Often overlooked, Lighty just wins
By Rusty Miller
AP Sports Writer / March 24, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio?There's a film clip that Ohio State coach Thad Matta loves showing to his players.
It's not of a great victory, a stirring last-second shot or even a painful defeat.
It features David Lighty, who had unknowingly broken a bone in his foot earlier in the Dec. 17, 2008, game against Jacksonville, continuing to play.
"He's got a broken foot. And he's running back and he makes this incredible effort and steals a pass," Matta said. "The point (for the players watching it) is, you're perfectly healthy and you're not playing hard. This guy's got a broken foot and this is the energy he gives us."
Lighty is probably not the first person you'd notice on Ohio State's powerhouse basketball team.
Jared Sullinger, the meaty freshman center? Sure. Or maybe silky smooth shooter William Buford or 3-point specialist Jon Diebler.
But make no mistake about it: The fulcrum of the Buckeyes is the fifth-year senior who's been through so much.
"I've said since the beginning: I love him. I think he's the (Big Ten) MVP. He probably won't get it because people aren't smart enough," Illinois coach Bruce Weber said earlier this season. "He does everything that you need to win the game. Nothing against Sullinger, he's tremendous. The other guys are great. But Lighty, to me, is their heart and soul and he's the reason they win."
Cont...
