Buckeye Blogger NetworkSpeed, Strength and Second chance opportunities looked like they would be the difference early on New Year’s Eve, but it was timely shots, late offensive momentum, questionable officiating and unprecedented mistakes that led to Indiana’s 74-70 win in Bloomington to end 2011.
After Jared Sullinger started the game with an old fashioned three point play with a nice move to the low post, it was the play of guards Aaron Craft and Lenzelle Smith Jr. early that led to a 7-0 run to begin play. Sullinger stole an inbound pass in front of the Hoosier hoop that led to a breakaway layup from Craft. Lenzelle Smith Jr. would follow up with two offensive rebounds that turned into two points on a tip in.
Sullinger would go 3-3 in the first 8 minutes of the ballgame. After hitting the bench, due to foul trouble, the storyline of the game started to change.
Halfway through the first, Indiana started to find their rhythm. Jordan Hulls hit a wide open three from the nearside wing to draw the game within 7. Ohio State would be held six plus minutes without a field goal. With 7:45 on the clock Victor Oladipo made it a 4 point game with another wide open look from the far wing.
After a series of questionable calls, Verdell Jones III would tie the ballgame at 25 from the free throw line. The physical aspect of the game was taken out of play, as every single hand check and movement caused a whistle.
The end of the first half became a scrum of defensive fortitude as both teams found themselves clawing on the court for possession.
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Happy New Year’s Eve! Here’s to drinking plenty of beers, watching plenty of football, dipping tons of crackers into cheeseballs, and being safe out there this holiday. Coming up this afternoon, we wrap up 2011 with a the Ohio State Buckeyes taking on a much improved Indiana team on the hardwood in Bloomington.
Here are some notes from around the web on tonight’s game at 6 PM ET on ESPN 2/3.com. If you’re already hungover, sit back and grab someone to read for you. We can’t have you puking over any of our work here at tBBC. Happy New Year’s Eve and see you in the liveblog!
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Hoosier View:
The Lancaster Eagle Gazette breaks down the numbers of the Indiana Hoosiers this morning. To combat for their weakness on the interior defensively, Indiana has become the highest scoring team in the B1G night in and night out. Now that’s not ripping this squad, it’s just the reality of their personnel this season. Thad Matta though breaks them down almost perfectly.
The one thing you can say is that this squad has all kinds of different talent, and can beat you many different ways on the court.
For Hoosier fans that have been patiently waiting for the resurgence of one of the most prestigious basketball programs in the country, the 2011-12 season has finally been something to brag about.
Head Coach Tom Crean looks like he has finally dug himself out of the hole of Kelvin Sampson’s mistakes. Upcoming in 2012 is arguably the best class in the nation and the most talented in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers return talented play-makers Verdell Jones III, Christian Watford and Victor Oladipo. Add Cody Zeller to the mix, one of the best incoming big men in the country, and it becomes clear why this team has been so competitive.
We had an idea in the pre-season that this team would be good. But knock down Kentucky type of excellence?
The Buckeyes head into Bloomington on the heels of a major win over Northwestern. The Hoosiers will play with a bit of a chip after suffering their first loss of the season to the Michigan State Spartans on Tuesday.
Overall, It looks like we have a great game on Saturday to end the 2011 year.
| School: | Indiana University |
| Location: | Bloomington, Indiana |
| Founded: | 1820 |
| Student Population: | 42,464 |
| School Type: | Public |
| Division: | NCAA |
| Conference: | Big Ten |
| Stadium: | Assembly Hall |
| Seating: | 17,456 |
| Built: | 1971 |
| Head Coach: | Tom Crean |
| Year: | 4th |
Eric and Michael of Our Honor Defend get together to discuss the Buckeyes’ 34-20 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers, a game much closer than the score indicates. They talk about the struggles of the defense, and the fact that the offense seemed to have to save the day this time around. They also talk about the growth of the offense as a whole, and what all this means heading into next week’s game with Purdue.
Of course, they also talk a big of Men’s Basketball previewing the Buckeye’s exhibition game with the Walsh Cavaliers on November 6th.
All this and more on this week’s Postgame Show!
