Buckeye Blogger NetworkThe Bucks are coming home after an emotionally difficult loss to the Michigan State Spartans. Up next is a tougher-than-expected Iowa squad that may be looking to steal one in Columbus. Let’s take a glance.
This is the State Bird of Iowa, not Herky. Do not be fooled.
School: University of Iowa
Location: Iowa City, IA
Founded: 1847
Student Population: 31,498 total, 20,574 undergrad
School Type: Public
Stadium: Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Seating: 15,500
Opened: 1983
Head Coach: Fran McCaffrey
Experience: 3rd year
Walk-On Alex Barlow hit the most critical shot of the season so far.
Ok…..so they weren’t the only ones to lose this week but it’s always fun to say the number one team lost unless it’s the Buckeyes! This past week featured no newcomers to the dance but did feature some games that will surely mix things up in the Top 25 and probably make some room for one or two new teams. Looking ahead to this upcoming week two feature matchups put (9) Kansas traveling to meet our 7th ranked Buckeyes and (10) Illinois visiting (12) Missouri. There are some other interesting games as well so let’s dive in!
Here’s a look at the Top 25 Week Ahead and Week in Review.
1. Indiana (9-1) Previous Rank: 1
Past Week: 12/15 Butler, L 86-88 OT
Upcoming: 12/19 Mount Saint Mary’s & 12/21 Florida Atlantic
Indiana brought their home cooking to the road this week but couldn’t overcome Butler as they lost to the Bulldogs in OT! No worries though they face no one that can challenge them this week though.
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College basketball hasn’t been friendly to Indiana Hoosier fans over the last few seasons. When it comes to hoops in Bloomington, there is no room for head coaches to breathe.
So when Tom Crean takes to the bench for the 4th year as the head Hoosier man, Indiana fans might be hoping that the Michigan native is on a short leash.
But with the top recruit of 2011 now on campus, and a very impressive 2012 class on it’s way, it looks like Crean is here to stay– for better or worse.
This afternoon we continue our preparation for the upcoming B1G season by previewing the one of the nations most beloved basketball schools. Ladies and Gentleman, The Indiana Hoosiers.
Welcome to the last liveblog of the 2010-2011 Basketball Season! Today’s game pits the 8 seed Butler Bulldogs and the 3 seed Connecticut Huskies who finished the season ranked 9th in the Big East.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the National Championship is a Pillowfight!
Come join all of your favorite bloggers as we watch these teams struggle for the highest honor in College Basketball. It should be quite the party!
The game starts at 9:00 PM Eastern Time, the LiveBlog will go at 8:30 PM (despite what the CoveritLive box says). Hope to see you all here!
Holy crap.
For those who have given up on basketball for the rest of the season (not that I can blame you) here’s your update on the tournament.
For the first time since the tournament increased to 64 teams, all 4 number 1 seeds failed to make the Final Four. While we’re still waiting on the result of Kentucky and North Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth just took out the last #1 seed 71-61 for their first ever trip to the final four. This is only the third time in history that an 11 seed has made the final four, with George Mason in 2006 and LSU in 1986 being the first two.
Congrats to Shaka Smart for succeeding with all of the chips stacked against him. VCU is the only team to make the final four after having to win 5 tournament games. They will next face the 8 seeded Butler Bulldogs, likely to be a fantastic basketball game.
Welcome to today’s LiveBlog! The Buckeyes welcome the Indiana Hoosiers into the friendly confines of Value City Arena for a rematch of their late December meeting. The Hoosiers are desperately looking for another conference so they can match last season’s success. You just know a victory over the Buckeyes in Columbus would be icing on the cake.
As usual, we’re joined in the LiveBlog by OSU Silver Bullet, Our Honor Defend, Scarlet & Game and Fox Sports Ohio. Make extra certain to stop by the Silver Bullet and congratulate Drew on his recent marriage! (Congrats Drew!)
The game tips at 4:00 PM Eastern Time, LiveBlog at 3:30.
Go Bucks!
This week, Eric is joined by Michael, one of the new writers at the Our Honor Defend blog. The two spend a large chunk of time discussing Ohio State Basketball, including how the rest of the season is going to shape up, and whether or not they believe Sullinger will stay or go (you may be surprised by the answer).
They also look ahead to next basketball season, and take a peek at the upcoming football season including yet another discussion of the possible Quarterbacking situation.
All this and more on this week’s Buckeye Battle Cry Radio Hour!
All he does is score buckets.
Last week on the Buckeye Basketball Breakdown we looked at the way Wisconsin had used the on-ball screen (or ball screen) to open up their three point shooters. Sadly, that strategy worked wonders for Michigan State, Purdue and again for Illinois just last night. All three teams took advantage of the inexperience of Craft and Sullinger to get open looks from beyond the arc.
In last night’s game, Illinois connected on a unbelievable 8-9 (88.89%) of their three point shots in the first half. A lot of that had to do with their ability to screen Craft off his man and pop off a quick shot before Sullinger could respond. However, the Buckeyes adjusted admirably in the second half, forcing Illinois to shoot 1-9 from three in the last stanza.
This switch in strategy is a direct mentality of having found a weakness in the Buckeye’s defense. Consider that before Wisconsin found their new magic bullet, OSU had climbed to a 15 point lead and looked like they were going to make the Badgers pay for the 0-7 Buckeye record in the Kohl Center.
Luckily, it’s looking like Matta and the Buckeyes are learning to handle this new threat, while keeping it from enabling other offensive looks. The win over Illinois last night was particularly impressive in that regard.
Let’s move away from the negative from here. I think there’s enough negative energy floating around the Buckeye Basketball circles as it is (for no good reason, I might add). What I want to talk about today is the second part of screening a shooter for an open look; the off-ball screen.
