IU 59 Ohio State 53

I don't know if it was because it was the game after the double-OT chaos in Champaign or if it was because both teams played zone all day, but that game was kind of boring. That's OK though, I really didn't need to get worked into a frenzy like I did for that Illinois game. All in all, a solid victory for the Hoosiers. They took the lead and never looked back in this one. Any time OSU cut it close, IU had an answer. Of course, this is another game where I think IU's opponent played a big part in IU coming out with the win. Ohio State was getting wide open looks against IU's lazy 2-3 but they couldn't hit anything. They made a few in a row in the 2nd half to make it interesting, but other than that, they were ice cold. IU only shot 1 FT before the final minute of the game. I don't know what DJ has to do to get a call. But the good thing is that DJ played tough and had a great game even though he was getting hacked all over the place. I still think IU needs to go to DJ more. He is dominating game after game, but most of his production comes off his own effort. Very little comes from well designed offense to get him the ball in good position. Feed him. For example, in today's game, IU has the ball up by 4 points with about a minute to go. IU lets the clock run down to 8 seconds before they even start anything and then settle for Bassett throwing up a highly contested 3 that he misses. I would much rather see IU try to pound it down to DJ on that possession for a high percentage chance of pushing the lead to 6 points (even if that happens a little earlier in the shot clock). My goodness, he was 10-15 from the field. A couple notes: * Bassett and Ellis did not start today because of being late to a Saturday film session. Morons. * Ratliff did not travel with the team again due to personal/family issues. Overall Team Performance: B Another solid road win and actually IU's biggest win to date according to RPI ratings. OSU was RPI #32. Only 7 turnovers and they were able to overcome only shooting 1 FT prior to the final minute of the game. However, that 2-3 zone ain't gonna cut it against Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Purdue. The 2-3 in college basketball is really a last resort. IU's man-to-man is really bad, but there are a lot of holes in that 2-3 and a team that moves the ball well and shoots the ball well will light it up. The man-to-man has shown flashes of being good when they crank up the intensity, Sampson needs to find a way to get these guys to play that way for 40 minutes. I really don't want to see the 2-3 against Wisconsin -- at least, I don't think it should be there main defense. Maybe for a few minutes here and there, but I think it is only a matter of time before they get burnt with playing zone for most of the game. D.J. White: A Hands down, the Big Ten Player of the Year. For 3 years and the first 3 or 4 games of this year, DJ White would only get rebounds that would bounce right to him. Now he is pulling in boards that he has no business getting. How many times today did he go up and get a board while surrounded by 3 white jerseys? Several. He was awesome again. Threw down 2 dunks in Kosta Doofus's face. 21 points and 13 rebounds. Another day at the office. Lance Stemler: D Try shooting lefty. Anything is better than the way his shot is looking lately. Another 0-4 from the arc today. Kyle Taber: C+ Another 1-1 today, so that is good. But had a bad turnover and another one that he was lucky did not end up a turnover. Jordan Crawford: A- Not his best shooting day, but had a really good all-around game. Also had a spin move on a fast break that left some whitey for OSU looking really stupid. 7 assists and 0 turnovers -- you have to like that. Also had 6 rebounds and 3 steals. In addition, hit both FTs in a one-and-one situation at the end of the game. Actually, Gordon also went 4-4 from the line in late-game one-and-ones, so the two freshmen combined for 6-6 in three one-and-one situations in the final minute to keep this game at two possessions or more. You have to like how IU has converted at the line at the end of these last two games. Eric Gordon: B- Nothing spectacular, but pretty solid and mostly under control. He hit his first two treys of the game and then cooled off. As mentioned above, the FTs at the end of the game were solid. Armon Bassett: C His defense looks just flat out lazy. Get your ass to film session on time. I don't like hearing that, especially when you've already been suspended for 3 games earlier in the year. Jamarcus Ellis: B- Stop hanging out with Bassett if you two fools can't get to film session on time. I know hangovers are tough, but you're young, you can do it. Even though Ellis only had 2 assists today, I thought he did a nice job passing the ball. He made several nice entry passes into the middle of the zone and back around the horn that often led to the next pass being the assist. Mike White: D Only a few minutes and looked terrible. DeAndre Thomas: did not play. Well, now they play the three best teams in the Big Ten all in a row. Fortunately, all 3 are at home and Sampson has never lost a Big Ten conference game at Assembly Hall. Let's hope that's a streak they can continue all the way into next year. First up is Wisconsin. It will be very interesting. Go Hoosiers!