That is kind of the nature of Women's BBall, I think.

[terrelle#1]

  I thought that the commentary on the game focused way to much on the fact that they lost their best and not on the fact that we simply outworked Miami in the second half.  Our defense might be able to hold down Notre Dame's offense.  But I doubt our offense, playing as spuratically as they have been, can outscore their offense.

  I was impressed with Deibler and Turner in the second half, and Lauderdale could end up being a force in the paint for the next couple years.