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tOSU vs. Norfolk State (Unofficial Game Preview)

vrbryant

Ever thus to ____ers
Staff member
The Ohio State Buckeyes
vs.
The Norfolk State Spartans
Monday, December 12 - 8:00 p.m.

Athleticlogo.jpg
NORFOLK STATE - Official Site of Norfolk State Athletics - After getting trampled in their first four contests, the Norfolk State Spartans arrive at the Schott Monday night on the strength of two big victories (78-49 vs. Towson and 57-43 at Hampton). Similarly to the Buckeyes prior to their win over St. Joseph's on Saturday, NSU is hitting the road after a long layoff, having not played since December 3rd. Coming away with a 'W' in such circumstances is always difficult, but the Spartans will likely have a much harder time notching a victory against a confident and surging Ohio State squad than we did versus the Hawks. The team began the season with a 51-80 loss to Wisconsin in the 2005 Paradise Jam - a game that remains their only real taste of high-caliber competition so far this year. Needless to say, these young men have their work cut out for them.

The first name in any write-up on the 2005-2006 NSU Spartans is going to be #5, sophomore guard Tony Murphy (6-4, 220). At 16.8 ppg, Murphy is this team's first and foremost scoring option. He has hoisted nearly thirty percent of NSU's total field goal attempts, which would be less of a problem were he not shooting at a 40.6% clip. His 38 three point attempts are nearly as many as our top three long range shooters have combined, but only eleven have found their mark. Having not seen them play, pretty much any commentary I can offer on Tony's style of game would be a purely stat-based assumption, so it probably makes more sense to just give you the numbers and let you do with them what you will. As a freshman, Murphy made the MEAC All-Rookie Team with 10.8 points and 3.6 boards per game. Clearly this guy has the skill to get buckets, and the coaching staff at Norfolk State seems to have no problem giving him the ball, as Murphy is the only player on their roster who averages more than thirty minutes per game (32.7). It was mentioned by Bob Baptist of the Dispatch that the Spartans would be better off pounding the ball inside with its post guys, and that may be true - but don't expect Murphy to put the ball up any less than normal tonight. I suspect he'll be checked by either Foster or J.J., either of whom I think would fare well. If we can hold Chet Stachitas to nine points on 1-6 shooting, Tony Murphy shouldn't be an issue.

Second on the team in scoring is #42, junior center Calvin Brown (6-9, 255) at 11.0 points per game. Calvin leads the team in rebounding at 6.5 per contest, blocked shots (5) and shooting percentage (72.7%). Amusingly, if scoring leader Tony Murphy were connecting with the same frequency, he'd be averaging roughly thirty points a night. Meaningless stat, yes, but funny nonetheless. Brown will almost certainly be given the not-so-enviable task of guarding (and being guarded by) Mr. Dials who - one would assume - will be itching to post big numbers after being very effectively neutralized in Saturday's game. Joining Brown in the frontcourt will be #50, senior forward Karandick Ogunride (6-8, 220). At 7.8 points and 5.7 boards per game, Karandick's numbers are actually quite a bit down from last season (9.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg), but you can chalk that up to poor luck shooting from the floor (16 of 40). He's experienced, consistent and a better-than-average free throw shooter, so I would hope for NSU's sake that he sees more than the 24.3 minutes he's averaged thus far. I suspect that since a few of their six games have been absolute routes (in both directions), the regulars are seeing less time than they would in competitive match-ups. Supposing that's the case, he may not get that extra floor time. The other starter at forward should be #22, junior Tynell Dunkley (6-7, 225). Despite his suggestive name, Dunkley is shooting an abysmal 21.1% from the floor thus far, going 8 for 38 overall and blanking on all six three point attempts. He has started all six games for the Spartans, but has seen fewer than twenty minutes per game, so it's difficult to nail down a role for this guy.

The backcourt apart from shot-machine Murphy will likely feature #1, junior guard Al'Davon Thomas (6-3, 175). The guy was a JuCo stud, averaging 22.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 5.0 steals per game as a sophomore in '03-'04, but has not found similar success in I-A ball (5.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, .250 FG%). Thomas is the closest thing this team has to a point guard, leading the team with 13 assists through six games. Unfortunately, he also leads in turnovers (19) and personal fouls (17). He'll be spelled by #3, junior guard Brian Faulcon (5-8, 175).

Norfolk State, on the year, has a team assist-to-turnover ratio of 1:1.9 - for those wondering, that's not so good. Ohio State's, by comparison, is 1:1. NSU has just 56 assists on 138 made field goals, whereas we have 63 on 106. We're shooting 52.5%, while holding our opponents to 39.3%. NSU is shooting 40.7%, allowing 42.6%. The net outcome of this will likely be a rout, but it will be important for our guys to keep trying to improve, no matter how weak the opponent. Hopefully this will be an opportunity for Harris and Twigs to get some quality minutes and prove they can contribute when given the opportunity.

Projected starters:

Ohio State

F - J.J Sullinger
F - Matt Sylvester
C - Terence Dials
G - Jamar Butler
G - Foster, Je'Kel

Norfolk State

F - Karandick Ogunride
F - Tynell Dunkley
C - Calvin Brown
G - Tony Murphy
G - Al'Davon Thomas


My prediction: OSU 77 - NSU 58

Up next, Belmont...
 
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