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tOSU 65, at West Va 71, Jan 23 2 ET, CBS

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BB73

BB73

Loves Buckeye History
Staff member
Bookie
'16 & '17 Upset Contest Winner
Buckeyes head to Huggy-land for a non-conference matchup.

I'll add the lines either late Friday or Saturday morning.
 
I remember 76-48. :shake:

I don't care about the margin, but I would like to pay them back with a win on their floor. :oh:
 
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You know Thuggy is going to want this one bad for not even getting an interview after Ayers was whacked. I remember he was on his best behavior all through the tournament (might have even worn a tie), but alas Andy Geiger never came a callin':biggrin:.
 
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Weekend Watch: Jan. 22-24 - ESPN
By Jay Bilas
ESPN.com

When and where: Saturday at 2 ET (CBS), WVU Coliseum
How to Beat OSU: Ohio State is an outstanding offensive team, especially inside the 3-point line. You have to keep Evan Turner out of the lane and keep him from making plays for others. He is arguably the best player in the country, and is without question the most productive in the most varied areas. Ohio State has one great shooter in Jon Diebler, and he has to be found early and you cannot help off of him. If Diebler gets an open 3, he is hitting it.

How to Beat WVU: The Mountaineers are long-armed and athletic defenders, and can switch every screen. While West Virginia does not have a true point guard in whose hands Bob Huggins can put the ball, the Mountaineers do have a ton of versatile players, and all of them make it a point to go to the glass and get extra possessions through offensive rebounds. WVU is the best offensive rebounding team in the Big East, and one of the top five in the country. Keep the Mountaineers out of the lane and limit them to one shot, and you have a great chance to beat them. Ohio State plays mostly man-to-man defense, but can also trot out a 3-2 zone to make West Virginia prove it over the top.
OSU's Hot Player: Over the past four games, Turner is averaging 21 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals -- and he is still getting his legs back after missing six games with a fractured bone in his back. If he had played a full schedule, Turner would be the leading candidate for national player of the year. West Virginia has a few different players who are long and athletic enough to bother Turner, but they have to stay in front of him.
WVU's Hot Player: I'm not sure that any Mountaineer is really hot right now, but Da'Sean Butler is the most likely to get hot because he knows how to play. The 6-7 senior is active, aggressive, tough and can slash to the lane, pull up or go into the post. Butler is the team leader and best player.
Buckeye Who Needs to Step Forward: William Buford. He is a very good shooter who is totally unafraid to pull the trigger. He has a quick release and a scorer's mentality. Buford can be a difference-maker, so West Virginia cannot let him get started.
Mountaineer Who Needs to Step Forward: Kevin Jones. The sophomore is a versatile and underrated player and can play inside or outside. He'll be the best offensive rebounder on the floor. Jones has great length and can post, and Huggins runs some backscreen action to get him into the low post. Jones has made only 8 of his past 24 from the floor -- and that sort of shooting won't cut it against the Buckeyes.
The Winner Is: Ohio State. The Buckeyes are finally getting healthy and finding their rhythm. Turner is the difference in this one.
Click to expand...
 
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I wish this game was starting right now. On paper, this is a very winnable game for the Buckeyes. WV doesn't seem to have a dominant big man, which is the one thing OSU can't match up with (though DLaud and KM have been playing the best BB of their careers lately). Also, they don't seem to have a whole lot from deep, which can be a problem for stretches. D. Butler is the guy we have to worry about, and I think we have the luxury of having 2-3 guys who can be effective in defending him. I would like to see DLight stuck on him most, but ET, and even JD can man up (hopefully with help).

But, this being a Huggins team, the biggest hurdle will not be shutting down their top scorers, but producing points against a disciplined (on the court), and physical defense. If the last few games are an indication, the OSU offense has become more versatile since the early season. I would like to see DLight and WB get some looks inside 15' early (I would love to see WB attack the basket, like vs. NW). Forcing the WV D back could open things up for JD, who is about due for a hot game. If the going gets tough for the O, we can't afford for ET to play on an island. It would seem he's shed that tendency since the injury, but a hard-nosed D will be a big test.

I hope we beat em by fuckin 50. Go Buckeyes!!!
 
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