Eric is joined by Malibuckeye and Michael from Our Honor Defend in previewing this week’s Indiana game. They spend plenty of time talking about Wisconsin, including whether or not Buckeye fans should have rushed the field after that game. They also discuss if Wisconsin is a burgeoning rival of Ohio State, and what differences there might be with OSU’s rivalry with Michigan.
The guys hit on the Indiana game and what aspects of the game worry them a little, particularly considering how much like a trap game it is.
Before they wrap up, they also talk a little basketball and preview the upcoming exhibition game against Walsh!
All this and more on this week’s Radio Hour!
(Note: The show is mildly explicit this week.)
Be sure to subscribe to The Buckeye Battle Cry Radio Hour on iTunes for Ohio State news and commentary!
0-5 is a rough way to start in the Big Ten. What does Kevin Wilson need to do to get this Indiana team a conference win? Now that he has more experience, do you think Wilson is the right fit for Indiana?
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Well, he needs to beat Purdue. That’s the only hope for a conference win. IU could improve its play 100 percent in each of the next two games and wins at Ohio State and at Michigan State still would be unlikely. The offense, led by true freshman QB Tre Roberson and RB Stephen Houston, seems to be coming around, but to have any hope of beating Purdue, we will have to cobble something together on defense. As for Wilson, I think it’s too early to say. I really liked his qualifications when he was hired and I still do. I really liked the qualifications of his staff and I still do. This season has been a disappointment, particularly on defense, and Wilson seems willing to blow things up to some degree and start from scratch. We’ll see if it works. Plenty of successful coaches have had rough first years (Barry Alvarez, Bill Snyder, Bill Mallory at IU). Plenty of unsuccessful coaches have had rough starts as well. It’s just too early to tell.
What is one thing that Indiana fans are hopeful can get sorted out by the end of the season? Read More
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.
You're WEAK if you picked Notre Dame in Week 1 - Brian Kelly
There ain’t no thunderstorm bright enough, ain’t no rain storm long enough, ain’t no computer smart enough –to keep me from helping you weaklings! Week 1 is in the books, and though I finished sub .500 in the first week of our picks, I am spry and ready to prove that Week two is my week!
Okay, so finishing 4-5 wasn’t so bad in our first round of games. Considering TCU was a lock ( son of a). Notre Dame never loses in week one right?? (Fight this Irish) I thought Ducks fly together? I guess not when you spread em’ out in Dallas.
Breakdown of Week 1:
So just how ugly was it in the very first analysis for our panel? If your name starts with an E and ends with @tBBC then you’re smilin’ this week. If you’re the dope that writes this article, then you are just happy you tied the computer! Apparently anyone named Joe is a week 1 WEAKLING. Here is a look at this week’s results.
Experts (David Fox/Yahoo!): 7-2
Eric: 6-3
Mali: 5-4
Jim: 5-4
Joe D: 4-5
Computer: 4-5
Joe L 3-6
Props going to David Fox, for boldly picking Baylor over the favored Horned Frogs. He said it in the interview, this defense has a lot of work to do. Fox’s only lost came from Notre Dame and Oregon.
Eric went toe-for-toe, but chose TCU instead of Baylor. Let’s just say he has been wishing bad things upon the Bears all week. Don’t worry Eric, the whole panel was. The Bulls and Bears swept the panel in week 1. Eric says this is a true sign from the football gods that TCU belongs in the Big East.
And well, with the Irish, we are used to this by now aren’t we?
The panel got back on track with sweep wins by selecting Oklahoma over Tulsa and Mizzou over Miami (OH).
Week Two Analysis:
Speaking of those Wacos, this week’s guest writer Lisa Horne of Fox Sports.com and I discuss Big Ten and SEC expansion and the Big 12′s role in it to open things up. Lisa then helps us break down Michigan/ND (EWW), Arizona State/Missouri, Auburn/Mississippi State and Wisconsin/Oregon State with us. A very solid interview with Lisa, as she brings us her great football knowledge. And yes, she chose Michigan, but what else was she supposed to do? Take Notre Dame?
Picks of the Weak: Week 2 With Lisa Horne by The Buckeye Battle Cry
Now it’s time to get to the Games!
