Is there still a concern for lack of bench support?

[Coqui]

I've heard people mention that they're concerned about the lack of bench support for Ohio State and how they won't be able to play late into the tournament due to exhaustion. I'm still trying to understand this because of the following:

We just played 3 days straight very hard fought games (including a double overtime).

In at least one of those games (according to Titus) there was some suffering of possible food poisoning and yet we played an amazing game against Minnesota to win the Tournament Title.

We have at least a day off between each game now and our top5 have proven they could play a full 40 minutes without issue.


I'll defer this more over to the experts (you guys) but I don't see why there's cause for concern after what's happened with the Big10 Tourney

 

[AKAK]

I'd tend to think we'd be more worried about foul trouble... I mean... it's Friday, Sunday-- 3-4 days off... rinse repeat. Plenty of down time in there for this group.... but... you never know what refs you're gonna get.

 

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

I'm not as worried as I was earlier in the season, especially since Madsen has been very dependable and Simmons can provide a few minutes of relief if needed.

 

[Buckeye86]

I'd tend to think we'd be more worried about foul trouble... I mean... it's Friday, Sunday-- 3-4 days off... rinse repeat. Plenty of down time in there for this group.... but... you never know what refs you're gonna get.

I hear that Hightower plans on reffing every tournament game this year, he has ways of getting around.

 

[Pimpinnati]

NCAA tournament is chocked full of TV Timeouts. I think fatigue won't be as big an issue as it normally would.

Foul trouble on the other hand could prove costly.

 

[Coqui]

I'd tend to think we'd be more worried about foul trouble... I mean... it's Friday, Sunday-- 3-4 days off... rinse repeat. Plenty of down time in there for this group.... but... you never know what refs you're gonna get.

I thought with Hightower and his crew, we already got the worst possible?:!

 

[Dryden]

Can't speak for others, but when I point to lack of bench support, it is aimed specifically at the lack of legitimate scoring threats in the event ET gets into foul trouble. I'm fine with PJ coming in and running the show for 10 minutes, but the reality is that with PJ running the point he's not commanding the double teams ET will so that also causes fewer shooting opportunities for Diebler, Buford, and Lighty. Simmons subbed for Buford or Diebler is the same deal.

Exhaustion for these kids won't be an issue. I said it before the Minnesota game and I think their run in the 2nd half of the game bore that out. Plus, in the NCAA tournament there is still plenty of time between games and lengthy TV timeouts. Foul trouble is the biggest obstacle to a deep tourney run.

 

[AKAK]

I hear that Hightower plans on reffing every tournament game this year, he has ways of getting around.

Seems like there's a spies like us joke in here somewhere.... but I can't get it out.

 

[Coqui]

Regarding foul trouble:

Only 11 teams in NCAA Division I average fewer fouls per game than Ohio State's 15.4.

What makes the statistic more remarkable is that only two of those 11 have held opponents to lower field-goal percentages than the Buckeyes. Ohio State's opponents are making 40.9 percent of their attempts and averaging 60.4 points per game.

Obviously, the officiating is subjective, but we run a pretty tight ship when it comes to defense.

 

[Pimpinnati]

Seems like there's a spies like us joke in here somewhere.... but I can't get it out.

That's what He said?

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

as others have stated, i think that foul trouble would be ohio state's undoing before exhaustion. i have expressed worry about our team's legs; however, i cannot deny that the team tends to play better towards the end. though the buckeyes have given up leads down the stretch (see wvu and m*ch*gan), there have been many more games during which the team has played outstanding ball late in the second half.

one key for the team will be for turner and lauderdale not to get in early foul trouble. those two players must not commit their first foul early in the first half and must not get their second foul with more than 8 minutes to go. if ohio state faces georgia tech in the second round or georgetown in the sweet 16, either team could devour the bucks if madsen finds extended time. georgia tech's favors and georgetown's monroe would feast on kyle. fortunately, we do have a tested zone as a safety cushion and we do have an offense that could win in a shootout.

 

[AKAK]

Obviously, the officiating is subjective, but we run a pretty tight ship when it comes to defense.

See below.

That's what He said?

Exactly...

Ed Hightower

Rocket.

Anus.

Doctor, Doctor, Doctor, Doctor.

Soul Finger by the Bar-Kays.

 

[Pimpinnati]

Doctor, Doctor, Doctor, Doctor.

 

[Coqui]

we do have an offense that could win in a shootout.

I'd love to see a 3-point shooting clinic put on by our 4 guards (not because we need it, but to just make it rain 3s)

 

[BB73]

I'd tend to think we'd be more worried about foul trouble... I mean... it's Friday, Sunday-- 3-4 days off... rinse repeat. Plenty of down time in there for this group.... but... you never know what refs you're gonna get.

Exactly. Playing twice a week with 1 day off between the games is no problem for these guys, even if they're going 40 minutes. If the pace of the game gets too fast, they can slow down on offense for a couple of pessessions.

I am concerned about fouls getting called on Lauderdale, ET, and Madsen though.

But perhaps the perimeter players have been making better use of their fouls lately. When somebody gets beat off the dribble, it''s better to reach in from behind and foul than have a layup and/or a foul called on an interior defender (even moreso if the bigs are already in foul trouble). Especially if the team isn't in the bonus yet. I've seen a few more of those tyoe of 'smart' fouls lately, but I don't know if it's a team strategy or just a coincidence.